He wouldn’t let it go. ‘You can’t just go there on your own. It’s not safe. At least let me come with you.’
‘You’re a king. She can treat that as a declaration of war too,’ I reminded him, knowing he was aware.
‘I don’t care.’
And for once, I believed him.
Chapter Fifty-Two
Avari
Embracing my dragon, I buried my face against warm scales as she lowered her massive head to meet my eyes.
I felt a sense of completion. I had already gone two weeks without my bonded before, back when River kidnapped me. But it had been different in the Isles. Unable to feel our bond or talk, in its wake was an open chasm that I was certain Anya felt too, given her affectionate state.
‘Living without you was just existing,’ I assured her.
She groaned in agreement. ‘We aren’t meant to be apart. The silence was deafening.’
‘I missed you so much.’
‘I missed you more. You’re the only thing I have in the world.’
My throat tightened. I wasn’t sure how she’d take this. ‘Not for long, though I don’t know whether you’ll be happy about it.’
‘What did you do?’
‘I met a shadow dragon in the Isles. He wants to live with us, wherever that is. He’s lonely too.’
‘And where will we live?’
‘The Isles. The bond didn’t work over distance. I’m hoping that if you’re there, the land will allow it. If it doesn’t, at least we’ll be able to talk, and I’ll just have to train harder to grow shadows. They said that’s when my connections to the outside world will flourish.’
‘I still can’t believe that you have an actual family. I am happy for you.’
Hearing her say it softened something inside me I hadn’t realised was still hard. ‘So am I. They’re not perfect, but they treat me like an equal and care for me.’
‘If they ever try to tear you away from me again, I will burn everything they love,’ Anya threatened.
I snorted. ‘Alec could use a little scorching here and there.’
‘And the others?’
‘Miriam and I are alike. She loves to read and is slightly socially clumsy, too.’
‘You look nothing alike. Like neither of your parents nor siblings.’
‘I know. Maybe it’s a good thing. I’m my own person.’
Footsteps echoed behind me, measured and careful. I didn’t have to look. It could only be him.
‘I don’t mean to interrupt…’ he said softly, the careful tone of someone approaching a wild animal. A smart move, considering my attitude.
Letting go of my dragon, the beast straightened, watching our exchange like a silent witness, eventually suggesting with a glare that I should let her stomp him to death.
‘I just couldn’t stay away,’ River admitted, keeping a few feet of distance between us. I wondered whether it wasbecause of my beast or if he deemed it necessary because of our strained relations.
Silence stretched.
