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So I did.

But I was furious.

Never Alone

~ GRACE ~

I didn’t know what Donavyn had told Voski. But whatever it was, it weighed on my mate, and had him muttering under his breath.

He was there when I woke, just as he’d promised to be. Sitting in that chair at my side, staring at the wall, one elbow rested on the chair arm, chin propped on his thumb, his fingers drawing back and forth across his lips.

I didn’t move immediately, because he looked so dark, and so handsome, and it was so quiet… for a moment I just stared at him, washed with gratitude that he was safe.

But he must have felt the love pouring through the bond, because he blinked and looked at me, jerking when he realized I was awake, turning, forgetting whatever he’d been thinking about and taking my hand, brushing hair back from my face.

“Are you hurting? Do you need help? Was there—”

“I’m well,” I murmured, smiling up at him. “But you looked very deep in thought. What did Donavyn tell you?”

He shrugged, but his eyes dropped to our hands. “He just had advice for me on… on moving forward. I’m not sure if he’s right. But I’m talking to Kham about it.”

“He probably was. He seems like a wise man.” I wanted to ask what it had been, but obviously he was uneasy about it, and it occurred to me, it might be duties he’d been assigned. Or a new mission.

I went very still and his eyes snapped up to mine. “What is it? What’s frightened you?”

“Is he sending you away? Do you have to go back to—”

“No! No, nothing like that. Don’t worry. In fact, he’s insisted that I stay at your side until you’re healed. He’s refusing to let me back onto the roster until… until things are more settled.”

Why did he shift his weight and grimace at that? “Do you want to go back on patrol? Or—”

“No.”

But he didn’t expand, and then Terra came in to examine me and ask me the same questions she did every evening before the dinner meal.

What hurt?

How badly did it hurt?

How much had I slept?

Had I passed water?

It was no wonder I struggled to keep track of the days, because every one looked the same. Full of sleep, and healthy meals, quiet conversations with the hovering Voski, and gentle encouragement from my dragon. And grieving.

Lots of grieving.

It took me in strange ways. Sometimes I sat with Voski, smiling and pleased, feeling loved and cared for, and in my gratitude, it would hit me what we’d lost. And suddenly the joy froze. And the warmth went cold.

Voski never grew impatient. Always drew me in, held me, stroked my hair or my back, clutching me tightly until the tears passed. But I found it frustrating.

I was weak. Too weak. When these waves came, they overwhelmed everything else, and made me feel ill.

Why was he able to stand firm, keep going, remain focused?

When would I have that strength? When would I be able to set aside my heart and just be?

A Furyknight…