Total pages in book: 144
Estimated words: 136061 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 680(@200wpm)___ 544(@250wpm)___ 454(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 136061 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 680(@200wpm)___ 544(@250wpm)___ 454(@300wpm)
I remembered what Nyfain had said about the uselessness of “dogs” and his passing negative comments about bear shifters. He did tend to look down on other shifters. Before, having put dragons on a pedestal most of my life, I might’ve gone along with it. But I felt differently after working with the faeries and the wolves. We were much stronger with them.
“I saw something different in you,” he went on. “As did Calia. We saw the glue that could bring us all together and get us out of that awful place. So did Govam, if I’m honest. What I didn’t see until later was the respect and loyalty you engender in those closest to you. I can see why now. You are willing to sacrifice yourself for the wellbeing of others. You did it for this kingdom, and you did it again after the battle. Instead of getting back to your dragon prince, you came here to help the ailing.” He put his fist to his heart. “You have my loyalty, Finley. You are a friend of my pack. We will always help you in times of need.”
My eyes prickled with heat.
“All I know is survival,” I told him, bracing my hands on my hips to keep from throwing them around his neck and sobbing uncontrollably. It seemed I was a little fragile at the moment. “To survive, you must pull together as a community. I wasn’t raised a dragon. So no, I’m not like them. And I’m not like the people in my community either. They’re mostly wolves, although I’m not sure about all of them. I always felt different, though. I never fit in. I’m a dragon in wolves’ clothing, maybe.” I shrugged, wishing I was half as eloquent as he was. “You didn’t need to put yourself in danger to bail out a kingdom you couldn’t remember, yet you put yourself—and your pack—on the line. That took a lot of guts and trust. I don’t have a pack, or really much of anything, but if you ever need help, I’ll come. I have no fucking idea how, but I’ll make it happen.”
His smile was slight. “You seem like a person who never knows the how of things when she starts something but always gets where she wants to go anyway.” He paused for a moment. “You can hug me, if you want. It’s not really something we do in the pack with non-mates, but…you’re a dragon, so I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
“How’d you…” I didn’t bother finishing the question before I wrapped my arms around his shoulders, squeezing him tightly for a moment, so fucking grateful to him. I didn’t let myself cry, though. I had to have some respect, after all.
Thank fuck for that, my dragon thought drolly.
After I pulled back, Weston glanced at the castle. “I don’t know much about the prince, but I know a strong leader when I see one. A capable leader. What happened to his wings?”
“He wouldn’t let the demon suppression magic keep him from his dragon. Fighting it muddied his scales and ripped the wings from his back. It stole half his strength. But he held on. He used his dragon to protect his kingdom against the creations Dolion kept releasing to kill everyone off. He never said die.”
Fuck my eyes. The waterworks were threatening. All the emotion of being home, the close call with my family, and getting to see Nyfain again were starting to get to me.
Weston didn’t show any signs that he’d even heard me, just continued to stare at me after I’d stopped talking. I felt my eyebrows creep up my forehead.
“That’s why his human form bears scars?” he finally asked.
“Yes. He didn’t have much access to his healing ability, and he didn’t know me yet. I would’ve kept him looking much prettier.”
He studied me a bit longer, nodded, and walked away. No goodbye or any indication he was done with the conversation.
“Okay, then.” I turned, meeting Micah next. I’d have to make this short, though. I could feel Nyfain’s longing for me pulsing through the bond. He was finally on his way; I knew he was. He had met his threshold of resistance, and he was coming for me.
And then I’d make him come for me.
“Hey, Micah,” I said. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Hannon drifting closer. He wasn’t hurrying, though. He clearly wasn’t worried about my dragon being a cheating dickface at the moment. “I need to go tear down this curse, but thank you for helping us free the kingdom. You and Weston and your people didn’t have to put yourself in danger, especially for a kingdom you couldn’t remember, but I’m so thankful you did.”
He looked down at me, his eyes open and inviting. I leaned back a little, put off by his intensity.