Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 86059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 430(@200wpm)___ 344(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86059 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 430(@200wpm)___ 344(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Now I’m the one that hesitates. He’s just going to let me go? Just like that? After being so possessive? I’m oddly hurt.
I am trying to give you room, he explains. I cannot hover over you at all times, though I would prefer to do so. He caresses my cheek. I will let you go for a short time, but only because I intend on smothering you with my attentions the moment you return.
Fair enough. I hate that I’ve turned into this silly, needy creature…but at the same time, he’s not laughing at me. I like that he feels the same.
“Come on,” Gwen says, gesturing that we should follow her. “I’ll show you to your rooms and then you guys can figure out whatever you need to.” She heads off down the hall, Vaan giving us a curious look before he follows behind his mate. I take Jurik’s hand in mine and he carries my pack as we head out of Azar’s private quarters.
She leads us down another one of the many halls, and then pauses in front of a door. “These are the guest quarters Azar saves for visitors, but…we don’t get many. He’s not a popular guy.” Her smile is tight. “I think he keeps hoping that some of the other dragon-bonded will take him up on his offer and show up in Fort Dallas, but no one will.” She gestures across the hall. “This is me and Vaan. Feel free to ask us anything you need to know. We’ve been here a month or two ourselves.”
“Thanks.” I let go of Jurik’s hand and push the door open to “our” new room. It’s dark and quiet inside, but clean. The bed takes up the majority of the room and looks a lot like two full-size beds pushed together into one massive set-up, complete with fresh blankets and fluffy pillows. New-looking magazines and books are set up on a shelf, and it looks as if there’s an attached bathroom. “Swanky.”
“Oh, Azar makes sure he lives in style,” Gwen says wryly. She looks at Vaan, and then nods. Then, she turns to us, her voice low. “Can we come in for a minute?”
Vaan is reaching out to me, Jurik says. He is trying to connect with me, to touch minds. I have been blocking him because I thought he was one of Azar’s creatures, but now I do not know. Should I speak to him?
I don’t know.
Gwen senses our hesitation. “Vaan was infected by the Salorian mind control back in his world, but he says it’s not possible for Azar to tap into your mate through him. That takes too much control, and he’s stretched thin holding onto the dragons he has. I know you probably don’t believe me, but I swear it’s the truth.”
He is stretched thin, Jurik admits after a moment. I felt the Salorian trying to probe my mind once, and then I felt his captive drakoni waking up. After that, he pulled back.
Okay then. I trust you. I glance at Jurik.
Jurik looks over at Vaan, and the two golden-skinned men stare at each other for a long moment. Then, like the sun coming out from behind the clouds, recognition dawns on Jurik’s face. I know him.
Vaan grins, too, and then the two drakoni men are bro-hugging and slapping each other on the back in the world’s most enthusiastic-but-silent reunion.
“Funny how they’ve been staring at each other for the last hour but it’s just now they recognize each other,” Gwen murmurs.
“It’s the mind touch. That’s how they communicate. It makes sense that he doesn’t really ‘see’ him until their minds link,” I say, then feel stupid for pointing it out. Of course she knows that.
I can feel Jurik’s joy, and it makes me so happy for him. To have a piece of his history returning to him like this must be a priceless treasure.
“While you two catch up, I’m going to talk to Rachel,” Gwen says. “I’ll escort her over to her friends.” She caresses Vaan’s cheek and the dragon gives her a heated look of promise that makes me blush because it’s also very familiar. I’ve seen that same look on Jurik’s face as he watches me.
I turn to my dragon, hesitating. You’ll be okay while I’m gone? I won’t be long. I just need to check on Jenny and Manda and the others.
He pulls me into his arms, nuzzling at my neck as if determined to leave another mark on my skin. I will miss you, but we are connected. If you feel in danger, call for me. I will hear you and I will tear this place apart to get to you. This I swear.
No tearing apart necessary, I tell him.
So you say. I will reserve judgment. He takes the pack off his shoulder and carefully slides it onto mine, snapping the belt at my waist so it won’t slide off my shoulders. Do not make me come look for you.