Page 85 of Beautiful Beast

An amused chuckle sounded in my head. I am flattered you appreciate this form, your Highness.

“Idroal?”

The same.

I stared at them. “Does a dragon’s form always match their eyes?”

It is common, but not a universal truth. Nor does a dragon’s form always remain the same throughout their life. Because we shift our forms, it is part of who we are, and we change.

Belleo touched me on the shoulder before retreating, and I went to my dragons, gathered together in the corner, still wearing nothing but the loose pants they’d donned when we returned from the beach.

Some bags sat at their feet, and they spoke quietly. Sirrus reached out when I approached, not even looking as he pulled me to his side. Like it was natural and automatic. “Are you ready?”

“As much as I can be.”

Zovai smiled at me, but it was pained. “You’ll ride with myself and Sirrus. We’ll switch when we need to.”

“Not Endre?”

“Not this time, Princess,” Sirrus kissed my temple.

Endre didn’t look at me, instead toward the dark hallways which led to the cells where we’d first truly met. “Why?”

His jaw ticked. “It doesn’t matter.”

“It does,” I said, stepping away from Sirrus and into him. “I saw you fall on the floor with exhaustion when you are one of the most powerful dragons in existence. You have a scar on your chest that marks you as a traitor. I’ve heard all of you speak of your powers being bound.” I grabbed his hand and squeezed it. “I’m no fool Endre. I know what is between us is strange and impossible, and I know the three of you have seen more of the world and experienced more than I can imagine. It will take me time to learn. But I still want to know.”

When he finally looked at me, the devastation in his gaze laid me bare. I gasped, and he pulled me closer, pressing his forehead to mine. “Let me keep you alive,” he whispered. “Let me do that, and I will tell you everything. Because there is too much to say, and if I can’t save you, then it does not matter.”

Fear I failed to suppress gripped me with icy claws. “But are you all right? Are you in pain? Why?—”

Endre surged across the remaining distance and kissed me. A kiss that claimed and soothed and begged me to trust. How could I say no to it?

“I am not in pain. But for the moment, I cannot carry you.” Endre made a low sound in his throat. “I wish I could. And when we stop to rest, I will have you in my arms. I promise you that.”

“All right.”

We must go. Idroal’s voice sounded regretful.

“You’ll ride with me first,” Sirrus said. He strode away, form shifting into the gorgeous, icy dragon I now felt I knew by heart. Zovai helped me climb onto his back, and I settled into that space between his wings. The same one where Varí, though smaller, kept his pouch with his coin.

The thought of being their coin made me smile in spite of myself.

Behind us, the falling sun turned the sea to flat and shining gold. I raised a hand to Belleo and Mesene, my stomach swooping as we launched into the air. No matter what happened to me now, at least I would know what it was like to fly.

I huddled on Sirrus’s back, leaning my head on his scales and listening to the wind. The powerful beat of his wings made muscles move beneath me in a soothing rhythm. It was dark now, and much colder. I’d grown tired several hours ago, and decided to rest with my hand in my pocket to snuggle with Varí.

Something must have woken me, but I felt sluggish and sleepy. They would tell me if something was wrong.

Dizziness overtook me, and I realized our speed had slowed. Each flap of wings was farther apart, and the wind flowing down our bodies gentled. Still, I didn’t move.

I barely felt a jolt when we stopped, but my body seemed to still be in motion. Like the beating of wings still pulsed around me. Low voices behind me before I heard the sound of feet on scales. “Lena?”

“Hello.” Sleep laced my voice.

Endre lifted me. His scent was wilder. Perhaps from embracing the form of his beast for so long at a time. But I knew it was him. He’d promised I would be in his arms. Varí rubbed against the hand still in my pocket.

“Where are we?”

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