Page 3 of Gift from the Stone

Lowering myself to my knees as Caspian places me right in front of Tillman, I don’t have to turn back to give him the okay. I know he’s watching me. So I prepare for the weightlessness to lift as I steady my hands on my thighs and sink down to sit on my heels before the corporeal feeling returns to my body.

“Tillman… I’m here.” I broadcast as loud and clear as possible when I feel the shadows leave me.

“Will.”

His head shoots up. Eyes bloodshot like he’s been fighting back tears, he gathers me in his arms in a bone-crushing hug and I sigh in relief even though my ribs scream. I’d die happily right here crushed in his embrace if it meant I’d always feel this safe, like nothing in the world could ever hurt me.

If only that were true.

“I’m so sorry, Tillman.”

The brief feeling of relief that I found coming from him becomes clouded by guilt. He’s tearing himself apart, blaming himself for not being able to get me out of my panic.

“No, I am so—”

“You didn’t do anything. Please don’t apologize. I’m sorry you had to hear all of that, maybe even see it. I’m sorry I wasn’t strong enough to pull myself together,” I whisper as the first tear falls.

“You’re the strongest person I’ve ever met in my life, Willow. There’s no part of you that’s weak. Mind, body, or soul. Don’t ever think differently.” The pride and admiration that dwell in his eyes is like a gentle embrace, an affirmation that speaks volumes to me. He doesn’t see me as a victim. He really sees me as the warrior he calls me.

He seals his lips to mine, stealing the breath I was preparing to take. The kiss completely breaks me free of the remnants of the panic attack and I relax into him fully. Tangling my hands in his hair, I pull him closer, deepening our kiss. After a few blissful moments, he breaks away with soft pecks to my lips and lays his forehead against mine, letting out a relieved sigh.

“Can I have her now, please?” That voice, so polite but so strained, makes my smile widen, and my blood heats as Tillman stands effortlessly with me in his arms and easily passes me to Draken.

“Little wanderer,” he whispers against my neck, taking a deep breath.

“Hey you,” I murmur as he pulls back to look at me.

I melt in his arms as the fire in his eyes warms me from the inside out. Holding him as tightly as I can, we sit there for a few long moments. His rapid heart slows to match the tempo of mine. I bathe in his comfort and soak in the ray of sunshine that’s all things Draken.

To the realm, I’m wrapped in the arms of the deadliest creature to fly the skies of Elementra, but to me, he’s just my sweet Draken, my dragon.

A throat clearing has me lifting my head and opening my eyes. Corentin’s swirling orbs of whiskey are trying their hardest to see inside my mind, as though if he stares long and hard enough, he’ll find every answer he’s ever wanted.

Leaning my head down to Draken’s ear, only for him to hear, I whisper, “I need to see our fearless leader. Can you share me for a few minutes?” I lightly laugh as a small growl slips past his lips. “None of that, dragon. I’ll be right here. You can watch me from a foot away.”

“Fine,” he grumbles and reluctantly hands me off to Corentin.

“Willow.” My name is a mere strained whisper, and his emotionless mask is firmly in place, but I’m not going to be on the receiving end of that look anymore.

“Are you okay?” I ask sweetly, reaching up to cup his cheek. For a long, fleeting moment, I think he’s going to continue this stare off and not open up to me.

“Don’t worry about me, princess. Are you okay?” The steely glint of his eyes softens as he kisses my forehead.

“I will be but answer me. Don’t shut me out, Core.” His taut body shivers, seemingly releasing some of his tension, then his arms tighten their grip around me.

“I’m not okay. Not understanding what that wolf was talking about that made you completely shut down is driving me crazy. I don’t know how to fix it. I don’t even know everything I need to protect you from. I can’t lose you, Willow. We can’t lose you.” His chest rises and falls rapidly between each short breath. His soft eyes are now shifting through a multitude of emotions. So many in a matter of seconds it makes my head spin.

Grabbing the back of his neck, I pull his face down to mine. He freezes, surprised at my forwardness, then a groan has him shifting his hand and tangling his fingers in my hair. Tilting my head so he can deepen the kiss, I immediately give up control to him, knowing that’s what he needs right now.

The passion behind every stroke of his tongue makes me feel alive. I’m sure I can live without ever needing air again. I can just breathe him in, and I’ll survive. When he pulls back, he gazes down at me like I’m the light of his life.

My head falls to his chest as I soak in the feeling of being cared for. This is the balance he brings to my life. I need a sense of control for the simple fact I’ve never had any before coming here.

With him…

He makes it feel okay to give up control, hand it over willingly, because I’ll be taken care of, not taken advantage of.

Exhaling, I open my eyes to take in the mostly empty training fields. I find Oakly and Gaster standing a few feet away, waiting patiently for me to finish up with my guys. I give them both a small smile and motion them over.

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