Page 105 of Oath of Rebellion

She soaped her body, paying attention to the bulge. She poked it, but it was hard under her skin. She frowned, sweat from the hot water beading on her skin. It was the fastest bath she'd ever had, even with soaping herself three times.

Helga would be proud. A stab of worry over her maid led to more questions. She brushed and braided her hair and put on a pair of pants and shirt, the dwarves pants two sizes too big around the waist. She ripped what was left of Scarlet's shirt and tied it into a belt around the pants.

As she dressed, her worry mounted. Pain kept shooting through her body, and her anxiety went through the roof. Something was wrong. Where was Knox?

She felt in her bones that he was in trouble or hurt. She scrubbed her boots to a shine and rinsed out her mouth as she tried to think through her feelings and identify the problem.

Was it just a week ago that she'd put on these boots for a walk in the gardens before the wedding reception? She sighed, her body brimming with energy as if preparing for a race. She couldn't sit still, her mind and hands flying as she tidied up the bathroom and opened the door.

She stepped out of the short hall into the workshop.

The smell of manure assaulted her nose, and she gagged, pushing a soft gust of wind to clear the air. She wanted to retch, but choked it down, the wave passing as quickly as it came. A twinkle on the workshop table caught her eye, and she walked toward it.

It was the ring they'd found in the tower. The emerald reminded her of Knox' eyes, and she slid it on her finger, tears pricking at her eyes. She'd thought it'd be too big, but somehow it fit exactly right. The gem sparkled in the light.

A flash of pain left her bending over in pain. She clutched her stomach, the pain stabbing in her ribs. Knox. Where was he? Was he hurt?

Her mind knew nothing was wrong with her body. She was perfectly fine, if hungry. But on some level, she knew the pain was tied to Knox. She had to get to him, but she'd be no use without some food first.

Her hands shook as she looked at the ring, hunger clawing at her. The golden apple lay in pieces on the table beside the books. Her stomach growled, and she picked up the apple.

She ate and flipped through the top book, skimming the pages and drawings. It was some sort of dragonology encyclopedia and explained the various types. But the handwritten notes in the margins drew most of her attention, the scrawl reminding her of some of the ancient books they'd studied in mage school.

Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped as she read.

It's very rare but some dragons have just one fated mate. Some dragons have no sexual desire at all until they meet their fated mate, and then their bodies will only sing for their one true love.

He loved her? That's what he'd meant by asking her to be his mate? Mating meant love to dragons, not just having sex.

Her chest tightened, and a small smile played on her lips. A stab of pain came out of nowhere and wiped the smile off her face, making her gasp. She flipped the page, seeking answers on how to help Knox, how to find out what was wrong with him.

Fated mates must complete the rituals to seal their destiny. The male dragon must penetrate all female holes, building from one to two to three. There must be an exchange of multiple body fluids. They must seal their love three times in three days.

Eirwyn's lips twisted wryly. They'd definitely done all that. She turned her head to read the handwriting.

Venomous tails do not harm the fated mate. Actually, the venom barb acts like an aphrodisiac combined with a psychedelic and paralytic. The venom itself can be used as a lube. Likewise, with poisonous breath. The breath draws the mate closer.

She tapped her chin and flipped the page.

Fated mates almost always reproduce during the mating ritual. After the mating ritual is complete, the egg will grow for a week before being delivered. If the egg is not fertilized, one or both will die (mother and child.) Almost all the time, losing the fated mate also brings the death of the remaining mate.

Eirwyn's heart raced. She looked up at the echo of footsteps to see the old dwarf watching her warily.

She set the book down. "Where's Knox? When will he be back?"

The dwarf took his glasses off and cleaned them with a sigh. "He went to Vidrland, the village a day's ride south in the forest."

She frowned. "Vidrland?"

He shifted and avoided her eyes. "Between us and the Lone Road. It's the ancient druid ruins that the Robins have turned into a village."

Eirwyn sucked in a breath. "There really is a village in the forest, then? Led by rebels?"

He nodded, pursing his lips and putting his glasses back on. "Knox leads the Robins from Vidrland."

Eirwyn's jaw dropped. "He does what?"

The old man stepped to the side and held out a hand. "Let me explain over dinner. Are you hungry?"

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