Page 73 of Stolen By Dragons

"You should rest," I said gently as she tried to cover a yawn. "It's been a long night."

Aria nodded as she covered her yawn. "You're right. I do kinda just want to sleep. I’m glad this one has powers, but it’s been draining, all of this. At least they’re handling Marcus.”

“Yes, thank god. I’m glad Ossian was willing to step in though,” Lydia said pointedly.

“Valeria was here too,” Aria added quickly. “I think she would’ve helped.”

“Seems we have some allies in the fangers,” I mused, and Aria frowned at my term for them but didn’t comment.

“Anyway, do you want us to still stay? We can both crash here,” Lydia said softly, but Aria shook her head.

“Thank you, I appreciate it, but I don’t think you need to. Marcus was the only issue, and now my dragon has powers, so I doubt the other two vampires will do anything, and Ossian and Valeria, I trust them not to make a move,” Aria said.

“Trust is not something I’d use with a vampire,” Lydia said softly, but she rose off the bed. “But in this instance, I do think you’re right.”

“You sure? I don’t mind staying, I’ll sleep in the chair, I don’t sleep much anyway,” I said, but she shook her head again.

“Really, Zephyr, I’m fine. Thank you, truly. I just want to pass out.”

I nodded understandingly as I rose, and Aether pulled himself to his feet.

We said our goodnights and left her room, her dragon curled protectively at her side on the bed.

In the hallway, Lydia and I lingered, neither of us quite ready to leave Aria alone after everything that had happened. The Keep suddenly felt more dangerous, the shadows deeper and more threatening.

"Do you think the vampires will retaliate? The other two always with Marcus? Lydia asked, her voice low, eyes darting nervously down the corridor.

I shook my head, trying to project more confidence than I felt. "I don't think so. Marcus broke their laws by attacking Aria. If anything, they'll be distancing themselves from him. Vampires take their codes of conduct very seriously."

Before Lydia could respond, the sound of running footsteps echoed down the corridor. Chris appeared, his face awash with concern, hair disheveled as if he'd run all the way from the shifter quarters.

"I heard about the vampire attack," he panted, eyes wild with worry. "Is Aria okay? Why did no one come to get me?”

Without waiting for an answer, he strode to Aria's door and knocked. After a moment, the door opened, and Aria let him in. The look that passed between them – relief, concern, something deeper – made my stomach twist uncomfortably.

As the door closed behind them, I felt a sharp pang of jealousy. The emotion caught me off guard, and I struggled to keep it from showing on my face. I was a fae, after all. We were supposed to be above such petty human emotions.

But Lydia, ever observant, caught my expression. "I know that look," she said softly, her eyes filled with sympathy and understanding.

"What look?" I asked, feigning innocence. But I knew it was futile. Lydia had a way of seeing right through people I’d learned, a trait that made her both a valuable friend and a formidable potential enemy to others.

Lydia's eyes were sympathetic but firm. "Zephyr, you need to crush on someone else. Aria's already got two guys vying for her affection. Don't make this more complicated than it already is."

Her words stung more than I cared to admit. "It's nothing," I insisted, the lie bitter on my tongue. "Just concern for a friend."

But even as I said it, I knew it wasn't true. Unbidden, memories of my attempts to court fae women back home flooded my mind. Their polite rejections, the pitying looks, the whispers behind my back. I had been a joke in my own court, the failed prankster who couldn't even find a partner.

Aria was different. She treated me as an equal, valued my opinions, laughed at my jokes. She saw me for who I was, not for my failures or my standing in the fae court. In her eyes, I wasn't a disgraced fae or a failed trickster. I was just Zephyr, her friend and ally in this strange new world.

Pushing the thoughts aside, I turned to Lydia. "I'm sorry," I said, the words inadequate but sincere. "About you being separated from your family, I mean. It must be incredibly difficult."

Lydia's expression softened, the worry lines around her eyes deepening. "It is. There are moments when the pain is almost unbearable. But I've made some friends here – other shifters with children back home. We get together sometimes, share stories and photos. It helps, having others who understand."

I nodded, glad she had found some comfort. We said our goodnights and parted ways, each heading back to our own rooms. The halls of the Keep seemed longer and darker than usual, the shadows dancing in ways that made me question my own senses.

As I walked, I tried to push thoughts of Aria from my mind. This crush – because that's what it was, I had to admit – was foolish. I had no chance against a werewolf and a vampire, both of whom had already staked their claim.

But as I settled into bed, my dragon curled up beside me, I couldn't help but wonder. In a world of magic and prophecies, where dragons could reject their bonded companions and choose new ones, was anything truly impossible?

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