Page 106 of Heir of Draga

Then she sensed him. “How long have you been watching over me?” she asked. Her words were muffled by the pillow and her voice hoarse – as though she’d been screaming in her sleep.

“Since you were put under,” Varan replied from the chair in the corner of the room. “The physician said it would be best and it allowed him the quiet to completely heal your wrist. But I didn’t want you to wake up alone.” His voice was thick and she could have sworn he’d been crying.

Adelina felt her heart break for him. This had been just as terrible for him as it had been for her in a completely different way. “Would you like to come here?” she asked.

Varan was on the bed and holding her before she’d even finished her sentence. He pulled her to his chest and apologized over and over for failing her. Adelina gripped him tight – feeling that bond between them deepen. Just touching him gave her relief and some of her emotional pain eased as he stroked her hair.

“It wasn’t your fault,” she told him. The knot in her throat threatened to choke her. “I should have known it wasn’t Alpha weeks ago. I am the only one to blame.”

“I refuse to let you shoulder the responsibility for this,” Varan growled into her hair, soothingly running his hand up and down her spine – such a contrast to the anger she could feel in him. “You are not the only one who grew up with him. Any one of your siblings should have noticed a difference. And even then…these Neprijat spies were trained to infiltrate and blend in until they are exactly who we think them to be. How could we have possibly known to watch for that?”

Adelina knew he was right, but it didn’t make it hurt less. She still thought perhaps if she’d made the time…but her life had been in danger and her galaxy at war. The Neprijat were crafty enough to know right when to strike – they always had. “We need to find out if there is a way to detect the Neprijat Snatchers,” she said.

“We’ll worry about that tomorrow,” Varan murmured. “How is your wrist feeling?”

She twisted her hand this way and that. There wasn’t even a twinge or a hitch to remind her of what had happened. “It’s better than perfect.”

“Do you feel up to reassuring the other two? Varan asked, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

“They’re here?” she asked, surprised they would wait so long.

“I made them wait in the sitting room. I’m sorry – I couldn’t control myself. You were so vulnerable and my instincts were riding me hard.”

She kissed her husband’s cheek. “Thank you, Varan. It gave me time to gather my thoughts.” Adelina slipped from the bed and grabbed her robe.

There was a hitch in Varan’s breathing. “Lina…are you all right?” he asked, still holding his chest where her head had rested.

Adelina didn’t bother smiling. Varan deserved the truth. “No, I’m not. But I will be, my love.”

He nodded, accepting her answer like he did everything else about her.

Adelina opened the door. Light hurt her eyes and instantly someone adjusted the intensity. When she refocused both Kaiden and Nash were standing in her sitting room, inspecting her from head to toe for injuries or…whatever else they thought could harm her.

“Kaiden,” she said.

The massive winged warrior crossed the room in a blink of an eye and then dropped to his knees before her. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pressed his forehead into her chest – that’s how tall he was. Adelina murmured gentle words in the Ancient language and held onto him.

Kaiden was her mate and even without it being permanent she could feel it between them. It healed her even further – taking away some of the pain in her soul. Adelina had to assume the bond did the same for the dragon prince. He sighed and then released her. When he looked up into her eyes she could see the brilliance of the blue clearly for the first time.

“I have duties to attend, but I will be back in a few hours to check on you…if that is all right.”

Adelina nodded and kissed him on the forehead. “I appreciate everything you did for me,” she told him. “You were willing to die for me. I’ll never forget that.”

As Kaiden rose she was struck again by the sheer size of him. He made Nash look normal when they were together. The dragon prince briefly touched her cheek, barely more than a phantom, and then he turned and left her suite.

Then it was just her and Nash.

Adelina felt the muscles in her neck tighten. After their last conversation she didn’t know what he wanted from her now. A confirmation she was still alive?

Nash opened his mouth, but she beat him to it. “Does the fact that I am part courtesan disgust you?” she asked.

The thought hadn’t left her alone since her proposal and explanation. After everything – she was done waiting. Life was too short and precious to waste.

Immediately he closed his mouth and Nash shook his head. “No. It’s not the same with you. You don’t have that wretched scent.” The Corinthian took one step toward her and then stopped.

“Do you still love me, or did you fall in love with Kaita during your travels?” Adelina asked, studying the space still between them. “I would understand if you did. She’s truly a wonder.”

Nash shook his head and took another step closer. “No, I didn’t fall for Kaita. She is like a sister to me.”

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