Page 27 of Burned

I glance at the pile of unpacked items I brought, including the tent. Alrick nearly collapsed with exhaustion after our heated interlude up against a tree, so I simply laid him down on a sleeping bag, sheltered only by the canopy of trees and stars above us. The air is pleasantly cool, and he seems comfortable, which is all that matters to me, regardless of my flagging energy. Tomorrow’s journey will be harder, but I am a dragon after all. I’ve dealt with worse situations.

“Lord,” Alrick mumbles, his voice thick and groggy.

“I’m here.”

He opens his eyes just a bit, a slight smile tugging at his lips. “Why aren’t you sleeping?”

“I’m rested well enough.”

He scoffs, sitting up on his elbow. “Bullshit. I canfeelyou, remember?”

I inwardly cringe, now aware that my storm of emotions disturbed his sleep. “Apologies. I’m just thinking a lot. It’s what I do.”

“Yeah, well, you’re not a vampire, and I happen to know dragons need to sleep too.”

I glance around the pitch-dark forest. What if my dragonisn’tacting paranoid? What if there really is a threat lurking out there in the dark? It’s my job to protect my mate. If something happened to him?—

“Fuck,” Alrick groans, rubbing his sternum. “You’re worried.”

“Alert more than worried. Go back to sleep.”

“Nah.” He pulls himself upright. “I’ve been asleep for hours, right?”

“Yes, but you’re also still healing.”

He levels his hard gaze on me, his sharp jaw set as he studies my face. My dragon stirs, pushing forward and shifting my eyes to get a better look at our Viking.

His breath hitches. “He’s looking at me, isn’t he?”

I nod. “Yes.”

“Can you feel it when it happens?”

“Definitely, but I’m used to it.”

“Does it… hurt?”

“It isn’t painful, but it isn’t pleasant either. A full shift is dramatic, and I feel pulled in a thousand directions, but typically these days it only happens when I’m under threat, and therefore, my emotions override the physical discomfort.”

Alrick nods as his eyes roam over me. “The wings were so large.”

“Large enough to carry me in my full shift. Now those feel amazing when they release, like a much-needed deep stretch.” I fight back a yawn, but I’m powerless against it.

“Lord.” He puts his hand on my knee. “You need to sleep. I’ll keep watch.”

“No, I’m fine. You need the rest more than I do.”

“Really? Do you think it’ll be good for me when I have to throw you over my shoulder and carry you through the mountains because you’re exhausted?”

I chuckle even though the thought warms my chest. “I doubt it will come to that.”

“But why tempt fate?”

Do I admit that I have no idea how to rest in a situation like this? Anytime something or someone I care about is in potential danger, it’s impossible for me to let my guard down.

“Oh, I get it. You don’t think I’m capable of taking care of us if something happens?”

I pull my head back. “No, that’s not it.”

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