Page 37 of Burned

My comment hangs in the air between us, and as my chest tightens, I know we’re both aware that this interlude between us won’t last forever. After tomorrow, there’s a strong chance I’ll never see him again, and I’m not sure I’m okay with that.

But that’s future me’s problem. Tonight, I’m going to indulge as much as I can.

Chapter

Thirteen

LORD

In the gray, almost-morning light, I watch the slow, steady rise and fall of my Viking’s chest and the flutter of his eyelids as he dreams. His chest, throat, and jaw are all marred with beard burn and fading love bites. Our small tent is heavy with the smell of sweat and cum, and as I lean in closer to drag my nose down the long column of his neck, I can smell how intertwined our scents are on him. My dragon rumbles with deep satisfaction, tearing everything else inside me in two.

I want to keep him. The feeling grows more intense with every moment I spend with Alrick. But I can’t. I can’t. I can’t.

Am I trying to convince my human side or my dragon? It’s impossible to say.

He aches for the first dragon he watched die.

He never wanted any part of his family’s legacy, but he can’t escape it either. I could help him. I could take him away from all of that and give him any kind of life he dreams of. Longing is so heavy in my chest I almost can’t breathe around the weight of it.

Alrick stirs and I hold my breath. I’m sure if he knows it’s nearly sunrise, he’ll want to get moving so we can reach Xanthis today. But he really should have a few more hours of sleep still. I kept him up far too late last night, unable to get my fill of the taste of his lips and the sound of his moans echoing in my ears.

He doesn’t open his eyes though. He simply murmurs something in his sleep and rolls closer to me, burying his face against my chest. A warm, protective feeling swells in my heart and I wrap my arms around him. It’s cool outside the tent, but I have no problem keeping him nice and warm. I nuzzle his hair and close my eyes, savoring the moment for a few brief beats.

I’m not sure my resolve will hold if I wait much longer. Even another hour and I might convince myself that somehow, someway, Alrick and I can be together. I could lie to my brothers about what he is. He could stay dead in the eyes of his family. The two of us could run away where neither of our families would ever find us.

That betraying my own family like that sounds even remotely appealing is terrifying, so why is my dragon so damn calm? Can’t he sense the danger of this situation? Just because Alrick won’t drive a sword through my heart doesn’t mean he isn’t dangerous, even without meaning to be.

I let out a smoky breath then kiss the top of his head. Disentangling myself without waking Alrick is difficult, but I manage it with slow, deliberate movements. I slip out and zip the tent closed behind me. The cool morning air licks at my bare skin and I drag in a few deep, steadying breaths. There’s a pit of guilt in my stomach for leaving without waking him, but I know if I even hear his voice again, I’ll never manage to pull my dragon away.

Besides, I’ll be back, probably before he even wakes up. I’m not going to abandon my Viking all alone in the highlands, I justneed to sever our bond before I talk myself out of it. Once that’s done, it will be easier to say goodbye to him.

My throat burns with unspent flames and my skin ripples with scales as my dragon makes his displeasure at the situation well known. My plan is to shift and fly the rest of the short distance to the mountains—I’m just hoping my dragon will cooperate.

“It’s Alrick or our brothers,” I growl quietly to myself through gritted teeth.

My heart pangs and I know my dragon is finally getting the message. Whatever his fascination is with the Viking, this can never work. One day my real mate will come and this strange week with a beautiful, complicated dragon hunter will be nothing but a memory.

Before I can talk myself out of it or my dragon can change his mind again, I start moving through the trees, getting far enough away from the campsite that my shift won’t wake Alrick. Once I’m at a safe distance, I let go of my human form. It’s painful and a relief at the same time, like a good, deep stretch after spending too long in one position. My bones groan and my muscles twist and tug as my body contorts and swells. My soft human skin is overtaken by the armor of my thick orange scales. I bite back a relieved groan as wings sprout from my back and unfurl.

I give a hearty, full-body shake and huff out a noseful of smoke. It takes every ounce of willpower I’ve spent a millennium cultivating not to lumber back to the tent, scoop Alrick up, and fly him far, far away from the dragon mage. Instead, I take a step forward and launch myself into the sky.

For a few minutes, I don’t let myself think about where I’m going or why, I simply enjoy the simple pleasure of drifting through the clouds, the peaceful quiet of being up here all alone with nothing but the wind under my wings. I savor memories of last night, our tongues tangled as we traded muffled moans intothe early hours of the morning, as I ride the up and downdrafts that come and go.

Eventually, I drop back below the clouds. All the rolling green has been replaced by the rocky, snow-covered terrain of the mountains. I circle lower and lower, keeping a sharp eye out for any sign of Xanthis’s cave. The book didn’t exactly give an address for the reclusive old dragon, but it doesn’t take long for me to catch the distinct smell of smoke that always gives a dragon away. I follow my nose until I spot a gap between two large boulders on the east side of the mountain. There’s a flattened area leading up to it with deep indents in the loose gravel—distinct signs of a dragon’s landing place.

My manners give me pause for just a minute. There’s nothing ruder than coming to a dragon’s lair uninvited. We’re private, territorial creatures and we don’t much care for strangers. But it’s not like I could look her up in the phonebook to call ahead. Nor could I drop her a letter to warn her of my visit. Showing up unannounced was my only option. All I can do now is hope she understands how desperate my situation is and forgives the faux pas.

I touch down in the landing spot, sending dust and small rocks flying. Then, I shift immediately to human form, so she won’t mistake this for an attack or a confrontation. It’s much colder up here in the mountains, but my inner fire is enough to keep it from bothering me. It would probably seem strange to a human to show up on someone’s doorstep nude, but nakedness is often an unavoidable part of life for shifters, and I’m sure Xanthis won’t think twice about it.

I approach the mouth of the cave, stopping just outside of it, and I clear my throat loudly.

“Hello and apologies for arriving unannounced, but I seek an audience with the great and powerful Xanthis.” I project asmuch calm into my voice as possible, then I hold my breath and wait for an answer.

The sound of a loud, echoing yawn comes from inside the cave.

A feminine voice with a thick Scottish accent follows seconds later. “What kind of hour do you call this?”

I cringe and give an apologetic smile even though she can’t see me yet.

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