Page 33 of The Dragon of her Dreams

I nodded enthusiastically and grabbed his hand, holding it tight. “Absolutely. Follow me.”

We ran down the hallways, laughing like children.

I’d always thought I was happy in my life, and in my home, but the joy I felt in knowing Jaegar and being by his side, was a happiness I’d never known, and I knew without a shadow of a doubt as laughter bubbled out of us that I’d do just about anything to hold onto it.

Chapter 13

Jaegar

I WANT TO GO HOME.

Damon and Cass had plans to stay longer, but even the promise of my mate’s kisses and warm body against mine, couldn’t make me want to stay. Vanya and I had enjoyed a deliciously sexy encounter before dinner, and after as well, but no matter how close I felt to her, or how strong our connection, something seemed to be missing. Something important and integral to my very being.

It wasn’t until the next morning when I woke up feeling homesick, my heart yearning for the snow, and the familiarity of home, that I understood the feeling for what it was.

Vanya snuggled into my side, all lithe limbs and milky skin.

I kissed her hair, inhaling the scent and committing it to memory.

“Hmmm... Morning,” she mumbled, rolling away and stretching her arms above her head luxuriously like a cat. The blankets slipped lower, revealing her tantalizing berry-red nipples.

I couldn’t help but reach out and touch them, unable to resist the urge and desire to feel their pert peaks against my fingers. “Good morning,” I returned.

She crawled back over to kiss me, then excused herself to go to the bathroom with a smile.

I waited for her to return, then did the same, taking a moment to splash some cold water on my face to try and calm the anxiety within me. I loved being with Vanya, but no matter what angle I attacked the situation from, I wasn’t sure I could stay here, in her kingdom. It wasn’t where I belonged, I knew it in my bones.

She’d said she wanted to visit the North with me sometime, which had temporarily lifted my spirits, earlier.

But will she come home with me today? Now?

Unfortunately, I didn’t know the answer to that question, and that worried me more than anything. The uncertainty of our predicament was slowly eating away at me.

“Are you coming back?” she called out when I didn’t immediately return.

I finally returned to the bedroom, feeling the weight of my fear in the pit of my stomach like a stone.

“What’s wrong?” she asked when she saw my face, sitting up in bed and gathering the blankets around herself.

I took a breath, then just said what I feared to share. “I have to go home, Vanya.”

She smiled. “Yeah, I know. We’ve already planned—”

“No. I mean, I have to go home now. Today.”

Her jaw dropped, and I could see her mind ticking over as she digested my words. “But we already decided we’d all leave in a few days’ time.”

I nodded my head and grimaced in apology. “Yeah, I know. But I can’t wait that long. I’m sorry.”

She gulped, her throat working hard as she swallowed. “As in... you don’t want me to come with you?”

“No!” I reassured her, rushing back to the bed to sit on the covers and face her. “I want you to come with me more than anything. I couldn’t leave you, I just... I can’t wait any longer. I can’t explain it. Would you come with me today? This morning if possible?”

She chuckled nervously. “Um, I guess? I’d have to speak to my parents, and my sister, Jessa. She organized her life around staying here with me for two weeks because I’ve been missing her so much...”

I sighed, a sense of guilt overwhelming me. Vanya had a life already, family, and friends—plans she’d made. My heart ached. “I suppose I could go ahead without you, and you could catch up when everyone else flies back?” I suggested, though my stomach twisted at the thought.

She stared at me for a long moment before answering, “You really need to go home, today?”

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