Page 47 of Don't Fae With Dragons

At that, I gasp in offense and stop in my tracks. “Too much? Port, you’re wonderful. Do you know how much harder this all would have been without you?”

Port blushes this time, especially when I swivel to face him. He chews his lip and shrugs. “I just thought sometimes I might be too ... I don’t know, perhaps that I’d been overbearing. You have to understand, forweeksbefore you came here, the three of us could sense you, smell you. We were practically infatuated before even knowing you. I know I was.”

As he speaks, I stare up at him with my mouth agape. I had no idea they really felt that way about me; I almost thought I was alone in caring so deeply for them, especially so soon. It’s relieving and frightening all at once. I don’t want to hurt them, after all.

“Don’t be upset,” Port blurts out. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have told you this, not right before you and Cory save Ethelinda.”

“Tryto save Ethelinda,” I whisper.

Port shakes his head and furrows his brows. “You will accomplish it, Milica. I know it.”

Although it’s hard to believe him, he looks so certain that I can’t help but feel a bit more confident. I nod quietly and a whisper of a smile curves his lips. He takes my hand in his and presses it to his mouth, his full lips caressing my knuckles sweetly.

Port lowers my hand back to my side, and I’m suddenly overwhelmed by the urge to kiss him. I feel my breath hitch in my throat, and I step in closer to him, my body moving on its own accord.

For the first time since I’ve known him, Port looks almost awe-struck. He’s very gentle and kind, but he keeps himself tightly restrained. He’s flirtatious but cautious, never tipping over into genuinely pursuing me as a romantic option. Now, I’m the one toeing the line, inching us ever closer to real intimacy.

I lift a hand to his jaw and cup it with my palm, smiling as he leans into my touch. He sighs as his eyes soften, and I stare up at him, letting my eyes fall to his lips. I see his eyes open wider, and I feel my lips part instinctively as I look back into them.

His gaze drops down to my open mouth, and I feel him shudder slightly. His hand moves from clasping mine to pulling me into him by the small of my back, and I gasp softly as I press into him.

In an instant his lips are on mine, moving passionately, urgently. He parts my mouth to taste inside of me, groaning softly into my lips. I wrap my hand into his tightly-coiled hair, relishing the feeling of him curving his arm even tighter around my back.

Port’s other hand tangles itself in the hair at the nape of my neck, and I sigh as I let my limbs soften, giving myself intothis touch, this moment. He sucks softly on my bottom lip and I shiver, causing him to smile against me.

After a long moment, I pull back to keep from growing too lightheaded. Port presses his forehead to mine, his eyes closed happily.

“You’re something wonderful, Mili,” he murmurs gently.

“And you’re something beautiful,” I whisper back.

He presses a quick peck to my lips again, and I sigh contentedly as he pulls back. He gazes into my face, his eyes tracing all my features, then takes my hand in his once more.

“We’d better get you up there,” he says gently.

I nod, but as the light from the balcony up ahead spills closer and closer to us, the levity I felt mere moments before dissipates.Realm’s Mother, this is our only chance, I think to myself. The thought sends a pang of anxiety down my spine, and Port rests a hand gently on my back as we walk forward, almost as if he can sense it.

“Almost there, Milica,” he murmurs tenderly.

I force myself to focus on my breathing as we make the trek up the staircase, Port never lifting his hand from the small of my back. Normally, my breath work brings me peace, but now the most comfort I find is in his touch.

“Thank you,” I whisper.

I glance up at him and see him already gazing down at me. “Of course, Mili. I’m here for you.”

I smile wearily and clutch his hand as we reach the open air at the top of the staircase. We stand together before the narrow opening, and I take a moment. I quickly check mybelongings –sachets, herb bundles, matchsticks, potions– and find everything in place.

“I’m ready,” I whisper to Port. He nods in return, and I sigh shakily as I face the open-air doorway.

Port squeezes my hand and I step forward, heart dropping to my stomach as he lets my hand drop from his. I can’t help but turn to watch him make his way back down the staircase, and we make eye contact once he’s a few feet below me.

He nods up at me with a soft smile, and I return the gesture with what I hope is a confident, reassuring expression. Then I see Max appear at the bottom of the stairs, and my heart swells with relief that Port won’t have to wait for the healing rain alone.

“Good luck, Mili,” Max nods up to me. I force a smile and wave, feeling my hand shaking as I do so.

Once Port is a few steps further down, I force myself to turn back to the opening and step into the air. There’s a moment of horrible fear before I do, worry that, despite all mine and Cory’s efforts, we will fail. The fear that Ethelinda will fall with or without our help nearly freezes me to the spot.

Then I hear Cory call my name, soft, but firm. “Mili,” he says.

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