Page 64 of Don't Fae With Dragons

“Max,” she breathes out.

I don’t respond, instead pulling my head back and letting my herb-covered fingers softly pinch her nipple. She arches back gently, gasping lightly, and I twist my fingers slightly. A hazy smile flickers across her face, and I find myself smiling back.

Still, she doesn’t open her eyes. I move my hand higher again, rubbing the rest of the poultice in slowly. As I do, I feelher heart slow again, and I know the herbs are working to soothe her.

Minutes pass like this, just Mili and me together in the late-afternoon light filtering through Chrysthinia’s small window. I continue with the poultice, relishing the look of Mili as she continues to relax into the bed. Mili rests. I breathe in her warm scent, her beautiful spiced chocolate air, and feel something like peace.

Something inside me, long forgotten, is slowly thawing. I know it is, though I can’t bear to think about it now –it’s too frightening, the prospect of finding myself again after all this time. Port hasn’t helped either, kind and brave soul he is. Even Cory, with his brash protectiveness and older-brother bossiness makes me feel safe.

Eventually, Mili falls back asleep, and I wipe the poultice off her chest with a damp cloth. She sighs contentedly and I smile at her, imagining for a moment what it would be like to tell her everything, open my heart to her and let her accept or deny me for who I am.

Perhaps another day.

CHAPTER 40: MILI

Iwake up with the sheets tucked carefully around me, the only hint that Max was really here with me. I almost wish he’d spent the night in here –he’s never been so ... soft. At least not in front of me. I wonder if he’s starting to really warm up to me, if he’ll accept me as someone who truly cares for him. The thought makes me giggle to myself.

Then I remember Aurora, and my smile falls.Godsdamnit.

Although part of me is excited to see her again, I know we’re not reuniting on the same terms we left off on. I care for Aurora, she’s been one of my closest companions, but I don’tloveher. I don’t feel the same about her as before, and (although it pains me to admit it) I don’t think I ever cared for her the way she did for me.

Aurora was a devoted lover, and I appreciate the times we had together. If I were being honest with myself, though, I’d have to admit that I’d felt something missing for a long time.

We only saw each other in those brief moments between morning and night, usually having some rushed physical encounter. I’d be trying to sleep in, and she’d beg me to wake up for her, only to fall asleep as soon as I arose.

How often did we fight? Not as much as we should have, I’m sure. I would get irritable, and she’d cry, her tears vanishing once she got what she wanted from me. Apologies, striving answers, dull sex, compliments – that’s all I could ever give her. I know it never would have been enough –the trouble is that I’m not sure she’ll understand.

It’s bittersweet, and the memories leave my mouth dry from nerves and somber nostalgia. I sigh and push myself to a sitting position, stretching my arms lazily before I stand.

I need to bathe, I realize. I could ask Chrysthinia to use their chamber, but it’s not likely I’d fit in their bathing-tub. Besides, I’ve been stalling long enough. It’s time to go home.

–––

“I’ll be fine here–we have a lot in common, as it turns out.” Max, for unknown reasons, is insisting on staying behind with Chrysthinia while Cory, Port, and I go to my cottage.

I search his face for any hint of his thoughts about last evening: does he regret it, or blame himself? Is he angry with me, or bored of me? His expression gives nothing away, which drives me insane.

I throw my hands up, exasperated, and spit out, “Gods, Max, you’re insufferable when you’re trying to be sneaky. Be honest, did you freak yourself out last night or something?”

His eyes go wide. “What? No, I – “

“–Don’t lie to me!” I interrupt. He arches an eyebrow at my outburst, clearly unamused, and I make a pitiful effort to compose myself. “I’m sorry, I just –I can’t read your mind. Are you upset with me?”

“Mili, of course not,” he sighs. “I can’t talk about this now, okay? I have a lot on my mind, and I have to talk about it with Chrysthinia.”

At that, a blaze of rage lights up inside me. I growl at him and stalk off, without a word, towards Cory and Port who are watching us from a safe distance. Cory stares at Max, a small frown furrowing his brows, but Port’s eyes are on me.

“Are you okay?” he asks softly.

I exhale sharply through my nose, forcing myself to keep my head held high, and nod. Port shrugs and walks after me as I continue onto the trail. Cory shakes his head while he thinks I can’t see him, since he’s in my periphery, and I whirl around to face him.

“Don’t be cross withme!”I shout. “Max is the one being ridiculous!”

Cory rolls his eyes, then, but I see his expression darken with genuine annoyance. I’m starting to learn he really does not like being tested, and I steel myself in anticipation of whatever he’s going to yell back at me.

Instead, he grabs me and throws me over his shoulder. I gasp and cry out in shock, but Cory starts off down the path without any hesitation whatsoever.

“Cory, not again, put me down,” I growl.

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