Page 49 of Three Scorched Kingdoms

I can only shake my head. He’s right. Here I was, expecting a normal cave–not a mistake I’ll make again with my resourceful dragon.

We take turns washing under the gentle waterfall, and I can feel the tension draining out of my muscles beneath its hot spray. For these few moments, the outside world doesn’t exist for us. No orcs invading this land, no evil wizard attempting to destroy the worlds for his own gain. There’s only Aries and me and this safe haven he’s made for us.

It’s soothing in ways I didn’t know I needed.

Once we’re all clean, I splash Aries, and we have a water fight that turns into lovemaking in the gentle waves. But soon after, reality begins to press in around the edges. We need to get back before we’re missed. There’s too much at stake to remain here forever.

Eventually, Aries helps me out of the pool and guides me over to another carved rock that has towels and even a robe waiting. Aries holds the robe out to me, allowing me to slip my arms inside before wrapping it around myself.

“I see you’ve thought of everything,” I tease. “How many girls have you brought here exactly?”

“I’ve never brought anyone here,” he says.

I stop wrapping my hair in a second towel and gape at him. “Not even Leo? Why not?”

He chuckles. “Dragons are territorial about their lairs. The only one my beast would ever allow to see this place is his mate.”

I press a kiss to his mouth. “I’m honored. Does that mean your dragon anticipated your mate needing another dress?”

He grins. “What kind of treasure hunter would I be if I didn’t have spoils for my woman?”

We head back through the glittering passageway, stopping at one of the small openings we passed earlier. I laugh as I realize we’re standing inside what is essentially a walk-in closet.

Aries motions to the dresses hanging on the right. “Take your pick.”

I sort through the dresses, choosing a blue one that matches Aries’ eye color. He helps me put it on and lace it up. I try not to worry about what Lucinda will think when I arrive in a different outfit than when I left.

When I’m ready, Aries takes my hand and leads me back to the mouth of the cave.

The view from here is gorgeous, and I can see how wonderful it will be here once the war is over, but then my bubble shatters. Off to the east, I spy a destroyed village, and my heart sinks. Even from afar, I can see the effects of a fire.

“The orcs…” I say.

Aries nods grimly. “They marched right through the village rather than taking the road around it.”

“Wait, this just happened?”

“Yesterday.”

I turn to him sharply. “You knew?”

“Our scouts brought word late last night. By then, it was too late for reinforcements.” His hands are fisted, and I can feel the fury radiating through the bond.

“All day,” I say, “you knew, and you didn’t say anything.”

It’s not an accusation. But I can’t help wishing he’d let me help shoulder some of the worry he’s carrying.

“I wanted to have a few hours where it was just us,” he admits quietly.

The weight of what we’re up against hits me in a way it hasn’t before now. It’s more than the destroyed village or the loss of control of the Athenaeum. It’s everything at once.

The lives lost.

The lives still depending on us for survival.

Aries’ crown.

I blink back tears as guilt for it all presses down around me. “Aries, I’m so sorry. This is all my fault.”

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