Page 71 of Wings of Cruelty and Flame

“You didn’t know that would happen at Wyfell. There was as much chance of it happening here in the Red Star,” I pointed out calmly, running my thumb along his cheekbone. “We went there for marriage marks; do you regret getting them?”

“Fuck, no,” he expelled on a hard breath. His eyes fixed on the straw-covered floor, so dark I couldn’t see the glitter of topaz in them. “But if we’d waited—”

“We’re alive, Varidian. The same can’t be said of everyone else in Wyfell.”

He shook his head, dark hair whipping his face, striking the back of my hand. “You shouldneverhave been hurt. You could have been killed. If we took another minute to find you—”

The wyvern at my side chuffed, as if to remind him she’d been there with me.

“But you did find me, and the bruises will heal in a few weeks.”

If anything, that only made him more furious. His jaw clenched, a muscle fluttering under my hand. “How do you know that timescale, Ameirah?”

I glanced away, pushing down uncomfortable memories by remembering how it felt to be with Varidian last night, how his kisses were feverish and his touches both desperate and worshipful.

“The second our paths cross again, your father isdead.Your brothers aredead.”

“I’m fine,Varidian,” I said firmly, pushing the stall door so I could get out. The wood brushed him not especially hard, butevery muscle in his face seized, a sharp breath whistling through his nose. “You’re hurt? Fuck, of course you are, you were caught in the crush, too. Show me where.”

I rushed from the stall and reached for his dark tunic, but he stepped out of reach. “I’m fine. The doctor saw to me, too. I’ll heal.”

I threw up my hands, hiding the tenderness in my ribs when I did so. “So that’s fine for you, but with me it makes you murderous?”

His eyes flashed. “Yes! You aremy wifeand I will not stand for anything or anyone hurting you.”

Ah, fuck. All my anger drained, leaving understanding and a tight pain in my chest. He’d almost lost me a mere day after losing Fahad. No wonder he was furious—he must have been terrified. As terrified as I’d been to lose him to the storm. I knew how much it hurt, and that was without it being compounded by raw grief.

“Varidian,” I sighed, holding out my arms to him. When he stepped out of reach, it hit me like a wyvern tail to the gut. “You won’t let me embrace you?”

“I’m fine,” he bit out.

Raheema snorted softly in the stall behind us, making sure we both knew she knew he was lying and—holy shit, I knew her name! The sky blue wyvern with the silver eyes was called Raheema. My wyvern was called Raheema. When I stared at her, she slow-blinked.

“I want to learn how to ride,” I blurted out, staring at Raheema as she stretched and settled down on the straw I’d vacated.

“You’re in too much pain,” Varidian shot down my request instantly.

“I wasn’t asking for permission, dear husband,” I said sweetly, giving him a smile laced with warning. “And I wasn’tsuggesting today. Even I’m not foolish enough to think I can ride now. But—soon.”

Varidian exhaled a slow breath, relief in the sound. “Alright.”

I gave him a more genuine smile, taking a step closer. “You’re one of the best riders alive. You ride the third-most powerful wyvern in Ithanys. With you teaching me, I’ll be fine. Why are you so worried?”

“About you riding? I’m not exactly.” He rubbed his face with rough hands. I took the opportunity to sneak close and hug him. “But today is too soon after nearly losing you.”

“And losing Fahad,” I said gently, tightening my arms when he tried to pull away. Pain crossed his face, flaring his nostrils, and I let go instantly. “Shit, I’m sorry. No wonder you don’t want me embracing you.”

“Ameirah, dearling, I’d let you do anything to me,” he said, pained. “Even if it causes pain. Even if it causes death.”

“There’s that incorrigible madness again,” I said softly, noticing he hadn’t spoken about Fahad. Worry tightened my chest, and I got the sense getting my husband to speak about his loss was going to be a mighty task. But if he locked all his emotions inside, they’d destroy him. “Have you eaten?”

“Yes.”

Further down the barn, a low rumble came from a stall. Mak. Raheema pushed the meaning of that sound towards me and I raised an eyebrow at my husband.

“Qahwa doesn’t count,” I huffed. “Come on, let’s find some actual food.”

I strode down the aisle and paused, glancing back. I found Varidian watching me with an expression I could only call longing, and… it hurt. Why did he long for me when I was right here?

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