Page 7 of Trial By Fire

“Wait, so the Waters of Elysium are like a baptism? Please, help me try to understand. How in the hell can I be the queen? I know absolutely nothing.” Cordelia unwraps herself from Adrian’s embrace and leans her head forward, places her head in her hands, and all I want to do is comfort her.

“We will teach you everything. That’s what we are here for, beautiful,” I tell her, and she offers me a small smile. I feel helpless because I can feel her fear through our bond. I can almost taste her doubt, and it’s leaving a bitter taste in my mouth.

“The Waters are in the foothills ofKaeluma, in a mystical cavern. It’s the place of our origin. Well, that’s what the ancient scrolls state. It gave birth to the first elemental Dragons, and the Waters not only blesses our children, but it connects us with our magic, our Dragons, and our mates,” Adrian adds to answer her question.

“So, Dravyn was never given that chance. Even when Thaddeus became a member of the Council. What kind of father would do that to their child?” Cordelia whispers, her words heavy and weighed down with grief. She has such an amazing heart, and I can already see the queen she will become.

“No, he gave me away like I was a toy and handed me over to the Queen of the Fae. I hold no love for my father, and I swear I have no loyalty to him, or the Fae. I spent years in Incantatia where I was tortured, my thoughts twisted by the queen’s coercion, made to believe that she was my salvation. Beating me down to only build me back up in her imagined idea of cruelty. My Dragon is pushed down so deep inside of me that I don’t even feel him anymore. I’m more Fae than Dragon now, and it makes me sick to even say that.” He looks down briefly, clenching his hands into fists. Taking a deep breath, he continues, “Maurelle took your mother’s blood, and she linked me to you, creating an artificial bond, so if by chance you survived, I would be able to find you. The object was for me to find you and bring you to my father. He wants you dead, Cordelia,” Dravyn says to us all. I can’t do anything but feel bad for the life he’s lost, and for his Dragon. By the haunted look in his eyes, I can’t even fathom the pain he has suffered at the hands of Maurelle. Thaddeus’ death sentence was signed a long time ago in my eyes. But to do that to your own flesh and blood, a quick death is too easy of a sentence.

“I couldn’t do it. I fought her control, Cordelia. I couldn’t give you to them. I felt the bond between us, and your emotions. I’ve watched you for months as I resisted Maurelle. Slowly the cracks in her commands broke me free long enough to defy her. I would rather die from the pain inflicted for going against her will, than to hand you over. But you saved me,” he said to her with wonder in his voice.

“Saved you from Maurelle?” Twyla asked as she bought her hand up to rub Cordelia’s back, offering her support. Cordelia blinks back tears as she listened to him. Dravyn nods his head.

“I am no longer bound to the Queen of the Fae. I am bound to Cordelia, and that’s exactly where I want to be,” Dravyn says. I look at my long-lost friend, his eyes are bright with conviction, and I believe every word.

CHAPTERFIVE

CORDELIA

Ifeel weighed down both mentally and physically. Mentally I am replaying everything that was said in the war room a few short hours ago. But there is more to my emotions. I can’t put my finger on it, but my emotions are heavy.

I don’t remember being put to bed. I had fallen into a fitful sleep in Adrian’s arms. I turn my head, realizing I’m encased in a male cocoon as I lay on my back between my mates. Two strong arms band around my waist, as if they are both warring to touch my body and be a little bit closer to me.

Gale is asleep on his side, his face is relaxed, as if he doesn’t have a care in the world. I raise my hand and gently trace the spot where his dimple is located, and I am gifted with a sleepy smile. He doesn’t wake, just tries to pull me closer, but Adrian’s arm is locked tight around me. I have to cover my mouth to stop myself from laughing in case I wake the entire room.

Adrian, on the other hand, wears a frown, even in his sleep, his brows are creased, as if he is reliving his troubles on a loop. He lays on his stomach with his face turned my way. My fingers itch to reach out and smooth away the pain I see there. It makes me realize how little I really know my mates. I want to know everything. I want to share in their life stories and soothe away their hurts. When Adrian is ready, I am determined to be that shoulder for him to lean on. They’ve held me up from the moment they came into my life. It’s time that I take care of them.

I turn my attention to the ceiling of our bedroom, the predawn light is peeking through the sheer curtains, turning everything a soft shade of blue. It’s my favorite time of the day. I slowly extricate myself from between my two mates, and I watch as they move closer to one another, it’s so cute I can’t help but smile.

Looking at either side of them, I realize Torin is not in bed with us. Seeking him out, I carefully crawl to the edge of the bed, only to pause when I notice a large figure is asleep in the hammock strung between the two trees growing out of the walls in the room. He had said he wanted to try it out, maybe he will let me join him. I can feel something is troubling him through our bond, and he seems unsettled to me. Maybe that’s why he is choosing to sleep away from us.

My bare feet hit the floor and I tiptoe my way over to him and as the room slowly becomes lighter, I can see it’s not Torin laying there, it’s Dravyn. One of his legs hangs over the edge, his arms rest over his head, and his eyes move rapidly underneath his lids. He is dreaming, soft snores escape his nose and I step closer for a better look at him. I guess Maddox removed his cuffs after all. My heart warms a little more for my newly found grandfather. He trusted Dravyn enough to let him be close to me and I assume my other mates did as well. I missed a lot while I was dead to the world. How they managed to strip me out of my clothes without waking me up is a surprise to me. I guess shifting does take a lot out of you.

Deciding to let Dravyn rest, I slowly take a step away from him as the sound of water running steers me across the room.That’s where Torin is,I think to myself as the unease gets stronger the more I focus. After I turn quickly, I run straight into a wall of hard muscles. Strong arms reach out to grab me as I almost fall on my ass from the shock at how fast he got in front of me. I tentatively look over my shoulder, as if Dravyn would still be asleep in the hammock. Somehow, my brain hasn’t caught up with the fact that he used magic. I turn and allow my eyes to travel the length of his body. He’s wearing a simple pair of cotton pajama pants that hang low on his hips, and I can’t help but stare at his Adonis belt and bare chest. Yep, I am drooling for sure.

“Were you just going to watch?” he asks with a hint of amusement in his voice. My eyes shoot up to meet his, and I attempt to wipe the corner of my mouth just in case there was actually drool there.

“Watch?” I asked back. I was so distracted by his presence that I couldn’t collect my thoughts.Use your words, Cordelia.Torin, remember.

“I thought you were Torin for a moment. I didn’t want to disturb you. I heard the water in the bathroom, so I am guessing he is in there.” My words come out in a rush. I realize then that he is still holding my arms. The heat of his hands causes goose bumps to suddenly appear. I’m lost in his violet eyes, they almost glow in the predawn light. The contrast between his pale complexion and striking eyes is breathtaking. I am having an internal battle with myself now. I know what he’s been through, I have this strong need to keep him close to me, to protect him. There’s this other part of me, telling me to be wary, that at any moment the Queen of the Fae could take back control of him, and where would that leave our bond?

“Are you afraid of me, Cordelia?” he asks softly. I swallow a lump in my throat, trying to find the right words to express how I feel. He pulls me in closer and brings his nose to the shell of my ear, tracing the skin there. I gasp softly at how close he is and how good it feels. I pause for a moment, taking the time I need to think about his question. Not finding what I was looking for I attempt to redirect the conversation.

“Where did you sleep when you were hiding in the shadows?” I ask. He pulls away, and the look he gives me has my heart beating faster. He smirks, eyeing me knowingly.Yes, I am deflecting.Then it dawns on me that he can feel my emotions through our bond, and I internally groan.Get it together, Cordelia.He could feel my fear right now, and it’s why he asked if I was afraid. All this magic, the bonds, and shifting business, I still need time for it to sink in. I will get there, eventually.

“I was never too far away from you. Back on Earth I slept on your couch in your front room. Once we got here, I tried to sleep in the room next door. I always gave you privacy. I didn’t want to see your body until you gave me permission to,” he says almost bashfully as he pulls me closer to him, and our bodies become flush. I can feel his chest rise and fall, and his breath mingles with mine. My thoughts are lost to me as his thumbs rub my arms gently, and I shiver. I focus solely on what his fingers are doing to me in this moment. It won’t take much, if I lift myself up on my tiptoes, our lips will touch. I can feel my body’s response to him, and he’s done nothing but hold me against him.Not yet, Cordelia,I tell myself. As much as I want to continue this conversation, I have another mate who needs my attention. As if reading my thoughts, Dravyn steps away from me.

“A part of me is screaming that I should run away, that I should freak out at the realization that you’ve been watching me for months.” I look him in the eyes, and my mouth feels dry. My tongue darts out, and I lick my lips. We are standing so close, the warmth from his body heat is glorious. His scent is heady and intoxicating, like the night itself. Jasmine and wood smoke, and I want to roll around in it and wear it like perfume.Focus, Cordelia.I shake my head and take a deep breath. I am sure he can feel how hard my nipples are, but he doesn’t acknowledge it. His eyes never leave mine as he waits for me to speak.

“The other part, though.” I search his eyes and incline my head to the side as I think about this. I find the words deep down within me as easily as breathing. “The other part tells me you are mine, and I am yours. I need to right the wrongs that befell you. And your father deserves the death which awaits him, and I will do everything in my power to make him suffer. I will never let Queen Maurelle touch you again. I am possessive as fuck, and I will burn the heavens down not only for you, but for all of you.” I step away from him, surprised at what I said. I guess he was as well because he let me walk away.Damn, it took everything I have to walk away.However, it felt right, and it isn’t the right time for us. I don’t know if my Dragon used her will to speak through me then, but I think we are beginning to get on the same page and become one.

“I feel the same, Cordelia,” I hear him say behind me, and I turn around to find him rocking slowly in the hammock. His arm is slung over his head, as if we didn’t have an interesting exchange just now. I smile and make my way into the bathroom with the weight of the world pressing down on me again.

These emotions aren’t mine though—they are Torin's.

* * *

Torin’s back is to me. His arms are outstretched and braced against the shower wall, with his head hanging down as the water cascades down around him. I stand there for a moment, jealous of the water as it slips down the muscles of his back, the curve of his ass, and strong powerful thighs. His beautiful brown skin is smooth and unblemished, and it makes my mouth water with visions of running my tongue over it. I am already wet. Dravyn has already caused a deep ache within me, so seeing Torin like this has me panting.

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