Page 126 of Ash

He fidgeted the feet in question. “Dragons have claustrophobic tendencies. The housing in this realm is too confining for me. It is the reason our apartments have such high ceilings and open-concept floor plans.”

“I thought it was because you traipsed around as Dragons.”

His lips twitched. “Well, that too.”

He fell silent, and Dani stiffened her resolve. “I owe you an apology.”

His eyes glittered turquoise in the darkness. “Why?”

“I jumped on you when I found out you bit me. It was a stupid reaction. I—I wasn’t given a choice with Remy. When I tried to run, and they chained me to the wall. And then—”

“Don’t feel you have to explain.” His voice was soft and low, almost a rumble. “No one should have to go through what you did.”

Dani grimaced. “I haven’t had the easiest life, but until then, I’d coped. Been my own person, you know?” When he nodded, she continued. “Even after Remy—I managed to put it behind me. Told myself that I was strong enough to have that man in my head, assaulting my body, and still be my own person.” She looked down at her feet. “But it wasn’t true. He was brutal. He ruled me. Then he died. But instead of being free, I have this huge gaping hole in my brain, and crippling anxiety attacks.”

She glanced at him. His eyes glowed in the darkness, and a muscle jumped in his jaw. “Rindek will pay for that,” he growled softly.

Dani swallowed. It was almost an oath, not merely a promise. “I would like that,” she whispered. Then she straightened. “But I wanted to thank you. For saving my life. And giving up your own. I don’t know how to repay you.”

Something in the big body next to her relaxed, just a little. “Live well,” he said. “That will be payment enough.”

No. No it wouldn’t be, and she knew it. But she simply nodded, and moved on. “I have something else to tell you. I dreamed of Ash last night.”

He stiffened.

“I’m not sure it was just a dream,” she continued.

“It may not have been,” he conceded.

Ice traveled along her veins. “Why am I having these living dreams with him? I have no bond to Ash.”

He sighed. “Maybe not. But it seems I do. And now that my virus is in your blood, you might too.”

It would make sense, except . . . she swallowed. “You were in one of my dreams, too. Before you bit me.”

His eyes gleamed. “I wondered.”

Her heart froze. “You dove to save him, and I stopped the sea monster.”

He grew very still. “It was a living dream for me. Seems it was for you too.”

Dani swallowed. “He wanted to die in that dream. But this one—I think he might havebeendying. He was cold, like ice. I gave him my energy. He told me I should have let him die.”

She heard the breath leave Tyrez. “He was alive when it ended?”

“I-I think so, yes. I fed him my tears. And I think I managed to push him some of the crystal energy Cara’s been pumping into me.”

He closed his eyes and leaned back against the bench. It creaked beneath him.

His obvious pain pushed her to blurt, “We’ll find him. We’ll save him.”

The big Dragon shook his head. “He’s been through so much. I hope you are right.” His deep voice had a ragged edge to it.

Her heart hurt. Ash and he were destined to be together. She couldn’t imagine Tyrez’s pain if Ash couldn’t hold on.

She’d never loved anyone that much.

Until now,a little voice whispered. But she squelched it, and groped for something else to say. Something to take his mind off his worry.

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