Page 104 of A Kingdom of Fire and Fury
The two of them dipped down, both of them shooting flames and dancing through them in another spiral. That’s when I noticed a mark on Umara’s breast scales. The mark looked like a claw mark, like a tattoo, and was pitch black against her golden scales. Had that always been there? “What’s that mark on her chest?” I pointed, but Umara had already moved.
When I looked at Nimue, she had a glimmer in her eyes. “Thaleia has the same mark. We’re not one hundred percent certain about them, but sometimes, after dragons mate, they both receive the same mark. Many riders believe it’s because the dragons are fated mates.”
I blinked. “That… that can’t be real.” It sounded like something out of a fairytale.
“We don’t know for sure. The last recorded mark happened over two centuries ago, and both those dragons are long gone now. But I think it’s true.” She smiled. “Wouldn’t it be nice to have something similar? A sign that someone out there is perfect for you and you alone.”
“Nimue, are you okay?”
Nimue smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “It’s not easy dating when you’re a rider. Brynn’s really sweet, but it’s not the same. Civilians don’t know what it’s like to fly or to face gryphons. You’ll see.”
I swallowed and wrapped my arms around myself. Everyone kept saying that, even Gareth. “I guess.” I closed my eyes. “You don’t need to worry. You’re awesome. You’ll find someone.”
“My only option is Aurelia, and she’s the worst.” Nimue groaned.
I snickered at the fact that her engagement to Luther wasn’t listed as a deterrent. “You’ll find someone. Don’t give up.”
“I’ll be alone forever.” Nimue exhaled. “It’s fine. I’ll live vicariously through Thaleia.” We turned and watched our dragons chase each other, well, Thaleia chasing Umara and trying to bite her tail.
My heart ached at the clear want in Nimue’s eyes. “Okay, just putting it out there. If we’re forty and neither of us have settled down with anyone—”
Nimue whipped her head toward me. “I don’t need a pity partner. Especially someone who doesn’t—”
“Brynn was my ex.” It was comical how largeNimue’s eyes got. I laughed.
“Why didn’t you—”
I waved her off. “It was never anything serious. We just hooked up mostly.”
“The Mother, I would never have—”
“It’s fine.” I laughed and took her hand, squeezing it. “Really, it’s fine. Brynn’s my friend, and you’re my best friend. I want you to be happy. And if that was with her, great. But anyway, if we’re both forty, let’s be lonely together.”
Nimue shook her head. “You’re so… okay. But I’m not giving up so soon. Let’s say fifty.”
“Deal.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
The next morning, I went to Nimue's room after breakfast. I couldn’t sleep. I spent the entire night thinking over Kieran’s proposal. I needed to tell her about it. I would have yesterday, but with how sad she’d been, it didn’t seem like the right time.
I flopped facedown onto her bed. “Kieran is trying to psychologically torture me.”
“Care to explain, drama queen?” The bed dipped as she sat next to me, and she ran her hand along my braided hair. I arched into it like a cat.
I rolled onto my side. “Kieran asked if I wanted to be fuck buddies with him.”
Her hand froze. “That dog. Do you want me to kick his ass?”
I smiled and leaned into her hand. She laughed and began stroking my hair again and playing with the tips. “On one hand, I miss sex. And he’s right there, offering himself to me. It’s convenient.”
She laughed. “Bullshit. Don’t give me that look, Selena. There’re plenty of servants who would gladly fuck you or let you fuck them. You’re hot, and you ride a dragon. There is literally no better combo to exist. Ifyou merely want to scratch an itch, it doesn’t have to be Kieran. Hell, Ben propositioned you when he first introduced himself to you.”
Damn. She read me like a book. I closed my eyes. “He’s a calculating jerk. Especially when I first met him. Hell, even after that. A part of me still doesn’t trust him. And yet, he’s the person I think of when I’m having some me time or—or lately, when I need someone to cheer me up. It’s like—like my body justreactsto being near him. And not even in an entirely sexual way. Ugh. I don’t know. It scares me how badly I want him. Because I know he wants me, but I don’t know if it’s just sex to him.”
Nimue fell silent as she stroked my hair. “Kieran makes a bad first impression, but he does care.”
I groaned. “Don’t tell me you're on his side.”
