Page 45 of Killian
Without hesitation, Dravyn nodded. “I would like that. We have learned so little of each other with these weekly meetings.”
“I will bring you seeds tomorrow.”
“It is unnecessary; you have already given me a bag full.”
“Nevertheless, I will have another bag with me tomorrow.”
“I hope I am not as stubborn as you,” Dravyn muttered.
Killian laughed. “While I long to find out for myself how much willfulness is in your soul.”
“I fear there is much hidden in me.”
“Good,” Killian said. “Embrace everything that pleases you, and bravely be yourself.”
“I should like to someday. Goodnight, Killian.”
“Goodnight.”
Dravyn turned to go but turned back around before Killian teleported away. “Killian?”
“Yes?”
“Thanks for protecting me from the rain, but I don’t mind enduring what I must.”
Without giving Killian a chance to answer unless he wished to shout, Dravyn took off running. Barely a minute later, a large green dragon rose above the trees, and Killian smiled. Through the years, he’d witnessed many dragons flying. It was hard to find them beautiful as they reigned terror on his people, but Dravyn would never be one of those beasts. Killian was free to admire the wide wings, thick body, and long tail.
No other details were revealed to him thanks to Dravyn’s speed and the minimal light Killian had created with his magick. Someday, Killian wanted to witness Dravyn in his full glory—both as a dragon and in his delightfully muscled human form.
???
Killian swallowed a delicious bite of bread and steadfastly ignored the Reverent Knight staring at him. At his side, Aloisa was deep in conversation with Clara and Saura about their business venture. Their service that allowed people to teleport wherever they wished was wildly successful, and Killian was proud of them. Now, the trio was planning to create specific spots for people to meet their druid or warlock to be teleported.
The genius women wanted to build circles outside with arches above them to save people from the elements. Aloisa would use her magick to encourage flowering trees to grow inthe shape they wanted, then they’d add a small garden designed by Clara. It was up to Saura to decide where to put their circles. Their voices were raised in their excitement, and Killian grinned. With despair so often around the corner, it was lovely to have spots of genuine joy and enthusiasm.
But instead of pleasing himself by continuing to listen to the lively entrepreneurs, Killian had to face the fallen knight who was watching him so intently. Killian turned to face Drystan and was unsurprised to find his blue eyes irritated.
“What do you want, Drystan?” Killian asked.
Drystan sucked in a deep breath as if he’d been waiting for this opportunity to speak his mind. “I said nothing when you were wandering off to a forest outside a human town once a week. You can thank Con for that because I believed you were being foolish. Now, you have wandered off to meet your mate twice in the last two nights. How reckless are you willing to be? Have you forgotten that you are the leader of the druids? Do you wish to leave the responsibility of your title in Aloisa and Clara’s hands? They have their own duties. You can hardly expect them to take on your role as ruler because you refuse to heed any warnings of danger.”
Every table in Castle Leolinnia quieted. Even the notoriously ravenous Kaedan stopped eating, and his sharp navy gaze whipped to Killian. “You are meeting him nightly now?”
“Dravyn told his family about me,” Killian replied.
Saura grinned and clapped. “How wondrous. Things are going well then?”
Aloisa laid a hand on his arm, and her smile was as bright as Saura’s. “What a relief to know things are moving forward. I long for you to know the happiness I share with Clara.”
“I’m happy for you too, but Drystan is right,” Chander said. “If you keep meeting Dravyn in those woods, someone is eventually going to notice. Despite a dark sky, those goldenflecks in your eyes glow. No one would miss that you are magickind. I know you can protect yourself with your vines, but that is only if you know the threat is coming.”
“Do you carry one of Masse’s stones?” Lieutenant Othindisa Eldrvalkyria asked. Othindisa was one of the phoenixes tasked with keeping her Jarl and his consort safe, and she answered to their captain, who doubled as Kolsten’s mother.
“I can make more if you need one,” Masse added, resting his head against Kolsten’s arm. His earthy brown gaze was bright with joy and love as Kolsten pressed a kiss to the top of his curls.
“I go nowhere without one of your nullification stones,” Killian answered, pulling the stone with its ornate copper cover out of the pouch he carried on his belt. “With one blast of magick, I know it can protect me. At least for a bit.”
“Bax and I can take turns traveling to the forest with you,” Benton offered. “Your mate would not even need to know we are there. We can remain invisible. You want to keep your spot in the woods since it is convenient for your mate, but we must see to your safety.”
