Page 108 of Cast By Flames (Dragon's Breath)
The crossing wasn’t easy, but they paused near the bank to wash off some of the blood. Rayna did her best not to look at Galadon, but she caught a glimpse of his nude form before she could stop herself. The shifter was built like a god. It was too bad he looked at her like she was his worst enemy because she couldn’t deny she wanted him. No one had ever attracted her like this before. She knew very well he only endured her now because of his injuries, but that tolerance wouldn’t last.
It was so frustrating. The only men who ever wanted her were the types who found it exhilarating to have sex with a slayer, but they didn’t want anything more than a night or two. The seer had been wrong about Galadon. Rayna knew very well that no one, including the lone shifter, would ever desire her for something more serious.
She forced those gloomy thoughts from her mind.
Focusing on her wounds, she noted most had begun to close. A stab wound in her shoulder blade was deep enough that it still seeped blood when she checked it, as well as another on her left arm, but the rest were getting better. It was her knee andribs that hurt the worst since bones and tendons didn’t heal as fast.
After they reached the other side, Galadon drew in a breath, and magic sparked around him. Black camrium clothes finally covered his body. She hid her disappointment by turning away and taking a chug of water from her canteen. At least he’d gotten enough power back to get dressed, which would make things a little less awkward.
Rayna convinced Onyx to lower himself so they could mount his back. The horse was tall and had no saddle or stirrups to help them. With their injuries, it would be a difficult climb. She got on first and patted the space behind her.
“He won’t mind me riding him?” Galadon asked skeptically.
The shifter knew the horse was fireproof, but Onyx would be the first he met like that.
Rayna rubbed the animal’s neck. “Come here and see for yourself.”
Galadon limped slowly to the spot she indicated and cautiously touched the horse. Then he flattened his hand and began petting him. Onyx stretched his neck and nuzzled the shifter on his shoulder where he wasn’t injured. Rayna had never seen him do that with a stranger before.
Galadon brows knitted. “He’s…impressive.”
The animal sent impressions into her mind. They weren’t exactly words, though the horse knew some English, but rather images and emotions that she could translate. She thanked him for telling her.
“Onyx likes you.” Rayna smiled. “He says you are a fierce warrior worthy to ride him.”
“He said that?” the shifter asked, giving her a dubious look.
“Not in those exact words, but he showed me how he felt.”
“You are a remarkable animal as well,” he said, and carefully mounted behind Rayna.
Onyx rose and began walking slowly, aware of their numerous injuries and taking care with his steps. Rayna didn’t know the exact location of the nearest Faegud bunker, but Galadon helped guide them there. They sat stiffly for the first half hour and avoided touching each other. After a while, though, the pain and exhaustion got to them.
She relaxed until her back rested against the shifter’s stomach. He didn’t jerk away, and eventually, he wrapped an arm around her waist. They supported each other to keep themselves upright on the horse as weakness overtook them from their wounds and blood loss. When Galadon flew her, his body was always stiff and unyielding, but this was different. It felt more intimate, and a part of her wished it could be under different circumstances.
The sun had been up for a little over an hour by the time the bunker came into view. Relief filled her. She guided Onyx until they were close to the entrance, ignoring the glares of shifters resting in various places around the stone shelter.
Rayna turned to look at the shifter, who glowered back at his brethren. “I think you can make it from here.”
“Aren’t you coming?” he asked, frowning.
She pointed north. “No, I’ll head back to the other side.”
Thankfully, there was a bridge to cross the river that wasn’t too far from their location.
“You need a healer, and your horse requires rest after carrying us,” he said, carefully dismounting.
He wasn’t wrong, but she knew Onyx could handle it with only her for the return trip. Rayna’s throbbing injuries would be the hardest part. All she wanted to do was lie down somewhere and pass out. The unwelcoming gazes of nearby shifters told her that would be unwise.
She shook her head. “We’ll be fine.”
He sighed. “Come with me. You need to heal, eat, and rest.”
Rayna wanted to ask why he suddenly cared, but it would only antagonize him.
Still, she hesitated. “They don’t want me here.”
“They will get over it,” he growled, extending his hand. “Let us call a truce for now.”
