Page 112 of Cast By Flames (Dragon's Breath)
Instead, he asked her, “How are you?”
“Tired,” she admitted, rubbing her forehead. “But we have finished our sweeps of the battleground. All our dead and injured have been accounted for and collected. The Kandoran who died the first night, including the humans, have turned to dust. Moving the ones from this latest battle will waste time.”
That was interesting. Pure dragons naturally turned to dust about forty-eight hours after their deaths, but it had only been around twenty-four. And why would the infected humans do the same? There was something truly disturbing about how their enemy functioned that was completely unnatural.
“Thank you for the update.” Aidan gave her a nod. “My mate and I are going to eat and rest now. I suggest you both do the same.”
“Of course, milord,” Falcon said, dipping his chin.
Sabryn paid her respects to their leader as well. The pendragon and slayer walked away to a tent they had set up near the bunker. Falcon had a feeling they would do more than rest, but he was glad Aidan had a female who kept him happy. His power and strength had certainly magnified the most after her arrival. That was a good thing for all their people.
“I never thought I’d envy a slayer,” Sabryn said, sighing.
Falcon drew his brows together, a wave of jealousy coming over him. Did she desire their pendragon? “What do you mean?”
“Look at Bailey. She got the male she wanted, and she makes him strong and happy despite their differences. Only a fool would want to break up those two. I only wish I could find something similar.” She took a step closer. “With you.”
He could not get over how forward she behaved with him. It was unnerving, yet he was pleased she had not meant the pendragon. Falcon knew he shouldn’t care at all, but it was difficult with her.
“I’ve told you before that you deserve better.”
Sabryn shook her head. “There is no one better for me.”
Why did she persist in this? The female was a fierce warrior, beautiful, and born to a respected family. She could have her choice in males. Every time she started this conversation, he struggled even more to fight his attraction. She was everything he could want and more.
“Will you sit and eat with me?” she asked, pleading in her gaze.
He wanted to run his hands through her black-brown hair and pull her lips to his. Of course, that would be madness. He could have a meal with her, though. There was no point in them sitting apart like they did the day before, pretending not to look at each other.
He swept out a hand toward the bunker. “Yes. Let’s get our food.”
They went inside, finding no line for rations and supplies since most others had already passed through there. It was twohours after dawn. Everyone who wasn’t in a leadership position or part of the retrieval teams had already sought their rest.
They took their sandwiches and fruit outside. He led Sabryn to the east, and they walked through the shield wall until they reached what humans called a storage facility. Before the war began, they emptied the contents inside each room so that they could be used as sleeping quarters for shifters. They were constructed primarily of corrugated metal and red brick with cement floors, rendering them more tolerant to a dragon’s high body temperatures. Only burning flames would be a problem.
He had marked one of the larger units for himself since he was second in command under Aidan. Pulling up the door, he led her inside, where he had a sleeping pallet, a few supplies, and spare clothing. He was aware that she had her own place in the next building over, but for some reason, he’d felt compelled to bring her to his. Was his resolve weakening?
Sabryn studied his sleeping quarters for a moment, quirked a smile, and sat in the middle of the space. He took a position a few feet across from her. They were both ravenous after the battle and long hours without sustenance.
In less than ten minutes, they’d consumed their meal. If she were anything like him, she was likely still hungry. Their rations weren’t sizeable. Falcon moved to a bag in the corner and drew out a metal container with two dozen cookies inside. Kayla had given it to him before he left the fortress the last time. He’d intended to savor one or two a day to enjoy them for as long as possible.
Falcon handed a couple to Sabryn and kept one for himself.
Surprise filled her gaze. “Are you giving me sweets?”
“Eat,” he said gruffly. He was trying not to look deeper into his offering, but he knew it was something a prospective mate might do.
She took a bite and moaned. “Kayla made these.”
“She did.”
They continued to chew their cookies, finishing them quickly.
Sabryn wiped her mouth. “Now, I’m jealous of her.”
“Why?” He frowned. “She did the same for Aidan, Bailey, and a few others.”
“She’s grown into a beautiful young woman.”
