Page 24 of Galadon
Rayna would never be free of her duty, but that was okay.
Titan pulled her into a tight hug, and she didn’t mind it in the least, though that sliver of need to kill dragons was always there. Even the ones who mattered to her still triggered her instincts to some extent. Only her well-honed discipline kept her blade hand at bay. Galadon wasn’t wrong that she’d never change in that regard no matter how hard she tried. Still, she’d rather die than hurt him or any of her shifter friends.
I merely wanted to make it clear to you that you’re not alone, even when it feels that way. No matter what, I’m here and will come anytime you need me. Don’t ever take on more than you can handle by yourself. Okay?he asked, pulling away to stare down at her.
Rayna took a deep breath and nodded. “Yeah, okay.”
Good.
He took hold of her again and lifted into the air, swiftly moving past the mountain range toward the valley below wherethe Taugud fortress lay. It was late afternoon. Dozens of shifters trained in beast or human form, typical for nice weather days.
At the other end, near the village, she noted that numerous adults sat on the grass while children played before them. It was such a beautiful scene, but she didn’t know how Bailey handled it on a daily basis. The more dragons in Rayna’s presence, the harder it became to control her instincts. At least, that was true when she hadn’t killed one for a few days. Only soon after a hunt did the urge fade to almost nothing. At least right now she hardly felt it after her kill in Galadon’s territory yesterday.
As they set down on the landing pad closest to the fortress gates, numerous heads turned their way. Rayna lifted her chin and squared her shoulders. Let them look. She wouldn’t be ashamed of her identity any more than they should be. No one should be judged for circumstances beyond their control, especially with their genetics. It was why she’d always done her best not to kill dragons who didn’t deserve it because so many were good and innocent. They were all simply trying to survive in a world full of chaos.
Taking a deep breath, she stepped off the pad and waited for Titan to shift. He was covered in flames, and halfway through the process when, Phoebe, Aidan’s sister, came walking toward them from the fortress gates. Her stomach was well-rounded since she was due to deliver her baby in a few weeks. She wore her dark hair with its one silver strand in a simple braid, and her blue and black camrium tunic and pants were loose fitting. The tall shifter female walked with a waddle since, apparently, even their kind struggled to be graceful at this stage of pregnancy.
“Rayna, it’s good to see you!” she said with a genuine smile.
They’d spoken a few times, but they didn’t interact often, so the kind greeting came as a surprise. Not wanting to spoil it, she grinned back. “You’re looking…vibrant.”
“Yes.” Phoebe ran her hand over her bulging belly. “I’m ready for this boy to come out. If he kicks my bladder one more time today, I fear what might happen.”
“Better you than me,” Rayna said with a laugh.
The female shifter shook her head. “You never know. Maybe you’ll change your mind someday once you find the right person.”
Titan cleared his throat, having just finished taking his human form. “I wouldn’t bring that topic up right now if I were you.”
“Oh.” Phoebe’s expression turned sympathetic. “Let me know if there’s a certain lone shifter I need to beat up after this baby is born. I’m sure I’ll be cranky from lack of sleep and up for the challenge.”
How was it that people who should be her enemies could cheer her up while hardly trying? She needed to leave soon, or she might turn mushy and ruin her reputation.
“Can’t we pretend he doesn’t exist instead?” Rayna asked.
Phoebe smiled. “Consider him wiped from my memory.”
“You’re now my favorite female shifter.”
The Taugud pendragon’s sister gave her arm a squeeze. “Naturally. Now I can see you’re antsy to get going, so I won’t keep you, but please don’t be a stranger. Among the slayers who are not Bailey, you are the most tolerable, and yet you don’tstick around to keep the annoying people away with your little lightning strikes. I wish I had that power.”
“Half the fortress would be scorched by now if you did,” Titan said, drolly.
“Is there anyone who needs singeing now?” Rayna asked, lifting a brow.
She sighed. “Sadly, I already ran off the ones I wish to teach a lesson.” She gazed around the field as if looking for them. “They’re hiding somewhere.”
“I’m guessing Ruari is one of them?”
Phoebe rolled her golden eyes at the mention of her second eldest brother. “He is perpetually a breath away from my blade, even after his mate shaped him into something more tolerable. Sadly, he still hasn’t mastered the art of conversation skills.”
“I don’t think that’s going to change,” Rayna said, thankful she rarely dealt with him. She’d seen and heard enough about his antics, though.
“Probably not.”
Ready to see her horse, she took a step back. “I’ll try to visit again soon and hope things go well with the baby.”
Phoebe pointed a finger at her. “I’ll expect a gift, you understand?”
