Page 58 of Galadon
Seriously? Couldn’t you have discussed that with me first?
Galadon wasn’t even looking at her anymore, so no one would know they were still speaking telepathically except Titan, who could see her facial expressions.
For one, you didn’t complain last night or this morning while I was filling you with my scent. In fact, I recall a lot of begging for me to do it again. As for the other point, you bound yourself to me, so you are mated and mine forever. I merely made certain everyone else knew it.
Rayna gritted her teeth.Yet you’re free.
I made certain your scent covered me as well, so no female will try anything.
If not for all the witnesses, she would have thrown something at him—like one of her new knives.It’s not the same thing, and you know it.
We’ll discuss it later. Aidan and a few other Taugud are heading your way. I asked them to keep an eye on you when I cannot, so please stay close to them.
Rayna wanted to argue further, but as much as she hated to admit it, this was not the time or place. She appreciated that, unlike in the past, he looked out for her without being ordered. He did care, and there was no denying it. The stunning weapons he’d bought and fitted on her—a slayer—without hesitation spoke louder than words. She just didn’t understand why he could behave exactly like a mate without making the commitment. Did he enjoy leaving her hanging?
“Rayna, it is good to see you,” Aidan said, coming to stand a few feet to the side of her. “I see your situation has…changed since I last saw you, and you’re looking far better than the last description I received. Bailey and I were quite concerned about how you were faring.”
While he hadn’t participated in the rescue, she had no doubt the shifters he’d sent relayed all the details back to him. The Taugud pendragon hadn’t been able to get away due to other duties, but she was grateful he hadn’t hesitated to send many of his best warriors and even a high-level sorcerer. That had meant a lot.
“Physically, I’m doing much better. Thank you for your help on that.”
“Of course.” He dipped his chin. “But otherwise, you’re not?”
“It’s complicated.”
Rayna was used to the power Galadon emitted, but Aidan was a pendragon. His was nearly as strong but in a nuanced way she couldn’t describe. It was like his gaze could see through to the heart of her.
“Hmm, it always is with you two.”
She didn’t want to say it out loud, but it was clear he saw more than most.
Rayna decided to tell him telepathically, hoping that since he was mated to a slayer, he might have some advice.I told him I loved him just before I put the knife in my chest and felt my half of the bond form. He hasn’t said it back.
Shock lit in Aidan’s eyes. “We didn’t know that’s how you got that injury. Why would you do that to yourself?”
There was a hint of anger in his tone, directed at her.
I hadn’t hunted in a week, they’d tortured me daily so that I was weak and more susceptible to their potions. My slayer urges were so incredibly strong I could hardly fight them when I woke with a dagger in my hand and easy access to Galadon. It was either attack him or kill myself. The only reason I’m not dead is because I spotted your forces bringing the ward down just as I stabbed myself, so I managed to turn it at the last second. I won’t apologize for choosing the man I love over myself.
His gaze softened. “I see and understand. If I had to choose between me or Bailey under similar circumstances, I’d have likely done the same. We have been lucky no such circumstances ever arose.”
Memories of that time threatened to swallow her. She’d let herself cry once, but that wasn’t enough to move her past it.Rayna had to take a deep breath to rein in the mental anguish that threatened to overwhelm her. His kindness and sympathy made it harder to stay indifferent.
“He’ll tell you when he’s ready,” Aidan said in a low, soothing tone that few nearby could possibly hear. “I spoke the words to Bailey first, but she needed more time to make the same commitment. It wasn’t easy wondering if she would take that step. She did eventually come to terms with her feelings for me, though, and it was worth the wait.”
Rayna nodded. “Thank you. It helps to hear that.”
Titan, who stood close enough to catch Aidan’s side of the conversation, cast her a sympathetic glance. The kindness and support in his gaze touched her. Sometimes, it was easy to feel alone, especially when dealing with emotional trauma. Yet these people cared more for her than anyone had in a very long time.
“Thank you all for everything,” she said, glancing at them both.
Aidan smiled. “We were glad to help.”
Galadon finally returned, still in his burnt orange dragon form. She took that to mean he would conduct his first fight with teeth and claws. He gave her a look she couldn’t read. If they were mated, she’d have been able to sense any strong emotions from him through their bond. Since they were only halfway there, nothing came through.
My first fight is with a non-shifter—the strongest among them, though not the brightest. We will go first. It should prove to be an interesting battle,he said, his tone lacking the warmth and humor of earlier that day.
Something told her he’d caught enough of her conversation with Aidan to have been bothered by it. Rayna wouldn’t apologize for speaking to someone else on the matter when she needed clarity, and the pendragon could help with that since he understood the situation better than anyone.
