Page 69 of Galadon
As if sensing Rayna’s answer wouldn’t be easy, he pulled her against him. It helped as she recalled that time long ago that felt like a different life now. She absorbed the strength he was giving her with his embrace.
“I really tried to make my mom happy. Went to the college she picked, got a history degree, and even began law school because she wanted me to be a lawyer like her. It wasn’t for me, though, and I dropped out during the second year. I worked odd jobs after that, traveled to Europe, and did what I wanted before finally coming home two weeks before dragons arrived.”
Rayna rested her cheek against his chest. “I was planning to get my own place, but everything went to hell before that happened. We were trying to survive and figure out what was happening to us. Three days into it, dragons chased us down. My nineteen-year-old brother was in the car while my father and I loaded some supplies into the back. We were all hit by the flames, but only Jace died. He was my mother’s favorite and could do no wrong.”
“I’m sorry,” he said, running his hand soothingly through her hair.
When was the last time anyone had comforted her? Titan had tried, but she hated letting go entirely for anyone, fearing it would make her appear too fragile. She’d been alone for so long and didn’t dare show weakness in front of others. If she needed to cry or just be depressed, she found a quiet place where no one could see her breakdown.
She took a deep, steadying breath. “So I tried to be what Mom wanted because losing my brother tore her apart. She had a knack for making me feel guilty, like it was my fault. I studied magic with her, but she excelled at potions and elixirs, which were complicated and bored me to tears.”
He laughed. “I never would have guessed you lacked the patience for it.”
“Honestly.” She lifted her head. “The only thing I could impress her with was building wards, but she hated my lightning. I think it was because it was too useful to my slayer side. She didn’t want me fighting dragons.”
“Probably because she didn’t want to lose you like your brother,” Galadon said quietly.
Rayna shrugged. “Maybe. She didn’t try to stop my father from hunting, but she never attempted to control him like she did me. I was always closer to Dad. When it became obvious that I’d never make my mom happy, I stopped. The next time a dragon attacked us, I completed the ritual. Mom told me she never wanted to see me again. That was about four months or so after my brother died. I stayed with the Straegud for about eight months until their seer sent me out.”
“Why?” he asked, brows drawn.
“She told me I needed to leave and gain as much experience as possible fighting the green dragons and gave me a place and date for meeting Bailey and her group. So, I roamed the countryside alone until then.”
He studied her face, still holding her closely. “You must have been lonely.”
“I made friends here and there, stuck around some places longer than others, but it helped that I had an end goal. It was a matter of passing the time until then,” she replied, giving him a faint smile.
“You knew a war was coming since back then?”
“Yes, though not many details about it,” she said, hesitating. “The seer told me I’d meet you when I got here, and that you would hate me at first.”
Galadon stiffened. “She knew about us?”
“I thought about telling you, but…” Rayna started to pull away, but his arms around her only tightened.
“No.” He shook his head. “I didn’t make it easy, and I know that.”
His words helped her relax a little. “She told me it would be hard, like really hard, but she told me to keep trying because we are soulmates, and it would work out in time. That’s why I didn’t give up until you made it clear that day. Then I decided the seer must have been wrong.”
“If I didn’t have some seer abilities myself, I’d never understand why they have to be so manipulative and cryptic,” he said, then cupped her cheeks. “Don’t be afraid to tell me things like this anymore—even if you think it will make me angry.”
“I used to enjoy making you angry,” she admitted with a quirk of her lips.
He laughed. “I’m aware. But let me guess, now you’re afraid to do it for fear you’ll lose me?”
“Yes,” she said, swallowing. “I’m not sure I could survive you rejecting me again—not after the last week and how great it’s been.”
Galadon kissed her. It wasn’t sexual, but rather him showing how much she meant to him. She clutched at his tunic and reveled in the closeness between them. Every moment with him felt better than the last. His kiss was sweet and reassuring in a way she’d never experienced with him before.
He pulled away, expression gentle. “If you truly believe I’m wrong, say it. Do not spare my feelings or worry about me getting angry. Maybe I will, but I can’t live without you again.This is your home now, as much as it’s mine. Stay and keep fighting, no matter how disgruntled I may get, and know that I won’t give up on you, either.”
Tears filled her eyes. “You mean that?”
One fell down her cheek, and Galadon gently wiped it away. “Yes. Don’t be afraid to cry in front of me, either. I’m the one person with whom you should feel safe when expressing your feelings. No matter what, I won’t think less of you. Your tears here and now don’t make you any less ruthless against your enemies. They only show that you still have your heart and soul. I thank Zorya for that.”
All the tension and fears she’d felt over the past week came pouring out of her. Galadon brought her down to the ground next to the fairy ring and held her while she cried. Rayna sobbed for the loss of her family, all those years alone, the torture from the Kandoran, and the constant rejection she faced in her life. She’d bottled so much inside, afraid to let more than a little out at a time. She hadn’t even realized how much it weighed her down.
He rubbed her back and murmured that it would be okay. How he understood to say that, she didn’t know, but his comfort allowed her a measure of healing she hadn’t realized she desperately needed.
