Page 78 of Galadon
“You need at least a few years of sucking up to her after how big of an asshole you were to her for the first nine months you knew each other.” The slayer glared at him. “You accepted me just fine, but you were horrible to her.”
“You were Aidan’s problem,” I argued with a smile.
The Taugud pendragon laughed. “He has you on that.”
“With Rayna, I think I knew from that first day what she was to me, and it was daunting,” I said, remembering my first conversation with her. It was as if I had to mock everything about her to put distance between us, even if it made no sense.
Bailey pressed a hand to her stomach, love shining in her eyes at what lay within. “Fate doesn’t always care about what we want, but rather, what we need.”
And now, I recognized that I needed Rayna as much as my next breath.
I stood. “I think I’d like to get settled and take that bath now.”
“Of course.” Aidan gently set his mate aside to stand as well. “Let’s get you something to eat first, and afterward I’ll have someone show you to your room. Let them know if you need anything else during your stay here.”
“Thank you,” I said, giving him a respectful nod. “I would like to learn more about what to expect between Rayna and me tomorrow if it isn’t too much trouble.”
I wasn’t one to ask for help, but for the sake of my mate, I’d do anything if it could help us. Fighting over minor things was fine and normal, but I didn’t want another argument that could harm our relationship to the point where we made each other miserable. I wanted her to feel secure in our bond.
“We’re happy for both of you and have no problem telling you anything that can smooth your path,” Aidan assured him as he poked his head from the door to quietly speak to the guards out there. I caught enough to hear he was arranging for someone to prepare a room for me.
Bailey grinned as we stood waiting. “And maybe we can explain a thing or two that will make the famous lone shifter blush for good measure.”
I supposed I would need to brace myself with Bailey helping me learn.
Aidan turned back to me. “A servant in the great hall will meet you. They’re happy to prepare whatever you’d like, and your room should be ready by the time you’re finished.”
“Thank you,” I said, realizing I wasn’t remotely full from the snack he’d provided.
“Oh, I nearly forgot.” Bailey slapped her forehead. “Phoebe just went into labor, and that’s what I came here to say before getting sidetracked.”
“Where is she?” Aidan asked.
“At her house. She still insists on doing the same thing as Ozara and giving birth at home with the midwife, so she’s not going to the healer’s clinic,” she replied, taking his hand. “But she said if we want to visit now, we could, since no visitors are allowed once it gets painful.”
Aidan took her hand. “Then we will do that.”
I moved past him to reach the door. “Hope all goes well with your sister, and I’ll see you at the noon meal tomorrow.”
“See you then,” the Taugud pendragon agreed.
Chapter 30
Rayna
The Kandoran dragon took two days before it showed up a couple of hours before sunset—to her utter annoyance. Rayna had spent the previous day searching for the beast, trekking for miles through rugged terrain. She wasn’t far from the first position where she’d been placed during the war, except she was north of the giant chasm this time, within range of the Arbuckle Mountains. Her thighs burned from walking up and down hills after not hunting for weeks. She’d become out of shape while recovering and spending time with Galadon.
Finally, the big green dragon appeared in the sky. She was nearly lost to her slayer instincts by that point and barely had the presence of mind to use her sorceress abilities to strike it down with lightning. Twigs and brush had slapped at her skin as she’d run for her prey, finding it struggling to rise by the time she reached it.
Rayna barely recalled what happened next because she’d been in full battle lust by that point. She only knew when it was over, the dragon had a sword sticking out of its chest. Leaning against the beast’s dead body, she caught her breath and felt the instant relief from completing her hunt.
After slugging down some water from her magical canteen that always refilled within the hour, she began the walk back to the border. By her estimates, she’d wandered about three miles away. It was about an hour and a half until sunset, but even if she hurried, she’d miss the midday meal at the fortress. Rayna was starving, too, after running out of her food supplies. She’d eaten the last of them when she woke up late in the morning.
Now that she could think clearly again, her need to reach Galadon surged. Everything in her compelled her to get to him as fast as possible. She could feel which direction he was located and approximately how far. It was strange. Rayna had barely noticed it when he dropped her off because her hunting instincts were already beginning to fill her thoughts.
A red dragon appeared when she was about a mile from the Taugud border. She waved at him. He circled around and swooped, taking her into his arms as he lifted back into the sky.
Thanks, Titan,she said.
