Page 86 of Galadon
“They’re going to see us coming this time for sure,” she sighed.
Conrad grinned. “Just have a little faith in Morgan and some of the other sorcerers. They’re comin’ with us and ready for whatever those fools throw at us.”
I noted the surprise in Rayna’s face, though I’d heard as much from Aidan while the slayer was out hunting. Since theycouldn’t use the element of surprise, they needed to put together a strong enough force to counter whatever the cunning sorcerer leader had planned.
“That makes me feel better.”
“We need to get going, so I can feed Rayna before she becomes grouchy,” I said, wishing to return to time alone with my mate.
She glared up at me. “I do not get grouchy.”
“You do, but I’ve found kissing you calms you enough until I can get you sustenance.”
Conrad laughed. “Okay, this is just gettin’ weird. I still can’t get used to ya’ll bein’ cute and couple-y and shit. See ya’ll later!”
He hurried away before we could respond.
“You did that just to get rid of him,” Rayna accused.
I lifted my brows. “Can you blame me? I’m hungry and ready to eat.”
“You made me out to be the cranky one, though,” she said, poking my chest.
“It was more amusing that way.”
She rolled her eyes and took my hand, leading me to the Italian restaurant. “For that, you aren’t allowed to order steak. You’ll eat whatever I eat.”
“If it makes you happy to force me to suffer poor-tasting sustenance the day before a large battle, then I’ll endure your food choice.”
Her shoulders slumped. “No, it’s fine. Order what you want.”
I hid my grin so she wouldn’t know I’d anticipated that response. We only had tonight to enjoy each other’s company. Once we rose tomorrow, we’d meet with the Faegud and face an enemy who wouldn’t hesitate to destroy us if we didn’t prove strong enough. I had to hope my mate and I were better prepared than the last time we saw Astaroth.
Chapter 32
Rayna
The Faegud were waiting for them when they reached the neutral zone between their territories. It was an ideal meeting place to rest and prepare before the almost two-hour flight to the Kandoran nest’s location, especially with Lake Texoma there for the dragons to obtain water.
Rayna and Galadon sat together, eating some dried meat. Most shifters kept a healthy distance from them, especially because the male beside her kept growling, but the two pendragons, along with Titan and Morgan had joined them. They accepted the fact that her mate was being territorial with their bond being new. As long as he didn’t act overprotective during the battle, she wouldn’t complain about the rest. All Rayna cared about was getting revenge on Astaroth for what he’d done to them.
“We’ll leave in about fifteen minutes,” Aidan said, rising from the ground. “Do what you need to now because I want to be in the air by then.”
They had gotten so used to him leading them into war that no one questioned the Taugud pendragon’s commands. Thanks to him uniting the clans and Bailey bringing the coalitionand east coast dragon clans together, they’d won a war against an adversary with a much larger army. He clearly knew what he was doing since he’d planned most of their strategies.
She stood as well. “I’m going to find some trees to pee behind.”
“I’ll go with you,” Galadon said, wiping his hands on his pants.
They found a secluded enough spot in the woods so she could relieve herself one last time, and he did the same. Neither of them was bothered by it anymore, though she would have been a matter of weeks ago. Living in his tunnel home with a chamber pot as the nearest “toilet” had encouraged her to overcome her shyness. There was a separate place to go outside, but when she was recovering from injuries or got up during the night to pee, the pot was more convenient. It was located in a side tunnel near the entrance, so the smell wasn’t as much of an issue.
Rayna used her canteen water to rinse her hands afterward. As soon as she was done, Galadon pulled her into his arms. “I know you are perfectly capable of fighting this battle, but I’m asking you to stay close to me because otherwise, I will be distracted looking for you. Neither of us made it through the war without injuries. It is just as likely to happen today.”
“That’s fine because if I can’t see you, I’ll worry, too,” she said, giving him a genuine smile. Even when they didn’t get along, and he’d wanted nothing to do with her, they’d fought better when joined together.
He tucked back a stray strand of her hair that had snuck out of her French braid. It was so gentle that she still couldn’t believe how much his attitude toward her had changed. The lovein his gaze now said he’d do anything for her. Rayna should have been nervous about the upcoming battle rather than wondering if she was living an impossible dream.
“It was an effort to stay away from you during the war, you know, especially after I found you dying that one time.” He pulled her close, and she pressed her cheek against his chest. “I can’t tell you how many times I had to stop myself from looking for you.”
