Page 138 of Upon Buried Embers
I secretly love it. I feel so protected and cared for as the mighty Dragonbond walks with me on his feet.
I’m sure no one would believe me if I told them.
He gently guides me to the table, and once seated on a cushion, he sits behind me, legs on either side, detangling my hair in silence.
We do that a lot lately, sitting in silence.
“Eat.”
I drink the broth slowly, letting the feel of his hands in my hair soothe me. He adds more broth when I’m done, bringing the bowl back to my lips. I oblige him because I think he needs it with the worry I sense in him.
To see me eat, to rest, to be warm.
He really won’t leave me alone, and to be honest, he hasn’t stopped pestering me with anything that I want or need, which has never happened to me before. It makes me nervous.
A shadow passes by one of the windows.
“Who is that?” It’s my first question in days, unsure what to say to him, or if he’s still angry with me.
“Alter.”
“What? Why is he here?”
“They all are.” I turn, looking up at Rohan. “They have all been waiting outside the cabin.”
His dragons have been waiting for me?
“But, why?”
“Because you were sick,” his jaw tics. “Because it was my fault and every time I leave they don’t let me forget it.”
“What do you…” I trail off when I notice a wound on his arm. It’s round, puncture holes surrounding it and blood still drips from them. “What…”
“Escor.” He shrugs. “I deserved it.”
“You let him bite you?!”
“It’s a scratch.”
“It will scar!” I turn and rise onto my knees to look at it closer. Rohan lifts my wrist to his mouth. “It will be a reminder.”
“Of what?”
“Of how I failed you.”
My hand stills on his arm, and I sit back on my haunches, staring up at him.
“I fell. You were nowhere near me.” I shake my head. “I couldn’t see.”
“And you wouldn’t have been out there if it wasn’t forme.” He drops my wrist and places it gently on my legs. “And your wrist isn’t the only thing I’m talking about, so cut the falling bullshit.”
I avert my eyes, biting my lip until Rohan pulls the skin free.
“Tell me what’s on your mind.”
“Will you get angry?”
He takes a breath. “I won’t get angry. Not at you. Never at you again.”
