Page 101 of Upon Buried Embers

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I think about that. “And if you can’t see the eyes?”

“Then those parts of the soul you speak about will guide you.”

I’m not sure about that.

“Let me tell you more about the dragon games.”

Twenty Five

Elf

“You heated stones fine the other day, Drogonah. Why not now?”

The grumpy dragon turns his head away from me, closing his eyes.

“Unbelievable. I know you also kept me warm the other night.”

He huffs.

“You can’t deny it.”

A growl.

I shake my head and move to the next dragon. Blaise is curled up as tightly as possible and… snoring?

I tilt my head and watch small puffs of smoke come out of his nostrils on every exhale, and a giggle slips out.

I pause, lifting a hand to my mouth.

I’m giggling now.

It’s been a few days since I slept in the cave with the dragons and Rohan told me he would keep me. I’ve been feeling a mixture of emotions, but most of all I just feel… warmth.

I’ve never been wanted in any other way than to hurt, but Rohan said he wants to keep me and wants me in his bed?

My stomach flutters and I bite my lip.

I know what he means by it, but what if I do go to his bed like that? Could I satisfy a man like him? Do I want to?

I imagine he has bedded many, but I haven’t seen any interactions between him and the others in a way I thought meant more.

Maybe Darcia, but he always seems to brush her advances aside.

Or maybe they meet when I’m busy with chores…

Irritation spikes.

Am I jealous?

I’ve felt jealousy with others before. When they ate food, when they weren’t sent to the barn, when they were allowed warm clothes and a proper bed.

That’s what I’m feeling now at the thought of Rohan and Darcia.

I look down at myself.

Though I’ve been filling out more, my breasts are still too small and my body is still skin and bones.

I think back to the times Rohan wouldn’t even look at my body and frown.

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