Page 149 of Upon Buried Embers
I still, watching him for a moment.
He has his back to me, sleeveless tunic on, black leather pants and boots. His ribbons are tied tightly around his forearms once more, and his hair is in a knot at the back.
Right now, the sheer power he exudes as he calmly stokes the large dragon, its head the size of his whole body, makes me light up from within. It makes me feel small compared to him, but once his arms are around me, I’m protected.
Because he does that—protects me, and he does it so freely that it doesn’t make sense. I started out being here to help him or die, but it’s changing into something far more than that.
Or am I naïve and no matter what he said about keeping me, he doesn’t actually mean forever?
No one keeps me forever.
“This is Frelia,” Rohan says, without turning. “She always comes to greet me, though now she has an egg waiting for her.”
I take a small step forward, and Frelia looks up, but there’s no threat in her gaze, she just lazily blinks and nuzzles Rohan’s hand.
“Come.” Rohan reaches a hand back to me, and before I know what I’m doing, my feet are taking me forward and placing my small one in his.
He pulls me in front of him, and with his grip on my hand, lifts it to the dragon.
She sniffs my hand, a little smoke coming from her, then she nuzzles me. I grin.
“She’s beautiful.”
“She is. Ignis dragons have always held beauty, the females more so than the males.” Frelia purrs. “Go now, you do not want to miss your baby hatching.” She nuzzles us once more, and then she turns, taking flight over to the forest.
“Let’s eat and be on our way.”
“So soon?”
He turns to me and nods. “Listen to what I say in there. It’s dangerous, and though most dragons know me, I’ve not met them all. Understand? Today could be the day we meet them.”
I nod.
“And tell me if you… feel anything off, okay?”
“I will.” He stares at me intently for a moment.
“You’re safe with me.”
I hesitate for a moment, and then I dare to place my palm on his chest.
“Are we… friends?”
He inhales deeply. “Friends?”
“Yes.”
He reaches up and grips my chin in a gentle hold, looking at me intently.
“I apologize if I’ve confused you, maybe I should have been more clear.” He steps even closer to me, his lips a breath away from mine as he tilts my face up. “No, we’re not friends. We will never be friends.” My stomach sinks, but it’s quickly replaced by butterflies with his next words. “We’re much more than that. Understand?”
I nod, stunned as he caresses my cheek.
“Good.”
A little while later, we’re cresting the hill and walking into the forest which is The Glade. Nerves settle in my stomach at the thought of going in there, but I think back to Rohan’s dragons, to Escor and Alter, to even Frelia. Rohan will make sure nothing happens to me.
“There’s no snow here,” I say, following him through the trees.
