Page 64 of To Sway a Prince
I twirled a strand of his hair around my finger, then curled my hand against his jaw. "Yet here I am."
"Here you are." He pressed his forehead to mine. "My brave, foolish mate who risked everything."
"I would do it again." I said softly.
His fingers trembled against my cheek. "I wasn't sure it would work. The binding spell barely took. It was Zephyrus who drew the leviathan back and passed on the message."
"Zephyrus?" My heart leaped. "Is he?—"
"He's more than fine. Angry. Honestly, we should probably go and show all the dragons you are here. They nearly roused the leviathan to rage again, but somehow they told him what we needed. Rather impressive really."
I giggled a little at that, though my heart warmed. "So the leviathan was there to help me?"
"He tracked you and fractured the barrier enough that I could reach you and your magic could reach me. The curse dragged your spirit there. Your body was here, and I brought you up to the tower. Then?—"
I swept my arms around him and kissed him fiercely. His eyes shuttered as he groaned against my mouth, and I melted beneath him. The mate bond hummed between us, no longer painful but gloriously alive. I tasted salt and cedar and desperate need on his lips. And the air smelled of him and…vanilla and jasmine. My heart clenched, and I flung both arms around his neck to draw him as close as I could.
A chorus of deafening roars shattered the moment. Apparently we had waited too long.
He pulled back and dragged his hand across the back of his neck, laughing. "Ahh…we may have waited a little too long in their estimation."
I recognized Zephyrus's indignant roar. The others did not sound too pleased either. "How long was I gone?"
"The curse snatched your spirit two days ago." He kept his arm around my waist as we walked, his body solid and warm beside mine. "I brought you up to the Covenant Chamber and tended to you there while the leviathan searched for you."
The air thrummed around me as Caein appeared. "I am so glad you have returned, Astraia. This tower was far less without you," he said smoothly.
"Thank you, Caein."
"Oh, and if I say welcome home, does that mean I am the first with that honor, or would a certain prince prefer to grant that honor himself?"
Ramiel chuckled and lifted his hand toward the ceiling. "If you would like the honor, it is yours."
"Ah." Caein's voice rose and fell as if he were moving up and down in a rough parody of a bow. "Then welcome home, dear Astraia."
"Thank you, Caein. I missed you as well." I smiled up in his general direction.
Another roar shook the walls.
"He definitely knows I'm awake." Blushing, I brushed my hair back over my shoulders and sheepishly made my way down the curving staircase. The stable doors were open, and the dragons all watched. Warm afternoon sunlight streamed across them, bathing them in golden light.
Zephyrus glowered at me from the doorway, his nostrils flaring. He cocked his head as he looked between us, his tail thumping on the flagstone path.
Shaking my head, I held up my hands. "I'm sorry about that, Zephyrus." My lips twitched in a smile.
He grunted. His gaze flicked between Ramiel and me.
Ramiel folded his arms. "Don't look at me like that, Zephyrus. Of course I spent time with her."
Zephyrus chuffed again, then cut his eyes at me. That and the small trill were the only warning I got. He pounced, his great claw knocking me over. As soon as I got to my feet, he thrust his jaw against my shoulder. Growling and chuffing, he nudged me again. I put my arms around his head as best I could. "It's all right, big guy. I'm fine."
He shook his head and huffed at me again. Indignation flashed in his face along with relief. He bumped me and then turned his head hard, offering his ear. Laughing, I scratched behind his ear and then down his jaw. His happy purr rumbled through me.
It took a great deal of reassuring and soothing Zephyrus to convince him to let up with his mock punishment. He curled around me, nuzzled my shoulder, and nudged incessantly at mywrist as if to ensure that the curse truly was gone. Even then, he insisted on remaining near me as the other dragons came to greet me and evaluate.
Life had changed yet again. The tower did in truth feel like home, though anywhere with Ramiel and Zephyrus would feel that way. And as beautiful as it had been before, it was even more so now.
The Chasm itself appeared to have healed so much, the barrier no longer so murky and far stronger. The purple mist coiled and rolled above it, more peaceful and more like small clouds. Some even rolled on the bridge, varying in shades from pale lavender to rich purple.
