Page 40 of Ava's Love of the Dragons
He lowered his voice and looked at her imploringly. "The dragon rider is gone again."
Her heart clenched, yet she shrugged as if it meant nothing. After all, she had assumed as much herself. The less they saw each other, the better. Although, strictly speaking, she was glad Marcus had told her. He was making an effort to do his part, and she appreciated that.
"Good to know."
Marcus wasn't finished. "He's gone, and he's going to confront Rob. That means Rob knows you're here."
Damn! She hadn't thought of that until now. Was the danger Draco sensed coming from him? But she had to trust Kilian. He would know what to do.
"Kilian won't let him come here and kill me."
Her friend raised a warning finger. "Will he also be able to prevent Rob from telling the mages where you are?"
"Of course!" But her conviction was dampened as soon as Draco's unease came to mind again. Had Rob already informed the mages, even though it would put the other students at risk of being injured in a fight? How far would he go to get rid of her? To the extreme—he had proven that. Shivering, she rubbed herupper arms. She wasn't ready to face him again. The training had only just begun.
Marcus noticed her nervousness and clasped his hands in front of his chest. "Let me sleep in your room. I'll even lie on the floor, I promise, without any advances or flirting, but I would never forgive myself if something happened to you."
"You can do that?" She tried for an innocent grin, although his concern touched her heart.
"I'd do anything for you, Ava. You know that."
Yes, she did know, but she waved him off nonetheless. She didn't want him to worry. He finally needed his own life again, his own goals, and shouldn't focus on her. "The dragon is with me. He'll keep watch." She pointed to Draco, who at that very moment was looking outside with narrowed eyes.
Marcus stiffened. "Does that mean he's already warned you?"
Ava would have liked to deny it, but Marcus easily recognized the truth in her expression. He was already squaring his shoulders before she had decided how to answer.
"I'm sleeping in your room!"
She shook her head firmly. As if that would happen... "No, you won't! I can take care of myself."
"But you need to rest, and I won't be able to sleep a wink anyway!"
"The dragon will keep watch, and I promise to call you if anything happens."
He grimaced painfully, a hand resting on his heart. "Please understand, I couldn't live with myself if something happened to you. Especially if I could have prevented it."
She read the affection in his eyes, and that was exactly why she had to stay firm. She had to maintain boundaries, because he would never be the man by her side. He should have the chance to give his attention to another woman. Besides, he couldn'tfight. He wasn't made to protect someone. He would only be in danger if the mages really were planning an attack.
"Thank you, but I'm sleeping alone. Good night." She patted his hand in a friendly manner and closed the door before he could put his foot in the gap. When she turned around, Draco was lying in front of the window, looking outside. The unease emanating from him had grown stronger. He was constantly slapping his tail on the floor.
"Will we be able to sleep tonight?"
"For a few hours, Ava, and you should use them. I'll wake you in time."
It was doubtful that she would fall asleep with that prospect.
"Wouldn't it be better if we told the others and prepared ourselves?"
"How can we do that when we don't know what for?"
She didn't have an answer to that either, but her stomach clenched and she stepped beside the dragon at the window. She still couldn't see anything. But that would probably change soon.
Chapter 19
Kilian slammed his fist on the table. "How dare you go over my head and make such a decision?"
Rob raised his hands defensively. "Calm down, man. I know I made a mistake."
