Page 220 of Cursed Evermore
“Very.”
“Garick and Arielle told me about Azilgieth, the Dragon Isle. What’s it like there?”
A grin tugged at the corners of his lips. “Amazing. Imagine a kingdom with only dragons.” His eyes glinted with reminiscence. “Azilgieth’s a sanctuary where the first riders forged their bonds and dragons bound themselves to bloodlines. The air is thick with their songs and the land hums with their magic. There are so many of them, all shapes, sizes, and colors, soaring through the skies in endless flight.”
The image stole my breath. Gods, what I would give to see it. “That sounds like a dream. How often do you go there?”
“Not as often as I’d like. Before my father died I would spend months at a time training the dragons for new riders going through the royal academy and tending to the older ones who could no longer fly. Now my Lord Commander duties in the King’s Guard take most of my time, so I’ve left my nephews in charge.”
It struck me then; this was the first time Wolfe had mentioned family apart from his mother. “You have nephews?”
“I have many, but the ones I mean are from my oldest aunt. They’re just as obsessed with dragons as I am.”
“I want to fly again.” I lowered my voice, remembering his warning about keeping certain things secret.
He stiffened, jaw clenching, eyes narrowing. “Riding a dragon is no easy task, Ziyka. Just because you managed to do it once, it doesn't mean it will always be simple.”
“I know. But come on, how can you stop me from doing something so amazing and rare? If I could do it once, it means I'm supposed to do it again. And again.”
A cold smile eased across his lips. “You're pushing your luck, mage. Those are my dragons. Not yours.”
“And you're being an asshole again.”
At first, he frowned, then he chuckled. “You really are pushing your luck. How about we talk about it another time?”
“Does that mean you'll consider it?”
“Is that one of yourquestions?” He cocked his head and set his shoulders back.
“You know it's not. Just tell me you'll consider it and possibly teach me to fly.”
“Woman.” The deep groan in his voice seeped into my core.
“Please.”
He bit the inside of his lip and considered my request for a moment. “Fine. I'll consider it.”
“Yay! When?”
“Next question, Ziyka. Or game over.”
I pretended to pout but bit back a smile. “I can't wait for you to consider it. And teach me to fly.”
“Gods be good.”
I stared at him as I thought of the next question to ask. It came to me, pushing through the myriad of other things I wanted to know. “What do you fear most?”
He released a slow, ragged sigh, and his chest caved. “Not living.”
“Like not doing what you want while you can?”
“Yes and no. I guess I mean the step beyond that. I fear being death. Being dead and not feeling anything yet you're still alive. I fear not living the life I was supposed to live and spending the rest of eternity as a shell.” I knew he wanted nothing more than to claim his kingdom, but there was an undertone of somethingmore in his voice that told me his worry ran deeper than what he'd said.
“That won't happen to you.” I shook my head.
“You sound certain.”
“I just... can't imagine that it will.”
