Page 27 of The Dragon Sacrifice

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Seela awoke in a panic, sure her mother would be angry with her for oversleeping. Yet, when she glanced around, she remembered she was in Stenton’s bed, in the deep, dark cavern. She was the dragon sacrifice.

Oh, and Jerrard needed her.

Getting up immediately, she bunched her hair to the top of her head and tied it with a leather thong she found on one of the tables. She washed herself from the sweet-smelling basin that someone had provided for her as she slept. Three strips of crispy bacon from the breakfast tray left by the bed found their demise as she quickly dressed and primped. She needed to hurry to see how her patient was doing, but then there was the matter of the handsome princes to consider.

Her desire for them had cooled overnight, but not by much. They were so handsome, so smart and brave. And it didn’t hurt they were shoved down here together in such tight quarters that they were practically tripping over each other all the time. The strangest part was that they desired her so deeply. Well, two of them did. And frankly, it was overwhelming.

Pushing the thoughts aside, she threw open Stenton’s bedroom door and beelined toward where she’d last seen Jerrard, spread out nearly naked on the kitchen table with her poultices on all his wounds. Had her work done any good? He was nearly drained dry by those monsters. Any other man would have perished long ago. At that thought, panic spurred her onward. She shouldn’t have left him, no matter how tired she’d bee—

“Seela!” Jerrard spotted her as she ran into the room, his face brightening. He stood beside the table, slowly buttoning a fresh shirt. The skin beneath was pink and healing. His color had returned, and his eyes were bright.

Her mouth dropped. “How…” She pointed at his healed body.

“Did my brothers not tell you?” He frowned. “Dragons have amazing healing properties. The beasts who drained me knew when to stop to keep me alive. As bait, from what I hear.” His expression darkened for a moment before he brought his smile back up for her. “I also hear I owe much to my nurse.” He stepped forward, taking her hand and gently bringing it up to his mouth.

Seela shivered with pleasure as his lips brushed against the skin of her hand. “It was nothing.”

“It was not nothing.” Jerrard’s lime-green eyes held her gaze. “I really appreciate it. My brothers are abysmal at healing arts. They prefer swords and cudgels.”

“You saved my life,” she said, drawing her hand back slowly and using it to smooth back her hair. She wished now that she’d spent a little more time on her appearance.

“Back in ancient times, both of us would be beholden to the other for life. Doesn’t sound so bad.” His smile was warm and flirtatious. Adjusting his big frame to lean against the table, he glanced about. “My brothers are busy at the moment. Could I take you on a walk, show you something as a thank you?”

“Shouldn’t you rest?” she asked, unable to help herself. Her mother would’ve pushed him into a chair and scolded him for even standing.

“No need.” He held out an arm to escort her.

He did seem well, healed and nearly back to normal. And she would like a walk. Her mind thought back to the dark hallways and those spider-like beasts. “Would we be safe?”

“What I have to show you is protected inside our sphere of magic. Plus, you would be with me.” His shoulders straightened as he smiled at her.

Jerrard was playful and fun, while also being thoughtful to her needs. She found herself instantly drawn to him. But then, she’d felt the same way in the presence of all three brothers. Was this supposed to happen? She thought women found one guy they didn’t openly loath and then married him and cared for his brawling, squalling children until both of them perished. At least, that was how it worked in the village. Her father had died when Seela was too young to really pay much attention to her parents’ marriage.

“Shall we?” Jerrard held out his arm.

Seela took it, marveling at its size, the swell of the muscles underneath his shirt, as she put her hand in the crook of his arm. She let him lead her out of the small dining room and kitchen, down the hall, taking a turn at a corner she’d not seen before. They traveled down a sloping hallway made of stone. The temperature dropped ten degrees in a few minutes. Seela shivered.

Jerrard glanced over at her. Noting her discomfort, he took off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders. Seela shrugged into it, loving the warmth inside and how it smelled of him. When she looked up, Jerrard was watching her attentively.

“Thank you,” she said.

“You are very welcome. This way. Not much further.”

He led her to another door ringed with runes. This one opened with a simple latch. Jerrard held the door open for her. She stepped into the warm, dark room.

Jerrard lit a candle and then a few lamps, illuminating the space for them. It was a library, small and quaint with bookshelves on every wall and some in the center stuffed full of ancient-looking books. In the center of the room were two old leather club chairs with a small table between them. On the table, a tea set awaited, plates and cups and little sugared cakes like this had all been preplanned.

“This is lovely,” she said, walking up to a row of books. Seela fingered a shelf, loving the smell of old paper and cracked leather. There were only a few books in town and only one in their home, the set of laws that was passed down from the king and required by law. Still, her mother had taught her to read from it. Picking up an old book, she thought of her mother, missing her so badly at that moment it hurt.

Jerrard drew up beside her, his brow creased. “Is something wrong?”

She forgot how perceptive he was. Keeping her eyes down, she opened the book, letting her fingers slide over the soft, worn pages. “Nothing. It’s just… I miss home. I’m sure it’s nothing compared to what you’ve been through.”

“Any day away from home is terrible,” he said, leaning against the bookshelf and gazing down at her. “Who’s at home missing you?”

“My mother. And a friend or two. Not many people. Our town was small.”

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