Page 28 of The Lost Nation

I puffed out my chest.“Why are you sorry?Youdidn’t imprison me.”

I held out my hand again, and his gaze caught mine, still asking for permission. I nodded, and his black scales scraped against the pure white of mine.

His voice was soft. “I can still be sorry you went through so much pain.”

I nodded, accepting the words for what they were. It wasn’t pity, but simple compassion. It was refreshing and made me feel bolder—reckless even.

I reached out for his other hand, and brought them both up to gently cusp the sides of my face. He exhaled a heavy breath and shuddered even as I closed my eyes.

Safe. He is safe.

I could do this. I could allow this unmated draken to touch me and fight down the fear and panic inside my body. Because if I couldn't, it was admitting that I was broken. That my life was over. That I couldn't move on.

I would prove myself wrong.

I wasn’t sure how long we stayed like that, but eventually he twitched. The sudden movement causedmeto flinch, and I jumped off the rock and flared my wings, hovering in the air.

“I have to go.” He confessed, his eyes welling with regret.

He was pulsing once again with black magick, the strain clear on his face. Welts and cuts opened on his body, and my eyes went wide. What magick was he doing?

“Go where?” I challenged, feeling braver than I had in centuries.

He turned back towards me. “Did you know that all of the children brought back to this island are half-demon?” He asked instead.

The sudden non-sequitur seemed odd, but I nodded. He pushed on. “And do you think they will grow up to be loved and accepted, or feared and reviled in Dorea?”

I wanted to say the first, but in my heart I knew it was the second.

He took my silence as answer enough. “They will never be fully understood, and their demon powers will be uncontrolled. Besides, they areneeded. Elsewhere.”

He wasn’t making any sense.The conversation didn't make any sense.

“What?” I demanded.

Blood ran down his wounds, and I couldn't help but trace the path of one drop from his bicep to the ground with my eyes.

He shook his head. "Icame here on purpose while the other drakens were gone. Did you know shifting through shadows is ademontrait? That means somewhere in his lineage, your preciouskinghas demon blood.”

I wanted to argue that couldn't possibly be true, but I didn’t know that for sure.

He closed his eyes, then opened them with a satisfied nod. “The attack on Aldur will be complete by now, and the last of the children have made it safely. I must leave."

His body relaxed, tight muscles finally unclenching. The air around him cleared, and I relaxed without realizing I'd been tense to begin with.

Then his words caught up to me, and I caught his arm.“Children? What did you do?”

I didn’t like the demon half-breed kids, but I didn’t want to see them hurt, either.

He shook me off. “I’m taking them home.” He said simply.

I growled, keeping my distance this time. "Home. What are you talking about?"

His eyes bore into me again, but I wasn’t nervous or afraid. “Tell me your name first."

I scowled. “Xana. What is yours?"

The draken reached out slowly, and I allowed him to stroke my cheek gently with the back of his hand. To my embarassment, a low purr erupted from my chest.

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