Page 38 of The Lost Nation

“Do you think I’d betray your confidence and run off without you?” He asked lightly, easily able to match my stride with his longer legs.

I rolled my eyes. “More so you don’t lose your way. You’ve only been here a week!”

Erik followed behind me reluctantly, his tone injured. “A week is quite sufficient for a skilled hunter to learn his new surroundings.”

I stopped and turned. “You hunt? Like out in the forest?”

It was incredibly dangerous for anyone to roam the forest. Most Aldurians purchased our meat and furs from Cantrada, who had more skill and familiarity with the vast woods between and surrounding our two kingdoms.

"Perhaps I'll take you sometime," he joked. Then he glanced up and saw the massive staircase before us. A dejected look appeared on his face, and I laughed.

"Don’t you at least want to be able to say you’ve been inside a queen’s bedchamber?”

I flashed him a saucy grin, but his smile faltered.

“No! Not like that!” I said, exasperated. I’d really have my work cut out fixing my reputation.

We entered my private chambers, and I left him in my receiving room with a servant. “Wait here. Hilda will be more than happy to fetch you a drink if you wish.”

I went into my bedchamber to change, and tried not to think about the handsome man just a wall away.

Chapter 18

Xana

Iwasn’t thinking straight when I’d begged Thad to take me away from Lyoness. Yet I didn't regret my decision, because it was such a relief to only worry about one unmated draken instead of seventy.

Though coming back to the fortress where I’d been held for centuries wasn’t exactly the greatest idea, it was at least free of other male drakens.

Well, except for Thad.

Thad at least understood. He’d given me Severn’s old chambers, which were richly appointed and nearly floor to ceiling with wide open views and balconies covered by thick fabrics. It was as open as you could make a room without sacrificing yourself to the elements. It helped me tremendously, and for the first time that I could remember, I started to relax.

As an unmated draken, I anticipated that he'd trail me around like a lost puppy like the others had.

Instead, he left me alone. Either he had mastery over his instincts, or simply didn't have any being a half-breed.

I doubted it was the second. I’d seen how his hands shook or the look in his eyes when he glanced my way when he thought I wasn’t looking. I’d been here for a few days so far, and he left me completely to my own devices, except for dinner.

The time to myself was heaven.

I was able to think and breathe, and it was glorious. Not long after arriving, Thad had introduced me to the demons, as well as the children. To my shock, the children looked happy, and the demons even more so.

Thad had introduced me as his ‘honored guest’, and told them to assist me should I ask, but to otherwise leave me alone.

Perfection.

The full-blooded demons who remained were nothing like the ones I’d dealt with in captivity.

They werepolite.

Or they tried to be. They seemed terrified of me, or perhaps Thad. It was tempting to make their life as hellish as mine had been under their care, but I didn’t have the energy. I wastiredof fighting.Plus, I didn't recognize any demons from my time as a prisoner. They were all...gone.

Thad always knocked on my door as the sun was setting, and asked if he could join me for dinner. I’d open the door, and he’d already have two steaming plates ready to go.

So far I had always agreed, and tonight was no different. Except for the fact that I finally felt well enough to demand more answers.

“Why did you kidnap the children?” I asked.

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