Page 7 of Wolf Embraced

Yelena shook her head, and her smile grew. "He said we'd leave together when the time was right, that he wasn't strong enough to escape successfully, and he couldn't leave me behind. We'd never talked about our feelings, so I hadn't known he cared for me like that. Afterward, I decided to feed him my power, sharing my strength with him, bit by bit, without anyone noticing.”

Her look turned grim. "Being trapped underground sucks the life out of a dragon. We need air, freedom, and light," she added. “It wasn’t like my father visited the dungeons or ever noticed me, which made things a little easier. But we had to be careful. When Cedric started renovating the dungeons and adding more cells, I knew something was going on. It just turned out to be worse than I’d ever imagined."

She sat forward. “I want you to know, Natalie, that I wasn't being deceitful when you shared your memories with me. I genuinely wanted to meet you—my brother’s mate, but also a brave woman who’d already been through so much, who’d taken a stand against a much greater foe on earth, and who was ready to do it again.”

“My powers were given to me, Yelena. Without them, I wouldn’t be able to face Cedric at all. You did the right thing in biding your time, you and Armen both,” I told her, sensing her shame.

She shook her head. "I know what you did on Earth during the Vampire War. You played a major role. Even as an Enchanted, a wolf unable to shift, you were brave." She smiled. "Being trapped in this castle, I collected information from all the realms, asking everyone I could. Stories are the only way I've tasted freedom."

“That’s…”—I shook my head—“beautiful and sad.”

“Yeah,” she chuckled, sitting back. “It is. But I’ve learned to make myself happy and that’s what matters. I’ve heard that a person who makes their own happiness is most powerful of all.”

“You’re right,” I replied. “But if you don’t mind me asking, why did Cedric keep you locked away? Do the other dragons know you’re his daughter? I’m still trying to figure out how Rumir didn’t know he had a sister.”

“All the dragons know I’m Cedric’s daughter, but Cedric forbade anyone to speak of me beyond the Dragon Territory,” she replied. “I have no idea why. But since most dragons don’t ever leave the territory, it wasn’t a hard rule to follow. No one disobeys my father, not even with whispers said in secret. And Rumir hasn’t visited here since he was a boy. He didn’t keep in touch with any dragons, and they didn’t miss him,” she continued. “There are some who don’t have an issue with Rumir being half god, but they aren’t going to say anything in his favor, not while those who are closer to Cedric, the ones who kiss his ass day and night, follow Cedric’s lead in ignoring Rumir. Still, I often wondered what would happen if something befell my father. Half god or not, Rumir is the dragon prince.”

“I wouldn’t wonder too much about that. He told me he doesn’t want the throne, not that Cedric would ever willingly give it up,” I said. “But when this is all over, that throne will likely be yours. How do you feel about being queen?”

She smiled. “I’d love that. It’s strange, because although I’ve been trapped here all my life, I love my home and my people. I’ve spent my whole life among these dragons. I’ve treated them with kindness, and I’ve been given back the same. But I’ve never had a true friend. Most people keep me at arms-length, out of fear of my father.”

“Why?” I asked. “

“I wasn’t planned, and my mom wasn’t from a royal bloodline,” she explained. “She died during childbirth, and as a female, I served no purpose in Cedric’s eyes. Still, he wouldn’t allow anyone access to me. After all, I might have been an accident, but I was also a Fafnir. And Cedric tries to control everything—including how the Fafnir bloodline is continued. I can imagine he wasn’t happy when he discovered you were Rumir’s mate.”

“He isn’t fond of our union, no. In fact, he was blunt about his dislike when we first met,” I admitted. “That’s why I was so surprised when we came here and he put on a show as if all was well. The first time we met, he made it clear he didn’t approve of me. But now, because of the power I have, it’s like he hates me and admires me at the same time.”

Yelena nodded. “That’s how he feels about Rumir, too. Rumir’s a god and a dragon, a blend of the first two beings created by the primordial gods. Cedric can’t control him because Rumir hates him and that bothers Cedric. He wants Rumir on his side, but only if Rumir allows Cedric to guide him. The way I allowed Cedric to do.”

“You’re free of him now, Yelena. And Rumir won’t be controlled,” I said, shivering at the thought of what Cedric might be doing to Rumir right now in attempt to gain control of him. No wonder he’d bitten Rumir. As an infected, Rumir wouldn’t be able to defy his father. That bastard.

“There is something I want to ask,” Yelena said. “I don't want to be insensitive, considering the situation, but…."

“You want to know about Rumir?" I interjected, and she nodded.

I could feel her pain, but I could see it easily in her eyes. She’d done well to make herself happy in isolation, but she still longed to leave this place. This woman had been trapped in a castle all her life, isolated from the world—including her own brother—while not being cared for by anyone other than the man she loved.

And he’d been locked away.

“I met Rumir for the first time a few hours ago,” Yelena whispered, looking away. “He was in the dungeon with Armen, and I just froze." She combed her hair back. "He looks so much like our father, yet there’s something very different about him."

I nodded. “I know. Rumir is—”

“Good,” Yelena added. “He’s good.”

I felt the tears coming. I laid a hand on my chest and closed my eyes. I could feel Rumir nestled close to my heart. Yet he was still so far away.

"I'm assuming you heard about how we met?" I asked. When I opened my eyes, I saw her nod. "He was all for it, right from the start. The fact that we were mated—a god/dragon hybrid and an Enchanted—seemed odd, but Rumir didn’t care. He didn't question it. Though he did question the fact that I was mated to Lucian as well.”

I ran a hand down my face and stood up. "He's protective, brave. He says what he thinks, even if sometimes he's blunt and a little rude." I laughed, and so did Yelena. “He's giving, and funny…and I just can't be without him."

I pushed my hair back, and my nails clawed at my scalp. "I can't be here. I can't sit here while he's out there suffering." I turned to face her. "I have all this power, but I still can't find him!"

“We will,” Yelena said, standing up. “We’re doing everything we can, Natalie.”

“I should be able to do more!" I yelled. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry for yelling, but it hurts." My voice cracked, and I hung my head. "I was right there, Yelena. And I couldn't move."

She crossed the room and embraced me, and I hugged her tightly. We stood there together, offering each other comfort—a sister who wished to know her brother, but feared she may lose him before it happened, and a mate worried she would be left with only beautiful memories turned sore.

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