Dragons Against Them (Kingdoms of Fire and Ice #2)(50)
All this time, she had believed his pledge of devotion, that he would never stray from her side. And though she had allowed many a lover into her own bed, she had done so only to keep her relationship with Quinn safe. For if her father knew of their love affair, he would demote Quinn from his rank of commander and cast him from the castle for his act of disobedience.
To guard the royal family meant to protect them at all costs without favor or involvement; falling in love with one would jeopardize the rest.
Rosalind shook her head, unwilling to admit she’d fallen prey to a game of deceit more convincing than her own. And though she had spent years, years erecting a fortress around her heart to keep it safe from the pain of any more loss, in this moment, the walls failed her. Quinn had failed her. Tears stung her eyes, and a small sob escaped her.
Rather than ridicule her for this display of weakness, Jaxon quietly drew her into his chest and brushed hair back from her face as the tears began to fall. And instead of pushing him away, Rosalind did something she hadn’t done with anyone since shortly after the passing of her mother…
She clung to him and wept.
“Come, lass,” Jaxon said with a gentle voice once her crying had subsided. “It is time we return.”
Rosalind straightened and used her palms to dry her cheeks as best she could. With a nod, she met his gaze. “Take me home, Jaxon. To Weston. For no longer does my heart reside here.”
Chapter 28
When at last it was just him and Adelaide, Zayne buried his face in her silken hair and drew in a slow, deep breath. She had fallen asleep soon after the departure of her brother and Quinn, but he refused to wake his weary woodland nymph. Instead, he savored her scent, her smooth skin against his, her soft snores.
Ah, sweet Adelaide. Wherever she was, so was his heaven.
He looked out over the broken, crumbling church around them and counted his blessings that Blackstone had known of such a place, one outside the flight path of Jarin’s sentries. The man had behaved contrary to his usual, stony self these past few hours, and had somehow managed to sufficiently distract Addie from the worry that plagued her so. And while Zayne was not in complete agreement with the man’s proposed suggestion to aid in his healing, they had little choice but to take it.
Healing, even with the potion supplied by Forath’s high wizard, would take days; a partial bonding with Adelaide—which would allow him to draw from her energy—should reduce the time to mere hours.
Though she did not hesitate in her agreement to Quinn’s proposal, Zayne had not missed the quiet uncertainty in her eyes. Guilt flooded him anew at the memory of her tentative smile, the way she flinched when next he moved beside her. It was unfair to subject her to the pain of bonding twice, but still he could not agree to complete the bond prior to their marital vows. To do so would bring dishonor to his family, to Addie, and to himself.
Besides, it was a single cut to the palm. From everything he had been told by the men who had bonded with their mates, the pain lasted but a few short moments. As the blood flowed from dragon’s claw into his mate’s hand, the bond sealed both wounds and left in its place an invisible connection that could be severed only at death. Finally, he would know she was safe and well, even when a great distance might exist between them.
A connection of that strength, however, would not arise until their full bonding. What Blackstone had proposed, and to which Adelaide had agreed, was the briefest of bondings. One where the wizard Haelan would use an enchantment to draw only enough energy from Addie’s body to finish healing his own.
Zayne had immediately dismissed the idea—he would never willingly cause harm to his betrothed. She, of course, had insisted they try it. Anything to help save them all from war.
“You know it’s the right thing to do.”
He drew back from his princess now, so peaceful in her sleep, and brushed a strand of hair from her beautiful face. His sweet, sweet Adelaide. Where others saw this world as filled with hatred and pain, she faced each day in awe and wonder. Her pure heart and cheery disposition brightened even the darkest of moods, and brought smiles upon the faces of all she passed. Would she remain so kindhearted throughout her years? Or would she grow to despise this realm like so many others among them?
Her eyelashes fluttered and parted, revealing her crystalline eyes, which reflected the glow of his own. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
“There is nothing the matter. Sleep, sweet Adelaide.”
“But your eyes…”
“They glow because the beast within lies close to the surface. It is his senses I need this night, to listen and see into the dark while the others have gone to retrieve Haelan.”
She cupped his cheek. “But you look so tired, Zayne. Let me be on the lookout while you get some rest. They should be back any time now, right?”
“Aye, but—”A yawn rendered him mute, and her right brow arched.
Oh, how that simple gesture did tease him so. Though never would he admit as such for fear she might lessen its frequency. The dragon within stirred, tightening his airways while tugging at his newly closed wounds. To be intimate with his beloved now would delay his healing greatly and require a greater dose of Addie’s energy in their bonding.
Because of this, man was able to keep rule over beast.
Their bonding. Though he mentioned it not, Zayne feared the effect this enchantment might have on her. Had Tristan not admitted to seeing the spell work on several of their warriors in the past, he might well have overruled Quinn’s suggestion. But the benefits in this instance far outweighed the cost—to heal faster would allow them to reach Weston before Jarin and his troops. Addie could rest during their travels, held safely in his talons during flight, and later in Giselle’s manor upon their arrival. For surely his aunt would receive them as guests.