Pia Saves the Day (Elder Races #6.6)(16)

A wife.

A life full of complicated concepts, involving friendships.

Letting all of those thoughts go, he concentrated on the reality at hand.

The reality was, he held her life literally in one hand, his long fingers resting against the warm, soft skin underneath her chin. Her pulse beat delicately against his hand, and there was no fear anywhere in her eyes, or in her scent. She leaned forward into his touch, as if she wanted his hands on her skin.

She had no weapons or barriers of any kind. She had no magic spells, just her own wild, inherent Power that brushed with such a tantalizing coolness against the heat of his own.

“So we were building a life together,” he said in a husky voice into her upturned face, as he stroked his fingers along her petal-soft skin. “Fine. I want to see it for myself.”

With a growing predatory hunger, he watched her lovely mouth shape her words. “What do you mean?”

“I presume we have a home somewhere. Take me there. Show it to me.” Lifting one shoulder, he added a touch of persuasion to his voice. “Maybe if I see it in person, it could jog my memory.”

The painful, excruciatingly bright hope came back to life in her eyes, along with a multitude of other, more complex emotions that he couldn’t decipher.

Complex emotions, no doubt, that went along with their complex life.

He didn’t care about any of it. He only cared about one thing.

The other Dragos—the one with his memories intact—had somehow won this remarkable creature’s heart and soul. Perhaps it was more than a touch insane to be jealous of himself, but he was.

He wanted what that other Dragos had. She was the real treasure, more precious than sapphires, diamonds and gold.

At the core of his ancient, cynical heart, he was an acquisitive creature, after all.

Chapter Six

“I think going home is a great idea,” Pia said slowly.

For such an unbearable nightmare, things were actually beginning to look up. Dragos had shapeshifted into his human form, and he was talking to her. Really talking, not growling or roaring (or biting), or barking orders.

Also, she was intensely relieved that he had figured out the nature of their relationship for himself. He didn’t feel any of the emotions, and that hurt like a burning knife had been thrust into her chest, but at least she didn’t have to try to find some way to tell him and watch any possible disbelief cross his expression.

Her lips were dry. She hadn’t hydrated enough after her climb, and she moistened them with the tip of her tongue. His gaze dropped to the small movement and grew intent, although his hard expression remained closed to her scrutiny.

He was still so suspicious, and that hurt too. Her own logic scolded her. Of course he would be suspicious. Suspicion was part of the dragon’s nature. He had been a solitary creature for so long, with a predatory nature and an ancient, primitive past, and he was quick to war. He had a history of enemies that went back millennia.

This present mess wasn’t his fault. None of this was anybody’s damned fault. It was just a random, horrible accident that had happened, but it was still hard for her not to take things personally.

She had to stay braced. Seeing their house might not help his memories to return, but it might just help him to relax and learn to trust her a bit more. Anything would be better than the cold, confrontational attitude with which he had greeted her earlier.

He still touched her, the hard fingers of his hand curled under her chin. She still touched him, her own hand curled around his muscled forearm.

He would never let an enemy remain in such intimate contact with him. The realization fed the stubborn hope of hers that refused to die.

She gave him a tentative smile. “When would you like to leave?”

He didn’t return the smile. That fierce gold gaze of his never left her mouth. “Now.”

Nodding, she stood and glanced down at the fire. “I guess we didn’t need to build this after all.”

He straightened when she did, with that quick, lithe grace of his that belied his muscular bulk. “That remains to be seen,” he said shortly. He passed a hand over the fire, and his Power flexed, dampening the flames. “It will still be here if needed.”

Clenching her muscles, she forced herself not to flinch. Of course, just because he wanted to see their home didn’t mean he was committed to staying there.

At least, not yet.

Walking to her pack, she dug in the side pocket for the satellite phone. As Dragos watched, she punched in Graydon’s number. When Graydon answered, she told him, “We’re going back to the house now.”

Graydon said carefully, “That sounds promising.”

She could tell by the neutrality in his voice and words that Graydon knew very well Dragos could hear everything he said. Pia glanced at Dragos, who watched her every move with a sharp frown.

She told Graydon, “It’s great news. I didn’t want you to worry. I’ll call when I can.”

“Make it soon, okay?”

Dragos prowled close. He growled, “Who was that male?”

Was that a touch of jealousy? She didn’t dare smile, but for the first time in almost two days, the heaviness in her heart lightened a little.

She also wasn’t sure what to make of the fact that he didn’t remember Graydon. She and Dragos had only been together fourteen months, but he had known Graydon for much, much longer. The damage to his memory seemed profound.