Summer of Frost (Forever Fae #3)(7)
Sighing, I said, “I understand, Sarette, but if he so much as tries to get under my skin I’m going to kick his ass. He knows I can do it, too.”
She snickered and squeezed me tighter. “I won’t let him bother you. I don’t think he’s gotten over the embarrassment of you beating the shit out of him in front of everyone.”
“No, I don’t believe he has, and neither has anyone else who saw me take the mighty Alston down,” I cackled, releasing Sarette from my arms. I may not care for Alston anymore, but he was her family, and that was something that would never change. Unfortunately, I was going to have to grin and bear it.
“Are we okay?” Sarette asked sheepishly. “I don’t want you to be mad at me.”
I nodded. “Yes, of course we’re okay. Now that I’ve got my anger out I’ll leave you be. Will you be by later? I could teach you how to throw a spear, or maybe even get Aric to show you some moves.” I waggled my eyebrows when I mentioned Aric’s name. Sarette has had a crush on him for ages, and I’d been trying to get them together.
Her eyes went wide and she licked her lips. He happened to be one of the best warriors we had, and the one with the most flattering reputation as well. He was never short on women, but that didn’t seem to bother Sarette in the least. I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t partaken in a little fun with the warrior myself. He was the one who taught me how to kiss, and even to this day Aric and I still joke about it.
“Can you please keep those thoughts to yourself? I see enough of you and Drake in your mind as it is.” Oren had his arms crossed over his chest with a look of disgust on his face.
Laughing, I turned to him. “I’m sorry. I’ll work on it.”
Sarette saw the exchange and narrowed her eyes. “You better not be talking about me you two.”
Oren smiled and sarcastically said, “No, I just got some images in my head of the infamous Aric. Personally, I don’t see why you would waste your time with him, but by all means go for it. I just thought you might not want to be known as one of Aric’s conquests.”
I smacked his arm and gave him one of my ‘shut the hell up’ looks. Sarette didn’t seem to mind, and waved Oren off dismissively. “I would be more than happy to get some moves by Aric. I’ll be by later, so tell him to wait for me?”
“Of course!” I grinned, pinning Oren with a steely glare.
Before Sarette was about to close the door, her mouth fell open and she gasped. She lifted her hand and pointed to something off in the distance. “What the hell?” she whispered in awe.
Oren and I both turned around quickly, him grabbing his sword while I grasped my spear thinking there was danger coming, but what we saw in the direction of Sarette’s gaze was definitely dangerous, although not to us. Frozen in place, I stared at the majestic sight off in the distance, flying straight toward our court.
“Is that what I think it is?” Oren asked.
My smile grew wider and I nodded. “I do believe so.”
I watched in awe as Drake flew over my court in dragon form. It was amazing, yet terrifying. He was huge, and I found it fascinating how someone my size could change their body to be something of twice the magnitude of an elephant. There were no other creatures in our land with those massive proportions. His reddish and gold dragon skin contrasted greatly with the stark white background of the Winter Court, making him stand out like the magnificent creature he was. It was interesting because his skin was the same color as his hair when he was in his normal form, all red with tints of gold like the setting sun in the Summer Court. Maybe one day I’d be able to see that setting sun.
Drake had told me numerous times in our dreams how he flies with Ariella, and how each time he secretly wished she would choose to fly over the Winter Court. It looked like he finally got his wish. I knew he saw me, because even from high up in the sky I could tell his slit-like pupils were transfixed on me, just like mine were transfixed on him. He circled above a few times before guiding his wings in the direction back to his court. Ariella waved at us from above, and I waved back, secretly jealous that it wasn’t me riding up there. I must admit, it had to be fun to be able to fly.
After the spectacle was over, Oren and I headed back to the palace where we separated ways so I could relax for the evening. Night couldn’t come soon enough. When it did, I nestled deep within the confines of my bed, falling into a much needed and anticipated sleep, bringing Drake along with me.
I began the dream playing one of Drake’s favorite songs on my harp. The setting for our rendezvous was my room in the Winter Palace, and I was sitting on the crimson, velvety seat that sat in the corner by the window. The soft, sensual melody of the song I wrote specially for Drake echoed throughout the expanse of the room. Only Drake, Sarette, and Oren knew of my love for the harp, and in my dreams I could play it freely. It’s one of the only things that relaxed me from the stress of Winter Court life.
The strings thrummed along my fingertips as I played each note, gracefully and with ease. The music was hypnotic as I closed my eyes, soaking in the sounds, and it wasn’t long before I was able to lose myself in it. The veil to the dream world began to thin, and I could feel Drake getting closer the more I played. I sensed him behind me, inching closer, until finally his arms enclose my waist.