Edilyn drew up short at the sight of the giant man who stood beside Illarion. While her dragon was no small beast in human form, he was several inches shorter than the one now vising them in their cave. Truly, she’d never seen anyone so tall. She barely reached the middle of his chest.
The stranger cracked an amused grin. “You should meet the Dark-Hunter Acheron. He stands eye level to me, and some think he’s even scarier.”
“Dark-Hunter? Acheron?”
“A good friend of ours. And Illarion can explain Dark-Hunters to you later.”
Holding his hand out for her, Illarion closed the distance between them. Have no fear, Edilyn. This is Savitar.
His skin was darkly tanned as if he spent a great deal of time in the sun. Windblown dark hair hung to his shoulders and framed perfectly sculpted cheeks that were dusted by whiskers he hadn’t groomed in days. He was incredibly handsome, except for the aura of intolerant homicide that clung to him and warned everyone to keep their distance. Like Illarion, he was a feral beast who valued his solitude, and it bled out from every part of his being.
Worse, she had a feeling that he could see her innermost thoughts. That somehow he was crawling through her mind to spy on her deepest secrets.
Unsettled, she took Illarion’s hand and let him tuck her in next to his side. She’d never been more grateful for his protection than right now.
“Will this hurt?”
“A small burn, and you will be mates.” Savitar raised his gaze to meet Illarion’s. “Then later, if you two decide, Illarion will lead you through the rest of the bonding.”
“I thought this was the bonding.”
“In part. The second step will combine your two life forces so that your life span will match his. If one of you dies…” He paused ominously and returned to stare at her as if he knew what Virag had said. “The other will die instantly. But fear not, Edilyn. Illarion can’t force you to take that step. The woman must make the choice of her own accord and be willing to accept the bond or it won’t work.”
Sweat beaded on her forehead as her heartbeat sped up. Savitar knew! He had to know! There was no other explanation for the way he looked at her. Stark cold terror flooded her and made her heart pound. It was all she could do not to turn and flee.
But if she betrayed herself, Illarion might kill her. Her hands turned icy.
Illarion frowned at her. Are you all right?
“Fine,” she said, quicker than was natural.
Unlike Savitar, Illarion didn’t catch on.
And still Savitar stared at her with that gimlet intensity that said he could see straight through her soul, into her heart. With a deep breath, he arched a brow. “So we’re doing this?”
Illarion deferred to her one last time.
Terrified, she nodded.
Savitar held his hands out. Illarion placed his palm to Savitar’s. Praying that this wasn’t a mistake, she did likewise.
At first, nothing happened. But after a few seconds, warmth rose from his hand to engulf hers.
Savitar moved their hands so that he could lay their opposite palms against each other and they could lace their fingers. The heat of Illarion’s hand spread to hers, then up her arm.
He leaned forward to kiss her. And as he deepened the kiss, she closed her eyes and inhaled the sweetness of his breath and savored how tender her dragon was. Then she felt the slight sting. With a hiss, she pulled back and shook her hand in an effort to alleviate it.
The moment she did, she saw the elaborate dragon scrollwork on her palm that was a mirror image to his.
They were mates.
Forever.
Or until her brother killed him.…
What have I done?
As of yet? Nothing. It was what she might do that scared her. The fear of what her brother could talk her into to protect him that terrified her most. He could be terribly persuasive when he tried. And he’d already taken Illarion’s stone.
She was sure that wouldn’t be the end of it.
Savitar stepped back. “There, all done. Feel like I should say something profound. But why bother? All great advice is left unheeded, then looked back upon with great regret. So let’s not be pithy, shall we?” And with that, he vanished.
Illarion tightened his hands on hers. You’re shaking.
She practically jumped at his observation. “It’s a big step.”
Do you regret it?
“Nay.”
He cupped her face in his hands. You are now officially my dragonswan. Strah Draga. He placed a gentle kiss to her lips.
She sank her hand in his soft auburn hair and savored the taste of him. But still she couldn’t get his sister’s words out of her mind. Pulling back, she bit her lip. “Is it true that without your dragonstone you can’t heal?”
He scowled at her. What do you mean?
“Xyn told me that it was crucial to your survival.”
Illarion made a face that alarmed her. Aye and nay. I will heal from most things … eventually. But in some cases, failure to have one could prove fatal.
She didn’t care for the sound of that at all. “Then we must get it back!”
The thought has crossed my mind.
His dry tone made her smile. “So what’s to become of us?”
A strange light came into his eyes. I know it was your dream to be a marchoges—
“You want me to give up all thoughts of it,” she whispered past the sudden lump in her throat, interrupting him. After all, it was what everyone had always said to her.
I didn’t say that. However, I wouldn’t be as comfortable with you as a marchoges as I would a draigoges. I will still train you for war. The only thing to change is what you ride into battle. He wagged his eyebrows playfully at her.
She laughed, unable to believe that he was in accord to her wishes. “You would indulge me?”
I don’t want you to rue your decision, my lady. Or give up your dreams. Nor do I want you to regret being with me. If this is what you want most, then I will be there, by your side, for every battle. I would trust no one else to carry you.
For the first time, she truly understood what Xyn had been trying to tell her about Illarion and his protectiveness and loyalty.
He wasn’t like the men she was used to.
Illarion was her dragon.
Smiling, she walked into his arms and held him close. Burying her face in his neck, she inhaled the scent of his skin and let it soothe her. How she wished it could stay like this—just the two of them.
Forever.
But nothing ever lasted—she knew that better than anyone. Virag had drawn her into a nightmare. One where evil schemed against them and wanted to take the very thing that had finally brought her happiness. He wanted her to make a decision between them and that was the last thing she could do.
With that thought, though, came another.… “Have you ever fought against the fey?”
Few times. Why?
“Could you teach me to do it?”
Again, I ask why?
“Should I ever have to fight for or against my brother, I would like to stand a chance.”
Illarion grinned. Sure.
Maybe that was the answer. If she could learn how to fight Morgen and the others, maybe then she could save her brother and not sacrifice her happiness.
Surely, there had to be some way out of this other than offering Illarion’s life?