by Rinelle Grey
And every step he took away from her would only make him weaker.
No, his best chance was here.
He stared at her as she glanced up at the window again, willing her to come to him. To help him.
To trust him.
But she turned away again, and his heart sank.
It sank even more when the lights went out in the house. Everything was still and dark, and Calrian struggled to breathe.
Any hope he’d held out that she would change her mind and come and find him, left. And now he’d waited too long for him to have any chance of getting to the lair. He could already feel himself weakening, his hands shook, and his head throbbed.
He stared towards the darkened house, his heart aching worse than his head. What upset him most was that when he died, she would.
Then, for no reason he could explain, the headache eased. Not completely, it still pounded like someone was hitting his head with a rock, but it was noticeably better.
He stared at the house, but it was still dark. No indication that she was even thinking of coming to find him. So why was he feeling better?
The small bit of relief was enough to spur him to action. If he didn’t do something now, he knew neither of them would survive this. And he couldn’t bear that thought.
He wouldn’t force himself on her, wouldn’t even force his way into her house, but perhaps if he stayed near the wall outside, that might be close enough. If he could just regain enough energy, maybe he could find his way back to his lair, and release her—release them both, from the bond.
It was all he could think of.
As it was, the walk across the open fields was hard enough. His headache returned with a vengeance before he’d made it far, amplifying the shaking in his legs. He stumbled several times, only the fact that his entire body was encouraging him to step closer and closer making the walk possible at all.
He was halfway across the field when the lights came back on. Calrian sank down to his knees, relief filling him. He could see Rylee walking across the living room in a dressing gown, and his heart lifted as she glanced out the window towards him again.
But her eyes didn’t linger where he was, didn’t even appear to see him. She turned away and walked back towards the kitchen.
Calrian slumped back onto his heels, not even having the energy to pull himself up again. What did it matter? Without her help, he was as good as dead. She was too. She just didn’t know it yet.
This was all his fault. He’d unwittingly been the cause of her being trapped in this. And she couldn’t even do anything about it, because she didn’t believe him.
What a messed up situation.
Why had his family, his clan, not been there to wake him? What could have possibly gone wrong to lead to this situation?
How could they have done this to him?
Calrian swayed a little, sure he was about to topple over. He put a hand out, and slipped over off his heels, his butt on the grass. Not just grass. Sticks and rocks. They dug into him, but he didn’t have the energy to move.
Was this how his life was going to end? He glanced towards the house again, the bright light, even at this distance, was like daggers behind his eyes. His vision started to blur, but he could see some sort of bobbing light, floating towards him. Or were there two lights?
He fell to one elbow, but even that position was too hard to hold. He lay back on the grass, and closed his eyes. Maybe if he just had a short nap, he’d feel up to walking the rest of the way.
If he could remember where he was going…
“Calrian?” The voice floating on the breeze was faint, as though it came from a long way away.
His mind told him it was important. Someone important. But somehow, he couldn’t convince himself to care.
Chapter 9
Rylee might have missed Calrian’s slumped form on the dark grass, if it weren’t for the… whatever it was, pulling her towards his exact position. She wasn’t quite ready to call it a magical bond—a magical dragon bond—even if she had almost accepted that’s what it was.
When she realised his eyes were closed, and his breathing shallow, her heart dropped.
Had she left it too late? Her head pounded, and her hands shook, the torchlight shaking across his body. She dropped to her knees beside him, dropping the torch on the ground. She put her hands on his chest, feeling for his heartbeat. His skin was ice cold, stark contrast to how warm he’d felt earlier. How warm he’d made her feel.
All that warmth was gone now. She shivered in the moonlight, and not just from cold. She’d hoped she’d feel better once she found him, but her headache didn’t ease.
In fact, she felt worse. Almost as if something were sucking all her energy out.
She hadn’t felt this exhausted since the sleepless nights when Rowan was a baby.
Her last remaining doubts about his story faded. There was no other reason that could explain what was going on.
What other reason could there be for him collapsing in the middle of a field?
For how weak and helpless she felt?
For the fact that he looked like he was half dead already?
She felt awful to think that while she’d been lying in bed enjoying herself, he’d been out here getting weaker.
Her hand was still on his chest, the cold ebbing a little. In fact, he felt decidedly warmer, even though the air surrounding them held quite a chill. Her headache eased a little too.
Had she made it in time?
She stared down at him, wondering if she were strong enough to drag him back to the house by herself. She didn’t really want to call her dad for help, really didn’t want to try to explain any of this to him, but she would if she had to.
She owed Calrian that much.
To her relief, before she could decide what to do, his eyes flickered, then opened, staring straight up at her. A smile brightened his face. “You came.”
His voice was completely trusting. And it made Rylee’s heart ache. The last of her headache disappeared as if by magic.
If she’d needed any further confirmation of his story, this was it.
“Of course I came,” she said, an answering smile on her own face. “I felt like crap, and I couldn’t sleep.” She felt her face heating and was glad he couldn’t see her in the darkness.
He gave a small chuckle at her words, that turned into a coughing fit.
Rylee pulled back to give him some room, in case he wanted to sit up, but he grasped her hand against his chest. “Please,” he said softly. “I know you don’t believe anything I’ve said, but I need to touch you.”
His words sent a shiver through her, half excitement, half fear. But she nodded, and left her hand there. She hesitated for a moment, before saying, “I’m starting to think there might be something to your story.”
It felt right, admitting it, even if she did feel a little exposed.
Calrian stared at her, not saying anything. His leaned in a little closer to her, and smiled.
Rylee could feel herself warming too. Even the chill night air seemed further away, as though there were a protective bubble of warmth around them.
Or of magic.
She could no longer deny that something out of the ordinary was going on here. Perhaps something amazing.
She stared into his eyes, and he stared back at her.
Rylee wasn’t sure quite how long they sat like that, but eventually he moved, grasping her hand and struggling to sit up.
She helped pull him up, her own strength almost fully back. “Can you stand? It’s probably warmer inside. Not that it’s not quite warm here. Now anyway.”
She snapped her mouth shut. She was babbling. She did that when she was nervous. Eric had always chided her for it.
Calrian didn’t though. He smiled, and squeezed her hand. “I think I can get up, if you’ll help me.”
Rylee nodded, and pulled him again, this time to a standing position. He came up, chest to chest with her, and Rylee cou
ld almost feel the warmth emanating from his skin. Her breath caught.
A few minutes ago, he’d been lying on the ground, his body cold, hardly breathing.
Now he was almost back to normal. The bond between them, the magical bond, was so strong it could strengthen him in just that short time. Her presence could.
Her heart quickened, and for a moment, she was tempted to give in to the passion coursing through her body. It was so strong, so overwhelming, that she suspected that she wouldn’t even notice the cold if they stripped off and made love right here in the middle of the field.
The very thought made her cheeks heat and her body flush.
And not in a bad way.
Instead, she made herself take a deep breath. “Let’s go inside and… talk about this.”
Calrian nodded, and he followed her back to the house, never letting go of her hand. Rylee pushed open the door and closed and locked it behind them with one hand, then led him across to the couch.
He sat down next to her, leaving a slight space between them. The only place they still touched were their hands, and Rylee was reluctant to pull hers away again.
“So, do you want to try explaining again? I’m afraid I was too busy being disbelieving to really take it all in before.” She gave a lopsided grin.
Calrian searched her face. “And you do believe me now?” He sounded uncertain, almost as if he couldn’t believe her change of heart.
Rylee shrugged uncomfortably. “I guess so. I can’t think of any more reasonable explanations for… well, for why I feel so… strange.”
“I suppose that will have to do.” Calrian’s smile was uncertain as well. But his fingers tightened on hers. “Look, I really didn’t mean to suggest we mate. As long as we stay close for a week or so, in physical contact as much as we can, it achieves the same aim.”
Rylee’s stomach pulsed at the word ‘mate’. It sounded so foreign, so exotic. Somehow it set her pulse racing.
The temptation to sleep with him was so close to the surface, it bubbled through her veins like a warning. Or a promise.
She really hadn’t thought this through. She hadn’t stopped to realise how intense it would be, having him near her for a week, possibly longer. After a week of feeling like this, she wasn’t sure if she’d want to let him go. It would be far harder than leaving Eric had ever been.
And if Rowan found out he really was a dragon, and got used to having him around, he was going to be devastated when he left. He still occasionally missed his father, even though their relationship had been mostly adversarial. If he developed an attachment to Calrian…
What other option did she have? She couldn’t just sleep with him, could she?
Well, what if she did? That would get this finished, and him out of her hair, wouldn’t it? Drawing this out wasn’t a good idea for either of them, and especially not for Rowan.
There was no way a dragon was going to stick around after he’d finished this ritual, whatever it was. He’d be off doing… well, whatever it was dragons did.
Come to think of it, she was curious about that.
Calrian was watching her, waiting for her response, his expression anxious.
“Look, I’m not sure that I want to drag things out that long. In fact, I’d rather Rowan not know you’re here. He lost his father six months ago, and I don’t want him to have to go through losing someone else.”
Calrian nodded, his face serious. “I understand,” he said softly. He moved back a little, as though giving her some space. “My sympathies on the loss of your mate.”
Rylee shrugged uncomfortably, but didn’t correct his assumption. It was easier to let him think that than to explain the whole mess of a situation. It wasn’t like he was going to be around long enough for the truth to matter.
Calrian continued talking, “There is another alternative. My clan lives… not far from here. I’m not sure how to explain in human terms, but it would take about half an hour for me to fly there, if I had the strength to do so. If you could help me get there, then they could help me complete the ritual, and you would be freed from the responsibility.”
Before she could stop it, Rylee’s heart sank. An unexpected surge of jealousy took her breath away, and she felt the urge to pull him close and kiss all thoughts of leaving out of his head.
She blinked at the intensity of the feeling. That had to be the magical bond again, didn’t it?
Because in reality, what he was suggesting was the perfect solution for her. She just had to hide him for the night, then drive him out to… wherever it was, in the morning after Rowan left for school. If he stayed quietly in her room for the morning, Rowan would never even know he was there.
No getting involved. No risking her heart. She stayed in control. Just where she wanted to be.
And she didn’t even have to sleep with him.
Need and longing surged in her so strongly, she was surprised it didn’t propel her into his lap. For a moment there, she’d thought she had an excuse. An excuse to do what she longed to do anyway.
Why did she always have to do the sensible thing? Why did she have to ignore this feeling she so desperately wanted to give in to? Why did he offer her an out, when she’d just accepted that she had no choice? When she’d been thrilled to have an excuse?
Because this wasn’t real. None of it was. And whether she slept with him or not, afterwards was going to be a big let down. This would protect her from that, a little at least.
No matter how much she wanted to sleep with him, it was better this way. That’s what she tried to tell herself, anyway.
Her heart shrank a little in her chest, and she swallowed. “Right, that sounds like it would work.”
There was just one problem.
Where was he going to sleep?
Chapter 10
Calrian stared at the bed dubiously. Once Rylee had laid a line of pillows down the centre, there wasn’t a lot of room left on either side. And either way, he’d far rather sleep tucked up next to Rylee. Touching her.
He had to remind himself that this was better than outside, with his energy draining away.
Rylee hadn’t chosen this.
As a human, she had no idea about magic or bonding, it hadn’t even occurred to her that it existed until he’d told her. Which was why he needed to respect her wishes. To sleep with the barrier between them. To not tear her clothes off and bury himself in her. To not even encourage her to do the same.
He knew it wouldn’t be hard. He could sense the heat emanating from her skin, hear her uneven breathing, and see the way she stared at him when she thought he wasn’t looking. She wanted this as much as he did.
But only because of the Mesmer bond.
It would be unfair to take advantage of that.
It didn’t matter how much his body ached to be close to her. How much he wished to kiss her and run his hands all over her naked body. His own body heated instantly at the thought.
That was why he had to not think about that.
He was a dragon, and this was not the first time he’d experienced the Mesmer bond. He was stronger than it was, and he could resist the temptation.
Rylee was managing. She didn’t even glance in his direction as she took off her robe, pulled back the covers, and sat on the edge of the bed.
Calrian couldn’t help staring at the where the loose pants she wore clung to her butt when she sat down. Couldn’t help thinking about sliding his hands up under the shirt that covered far too much of her.
Rylee didn’t even look in his direction.
Perhaps the magic of the bond wasn’t as strong for humans as it was for dragons?
But as she slid her bare feet under the covers, she glanced at him nervously. He could see the desire in her eyes and also see how she was fighting it.
She wanted him as much as he wanted her.
That thought only heated his body more.
It was an effort to sit down on the other side, not touching her, and lie down facin
g away. Calrian was sure he could feel her warmth emanating from the other side of the bed.
There was a soft click, and the room was dark.
“Goodnight, Calrian.” Her voice was quiet, but Calrian could hear the longing in it.
How would she react if he rolled over and kissed her? He hungered to touch her, to taste her. He suspected she wouldn’t resist. How could she, when the Mesmer bond hummed in her veins as it did in his?
He forced those thoughts away. He was an honourable dragon, and no matter how much he thought she wanted him, she had said no. That was the end of it.
“Goodnight, Rylee.”
Calrian lay in the darkness, listening to her uneven breathing, aching to be closer to her. He had to keep reminding himself that this was better than not being near her. He could feel his energy returning slowly but surely.
He could wait.
Even if he couldn’t sleep.
*****
“You’ll have to wait in here until Rowan leaves for school.” Rylee’s voice was a whisper. A worried, nervous whisper. “It should only take an hour or so. I’ll try to sneak some breakfast in to you.”
Calrian nodded. After lying awake next to her half the night, he was sure he could manage to wait another hour. Even if he wouldn’t get the reward he longed for at the end.
He needed to stop daydreaming. This desire was temporary. A product of the Mesmer bond. Nothing more.
It only felt more intense because he was alone. Rylee and her son Rowan were the only people he knew in this world.
But his clan was out there somewhere, possibly needing him. That was what he should be focusing on. Finding them, and getting back into the battle.
That goal helped him to wait patiently. He could hear Rylee and Rowan in the next room, talking quietly. The boy sounded excited about something, but Calrian couldn’t make out exactly what. Rylee’s voice was calm and measured.
Calrian lay back on the bed and stared at the roof above his head.
Impatience burbled in his stomach, but he pushed it down.
Rylee slipped into the room, a plate of something in her hand. “Here. I bet you’re hungry.”
