“That was kind of him.” Gerard unrolled his own bedroll and motioned. “Take mine.”
I didn’t even try to object. With the changes occurring with my body at an alarming rate, the hope with Dormir, and sudden anxiety of Gerard’s presence, I just wanted to sleep. I untied Dormir’s cloak from my neck, suddenly feeling guilty. I hoped he would be warm enough that night without it. I lay down and pulled the blanket up just as the clouds parted. Rain slapped against the tent and pounded the ground outside.
“Will we get wet?” I asked, looking through the darkness the best I could, nervously spreading Dormir’s cloak across the blanket for added warmth and protection. All I could see was Gerard rearranging the bedroll and finally lying down.
“It appears your manservant was intelligent enough to set your tent up on the higher ground, so no, we shouldn’t.”
I frowned at the word “manservant,” knowing he implied more than a stable boy. “Gerard,” I said firmly.
Gerard rolled to his side to face me.
“He isn’t my manservant,” I said.
He exhaled through his nose. “I understand. Forgive me for such sharp words.” He reached across the short space between us and touched my cheek. “I worry for your safety. You left the protection of your castle to, what? Prove something?”
“No, to search myself for a fae. I’ve never done that. Not once. I don’t want to become a full-fledged dragon knowing I sat in the castle my entire life and did nothing. Now, at least I can say I tried.” I shrugged. “Besides, you did invite me, remember?”
Gerard moved his thumb down my lips, pulling them apart.
We were so close, his breath danced across my face. This was the closest we’d been since the night on the dance floor. And I couldn’t deny I wanted to be a little closer. The air had gone chilly, and he would be the perfect source of warmth, but that thought was replaced with the image of Dormir’s arms around me.
Gerard shifted closer. “When did the horns come?”
I absently reached up and ran my hand over the hard curve. “Yesterday,” I answered.
“How?”
I shrugged. He didn’t know, but I was catching on that my bursts of anger were becoming more frequent, and with each of those uncontrolled bursts, a new dragon feature was being added to my body.
“You’re so beautiful.”
“Horns and everything?” I asked, rolling my eyes.
He chuckled and closed the little space there was between us. “Yes. And when we do find a fae, they will help. And then you’ll be back to yourself. Though, I should really take you home in the morning …”
“No!” I blurted. “We’re too close.”
Gerard tilted his head. “How did you know the fae were this direction?” he asked, suddenly curious. His thumb stopped on my chin.
My heart started to beat a little faster. “My mother, of course.”
“Ah. Yes, she would know.” He leaned down and kissed me on the forehead.
I closed my eyes as a rush of heat trickled from my head to my toes and everywhere in between. “We shouldn’t,” I whispered.
“I know.” He kissed each of my cheeks, and then my lips.
My chest began to burn like when I held my breath too long, but I was breathing. My fingertips ached as if I held them over a fire, but all I could feel was Gerard’s muscled arms. His kisses became more intense, fierce. His hand slid to the back of my head, holding our lips tighter together, so tight it almost hurt. But I also didn’t want it to stop. I wanted him in a way I’d never felt before. He rose up onto his elbow and hovered over me, pressing so tightly to my body he almost stole my breath. His free arm slid down my arm, my side, and curve of my hips.
Warning bells went off in my head.
I should stop him.
This was too much. Too fast. Regardless of his status as my betrothed, I knew this was too much. But I couldn’t break my lips away to tell him. When I tried to move back, he moved his head so I was pressed into the bedroll.
The heat in my chest started to burn.
Gerard’s hand slid up my thigh, under my dress, and to my backside.
I finally tore my lips away. “Gerard!” I gasped.
“Sh …” he whispered against my lips.
I put my hands on his chest and tried to push him away. “No. We need to stop.”
“Not yet.” His hand squeezed.
The burning in my chest exploded, and I shoved Gerard in the chest with both hands so hard he flew off and hit the side of the tent. I blinked. Stunned.
“You … want to stop?” he asked stupidly.
“Yes.” The heat in my body immediately started to lessen, though it tingled across my scales like a warning. I rolled away from him, adjusting my dress and blankets. If I hadn’t been a dragon … would I have been able to stop him?
Fifteen
Things between Gerard and I the next day were … strained. After pushing him off me, he had moved up behind me to hold me during the night. I didn’t mind, because it was freezing, but my heart told me what he’d tried was selfish. He wasn’t going to stop. He’d almost gone too far.
When I looked at him the next morning, hot bile stung the back of my tongue.
In spite of it being so cold I could see my breath, I was the first out of the tent. I kept the blankets wrapped around me and promptly walked over to Dormir’s side at the fire. I wanted him. His comfort. His warmth. I dropped his cloak in his lap before I leaned against his side and a tremble ran through my body. I should have wanted to be with Gerard, the man I was engaged to, but his stunt from the night before caused me to have doubts about his kindness and motivation.
Dormir straightened when my shoulder touched his, and he glanced around.
Gerard walked out of the tent and stretched with a loud groan. He still had his hair braided across the top and pulled up in a small bun, like when we’d first met, and he walked around the tent and into the trees.
Dormir put his hand on my back. “Come with me.” He snagged his pack from his side as he stood.
I didn’t refuse and followed him back to my tent.
“I have a spare set of clothing. You will be much more comfortable in pants than your dress.” He reached into his pack and pulled out his bundle of clothing. “You should fit.” His eyes watched me, his brows soft with concern.
Did he know?
I accepted the clothing from him. “Are you worried about something?” I asked.
He glanced over his shoulder.
Gerard and his men were getting breakfast started.
Dormir cleared his throat softly. “I … The trees told me you were afraid last night. I came to your tent and—” He shook his head and turned away. “It’s none of my business.”
I reached out and grabbed his arm. “I was.”
He raised a brow.
My cheeks flushed, and it was my turn to look away in shame. “I was afraid,” I answered softly. “I couldn’t … He wouldn’t stop.” I picked at lint on the clothing that wasn’t there. “He and I are to be married. But, still. What he … what he wanted to do? What he tried to do?”
“I had actually opened the tent flap in time to see you shove him off.” Dormir reached out and took my hand. “I am impressed you were able to stop him on your own.”
I looked at the fae, and he smiled back at me. “Would you have stepped in?”
His smile fell. “I was about to. I’m only sorry I hesitated.”
I shook my head. “Please don’t feel bad. Like you said, it wasn’t your place. You didn’t know if I had … asked for it.”
“You told him to stop.”
I took his other hand. “You would have been right there. Thank you.” I gave him a reassuring smile and kissed his cheek as a rush of relief washed through me. Knowing Dormir had been right there was eno
ugh to bring me comfort.
“Hey, Doorman!” one of Gerard’s friends called.
Dormir rolled his eyes. “I think it’s intentional,” he muttered. He sighed and smiled. “I best help them with that fire or we’ll never get on the road.”
He was right about the clothes being far warmer and much more comfortable, especially when riding on the horse. His pants were a little long, but he was also several inches taller than me. Nothing a little rolling of the pant leg couldn’t fix.
I helped clean up after breakfast, ignoring Gerard’s objections, and finally we were on our way. Dormir was at the front, on Gerard’s horse, and Gerard sat behind me on Tao. I wondered how it was possible Gerard and his friends hadn’t realized Dormir was a fae. His eyes were purple and his hair blue. Perhaps Dormir had some sort of magic he could use to disguise himself. Maybe it didn’t work on me because I’d already seen him as a fae.
Gerard tried asking me about my journey, but there wasn’t much to tell, and we soon fell into silence. I wished it was just Dormir and me, so I could ask him more questions about the fae lands, about his life, his family. I’d spoken so much the day before, and he’d patiently listened but didn’t offer any information about himself. I wished I’d asked more questions. Now we were stuck together in tense silence.
“Do you need to rest?” Gerard asked the third time in the hour. The sun hadn’t even reached its highest peak yet.
I snapped him a glare. “If you ask me again, I’m going to take an apple and throw it at you. I am quite comfortable and have traveled all day the last few days. If we stop, that’s less time traveling toward our destination.”
Gerard blinked at me. “My apologies.”
I looked down the path just in time to see Dormir stifling a giggle with a grin. He gave me a quick wink and returned his attention forward.
A few hours later, Dormir held his hand up, halting us. He turned in his saddle. “We’re about to cross the border. I recommend we keep a walking pace. Do not draw your weapons for any reason.” He looked past me at the men.
They nodded their understanding.
At first, the forest didn’t look any different from where we had been traveling. Then I realized tall quaking aspen trees lined the path and the evergreen trees seemed to have climbed down from the mountains. The path also took on a sharper incline.
Around us, the wind rustled the leaves and branches. I wondered if they were whispering to Dormir, but he wasn’t saying anything.
One of the men cleared his throat softly. “How is it you know the location of the faeries?”
“I’ve traveled this way before,” Dormir answered simply.
“And you happen to remember? After one time?”
“It’s not uncommon if you have a good sense of direction,” I threw in. Then, I quickly added, “Ask Gerard. He knows his way around. I bet he could even find his way back to the castle from here.” I gave Gerard an added smile—the nicest thing I’d done that day.
Gerard smiled in return. “Yes, I imagine I could.” He gave the man a look.
The pathway disappeared behind a thicket of trees, but as we came around, Dormir stopped his horse, and I followed after. Two women and two men stood on the path, side by side. Judging by Dormir’s expression, he knew they would be there.
The two women had pink hair so light it could have nearly been mistaken for blond. The two men had dark-purple hair, like the color of chateau wine—so dark it was almost black.
“The border guard,” Dormir introduced.
I resisted the urge to point out they didn’t look too happy to see us there.
“Why have you crossed the border?” the woman on the left asked.
“I’ve come—” I started.
Gerard interrupted. “We seek a meeting with your council of elders.”
Her eyes darted to Gerard. “Our queen doesn’t meet with outsiders.” The corner of her lip tugged in a little sneer as her nose wrinkled. “Especially humans,” he spat in evident disgust.
“Please. It’s urgent.” Gerard took my hand.
I knew the faeries would have seen the horns on my head. They weren’t fools.
“It’s about my curse,” I added. I pulled my hand away from Gerard and held it up for them to see.
The border guards turned to Dormir.
He nodded his head once. “She believes we can help,” he said, answering their unasked question.
The faeries asked a question in their language, to which Dormir replied.
I glanced from one to the other. They’d asked a question about us being either safe or trustworthy, and Dormir had used my name, which meant he at least trusted me, but I don’t think he trusted Gerard or his men.
Gerard leaned down to my ear. “So he’s a fae? You kept that hidden from me?”
“I don’t trust your men,” I whispered back.
The woman returned her attention to us. “We shall take your weapons while you are on our land. I trust you understand why?”
“I’m aware of my … queen’s orders,” I said. “That faeries have been forced into this part of the country.” I wasn’t sure if Gerard knew, so it was the easiest way to give him information if he didn’t.
Gerard’s men grumbled as the faeries stepped forward and took their bows, arrows, swords, and daggers. The faeries then motioned for us to follow them and began walking down the path.
“This is a good sign,” Gerard said, giving me a reassuring smile.
A glance from Dormir told me he wasn’t so certain. At some point, Dormir’s glamor disappeared, revealing his blue hair and purple eyes again. He did offer me a comforting nod.
The path wound through the forest, and the sun began to set.
When we reached the base of a cliff, we stopped.
“The horses will need to stay here,” one of the fae men explained in a deep voice. He held his arm out toward stables carved into the side of the cliff. “We shall take care of them while you are visiting.”
“I need to stretch my legs anyway,” I said and slid off Tao’s back.
He turned and nudged me, so I gave him a hug. “I will come back for you. Just get some rest and eat lots of apples. He does enjoy oats as well, but he’s getting along in years,” I said to the fae.
The man’s lips softened into a smile, and he nodded softly. “Did Dormir speak to you about his heritage?”
I grinned. “I didn’t believe him. Is it true?”
The man nodded.
I gave Dormir a casual wink. “You were right.”
The man laughed lightly and said something to Dormir.
He blushed and spat back a retort.
“This way!” the woman said.
“What are your names?” I asked.
“We should hold introductions until after the queen has met with you,” the woman replied.
“Our people have very little trust with outsiders,” Dormir explained to everyone. “You will have to be careful with how you address others. Please show the utmost respect.”
I nodded. “Of course. We don’t want to start off on the wrong foot.”
The path hugged the cliff’s side so narrowly we had to follow each other. One man and woman led us. I followed Dormir, Gerard followed me, his men behind, and the other two faeries followed at the rear. I glanced once down at the mist-covered forest and valley below. It was one of the most beautiful sights I’d ever seen.
“This view is beautiful,” I said aloud. My heart reached out over the view. I wondered what it would be like to fall from that height, to feel the wind on my face even for just a moment. If I fell, could I fly?
Dormir grabbed my arm, and I realized I’d taken a step toward the edge. “Yes, it’s beautiful. But use caution. If you fall from this height, you won’t survive.”
“Of course not.” I stepped bac
k, and as soon as I looked down, my stomach lurched. I held tightly to Dormir’s hand and pressed my face into his back. “I’m afraid of heights.”
“A little ironic, considering.” Dormir chuckled.
“I can carry you,” Gerard offered, placing his hand on my back.
As I straightened, Dormir looked from Gerard to me, then shrugged me off. Dormir didn’t like Gerard, I saw that much, but at least he was being respectful.
“I can manage on my own,” I insisted.
The sky darkened, and a soft glow began to wind its way along the cliff face as if the stone itself was glowing.
“What is this?” I asked, reaching out to gently touch the light.
“The earth is alive,” Dormir explained. “Even the stone. With a little bit of coaxing and a hint of magic, we can manipulate the earth, like having the stone glow to guide our path.”
“It’s magnificent,” I said.
“We’ve reached the city,” the woman at the front called back. “Please stay right with us. Do not attempt to wander away.”
I stepped around the rock edge and gasped. Built against the cliff were dozens of wooden homes, precariously connected by bridges or ropes. The homes were lit with white lights, illuminating forms of people in the windows or out on their porches.
The path led up to a large building with spires like the cathedral back in the forest. In fact, it looked similarly constructed as the castle, only clearly built with more haste and with less detail.
Those faeries near enough to observe stared at us. More faeries appeared.
Dormir nodded to them as we passed.
We were led up the path, lit by glowing orbs overhead as we entered the shallow cave.
“Anything we should know about the queen?” I asked softly.
“I recommend you be honest,” Dormir replied.
I nodded, but I suddenly felt my heart starting to race. What would she say about me? Would I be considered more of an outcast because of my curse?
The sentries at the entrance pushed the doors open, then fell into step alongside us as we entered.
The Dragon Princess: Sleeping Beauty Reimagined (The Forgotten Kingdom Book 1) Page 13
