So he took her hand when she offered it, waiting as she used the transit stone to teleport to Eversgate.
Moments later, the pair appeared on a dirt road surrounded by cottage style homes and cobblestone pathways. Though it was nighttime at the grotto, the sun was shining in the port town with a number of people making their way up and down the streets.
It wasn't a pinnacle of the civilized world, but Dalris had to take a moment to admire the scenery—specifically the towering masts and large sails of two clipper ships docked in the distance.
It'd been many years since he'd beheld such vessels. In Terra, clipper ships were now considered obsolete, and though Terran technology sometimes dribbled into Ithelyon, it was only integrated in daily life under strict circumstances—such as being environmentally friendly. Automobiles, for example, were forbidden, and so were some of the more recent naval units which utilized fossil fuels in their propulsion systems.
So it wasn't uncommon to find an average home wired with electricity generated by wind farms and solar panels. But on the whole, Ithelyon was a world of magical technology, not scientific.
So the clipper ships were commonplace, and Dalris appreciated the sight as he followed Karina—who apparently knew precisely where to go.
Wasting no time, the elf took Dalris to the nearest shop for supplies after delivering a few pendants to a local business. It also became clear that she regularly visited Eversgate after a number of people greeted her by name, and even the shop owner mentioned some goods she'd acquired since Karina's last visit.
But she didn't focus on that, and instead, worked to gather clothing for Dalris that she thought would be suiting—and aesthetically pleasing.
He didn't resist when she held a few garments up against his chest either, allowing the elf to pick out several items, and thankfully, she had tastes he could appreciate despite his preference for high-end merchandise.
He was also grateful she didn't push him to stay long, wrapping up their business after they'd purchased enough to keep him in clean clothing for at least a week.
Now, wearing a new, black leather vest, a pair of matching pants with a short kilt, and knee-high boots, he exited the shop with Karina and noticed she was looking at his bare arms on their way down the street.
He would've asked why, but she had no trouble expressing herself without prompting.
“I thought draconians liked to show off their marks, but you were wearing a business suit earlier. Is that how you normally dress?”
Dalris nodded, briefly glancing at the marks on his arms. “It's a Terran fashion, and besides, there's no reason to show them off in that world when most people don't realize you're a draconian from the start.”
She nodded to concede the point. “Would you take it the wrong way if I said they're nice?”
“Why would I take that wrong?”
“Because it's a compliment, and I wasn't sure if it sounded strange coming from me.”
“Ah,” he replied in understanding. “No, it doesn't sound strange, and thank you.”
Karina grinned, turning her gaze ahead, and suddenly grabbed his wrist. “Oh! There's the tavern, come on!”
Dalris withheld a groan, but didn't stop her from moving along toward the singular building standing alone at the end of the street—at first.
Yet, when a glass stein shattered against the door frame with ale spattering everywhere, followed by a muscular barbarian falling through the door with a bloody nose, Dalris changed his mind.
“Karina, wait.”
Halting his steps, he intended to give the elf a tug on the arm to stop her, but it wasn't necessary. Karina had already stopped to stare at the fallen man—who immediately got up to return to whatever bar brawl was taking place inside.
“Karina?”
“Huh?”
It was hard not to smile at the wide eyes she finally turned on him. But Dalris suppressed the urge by asking, “Honestly, why do you want to come here?”
Pursing her lips, the elf stared down at her feet, answering shiftily, “It's a chance to get to know more about you.”
“True,” he conceded, “but you could do that in the grotto, or just walking around Eversgate. So … ?”
Sighing, she finally muttered more honestly, “You'll think it's stupid. Besides, I paid you for protection.”
“You did, and one of the best methods of offering protection is to keep the person from stepping into danger from the start.”
Hearing this, Karina groaned the word, “Fine,” then leaned in closer to state her reasons conspiratorially. “A shaman foresaw my mate as being a Ferine, but there aren't many Ferine's in Ithelyon, and all I've ever heard about them is that they turn savage. So I thought coming to a place like this might prepare me, or at least give me a better idea of what to expect.”
A Ferine? Dalris tried not to smile, honestly finding her reason for wanting to visit Shore's End amusing—though he had trouble imagining this jubilant elf mated to a fearsome werewolf.
Then again, werewolves coveted their mates just as fiercely as draconians, and he truly doubted she'd have trouble getting along.
So he offered, “If you'd like to know more about Ferines, Karina, just ask. I know several, and a place like this wouldn't give you an entirely accurate idea.”
She eyed him curiously. “It wouldn't?”
“No. Ferines do turn savage, but only if they remain unmated. So yours may just turn out to be levelheaded and practical.”
Somehow, that seemed to relieve Karina, her shoulders slumping with a loud sigh.
“Good! I'll admit, I was worried, and no, I didn't want to go to Shore's End in particular.”
Smiling, Dalris placed a hand against her back to urge her away from the tavern, glad he'd alleviated her worries—and talked her out of going inside.
Yet, as they began their walk away, he found himself curious about her mention of a shaman foretelling her mate, and decided to ask over it.
“By the way, Jada said she was taken to a shaman as well. So is this something all elven families do?”
“Yes,” Karina started, “it's a tradition because elves aren't immortal unless they bond with a mate. But there can be uh … consequences depending on who your mate turns out to be.”
“Like getting sent to a convent?”
She pursed her lips in response, eyeing him with a great deal of scrutiny while stating, “Before I answer that, I want to ask you a question.”
Dalris supposed that was reasonable, and agreed. “What is it?”
Her inquiry was immediate, and unapologetic. “What do you think of elves?”
“Why? Concerned for your sister?”
“Yes,” she admitted freely. “But I'm not just afraid you're biased and might mistreat her. I'm also worried things between you won't progress easily, and Jada doesn't need another headache when she's so close to completing Morwin's work.”
Dalris smiled, finding Karina's concern for her sibling admirable. He'd shown the same care for his own siblings' welfare on several occasions, and it made his reply easy to give.
“I agree. Judging by all she's shown me so far, you've both put hard work into finishing Morwin's research, and I don't want to jeopardize it. But to answer your question, any trouble I've had interacting with elves in the past was never personal, and I have every intention of treating Jada like a queen if she'll let me.”
At that, Karina grinned brightly, biting her bottom lip as if she'd hoped to hear such a thing. “Good, because my sister's tough and sassy, but she needs someone who'll realize she's also sweet underneath.”
Dalris smiled, taking her insight to heart while wondering what else he might learn. But Karina probably wouldn't appreciate personal questions regarding her sister, so he decided to get to know her better instead.
“And you're a mage?”
“An apprentice, actually, studying to become an illusionist.”
“Why aren't you in Mystikkar?”
�
��I was living there ten years ago when Jada came to meet me. Then I took a sabbatical to help her, and get to know her.”
Knowing Jada had grown up in a convent, it wasn't surprising to hear that Karina hadn't met her sister until later in life, prompting him to ask, “How old were you both?”
“Seventeen and thirty-seven.”
Hearing this, Dalris did a little math, and made a surprising discovery. Jada was forty-seven now, which meant she was only seventeen during their encounter in Antarctica. She was technically a child—and she's still extremely young.
Somehow, it was a sobering thought, one that made her reactions to him much more understandable.
Dalris had lived for eight centuries, visited numerous places and witnessed things that had changed him, even grounded him in some cases. So he had a wealth of years to draw on for experience, and plenty of knowledge to guide him.
But Jada? She was still learning how to live life, and using her gut instincts to survive much the way he had at that age. She also had plenty of time to find a mate—unmated elves could live for as long as two centuries before showing signs of aging.
So she'd naturally be hesitant to consider the prospect with someone who was forbidden, and Dalris didn't doubt the convent had hammered that point home since before she could read and write.
The thought made him wonder how many other elves were currently living in convents because of a forbidden mate. In fact, if Draconia learned of this practice, there might just be hell to pay depending on how many of their mates were currently hidden away.
It also depended on the outcome of Jada's search. If she revealed that elves wouldn't be driven to insanity by dragon blood, she might just change the course of her people's lives for good—and change was a dangerous prospect concerning a people with traditional values.
At the thought, the gravity of the situation hit him at once, bringing to mind Jada's demand that he keep her work a secret if he wanted to help.
Now, that demand made a lot more sense.
But before he could consider it in depth, Karina asked, “And how old are you?”
With a sheepish smirk, he replied, “Just over eight centuries.
Her eyes widened with a low whistle. Yet her surprise seemed quick to vanish as she remarked, “Not the oldest person I've ever met, but it does make me wonder.”
“About what?”
“About why you had to wait so long for Jada to be born.”
He had to admit, that was a good question. But in light of his recent thoughts on the perils of what she was trying to accomplish, he could only imagine fate wanted to make certain he was capable enough to protect her.
So he asked, “Tell me something. If she proves there's no danger to elves in having a draconian mate, how would Onoria react?”
Karina frowned. “Honestly? Probably not good. They've already sent assassins after her. We're just not sure if they came from the monarchy, or the clergy.”
Dalris clenched his fists to get his temper under control, though he wasn't surprised that there was a question over the matter of who. Onoria's clergy wasn't just a highly respected religious institution after all—it also held a fair deal of political influence in the kingdom.
If memory served, the clergy was led by an Archon who was only outmatched in power by the royal family, and the Archon attended political functions as often as religious gatherings.
So either could've been responsible, if not both, and as soon as he had the chance, he intended to find out.
Still, the more he considered it, the more he realized it wouldn't be a good idea to involve many people in this search before they'd concluded it, even those of his own House. If Draconia learned of the things Morwin had discovered, they would lend assistance—a move Onoria could react negatively to, perhaps to the point of starting a war.
This meant Jada was right, and it was definitely better to keep things secret for the time being.
Continuing down the street at a leisurely pace, Karina mentioned during his thoughts, “Onoria would probably go after you and Jada to keep you apart, too.”
“I welcome them to try,” he returned on a lethal tone—and she giggled.
Looking down to see her amused expression, he inquired, “What?”
“It's just nice to know you're so protective.”
“Why is that?”
At his question, her smile faded with a serious glint forming in her eyes in answering, “Jada's so close to accomplishing her goals, and it worries me that something's going to happen to her. So I want her to have all the protection she can get, and it's nice to know you'll do whatever you can.”
Finally, Dalris smiled, confirming, “I will. If necessary, I'd sacrifice my life for her.”
“Oh, I hope it doesn't come to that,” Karina interjected. “But I want things to go well between you, because you seem dedicated, and Jada deserves someone she can actually trust.”
Somehow, the phrase sounded specific, as if Karina was suggesting her sister had suffered in a previous relationship—and it wasn't easy for Dalris to envision her with anyone despite knowing she might have a long list of past lovers.
The mere thought made jealousy flare like never before.
But he didn't ask for more information—it would be much better to question Jada about something so personal—and instead, promised, “I'll do my best, Karina. So do you have any ideas on what I should do to get closer?”
“Of course!” the elf announced as if the answer was a given. “I've got plenty of ideas, and in fact, as soon as we're back in the grotto, I have something to give you that will definitely help. But you'll have to be very careful about using it … .”
CHAPTER 16
The sound of shuffling roused Jada from sleep.
Cracking her eyes open to see Morwin's tome laying on her bed, she realized she'd dozed off while reading, and reached to rub her eyes with a sleepy groan. It wasn't the first time she'd fallen asleep with a book in her hands, and she wasn't surprised.
But she did wonder what that sound was, and lifted her head to look at the foot of her bed.
There, just above the edge of the mattress, she could see the top of Dalris' head as he peered downward, and asked his name in sleepy confusion.
“What are you doing in my hut?”
“I'm trying to learn more about you,” he replied—just as Jada noticed that the lid of her chest was open.
Realizing he was snooping through her things, she gasped, so baffled by the rude behavior that she had no idea how to react.
But her confusion quickly faded as she sat forward to push the lid shut, demanding, “Don't you dare!”
In response, Dalris cast her a handsome smile that nearly stole her breath.
“I'm sorry,” he murmured gently, “but you've been closed off, and I couldn't stop myself.”
“Well you'd better start stopping yourself! Sharing a fated connection as mates doesn't give you the right to poke through my personal things.”
His eyes suddenly lit as if she'd just handed him some irresistible treat. “So we're sharing a connection now, are we?”
“I didn't say that!”
“You just said that.”
Jada pursed her lips, realizing she certainly had—which only made his smug smirk even more annoying.
So she decided to kick him out instead of arguing, and stood from bed.
But Dalris also got up, walking around to meet her while asking, “So tell me, Jada, what does having a fated connection to you give me the right to do?”
As he spoke, the big, shirtless draconian backed her up against the wall. Jada's heart picked up its pace in response, the heat radiating off of his skin relaxing her much more than she wanted to be in that moment.
But all she felt capable of was staring up at him, unable to form a coherent thought at the sight of his possessively heated gaze, let alone offer a reply.
Taking a deep breath, she fought not to close her eyes when his hard body pressed i
nto her, all but engulfing her with his size. But it happened like clockwork, and her lids slid shut, her arms mindlessly winding around him.
Goddess, it felt like she'd come home.
Jada released a soft sigh at the thought, shivering when the draconian reached a hand up to cup her cheek and trace her lips with his thumb. The erotic caresses had her body trembling, and almost instinctively, she closed her mouth around the tip of his digit to give it a light suck.
She had no idea why she was doing it, but she also didn't care, and that indifference only grew stronger when a virile growl erupted in the back of his throat.
“Gods, you make me hard.” Leaning in, he added on a lusty tone, “I want to show you how hard.”
“Dalris,” she moaned, shaking in anticipation at the feel of his hips pressing into hers.
“Jada … ”
Her shaking redoubled.
“Mmm, what?”
“Jada, wake up.”
… Wake up? What does he mean, wake up? I—
Abruptly, Jada's eyes opened to the sight of her sister standing over her, shaking her shoulder. What the … ?
Blinking in confusion, she quickly sat up and looked at the foot of the bed, realizing Dalris wasn't there.
She'd dreamed the entire thing.
A perturbing thought.
But Jada didn't want to consider why it was so troubling, taking several deep breaths as Karina sat down behind her and pointed out, “Wow, you're winded. What were you dreaming about?”
“Huh? Oh! Nothing, just getting chased through the woods by Menlor and his trackers.”
Turning to settle her feet on the floor, she saw Karina nodding in a way that suggested her sister wasn't at all suspicious—or she was, but hadn't figured out how to tease her about it yet.
So Jada quickly changed the subject by asking, “What time is it?”
“Early morning. I think you fell asleep reading Morwin's tome last night, so I put it on the table and left you alone. But I heard you making some strange sounds just now, and thought I'd come check.”
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