Page 91 of A Lick of Flame

I sigh. “What if Delphine doesn’t accept me?” I have to ask the question because it’s sitting right there in my mind, swirling around and around.

He makes a groaning noise like he can’t stand the idea. Then he scratches the back of his head. “I don’t have the answer to that, Maya. She might not even accept me. I fear she hates me and that she is blocking my magic somehow.” He sighs. “Then there is the fact that you tethered with her daughter and then broke the tether; perhaps she won’t be too happy with you, either. I can’t say either way. Perhaps all of our thoughts on this are completely wrong. We will only know when we know. There is no use stressing about it just yet.”

I feel a lump rise up in my throat when I think about dear, sweet little Raila and the bond I broke. Although we weren’t tethered for very long, it feels like a part of me is missing. I wish I could explain to her why I had to do it. That it was to save her life as much as it was to save my own. Perhaps in time, she will come to understand. At least I will be able to be near her and watch her grow. That is something.

“So, the odds are not in our favor.” My heart sinks.

“Maya, don’t say such things. We will have to wait and see, love.” He kisses me. “If she does not accept you the first time, we will try again and again…until she does.”

I nod. “Although I have a feeling that you can’t force a dragon to do anything.”

His face clouds. “You’re right about that. Dragons are stubborn, infuriating,” he sighs, “wonderful creatures. Actually, now that I think about it, you and Delphine are similar in many ways.”

I laugh. “Which ones? Stubborn and infuriating, or wonderful?”

“All of the above. My mother often used to say that the job of a wife is to keep her husband on his toes, and you will certainly do that, love.”

Love.

I love that he calls me that. He did it last night, too.

Wife.

It also has a certain ring to it.

“You can count on it,” I murmur. Then I put my arms around him and kiss him.

I pray that Delphine will accept me so that we can start our life together, whatever our future may bring.

We force ourselves to get up and get tidy, and then we head back to the clearing. When I rub my lips together, I can feel that my mouth is slightly swollen from our kisses. I touch my fingers to my lips and smile wider. Even though I am worried about what our future will bring, I can’t get this smile off my face. I don’t want to, either.

I’ve decided that I am going to enjoy the next few days with Orion. We can worry about Delphine when we enter the Forgotten Caves, and not a moment sooner. He is right about not stressing until we have to. Perhaps all of this worry is for naught.

Live life to the fullest. It is my new motto. One I plan on taking very seriously.

We each collect an armful of firewood on our way back to the clearing. By the time we get there, Thesha and Xander are done bathing. They’re both dressed; their hair is still damp. Thesha’s hair is loose, hanging in dark tendrils around her shoulders and down her back. I take in Xander’s ears. I still can’t believe that he is a fae. Not just a fae, but a king, like Orion. One of the horses snorts. I note that they have been properly untacked and are all grazing happily.

We throw down the wood in a pile.

“Feeling better?” I ask Thesha, who nods and smiles.

“Yes, that water is amazing.” She groans.

“Or maybe it was the person who washed your back who is amazing.” Xander puts his arms around her and nuzzles into her neck.

Thesha laughs. “Is that what you’re calling it now?” she tells him under her breath. He nuzzles her again, and Thesha giggles.

I blush a little when I overhear them, glancing at Orion, who winks at me. My cheeks heat a whole lot more.

“Perhaps we should go hunting,” he tells Xander. “I’m sure you are hungry and that you could do with some fresh meat.”

“I could eat.” Thesha rubs her stomach.

“You are always hungry, sweetheart.” Xander hooks an arm around her.

“It’s having to put up with the likes of you that depletes my energy.” She sticks her tongue out at him.

“Don’t you mean keeping up with the likes of me that depletes your energy?” He pulls her close and kisses her.

---