Page 46 of Dragon Blood

Desire thrummed through her, dragging the heart ache with it.

I miss him. I miss him so much.

She shed her clothing, adjusted the water, and stepped in, her mind crowded with images of Kai.

Her soapy hands roamed over her body. How easily she could have tugged that towel to—no. She’d broken things off with him. That night on the beach was the last time.

Anything more, meanteverythingmore.

But it didn’t stop her from remembering, imagining the sensation of his lips on hers, his hands caressing her back, palming her breasts.

Had he thought of her during his shower? She slid a soapy hand between her thighs as the other cupped a breast.

Her breath hitched, and she sighed, alleviating the sudden tension. But it wasn’t enough.

She wanted him. Needed him, if she was honest.

It wasn’t just the desire.

When she recalled their time together, it wasn’t the times of passion that dominated her memories. It was the quiet, lingering moments afterward, wrapped in each other’s bodies, comforted in the sanctuary of one another’s souls.

Astred bowed her head under the shower spray, both arms now crossing her chest trying to contain her heart ache. She wouldn’t allow any tears to fall for what she’d thrown away.

I did this. To myself. To him.

She’d sailed so far away from his love, she’d managed to land right back in front of him, unable to escape this time.

Except now everything was far more fucked up than when she’d left him.

There was no point in trying to fix things. She still couldn’t have him, even if by some slim chance he might still want her.

It doesn’t matter anymore.

Chapter 16

Ittookthreedaysfor the Wardens to agree to Astred’s requested pilgrimage to the Nexus.

Three days, with no relayed information from Marli or the Crimson Claw. Whether this was good or bad, she couldn’t know, so she decided to stay the course, only adjusting her sails when necessary.

That morning, Odson was recounting the dragonling story of the legendary hero Dragon Star, which Astred had fixated on, when Heidi’s phone pinged.

Something about the star in her vision.

Heidi set aside her coffee to pick up the phone, her expression grim.

Everyone had fallen silent.

“It’s time.”

They rode in Odson’s Mustang Shelby, Heidi in the front seat, Astred and Kai in the back.

Working to help rebuild the refugee village had helped pass the days, but it had still been too many hours to think. Too much time for her worries to circle around and around in her head.

The situation with Kai was ever-present. He was constantly in her periphery, lingering at the edge of her consciousness.

Then there was the fear for her mother’s wellbeing and the status of the investigation into the traitor. The threat of an Aeleftherian working with the Consortium, jeopardising their people, their home, the queen, and their most treasured Mother.

Betrayal burned through her like acid.

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