Page 59 of Wild Bond

Rake came to crouch before me, his big frame taking up all the space and the air around me. Those eyes that regarded me so closely were nearly level with mine. His hand rose, his thumb and forefinger skimming just under my chin.

As I stared back, I felt like he saw everything . . . definitely more than I wanted him to.

“Go rest,” he commanded. “We’ll wake you when Valla is healed enough to travel back to Dessin.”

I stared into his eyes for a moment more before nodding. Seeing no reason to argue, I let him pull me to my feet and did as he ordered. I was dead on my feet and we both knew it.

Making my way over to Skye, I plunked down beside her and leaned back against her side. Her long neck curled partially around me, cocooning me in her warmth. I sighed in contentment and Skye let out a soothing huff. I closed my eyes, and in no time at all, I was drifting.

I hardly remembered the flight back, or even getting in the saddle. Had someone helped me? All I knew was that once again the leg straps were the only thing keeping me from falling off Skye’s back as I fought the exhaustion that threatened to overtake me. Or perhaps it was the hard chest at my back and the arms wrapped protectively around me?

But then again, maybe I was dreaming that part.

Still, I was only half aware when we finally landed in The Tower courtyard. It must have been well past the middle of the night now. As I dismounted, hands helped me down. Zade climb down from Naasir holding Valla tenderly in his arms. I heard Zade say something about taking Valla to see The Tower healer, and Rake’s voice speaking in low murmured tones.

What could have been minutes or hours later, I was being lifted into a pair of strong arms and resting my head against something hard and warm that smelled good. I stirred again when I was placed on something soft. A familiar presence cuddled up into my side, and I exhaled. Warm fingers brushed the hair from my face. Then I was sinking into blessed oblivion.

Iwokeinmybed the next morning to find Skye was asleep next to me on my pillow, her snout tucked under her delicate jade wing. I loved when she was in her minor form. Her eyes blinked open, waking as I did.

I wished her good morning, but quickly changed that to evening when I stood and realized that the sky through my window was that of late evening rather than early morning.

I had slept the entire day away. After everything that had happened yesterday, I wasn’t surprised. I wondered faintly what excuse, if any, had been given to my instructors. I knew Zade or Rake would have at least told Dembe.

Yawning and stretching, I took account of my body. My shoulder no longer pained me, and the small cuts and bruises I had sustained were now completely healed. I no longer felt that soul deep exhaustion that I had before, but even after sleeping an entire day, I still felt like I could crawl back into my bed and continue for another one.

The thought was tempting, but first things first. I needed a bath. My clothing felt stiff against my skin, and I was still covered in dirt and grime and dried blood. I also tried not to think of the state of my hair or what I probably smelled like.

It was sometime later that I was floating on my back in the pool, watching the white-blonde strands of my hair float around me. It appeared almost silver in the dark water. Only the dim light of the torches lit the stone chamber of the bathhouse.

Luckily, it was late enough that I didn’t have to worry about seeing anyone else. Most of the other trainees and riders were still at the evening meal or in bed. I took particular joy in bathing in the large, heated bathing pools that were located on the far side of the rider compound. When I lived in the lower city, the only baths I had were few and far between, mostly when it rained. And in prison, they had been nonexistent. After spending what felt like almost my entire life being dirty, I now relished the opportunity to be clean. I luxuriated in using the good smelling soaps and conditioners to wash my hair and body, and that was also why I often lingered long after most of the other female trainees left.

I was entirely alone save for Skye, who was in her minor form, curled up asleep on the edge of the pool. This, after having spent nearly a half an hour launching herself into the water from the edge of the pool, diving to the bottom, then dramatically leaping from the water only to do it all over again.

Earlier, it had felt like with every scrub of my skin, everything that had happened, both good and bad, the flying, the market, meeting Leah, Valla being shot down, the man I had killed, the griffin and my near-death experience . . . all of it was washed away.

As I trailed my hand through the water, my eyes snagged on the ring Rake had given me. It was all I had left from yesterday. I had lost my bag of trinkets at some point during our skirmish with the griffins and the mercenaries . . . or kidnappers . . . or whatever they were. All those pointless but precious gifts gone forever.

I stared up at the ceiling tiles, not focusing on anything in particular as I floated. When I saw something move out of the corner of my eye, I gasped and jerked upright out of the water.

Rake stood at the side of the pool, staring unabashedly down at me.

“What are you doing here?” I hissed, quickly crossing my arms over my chest to cover my breasts and crouching down into the steaming water so that it lapped at my shoulders.

He stood there so casually, his dark hair gleaming in the dim torchlight. He said nothing.

“Well?” I demanded. “Why are you here? This is the women’s bath.”

“You and Skye are the only ones here. I had Naasir check for me.”

I gave him an incredulous look.

Rake tapped the side of his nose. “His sense of smell is quite accurate. Yours were the only scents in here.”

I hadn’t realized dragons’ sense of smell was that strong. Vaguely, I was aware of Naasir in his minor form greeting Skye at the side of the large pool.

I shook my head and glared up at Rake. “You still shouldn’t be in here.”

“We need to talk.”

---