Page 83 of Dragon Unleashed
Until Aries wakes up, I won’t know.
I do know Constantine’s book was sealed when Aries brought it back. Hoc is running tests now to find out whether Constantine is inside it. It’s a tricky thing to test without re-opening the book and unleashing the beast yet again.
I should be relieved that it’s all over with. The tunnel is closed. The creatures being kept down there are no longer a threat. And I don’t have to worry about the Vetus book tracking me down, either, because the first thing Hoc did was redirect a tracking spell from Constantine’s own book since it was a “stronger connection” as he put it.
Then there’s the fact that I opened the Vetus book in the first place. And closed it. And I still haven’t had a single second to ask Hoc how in the hell I was able to do that bit of magic. It’s still on my mind, too, but in light of today, it’s not quite as pressing.
In fact, all I can think about is how I only just found the man I love and already nearly lost him. Is this what love is? This gut-wrenching fear that the person you’ve pledged your life to will be ripped away from you?
Because no romance novel I’ve ever read covers what to doafteryou find your person. Especially when said person is also a dragon who loves rushing toward certain death. And it’s only going to get worse when we get to Astronia, considering he’s a king there and responsible for an entire country’s safety. Just how in the hell am I supposed to keep him alive long enough for us to actually build a life together?
“What are you thinking about?” Aries’ voice is groggy with sleep, but it jolts me. I look down at him and smile softly.
“Nothing.”
He scowls. “You cannot lie to me, Paige. We are connected. I can feel your fear.”
“Fine,” I huff. “I’m afraid of losing you.”
“You didn’t.”
“But I damn near did.” I sit up and shove the covers aside, ready to fight this out. It’s not fair when he’s still so weak, but this fear and frustration has to go somewhere.
With a grunt, Aries sits up against the headboard and flips on my lamp. His sculpted body is already flawless again, the physical injuries healed while he slept the day away.
But he’s still pale. And the dried blood I couldn’t quite wipe clean earlier still glares back at me; a reminder. And try as hard as I might, the image of him bleeding and in pain on my floor, filled with a deadly venom, will never leave me.
I turn to face him, putting distance between us. “You could have died, Aries.”
“Yes,” he admits. “But I didn’t,” he repeats.
“Why the hell did you go down there alone? Why didn’t you wake me?”
“What good would it have done? I would have still gone alone, and you would have still been here when I returned.”
He’s right, of course. Even if I had insisted on going with him, it would have likely gotten me killed in that cavern.
“I don’t know,” I huff. “But I could have gotten help when you weren’t back soon.” Tears roll down my cheeks. “I’m sorry. I thought I’d have it more together than this by now. I should have it together.” I wipe my eyes with the tips of my fingers. “You’re the one who got hurt.”
Aries reaches for me, and I go to him, letting him pull me against his chest and cradle me close. It reminds me of the night we spent in the basement when his dragon curled me in safely among its scales so I could sleep. In this moment, I know Aries will always protect me. Even if it means putting himself in danger. “I am alive, Paige. And Constantine is gone.”
His tone is final. But I can’t help arguing. “What if—”
“He’s gone,” Aries says as he eases me back and reaches over to cup my cheeks. “You’re safe. So am I.”
I sigh, willing myself to concentrate on that. “You’re right. Even Hoc said with the book being sealed, it is unlikely he is still free.”
Aries frowns, and this time, there’s a shadow darkening his features.
“What?” I ask, fear rising all over again. “Do you not think--”
“We need to talk about Hoc.”
“What about him?”
“There’s something you need to know before you continue trusting him. Something I learned in that cavern. About you.”
“What about me?”
