Page 9 of Realms of Swords and Storms
I touched the bite mark on my neck, still tender beneath my fingertips. "A lot has happened," I admitted. "Things I need to tell you, but not here. Not now."
His gaze dropped to where my fingers rested against my neck, his eyebrows drawing together as he noticed the mark. I held my breath, waiting for accusation or anger, but Marcus simply nodded.
"When you're ready," he said. "I'll be here."
Relief flooded through me. Of course he would understand. Marcus had always seen me more clearly than I saw myself.
"I should go check on Sirrax," I said, reluctantly pulling away. "Make sure no one's bothering him."
Marcus smiled knowingly. "Your bond with him is remarkable. I've never seen a rider connect with their dragon so quickly."
If only he knew the half of it.
"He's special," I said simply.
He nodded, pressing one more quick kiss to my lips before slipping out the door. I waited a few moments, then followed, making my way back to where Sirrax waited.
His golden eyes tracked me as I approached, a low rumble of approval vibrating through his massive chest.
"I found clothes," I said unnecessarily, running my hand along his scales. "And ran into Marcus."
Jealousy again. The emotion flashed through our bond so strongly it took my breath away.
"He was worried about me," I explained, keeping my voice low. "About us."
Mine. The word resonated in my mind, possessive and fierce.
"Yes," I agreed, placing my hand on his muzzle. "But he's mine too, in a different way. Just as Tarshi is. And Septimus." I hesitated, not sure how to explain the complicated web of relationships I'd formed.
Sirrax's mind-voice growled in my head. Not mate. Not like us.
I sighed, pressing my forehead against his scales. "It's different, yes. But important. I need you to understand that."
A mental huff of frustration answered me.Understand. Not like. Will try for you.
I couldn't help but smile at his possessiveness, even as I recognized we would need to address it eventually.
"Thank you."
Only I care for mate. Make happy. If hurt mate…
I shook my head and smiled at him.
“And what will you do if they hurt me?” I asked.
Eat them.
I laughed. “Come on, we should get you back to your stall before someone notices we're missing," I said. "And we need to fix that collar so no one suspects."
3
Islipped into the shadows of the alley as Tarshi rounded the corner ahead of me. The night air carried the stench of the lower city—rotting food, sewage, and too many bodies packed into too small a space. But Tarshi moved like he belonged here, like the shadows welcomed him.
It had been like this for weeks now—him disappearing after dark, returning with a strange energy about him. At first, I told myself I was following him to protect Livia's interests. She trusted him, and if he was involved in something dangerous, she deserved to know.
That's what I told myself, anyway.
The truth was far more shameful. I couldn't stop watching him. The way he moved. The power in his stride. The flash of fire in his dark eyes when anger or passion overtook him.
