Page 82 of Sanctuary with a Dragon
Everly
Today was my wedding day.Only… I was terribly late.
I wasn’t in my wedding dress. I wasn’t even showered. Because?—
The dragon had finally woken up, and I was explaining how he’d come to be here, at Dragonspire Keep.
“So, Alaric, Shay, and I brought you here so Shay could heal you somewhere safe, somewhere with a bed nearby. He’s poured a lot of magic into healing you. And when that failed, Shiloh, the resident shifter unicorn, finally relented and came to pour as much of his healing magic into you as he could.”
The dragon was gorgeous now that he was regaining his health. He had an azure and black bodythat started as a brighter blue at the edges of his wings and then darkened to black as it neared his shoulder blades. His body was the same, with azure blue at his snout and then varying shades of darker blues until his tail, which was all black. His scales shimmered—which I did not know was something dragons did—but Vyseris assured me it was true. At least, full dragons did, not the shifters.
I sat on a stool by his head as we talked and enjoyed the steam coming off him on this frosty morning.
Did Alaska ever warm up? Or was that all lies meteorologists told me to keep me hoping?
Maybe after Alaric and I were finally mated, I could borrow some of his and Elandor’s heat. They’d told me I’d be able to, but at this point, I was afraid to dream.
I am very grateful for both Shiloh and Shay’s help. I hope I will get the opportunity to thank them before I leave.
“Before you leave? But—but you just woke up! You’re not completely healed yet!”
The thought of something happening to him made a cold pit open in my stomach.
Vyseris nudged my cheek with his warm snout.
I appreciate the care you’ve given me, little queen, but I am being called. It’s what has awoken me.
“Being called to where? To who?” I asked in confusion.
My Kindred Bond is calling me. She needs me.
“But… how do you even know she exists, or that she needs you?”
He breathed warm steam on me again.I just do. It is an ancient bond between dragons and another of the two-legged races. In this case, she is a troll maiden.
King Garyyk stepped out of the shadows then, and I almost fell off my stool.
“Where did you come from?” I asked, looking around him. Had he just… popped out of nothing?
I put a hand to my chest, trying in vain to stop my racing heart. When would I ever stop being surprised by paranormals? Probably not for a very long time.
King Garyyk gave me only a passing glance. “What do you mean she is a troll maiden? Is she hurt?”
She is,Vyseris said with a slow nod.And more, she is alone. She will die without me.
“Take me to her,” the king demanded, striding closer to Vyseris.
I will not, Troll King. She is, or will be, my Kindred Bond. That bond is sacred among dragonkind. If she desires, I will bring her to your troll city, Vaerath Deep. But only if she desires.
King Garyyk paced and ran a frantic hand through his hair. His starburst eyes looked pained. Finally, he faced Vyseris again and nodded.
“If you need anything—anything—please call for me.”
Vyseris nodded and slowly rose to standing. When he was sure he would not fall over, he started slowly making his way outside. Stablehands flattened themselves against the stonewalls as we passed, not wanting to get a tail to their faces. I followed behind, squeezing my hands in worry.
“You won’t have any help, though, Vyseris,” I said. “What if you need something? What ifsheneeds something?”
He turned his gigantic head and looked at me with soft, kind eyes.Then I will call for help.
