“Ten miles farther away.”
Rysha snorted. She almost asked Trip to speak telepathically to the dragon, if he had the range, and request a pickup. But if Shulina Arya was pursuing a silver dragon harassing the estate, Rysha didn’t want to get in the way of that. If they had to, they could spend the night at the manor. In separate beds in separate wings of the house if Mother had her way.
Rysha? Trip asked gently, switching to mental communication.
Yes? she responded the same way.
Did something happen on the freighter before I got back? Did Xandyrothol… do something to you?
Oh hells, she hadn’t wanted him to find out. He must have glimpsed her thoughts when the dragon had come to mind. They were standing so close that she supposed he couldn’t have missed it.
Nothing happened. That wasn’t quite true, and she didn’t want to lie to Trip; she doubted she even could lie to him. I mean, I let myself get caught alone below decks, because I wasn’t as aware of my surroundings as I should have been, and he did push me against the wall with his magic. He kissed me and, uh, groped me. She couldn’t say the words—even mentally—without feeling shame and embarrassment. Kaika had warned her the dragon-man had a sexual interest in her, but Rysha had refused to see it and hadn’t been wary when she should have been. That’s as far as it went. I got lucky. Kaika had her sword—mine was at the bottom of the harbor then, remember—and saw what was going on and drove him away.
She was glad it was dark so Trip couldn’t see her face or the shame scorching her cheeks. Not that vision mattered for him. He surely sensed her every emotion, if not her every thought.
I’m sorry that happened.
She shrugged. Like I said, it was my fault for not being aware of the situation. I’m lucky it wasn’t worse than it was.
It was not your fault. You didn’t know he was anything other than human or that he had the power to push you around against your will. Most men don’t.
She shook her head, staring at his shoulder instead of looking into his eyes. She didn’t think he was right, but she didn’t want to argue about it.
Trip lifted his hand to the back of her head and stroked her hair.
Does it bother you? she asked silently. She ought to have dropped it and stopped dwelling on it, but she imagined Trip believing her sullied or indelibly marked by Xandyrothol’s stupid kiss. Even as she had the thought, she knew it was silly. Trip would only care that she’d been hurt.
That someone mauled you? Of course it bothers me. I’d kill him if your attack dragon hadn’t already handled that.
She smiled, having gotten exactly the answer she expected. I understand you did quite a bit of damage before she got to him. She was disappointed you’d already put him through the wringer, and I think even a little impressed by your power. She met his eyes and rubbed his chest through his shirt while deciding not to mention that Shulina Arya would consider him as a mate if Rysha ever gave him up. She had no intention of giving him up.
She would be less impressed if she knew I’d sat there and let your brothers gossip about me loudly enough for everyone to hear.
Well, I would have objected if you’d beaten them up.
I wasn’t thinking of doing that, but Azarwrath… well, maybe he’s right. Maybe I should let a little of my scylori, as you all call it, out when people are being disrespectful. But I don’t want to be an ass or a bully. Maybe it’s good for my humility to be disrespected now and then.
Rysha felt bad that her family had made him feel picked on. Even if he hadn’t said those exact words, it was true. She should have stood up for him more. She was just so used to keeping her mouth shut, to not wanting to create a confrontation and drama within her own household. As a girl, she’d always run and hidden in her room and read a book if things hadn’t gone her way. Maybe she needed to get some scylori too. Or a backbone. Why was it so much easier to deal with mortal enemies than one’s own family?
I don’t know about that, she replied. If you let people walk on you because you’re afraid to use your power on them, then you’ll be frustrated and resentful, and it might build up inside of you until you end up lashing out, and then regretting it.
True. That used to happen a lot in school, me getting frustrated and resentful. I only lashed out a couple of times because I was terrified people would realize I had dragon blood, and my life would be over. Instead, I’d go back into my grandfather’s workshop and cut a bunch of wood and build something until I calmed down.
We’re not dissimilar people, you know, Trip.
I’ve noticed that. But you’re much prettier than I am.
It’s my spectacles. I’ve been told they add to my sex appeal.
Have you?
Actually, no, but I always wished someone would say that.
Hm. He shifted from stroking his hand through her hair to holding the back of her head and massaging his fingers into her scalp.
When she leaned back into his hand, relishing his strong touch, he lowered his mouth to hers for a kiss. She returned it enthusiastically, suddenly not caring if Shulina Arya ever came back.
Much too soon, he broke the kiss and drew back, but only a few inches. He gazed into her eyes.
“What?” she whispered.
“I was considering your spectacles.”
“And agreeing that they do add to my sex appeal?”
“Naturally. Should I get some for myself?”
“Would they still let you fly if you were half-blind?”
“Hm, perhaps not.” He lifted a finger and touched the corner of her frames, seeming thoughtful.
“You’re envying me my sexy accoutrements right now, aren’t you?”
He chuckled, but didn’t answer. She wondered what he was thinking about.
After a quiet moment, she said, “To answer your earlier musings, I think you could let a little of your heritage show without being a bully or seeming arrogant, if that’s what you’re worrying about. Remember when we first walked into Lagresh with the wagon? You were radiating a presence that made people not want to disturb you or get in your way. Maybe it was a little too much for using around friends, but is there a halfway version? You don’t have to ooze magic for my sake, just so you know, but it’s not like it would be disingenuous for you to let your hair down. Or let your scales show.”
Trip snorted. “If I ever get scaly, I’m going to be concerned. I’ll have to see Dr. Targoson. I hear he makes medicinal creams as well as bullets and acids for slaying dragons.”
“He sounds like a handy man.”
“Can I—this will sound silly, but can I practice on you?”
“Your aura?”
“Yeah. A low to medium level of it.”
She patted him on the chest. “You make it sound like a phonograph.”