Those questions, and wondering if I’m finally on the right path in life, keep bouncing around my head well into the night. The nap I had earlier didn’t do me any favors.
I lift myself from him and lie at his side with my hand on his stomach, so I can feel every breath he takes. I hear his groans of pain when he tries to roll over. I feel his hand seeking me out, attempting to pull me close. Eventually, sleep overcomes me, but I’m left with awful dreams of the battle earlier and the way the blade felt on my neck. Every time I wake gasping for air with my hand flying to my neck. The sting of pain is still there. Each time I close my eyes again, I’m immersed back into the nightmare to relive all over again.
Together
Three Weeks Later
Luke has been very persistent in trying to get me naked and beneath him. It’s been the worst struggle not to succumb to his advances. I keep telling him that he needs to heal, and when we finally are together, I don’t want to have to be careful and watch how I move or what I do. Not that I’m rough in bed or anything, but I know if I see him wince I won’t be able to keep going. Plus, I wouldn’t mind it if he was a little rough with me.
The first week after the confrontation with King Pine, we remained inside Luke’s home, much to his dismay. He wanted to be out there doing things, although what, I don’t know. There was nothing important he had to tend to. Elliott came by often to check on him, and I grilled him about what was going on, so I could put Luke’s mind at ease that he wasn’t needed at the moment. However, it only seemed to piss him off that his men didn’t need him. I’m quickly learning that he always has to be doing something. Being sedentary doesn’t work for him, injured or not.
Week two we went outside in the courtyard a lot. We had a few meals with his brothers and sister. We did some shopping and visited with different people who live in the kingdom, mostly Elite members and their wives.
The third week we got adventurous since Luke was feeling better. We took out his horse and he showed me around the land. We had a picnic near the old cottage where I entered this realm. I could see the look of longing in his eyes. He wanted to see his mother again. We aren’t sure if they’ll return. For all we know, the key could have disappeared when he went through. Or he couldn’t get ahold of his wife. There are so many things that could go wrong. I wish there was a way we could find out, but the only thing that happens when I open the door to the cottage is me ending up in a dirty, old space. Only with the key in the lock and turned can you open the portal back to my apartment.
Right now, I’m lying in bed in nothing but a pair of panties. I showered and threw on one of Luke’s shirts, the only thing I’ll wear to bed. As soon as I heard the water in the shower come on, I stripped out of it. I left the damask open on the side of the bed facing the bathroom. I’m lying on my side, waiting for him to emerge. I only hope he finds me irresistible when he does. He’s been all but begging me to let him touch me outside of some heated make out sessions. It hasn’t been easy, but I think the wait will definitely have been worth it. He has no idea he’ll find me like this when he opens the door. I want to surprise him.
While I wait for him, my mind wanders back onto all of the sweet moments we’ve had. There was never a grand romantic gesture or anything. He does always find ways to touch me or hold me close. He will kiss me no matter where we are or who’s watching. I love how attentive he is, and how much he wants everyone to know I’m his. Not that I think any of the local men would be fighting him to have me. There are some people who still look at me as a traitor, even though I’ve never given them reason to believe so. I guess being the daughter of King Pine is enough for them. The only competition Luke would have is Oliver, and we haven’t seen him since he left the night of my father’s death.
Two nights ago he took me to where the dragons slept at night and walked me to Tali’s stall. I thought he was going to take me for a ride on her, but boy was I surprised. Tali came walking out and nudged me with her big, horned head, careful not to hurt me. Then right behind her appeared a smaller dragon, whose color reminded me of a storm cloud on a hot summer day. It seems Tali was busy when she was alone. She and Elliott’s dragon were found sound asleep inside her area one morning. Luke had said she was a loner, but I guess she got sick of it, and there we were with a baby dragon. Who knew how long the other dragon had been visiting her for? Elliott and Luke both decided he would become mine. My own dragon. What the hell I need a dragon for is beyond me. They both insisted, though. Even Addison had one.
I couldn’t help but fall in love with the little guy. Little being the wrong word, really. He was bigger than a full-size SUV. He came right up to me and ran around me in circles. I named him Storm after the first thing I thought of when I saw him. The name seems to fit. He’s been a terror with the other dragons. Teasing them and trying to get them to play with him. Fortunately, they all put up with him really well. Of course, I think it helps that Tali would harm any of them that hurt her son. She is the most powerful dragon of any they have and none test her.
There are days I still can’t believe I’m here and living this life of fantasy. Luke alone is a man that only my dreams could conjure up, yet he’s very real. Add in seers, that dragons really exist, and all kinds of other things I have yet to see for myself.
Luke tells me stories of other creatures beyond the woods and the other kingdoms that exist in this realm. He says one day we can travel and see everything. It seems the only kingdom the Azures had warred with is Pine. The other kings all have a peace treaty and no battles are fought between them, nor would they back either Azure or Pine in war. They designed the treaty to avoid bringing conflict to other borders. We still don’t know what’s going on with the Pine leadership. Luke assumes Reid has taken over.
The doorknob turning with a click draws my attention back to the bathroom and the man I’m waiting for. He steps out shirtless in all of his chiseled glory. The muscles on his stomach form little mountains that I can’t wait to explore with my tongue. They lead down to the V at his waist, like an arrow pointing where I should go, and oh, will I ever. His hair is damp and sticking up haphazardly. Navy, cotton shorts hang low on his hips. There is jagged scar running across his chest that makes my heart hurt every time I lay eyes on it.