Chapter 6
Iawoke in human form with Ansel curled around me, his cloak over us both. The sun was still warm on my face, so we hadn't slept for more than an hour or two. I lingered, enjoying the warmth.
"You snore as a dragon and a human," the knight murmured, a smile in his voice.
"I should've eaten you when I had the chance," I grumbled without opening my eyes.
He chuckled, completely fearless. "Then who would pull the rest of the weeds, hmm? You'd better keep me around."
I sighed at the reminder. "You can't stay, Ansel."
He tensed beside me. "Why not?"
"It's not safe."
"You're a dragon, and I'm a knight. Surely we can—"
"It's not safe for you. My magic will enchant you whether I will it or not. It's already started. Would you have lain in the sun with a dragon a week ago?"
"I didn't know you a week ago," he argued, but I heard the tiny hesitation, the doubt.
Pain stole my breath. I didn't want to give him up, but I would. My fists clenched. I would. But first, I would show him the library.
I rose, then pulled him to his feet. "Come on."
He looked alarmed. "Are you kicking me out right this second?" I shook my head, and he sighed in relief. "Good."
I led him into the castle, and opened the magical locks on the library door. Then I pulled the key from thin air and turned the physical lock. The wide double doors swung open with a whisper of magic, revealing a vast room.
Ansel sucked in a surprised breath. The former gathering hall was enormous, and it was filled with bookshelves crammed with too many books. Most shelves were stacked two or three rows deep, and the balcony ringing the room held crates full of books that had nowhere else to live.
The knight looked at me with wide eyes. "Have you read all of these?"
"Yes, many times. Books help pass the time." He turned back to the room with a frown, no doubt mentally calculating how long that would take. I grimaced. "I told you I was ancient."
He smiled and shook his head. "I can't believe you use the king's gold to buy books. He's furious about the thefts."
"Good. I've gotten along with every previous monarch who has sat on the throne. But King Ordella discontinued the tribute payments, paltry though they were, and ordered his knights to hunt me. The gold is a reminder that I could do so much worse."
Ansel tilted his head. "Why don't you?"
"It's not my fight. Humans must decide their own fate. If the people rise up, I will aid them, as I always have. Until then, I do what I can."
The knight nodded thoughtfully, then delved deeper into the room. He ran his fingers along the book spines on the nearest shelf, and I shivered. Magic tightly bound me to my hoard. I would survive a total loss, but my power would be greatly diminished and my sorrow would be immense.
A hoard could be anything a dragon loved. Many coveted gold, jewels, and other shiny things. My distant cousin in the far north collected interesting rocks. Some—those who had lost their way—attempted to collect people.
Dragons rarely worked together, but eliminating the fallen among us was one instance where aid would be offered without reservation.
Ansel pulled a book from the shelf, and my magic pinged a warning.
He held the thin volume aloft. "So if I take this, you'll know?"
"Yes, and assuming you actually made it out of the castle alive, I could track it anywhere in the world."
He put the book back and looked around. "Do you have a favorite?"
"I have many favorites," I answered with a laugh. "What are you looking for?"
* * *
We spentthe rest of the afternoon in the library, and by the time we were done, the knight had a huge stack of books to read. I didn't have the heart to tell him that he wouldn't have enough time to read even one of them.
I helped him carry the books to his room, though it made my skin itch to have them outside the library.
He stopped me when I turned to leave. "Are you okay?" I nodded, and he drew me closer. "Are you sure?"
I wasn't, but I smiled anyway. "Yes. How are you?"
His expression turned guarded. "Still healing."
I didn't need to be a dragon to hear the lie, but I didn't call him on it. "In that case, I'll cook dinner."
"You can cook?" he asked in surprise.
My eyebrows lifted. "You think I eat peasants raw?"
He blinked, then a gorgeous smile broke across his face. His gaze settled on my lips, and he lifted a hand to my jaw, his touch featherlight.
I knew I should step away, but I couldn't quite convince my body to move.
I closed my eyes and leaned into the warmth of his fingers, promising myself that it would just be for a moment. How long had it been since I'd been this close to someone?
Dragons are solitary creatures. Offspring were usually produced via brief liaisons with temporary partners, and while broodlings sometimes remained in contact, other types of familial bonds were rare.
Few dragons ever found a life mate because few ever bothered to look for a compatible partner. But right now, my instincts were urging me to sink my claws into Ansel and keep him forever. I didn't want him as part of my hoard, I wanted him—whole and happy and mine.
He had to leave, tonight.
As if to test my resolve, Ansel brushed a soft, lingering kiss across my lips. I fought for control—and lost.
I clutched his shoulders and rose on my toes, deepening the pressure. He groaned and his mouth slanted over mine, intense and demanding.
I opened with a growl, and he licked my lip before tasting me. Desire roared through my blood, and I kissed him like his mouth held the secret to life. His arms wound around me, pulling me up against the hard warmth of his chest.
I groaned and maneuvered him backward until he sprawled across the bed, disheveled and glassy-eyed. I followed him down, straddling him and feeling exactly how much he wanted me. I rolled my hips and he grunted, then his hands clamped around my waist and pulled me snug against him.
The next slow grind felt even better.
Pleasure devastated me, and my fingers curled inward, a breath away from shredding his tunic. I wanted his skin against mine. I wanted to bask in his warmth. I wanted…
I shook my head and fought to remember why I couldn't have him. "Tell me no," I demanded.
His smile was warm and wicked. "I'm telling you yes."
A pleased, possessive growl rumbled out of me before I could stop it. My fingers flexed and the sound of ripping fabric was just enough to break the haze of pleasure.
I leapt back, landing in a crouch on the floor. "Did I hurt you?"
Ansel blinked, then sat up and frowned at me. "No. You didn't even touch my skin." He lifted a hand. "Come back."
The soft invitation was nearly enough to break my will.
I pulled myself together with iron discipline, then stood on shaky legs. "You are not safe here. You need to leave. Where do you want to go?"
His eyes widened. "Feora, no," he pleaded. He stood and closed the distance between us. "This isn't because of your magic. It's you. I want to stay. You must believe me."
I pressed my finger to his lips before he could shatter me completely. "The magic will fade in a week or two, and you'll look back at this time and wonder what you were thinking."
He pulled my fingers away from his mouth, but didn't let go of my hand. "I won't," he disagreed, his voice hard.
"You will."
His eyes narrowed. "I won't leave."
I lifted our entwined fingers, brushed a kiss across his knuckles, and repeated, "You will."
"At least give me time to pack my things and tend to Percy."
Every second was like a lethal dagger in my heart, but I nodded my agreement. "I will await you in the courtyard. Don't tarry."
I fled the room before I could change my mind, but not even the library could soothe my turmoil. I'd had liaisons with humans before, and none had affected me so. I would think the knight had enchanted me if I wasn't immune to magic.
I took a deep breath and tucked my emotions away. There would be time to mourn later. Now I had a knight to free.