Chapter 10

CHAPTER TEN

I don't know how much time had passed, but when I woke up the sun was shining brightly through the bedroom windows. A fire crackled in the hearth and the room was warm and comfortable. I snuggled deeper into the covers and inhaled the musky scent of the dragon lord. It was like heaven.

Still, something was missing. Or should I say, someone.

I was still fully clothed sans shoes, so I slid out of bed and walked toward the door. Voices on the other side of the entrance caught my attention. I reached the door and pressed one ear against the wood.

"Then you propose to leave immediately, My Lord?" I didn't recognize the voice, but I could tell it belonged to an older gentleman.

"As soon as the luggage can be prepared," came the reply from Thorn.

Their footsteps approached the door. "Will My Lady be accompanying you?"

I inwardly gasped and scuttled back to the bed where I dove underneath the covers. The door creaked open and the pair paused on the threshold. "That would depend on what My Lady wishes." His footsteps tread across the floor and stopped beside the bed. "What say you, Your Ladyship?"

I peeked out from under the covers. The older gentleman I'd heard earlier stood in the doorway. The man appeared to be about sixty and was dressed in a crisp black uniform with a white undershirt.

I blinked up at my host. "What were you saying?"

"I was saying that one shouldn't eavesdrop in another person's home when they aren't familiar with the floorboards," he teased.

A sheepish smile spread across my lips. "That bad, huh?"

"Like a monster stampeding across a meadow of broken glass, but that hardly answers my question.

I cocked my head to one side. "You were going to that Agency in that city, right? Mire?"

"Mirum, though mire may be a more accurate title for a city so steeped in dirty deeds," he admitted as he folded his arms over his chest. His face showed a contemplative expression. "With that in mind, perhaps it would be too dangerous for you to accompany me."

My heart skipped a beat, but I tamped down my rising fear and flung aside the covers. I swung my legs over the side of the bed and clapped my hands against my bent knees. "The last time you left me I was kidnapped for the second time in one night. I think I'd rather stay with you than alone here."

Thorn gestured to the gentleman. "You won't be alone. Raines here is my most trusted friend, and he would protect you with his life."

I winced. "I kind of hope it doesn't come to that."

Raines bowed his head to me. "I assure you I am quite capable of protecting you from the lower forms of life some people call ‘soured man.'"

I looked up at Thorn with a pleading look. "I would much rather go with you, if that's alright."

Thorn couldn't hide the pleased look in his eyes, but there was still concern written across his face. "Mirum is a dangerous place. I will keep you as close as I can against my side, but there are those who would try what those bandits did in order to steal your blood."

I furrowed my brow and cast a questioning look at him. "What was that business about my blood and you? Why would they even want to suck me dry and sell it on the market like it was fine wine?"

Thorn sighed and took a seat on the edge of the bed. A knowing glance at Raines, and the servant understood enough to step outside and close the door behind him. I waited with curiosity mixed with apprehension as Thorn began speaking.

"Those human women who become the brides of my kind have unique advantages afforded to them," he explained as he cast his eyes to the dresser against the wall. More especially, to the decanter set on its top I had noticed the previous night. "After the. . .bonding has happened, the bride is given a special tonic that grants her the same longevity as her dragon lord."

I leaned closer to him. "What's in this tonic?"

"My blood."

My mouth dropped open. "You. . .you're blood?"

He stared ahead as he nodded. "Yes, along with a good dose of wine to better the flavor."

I pointed at the decanter. "But you're blood is in that? "

"Yes."

I looked at the decanter with fresh eyes and an upturned stomach. "That. . .that's disgusting."

A bittersweet smile slipped onto his lips. "It is rather primitive, but there's no other way. Without our blood, our bride would age and die long before us."

A memory surfaced in my mind. "And you only mate once in a lifetime."

He gave a nod. "Yes."

"Then if she dies-?"

"We are left alone for the rest of our days."

I felt as though someone squeezed my heart. The deep sorrow in his voice nearly brought tears to my eyes. "I. . .I see. That's can't be easy."

"Many of those who lose their brides perish within a decade, and often by their own hand."

I winced. "I'm sorry."

Thorn sighed. "There's no need to apologize. That is merely the way of things. Sorrow and happiness struggle against one another until death takes them both in its forgiving embrace."

I pursed my lips as I looked him over. His expression reflected the deep sadness in his voice. "Couldn't you. . .can't you make anybody else like you?" I wondered.

He lifted an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"What's to stop anybody from draining you dry? Besides all the fangs and claws, I mean."

He shook his head. "The magic doesn't work like that. For anyone else, my blood would be poisonous and they would die an agonizing death before they took five steps, but to my bride, it would grant you that long life."

A thought struck me and a little color drained from my face. "What happens if the dragon is wrong about their bride?"

"We never are. We feel the connection in our very souls."

"Then are you. . .are you going to make me drink your blood?"

Thorn dropped his eyes to me and he studied my face. "I will not force you to imbibe the drink. You yourself admitted you desired to return to your home."

"And then you wouldn't have a bride ever? You'd be alone?"

"Yes."

I bowed my head and bit my lower lip as I studied my hands in my lap. "And I'd be back to my old life."

"Were you not happy there?"

I shrugged. "It was okay, but I just felt like, I don't know, like I was just going through the steps. Like I was just living until something came along. Something or-" I raised my eyes to him and searched his face, "-someone."

Reluctant hope was kindled in his eyes. "Then you have decided to remain?"

A great sigh escaped me as I dropped back against the plush pillows behind me. I stared up at the lavishly decorated canopy above my head and a smile curled onto my lips. "I think I could get used to this."