15. Let Me Be Your Lifeline

Another day has passed with no sign of Lukas or Soleil.

Davyn is impatient. He paces the cavern like a wolf in a cage. I watch him from the corner of my eye as I say to the dragon, "Try to lift your wing."

I use my arm to demonstrate, hoping she'll understand. There's a language barrier between us, but we're doing all right.

She tries to copy me, but the movement is difficult.

"Good. Can you extend it?" I stretch my arm far out to the side.

Again, she tries, but it's not an easy task.

"You're doing well," I assure her, brushing my hand over her side. Her ebony scales probably gleamed at one time, even in this dim light. They're dull now, covered in grime and dust. I try to brush some of it off.

"She says she's eager to dive into the sea and wash away the grit," Davyn says from nearby.

"You can swim?" I ask her, grinning as I imagine it. "Do you hunt for fish?"

"She likes marlins," Davyn says. "And one time, she caught a great shark."

"That's impressive," I tell her. "Shall we try to move your wing again? If you keep exercising it, you'll be flying in no time."

We work until Davyn tells me she's tired.

"Rest." I pat her cheek, smiling when she bumps her huge head into mine. "You need to regain your strength."

She stands, stretching her back. Then she turns in a circle and curls into a ball like a dog, tucking her face under her good wing.

Once she's settled, I walk back to our fire.

"You've grown fond of her," Davyn says quietly.

There's no use denying it. I feel for the dragon. She's trapped, helpless. Even though she's a beast, I see myself in her. We are kindred spirits, both dreaming of a life we used to know. Hoping that maybe we can have it back one day.

"I have," I admit.

"I thought they'd be back by now." Davyn looks up at the dark fissure above us. It's night again.

We only have supplies for two more days—one if the dragon's appetite keeps growing. The dried strips of fish aren't enough.

"What will we do if they don't return?" I whisper so the sleeping dragon won't hear me, my heart aching.

He doesn't answer.

"Will you sacrifice yourself for this cause, Davyn?" I ask softly. "Are you so stubborn you'll starve to death in this cave? Eventually, we're going to run out of food."

"Failing isn't an option."

"No one will know or care if you leave her to die." I look down at my hands, studying them. Though my words are callous, I feel shattered. "She's miserable and broken. Why would you risk everything to save her?"

"She'll know."

I lift my eyes to his.

He leans a touch closer. "This isn't actually about the dragon, is it?"

"Of course it's about the dragon."

His eyes holding mine hostage, he says, "I'm going to save her. And I'm going to save you."

"I didn't ask you to save me."

"I wish you would." He looks like he wants to reach for me. His hand twitches as if about to move forward, and then he sets it in his lap. "Let me be your lifeline."

His words affect me. They make my already aching heart grow.

"Let's pretend Martin will agree to sell my contract," I say. "What will you do once you possess a piece of paper with my name on it?"

"I'll burn it."

I scoff quietly, ripping my eyes from his. "So valiant."

"Would you rather I admit I'd prefer to keep you?" He pauses, watching me. "Because I would."

My stomach clenches. "Why?"

"I don't know. You're prickly and difficult. Half the time, you'd rather bite my hand than hold it. And every time I look at you, my pride hurts."

I want it. I want him. But I don't want his charity.

Slowly, I pull my attention back to his face, wondering if there's another way. "Maybe you're in need of a thief, Davyn?"

I hate the hope I hear in my voice. The plea. Let me work for you. Let me earn my freedom.

"No."

I drop my gaze to my hands once more, telling myself it was a ridiculous question. Still, my disappointment is sharp.

"But I could use a navigator."

Hope blooms anew, unfurling in my stomach. I mull over his words, thinking about them. "You're offering me a position on the Serpent?"

"Lukas is going to leave me soon."

"Has he told you that?"

"He doesn't have to. He looks at Soleil with forever in his eyes."

I wrinkle my nose. "That's very poetic."

"It's bitter."

After studying him for several long seconds, deciding he's serious, I lean forward. "If you buy my contract from Martin, I will pay back every denat. Let me work for you, Davyn."

"That's not necessary."

"It is necessary, and I won't agree if you don't accept it."

He lifts his brow, amused. "Are we negotiating now? What are your terms?"

"Buy my siblings' bonds as well."

"That goes without saying."

"And bring them onto the ship." As soon as I make the request, I hold my breath.

But Davyn merely says, "All right."

Like it was reasonable.

My jaw quivers, my emotions getting the best of me. I look down at my lap, shaking my head. "That's too much, and you know it."

"Why? I practically grew up on the Serpent." When he knows I'm going to argue, he adds, "I have terms of my own."

"What?" I ask warily.

"I won't have any of this indentured servant nonsense. This isn't a loan. If you choose to pay me back, so be it, but I will not own you."

I think about it, nodding. He's offering me true freedom, no strings attached.

"You're no longer a thief. That life is behind you." He pauses. "And you won't run away again. If you want to leave the Serpent, fine, but I'll expect proper notice."

It's a good deal—a better deal than I deserve. But there is one thing stopping me. One thing I can't get out of my head.

"I have one more stipulation to add to our verbal contract." My words are more timid than I like.

His eyes soften at my tone. "What is it?"

"Until I pay you back, until we stand on equal ground, we can't…" I move my hand between us.

Davyn's brows furrow. "Why?"

I clasp my hands in my lap, twisting my fingers together. "Because if we were in a romantic relationship, I'd feel like a harlot. Like I was paying you back with my affection. It's the one thing I never succumbed to, even when money was scarce—even when it would have been easier to give in."

"It's not like that between us," he says, sounding hurt.

I lift my eyes to his. "I know—I do know that. But Davyn…I can't."

He studies me, hating it. Hating it as much as I hate it. "Fine."

"Yes?"

"Yes. But please know I pay my navigators extremely well, so I don't want to hear you fuss about the high price of your wages."

I smile a little. "I feel like you're bending the rules."

"I suspect we'll be even in…two years?"

"Davyn."

There's no way I could earn enough to pay him back in such a short time. No possible way.

"If this is important to you, I'll help you invest your wages, so your money will grow quickly." He extends his hand. "Do we have a deal?"

With my eyes on his deep blue ones, I slide my palm into his. "You have a deal, Captain Greybrow."

His hand closes over mine, the negotiation complete.

But I'm not free yet. "Now you must convince Martin to release me."

Davyn glances behind us. "First, we have to rescue the dragon."

"You really think we can do it?"

"I really think we can. We just have to have faith that help is coming."

Those words shake me. A sob builds in my throat out of nowhere, but I choke it back. "I've never had faith in that in my entire life."

"Now is a good time to begin."

I nod, swiping away my tears.

"Felicity?"

Looking up, I lower my hand from my face. "Hmm?"

Sitting cross-legged on the hard cavern floor, Davyn watches me. "I haven't bought your contract yet."

"Are you already having second thoughts?" I ask sharply.

He gives me a crooked smile. An inviting smile. "What I mean is, our verbal agreement hasn't yet taken effect."

"So?"

I freeze like a spooked deer when he reaches for me. His hands close around the sides of my waist. So strong, he gently pulls me onto his lap as if I weigh nothing. He brushes the pad of his thumbs over my cheeks, wiping away the moisture. "So you don't have to wipe away your own tears just yet."

But that just makes more flow.

They run down my cheeks, no holding them back now. He pulls me against him, stroking my hair.

"I don't know what's wrong with me." I lean against him, embarrassed.

"There's nothing wrong with you."

"I'm sorry I've been so cold." I clench my eyes shut. "I'm sorry I ran away."

"It's all right."

I draw in a ragged breath, pulling back. "And I'm sorry for what I did to Soleil—so truly sorry. I hated myself then, and I've hated myself ever since."

"That's all you have to tell her, you know."

"She won't forgive me."

Davyn chuckles, his hands moving to my arms, touching me softly—offering sweet, welcome comfort. "She probably won't, at least not at first. She has a wicked temper. But give her time."

"Do you forgive me?" I search his eyes, needing an honest answer.

"I do."

"For everything?"

"For everything." He cups my cheeks with his hand, stroking my jaw with his thumb. "Felicity?"

"Yes?"

"I'm going to kiss you now."

I close my eyes, trembling when Davyn brushes his warm lips over mine. He kisses me softly, chastely, sweetly lingering. But I can feel the storm on the horizon. It builds in intensity, knotting my stomach and stealing my breath.

This moment has been years coming.

The second I fist my hand in Davyn's jacket, his control gives way to need. He angles his head, his grip on me tightening.

"The dragon," I protest even as I yank him closer.

"She's asleep," he assures me. "Our connection is quiet."

I change position, moving my knees to either side of his waist and looping my arms around his neck. His hands land at the small of my back, holding me in place, and our mouths meet again.

Davyn kisses me exactly as I want to be kissed. Hard. Possessively.

The moment becomes frantic, heated—almost angry. We grasp at each other, needing more, needing closer. Davyn's hands move to my shoulders, then my arms. They drop to the sides of my waist and then graze the outsides of my thighs.

It's everything I've always wanted.

Warmth spreads from my chest to my stomach, to my limbs and the tips of my fingers and toes. I love the way he feels, the strength of his frame and his large hands. I love the security he offers and the way I fit against him.

All our fears, longings, worries, and desires end up in the kiss. It's our outlet, our release.

"I lied," I admit breathlessly. "You do affect my heart."

Davyn chuckles darkly, pulling back to look at me, his eyes heated. "Just your heart?"

I laugh quietly, trying not to wake up the dragon. And it feels good. When was the last time I laughed because I genuinely felt like laughing? Or smiled because I was genuinely happy?

"I don't think I stopped loving you," I admit. "I've always regretted walking away from you, and not just because my life fell apart."

Davyn moves his hand to my neck, his touch warm. "I'm sorry I was too foolish to realize I was in love with you. Deeply sorry."

"You'll wait for me, won't you? During those two years while you're paying me far too much money?"

"I will," he vows.

I rest my forehead against his. "It will be torture, won't it?"

"The sweetest torture," he agrees. "But at least I'll know where you are."

"Two years," I marvel. "And then I'll have no debt over my head. My family will be safe, and…"

"And we'll get married," he finishes. "Finally."

I'm overwhelmed. It's too…perfect. Far more than I deserve. "Do you really want me?" I whisper. "I've done horrible things, Davyn. Horrible."

"That's in the past now. And yes, I really want you."

I'm just leaning in to kiss him again when a loud noise echoes from the top of the pit.

Davyn looks up. "What in the?—"

"Are you still in there?" Lukas yells down. "We're back—and we've brought a dragon."