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Zilon smiled as he placed his hand against the tree, eyes closed as if he was in fact speaking to the tree. I just stared at him, I would say he was crazy, but there was something about the peace in his face. About how the way the wind blew a little bit warmer…
“Don’t listen to him, Rayna,” Philit spat from ahead, Landers barely restraining a laugh as the two stared at Zilon. “His kind does not produce many dragons for a reason. They are all heathens.”
Zilon dropped his hand from the tree, the serenity in his face falling. I actually felt like I had been punched in the stomach that time, the sudden chill of the air sucking my breath from my lungs.
I wanted to ask more, but Philit and Landers clearly had their own opinions. Thankfully, Zilon didn’t look too pissed, he just continued on, his hand nearly burning as he helped me over another log.
It was much needed warmth seeing as I had officially turned into an ice cube. Before my legs gave out completely, Philit thankfully found a spot he was happy with and we settled in for the night. We could not get a fire going fast enough, frozen fingers furiously working until it was a blaze. I sighed at the heat, trying to get as close as I could without burning myself.
“Here,” Philit handed me a bit of meat from last night, the overcooked hunk stringy and tough. I felt like a wild animal trying to tear off chunks with my teeth, and my attempt to heat the freezing meat up just made it worse.
The boys, however, had no problems.
“Stupid dragons,” I grumbled to myself as I slobbered on the meat to try to loosen it up. I was sure I looked real sexy. Not that any of them cared. The cold must really be getting to me if I said stupid dragons.
A freezing gust of wind blew by, strong enough to almost blow out the fire. We all jumped up, Zilon and I adding more kindling as Philit tried to dig a burr to protect it. At least we knew how to handle fires. Well, all but Landers, who stood around us like a foreman at a mill.
Which was probably what he was.
“Get some rest,” Philit called out over the wind. “Same watch rotation as last night.”
I tried to settle in, but it was just too cold. I couldn’t fall asleep and my body wouldn’t stop shivering. The stupid dragons with their wings and hot bodies seemed perfectly fine, however, it was like the coldness didn’t bother them at all.
Stupid dragons.
I was actually starting to wonder how many riders made it through these mountains at all.
We didn’t shift into anything spectacular, we weren’t strong warm powerhouses with wings and claws. Who knew how many of us actually had fight training like the first rider did. Everything about the dragons made this type of journey perfect for them. When they shifted they became more. Better overall.
But riders? Our hair turned white. That’s it. Some power. Unless it did explode, Da had sure stared at me like it did. But so far, nothing.
I sighed, finally giving in and digging through Da’s bag, pulling out the thick fold of his wool blanket. Even that wasn't enough, though. The cold was already deep in my bones and now my heart ached along with my bones as I took in Da’s scent.
For a moment, it was like I had been sucker punched. All the breath in my lungs froze and all the memories of Da came surging forward as I used his blanket. I blinked furiously, trying to fight the onslaught of tears. I couldn’t mourn him. Not yet.
Once we got to Fyre, I could send word to Ma and Ellie. Let them know if they hadn’t heard already. Maybe I could contact someone in Xrotte to see if they were able to retrieve his body.
I bit my lip and squeezed my eyes tight as another bout of shivers hit me hard.
“This is ridiculous,” Zilon growled, jumping to his feet. “You both need to get over yourselves and help her. She’s going to freeze in a night like this.”
“Zilon, this is not wise. Especially after last night…” Philit’s warning was practically lost in the wind.
“Don’t worry. Let him fuck her and ruin both of their chances.” Oh goody, Landers was still a jealous asshole.
Zilon growled at Landers and came right over and pulled me into his lap. His tail wrapped around me like a belt, adding an extra layer of warmth and keeping me closer to him.
“So warm…” I didn’t even care enough to fight. I snuggled in, all of me instantly relaxing in his warmth. The pull between us tightened, demanding that we become one with each other. He sighed, making me sure he felt it too.
“You can’t do that,” Philit was practically begging him now. “It is not how things are done.”
Zilon stiffened underneath me, I gripped him like I was falling off a cliff. No way in hell I was going to lose my heat source.
“Why is that?” Zilon asked in a tight voice, his arms stiffening. “You know as much about the mate bond as I do. It’s all conjecture, Philit.”
“I know enough. You’re both unmated. Having close contact will ruin your bond with your mate.” Philit shivered as another gust of ice brushed through our camp.
“If my mate bond with my future rider is weak enough to break over something like this, then I don’t need it,” Zilon said in a low voice. “I’m a dragon, we are supposed to protect the riders.”
