Page 63 of Maleen

Her gaze narrows on him before peering into my soul. “My mother could be there.”

“I know, but…”

She sighs again, and Voissor rests his long neck along her back. “But it’s too dangerous for us to leave before the frenzy. I’m sorry Lost One, I should have thought of this.”

I smile ruefully at her. “Instincts were riding me hard too, and we weren’t expecting news so soon. Are you okay with waiting? I know you’ve been wanting answers of your own.” She hasn’t told me why she wants to know if her mother is still alive. Why did she never come for my mother? I only have my assumptions, and I’m sure Vasari does as well.

“It’s been twenty-two years. I’m a dragon; I have patience to wait one more week.”

I cock a brow at her and cross my arms. “Patience, huh?”

She raises her head to her full height, peering down at me and jostling Voissor, who huffs. “We are stronger for bonding with our males. It is safer that way. I do not regret nudging you in that direction. Now our males can protect us to the best of their ability, and we can thwart any threat who opposes them.”

“But how are we stronger? I don’t feel any different.”

She snorts but this time it’s Zaddro who answers—Talyn’s massive black dragon who is laying by the entrance, keeping watch. “Soul bonds aren’t just a connection. It’s a well of power that can be shared with each other. If one of you tires, you can pull strength from each other.”

Tisur stretches like a cat before lying down, accidentally smacking Evisdor with his tail, who in turn snaps at Tisur.

“Tisur, watch where you put that thing, I do not need to mend you up because you aren’t paying attention to your tail… again,” Jesper mutters with his hands on his hips glaring down the big blue beast.

Aemon places his hand on my shoulder, glancing at all the dragons. “So after the frenzy we leave for the north? Will you be up for that? Shouldn’t we give it a few more days so we can recoup our energy?”

Zaddro chuffs. “We will have more energy than you will know what to do with; you will see, rider.”

I glance around, realizing we are missing a dragon. “Where’s Thornwing?”

There’s amusement drifting down the bonds, but Evisdor snorts. “He’s made himself scarce for a bit. Probably staying in the keep on the outskirts of the city until after.”

Vasari nearly purrs with adoration and what I think is excitement. “My males are very protective during mating. I’m sure his rider would like to have him in one piece. Speaking of which, I have a lot of catching up to do with my mates.” She stares me down.

“Right,” I say, drawing out the word. “We will leave you to it then.” I try not to laugh as I grab Jesper’s hand and pull him from the Keep, the others following with haste.

Once outside, I turn to my males. “Are you coming up to bed?”

“Soon,” Killian grumbles. “Need to make sure Numix knows his duties.”

Aemon’s shadows pull me towards him. “As much as I want to be wrapped up in your arms tonight, I have to head back to Vathia to check on my mother.”

Jesper gives me a peck on my cheek. “And I’m going with him. I want to try to convince my mother to come back here; we should be back in the early morning,” he tells me as he steps up behind me, kissing my neck.

I melt in their arms. “Be safe, and don’t do anything reckless, Jesper.”

He laughs. “I’ll behave, this time, I promise.”

Aemon’s lips land on mine, pulling me into him. “I want you thinking of me while Talyn makes you come over and over again,” he whispers, causing a shiver to roll up my spine. “I’ll check on you in your dreams later.”

He reluctantly pulls away and Jesper darts in, lifting me off the ground as he kisses me, swinging me around. “You better be thinking of me too, Beastie.”

“I will,” I laugh.

He places me down on my feet, making sure I’m steady before letting me go. Aemon’s shadows wrap around them and they’re gone. Thank fuck for blinking, but I still don’t like knowing they’ll be half way across the realm, even if it’s just for the night.

“Come on Princess, let’s get you to bed,” Talyn murmurs from behind me. “They’ll be back before you know it.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

JESPER AND I ARRIVE IN Kraryn and the moment we step out of the shadows and into the castle, he groans. “I don’t like leaving her, especially right now.”