Page 55 of Ashborne Forged

He cut off, measuring me with that shadowy gaze. I didn’t turn away. Didn’t balk. He would feel my hurt, and my unease, I was sure. But also my love.

Because that’s what we had. I was sure of it, though he hadn’t spoken it, and I’d been too afraid to be the first. But until this moment, these days had been such joy. More than joy. They’d been precious.

I suddenly couldn’t imagine a world without him, any more than I could fathom losing Koa.

The life I’d always wished for—the adventure, the freedom, the love and desire… it was all here.

I hurt, because it seemed that the only threat to that was him.

“We have to fly back tomorrow. I promised Gil I’d return before the sixth night so there were no questions. That means dinnertime at the latest.”

I nodded. He’d explained that when we left the treehouse. I didn’t know why saying that made nerves shiver in his heart.

“I think the best cover is that you should return first. Only an hour ahead of me—but let Koa speak with Ekko, Ronen’s dragon, and notify him that I’m returning behind you. It wouldn’t be uncommon in the type of mission Gil used as our story. No one would be suspicious. And the dragons won’t be asked questions, because that type of mission is kept secret, so the dragons know to remain silent on it.”

I sighed, but shrugged. “What time would we leave?”

“It’s hours back… late morning for you, to be safe. You can arrive ahead of me, get some food. Go to your loft. They’ll expect you to be tired after the trip. When I return, I’ll visit the barracks, make sure they know I’m back, then I’ll sneak to you after nightfall.”

“Very well,” I said. “Is that all you wished to speak about?”

“Yes, but—”

I stepped back because his proximity burned in ways that confused me, and I wanted to move past this conversation. To put it aside until tomorrow and enjoy the rest of our time, but his hands shot out and caught me before I could turn.

I went still under his gaze—dark, and intent, his brow furrowed.

Grace, you’re precious. And so perfect for me. I can’t even fathom… It has never been clearer to me that the Creator made us for each other.”

His words were sweet, and so ardent, I softened, placing my hands at his waist and leaning closer. “But if that’s true—”

“I fear how I’ll react to them,” he said quickly, quietly, his eyes locked on mine. “I am a leader. I am a teacher.”

I had to fight a smile. “And a very good one.”

“But that only means, more is expected of me. If I were to hurt one of our brothers, or lose my shit on another Flameborne who tried to touch you…” He blew out a breath and raked that hand through his hair again. “Grace, they will use you to get to me. I know they will—the truth is, I would have done the same thing if the roles were reversed. They will see no harm in it. A jest. And a test. But I cannot seem to stay in balance when it comes to you. I need practice being with you, knowing you, with them close. I need to grow stronger before my instincts are tested.”

His expression was earnest, and haggard.

“This really worries you,” I breathed.

“I’m always worried,” he replied dryly. “But this is bigger. More present. And also necessary.”

I took a deep breath and he cupped my face with one hand, searching my gaze. And I could feel him in the bond—fearful of me, now. My response. My approval.

That was a feeling I understood. And I hated that he held that kind of fear, as I did. But it was revealing, as well.

“Who hurt you?” I asked him earnestly. “Who made you fear yourself, and this… this closeness?”

His breath rushed out of him, and for a moment I thought he’d blurt it out—the panic flashed in his eyes. But then he caught himself, shook his head, and cursed.

“I will tell you, Grace. I will. All of it. I swear. But we only have hours left alone. My story is dark and ugly. And I don’t want to overshadow the time we have left. It’s been so perfect. I want to enjoy that with you—and you with me. Can we do that?”

Conflicting emotions churned in my chest. I deeply wanted to do precisely as he said—enjoy these hours, put the darkness and worry and difficulties of both past and future aside for the time we had left.

But it was also clear that whatever he’d been through colored everything. Especially these choices.

I sighed and he slid both hands to my back, pulling me close enough to stand between his feet.