For once, Idriseth woke before Caldor did. He couldn't help but wonder why, since it had never happened before, and he had exhausted himself flying as far away as he could without a break, but he supposed he felt rested enough at least. Perhaps it was his excitement and trepidation about everything that was about to happen.
He wanted to explore the human world without risking causing panic or being attacked, but he couldn't help but worry about it. He had thought he would only look like a human, but it seemed the spell he had designed was more effective than he thought it would be. He wasn't sure if he'd done something wrong, but it seemed he couldn't have as convincing an illusion as this without drawbacks, which in this case was vulnerability.
Idriseth didn't look forward to exploring his new limitations much, but he would have to. Only then would he be able to properly estimate how well he could protect his mate without removing the illusion.
He swallowed down the shame that immediately crawled its way into his heart at that thought. Caldor was just a human. He was so much weaker than Idriseth, and therefore, as his mate, protecting Caldor was Idriseth's main duty. So what good was he if he wasn't strong anymore?
Idriseth was sure that if he brought this up to Caldor, the human would tell him something about how he could protect himself just fine. But Zarleth's mate had almost killed Caldor yesterday. If Idriseth hadn't been strong enough to challenge him, they probably would have both been killed. Idriseth was sure Caldor could protect himself against humans, but what about dragons?
Now that the clan leaders would learn about him taking a human for a mate, the situation was unlikely to get better. At least most dragons in the area were dead, Idriseth thought to himself, and he couldn't help but feel somewhat comforted by that, despite how depressing the thought was.
The chances of anyone finding them, especially with Idriseth glamoured to look like a human, were very slim, but if they did, they would make an example of Caldor, and that was awful to even imagine.
Idriseth found himself brushing his fingers over his mate's dark brown hair, scowling in determination. He would find a way to defend Caldor, even as, for all intents and purposes, a human. He could perhaps get himself a sword. And learn how to use one. He had read about sword fighting, but that was very different from actually using one.
Next to him, Caldor yawned, bringing Idriseth out of his thoughts. He turned his full attention to his mate as he saw him yawn and smile. Caldor looked a little sleep-addled, but also in a very good mood.
"Morning," Caldor said, sitting up, and prompting Idriseth to do the same, which meant he had to put his hands and wings away. He immediately missed the physical contact, which was always a very peculiar sensation.
"It is noon, actually," Idriseth corrected him, looking up through the trees at the sun. They'd spent the night at the edge of a forest this time, using moss as their mattress, which had been much more comfortable than sleeping in a cave, or even on the grass. Idriseth still wasn't sure if being out in the open like this was safe, though. He needed to procure a bed for them as soon as possible.
YOU ARE READING
The Thief's Mate (Wings of Gold Book 2)
Roman d'amourNow that Caldor and Idriseth are together, everything seems to be going right for once. Cal is still bitter and angry after what happened to his guildmates, but he tries to put it all aside, move on, and focus on the new life path that's in front of...