Bedelth the Orange (Dragonwall Series #5)

Chapter 35 - An Equal

Kastali Dun

Bedelth found his mate exactly where he'd expected to. It was quiet this morning, with dawn not quite upon them, a muted light casting everything in shades of blue and gray. For a moment, he stood back, watching as Saffra fired arrows toward the distant target. Her form was perfect. Not for the first time, he thought of what an excellent Rider she would make him.

It was too dangerous a hope, and yet, he indulged it in repeatedly.

They hadn't gotten so far as to discuss it, to discuss what came next. They'd kissed, yes—much to his shock and delight. She'd launched herself at him, catching him completely off guard; he'd been too shocked to do much else beyond following the drive of his body. When she'd left him that day, after the luncheon with his parents, he'd chalked it up to a one-off thing. Argued that she was simply reacting to the tension with his parents.

But then she'd kissed him again, when they'd been alone after Claire and Talon's intimate party, after her vision. Or rather, he'd kissed her. It had been softer that time, because of what had happened with her vision. He'd let the kiss stretch onward, trying to reassure her with his mouth that despite what she'd seen, they would be all right.

But, would they? There was no guarantee of it. He certainly couldn't promise it. Not now.

He strode towards her. "I see this is how you've chosen to spend your final hours before battle."

She hesitated, mid-draw, then let an arrow fly. "I'm clearing my mind."

"Aye. I gathered as much." The knots of tension in his chest loosened as he came to a stop beside her. Simply being in her presence relaxed him. He fell quiet, letting her nock and fire several arrows in peace.

A ball of nerves unfurled in his belly. It was rare for him to fear, to worry, but he did now, even if he couldn't quite reason as to why. He had an idea, though, which drove him to say, "You should be flying with me today."

She sighed. "We went over this yesterday, and my answer remains the same."

Went over it, was one way to put it. He'd asked her and she said no. There hadn't been a discussion. There hadn't been time for one. He'd been called away almost immediately. Over the past three days, they'd seen nothing but bare glimpses of each other.

Since the news of the impending attack, a million thoughts had churned in his mind. The idea of flying together. The desire to seal their bond so that they might be connected in case anything happened. He hated knowing they would be separated. So much could go wrong. She wasn't like Claire, couldn't reach out to him if something went amiss, and vice versa. They could only speak when they flew together, skin touching scale.

Perhaps that was the reason for his worry. For the first time in his life, he had someone who meant something to him. Something so deep he ached at the thought of losing her.

She wasn't even his—not technically.

He suppressed a snort. "Is there a reason you refuse?" he couldn't help but ask.

"Yes. The same reason you should know better than to ask me. We are untrained, Bedelth. I cannot have you distracted while you fly with the king. Who, mind you, almost refused to allow his mate to fly with him for the same reason I am now rejecting your offer. We. Are. Untrained." At these last words, she whirled to face him, accentuating each one.

He sighed. "But I will be distracted. I'll worry more knowing that you are off somewhere I cannot protect you."

"I don't need protecting." Her jaw twitched, clenched, then relaxed.