Dragon's Khu'meir

Chapter Sixteen

Warmth spread over me. I felt like I was floating. It took a while before I could even gain enough strength to open my eyes. I inhaled, slow and deep. It felt good, better even. As I lay there, I felt as if something heavy had been lifted off my chest. Removed from my heart. I was lighter, and in a much better mood than I'd ever been in before. God, it simply felt good.

"You're awake," Nakiirn called.

With his voice, I realized that I was being held against him, and that warmth that flooded me was the relaxing sensation of heated water over my skin. I opened my eyes to look up at him. He gave me a smile, one of relief and happiness. I returned it. "Hey."

"How do you feel?"

"Much better." I said with a light sigh of relief as I smiled up at him. At that moment, all I wanted to do was watch his handsome features. His long black hair as it hung over his shoulders, almost brushing my face. And the gorgeous muscle that lined his chest, slowly rising and falling as he breathed. I felt content as I watched him, "So much better."

"Good," Nakiirn answered. "For now, just rest. You lost a lot of blood."

I did as I was told and closed my eyes again. Letting the back of my head sink a little more into the water. It was so calming and it felt amazing against my body. I felt so relieved to know that Eita was gone. He could never bother me again, and the thought of it only made it more peaceful to be there.

"Nakiirn," someone called. It was loud enough to pull me from my partial doze. I lifted myself just enough to look across the yard. Dakoya was making his way over to us and he looked concerned as his gaze fell on me. Once he was by the edge of the pool he got down on his knees. "Is everything alright?"

"Yes," Nakiirn answered. "We are fine."

"I went to find you, but you were not within your room, nor in the palace."

"I had to take care of a pest."

"I-I... see," Dakoya muttered softly as he looked between the two of us.

"How are you feeling?" I asked Dakoya as I wiggled my way out of Nakiirn's hold, moving to the edge of the pool. "I was still a little worried because of how badly you got hurt." I said softly, glancing away a little.

"Me?" Dakoya looked startled. Then he looked away, a bit of a blush crossing his face. "I'm fine, I told you that last night," he grumbled but it wasn't out of anger. Rather it looked more like embarrassment. "Besides, you're the one constantly getting into trouble..."

Nakiirn gave a soft laugh to that. "What had you seeking me out so early, Dakoya?"

"Right! I wanted to ask to forge our contract. Please. I want to serve you entirely, with everything that I am."

"I see," Nakiirn answered softly. I turned back to Nakiirn and watched him make his way to the edge of the pool. Getting out, Nakiirn's essence seemed to swirl around him as he clothed himself. Dakoya stood just as Nakiirn came to stand in front of him. I had no idea what to expect as I lingered at the edge of the pool, still immersed in the water and letting Nakiirn's essence from it heal me.

Watching Dakoya pledge to Nakiirn was definitely a sight to see. The energy that wrapped around both of them was a beautiful display of gold and red swirling colors, like dust floating between them both. Dakoya spoke to Nakiirn in his Drakonic voice, the thick words rumbling through the air and tingling the back of my neck as I listened.

When he finished talking, Nakiirn replied to him, the shift of power surging from him and making the dust swirl toward Dakoya instead of going from Dakoya to Nakiirn as it had been moments ago. Dakoya slowly sunk to both knees, his eyes closed and a strange look over his face as if it felt good to be touched by Nakiirn's power. I knew that it felt good, after all, Nakiirn had marked me.