Claws and Kisses

That night, I slept restlessly. My dreams switched between Rhett’s broken, bruised body on the ground, underneath the terrifying gaze of Jericho, and Avel. It had only occurred to me when he left that he had not kissed me on the lips yet. My nose, my cheeks, my neck—everywhere but on the mouth. I assumed it was just another part of the mating ritual he had failed to explain to me earlier.

My slumber was interrupted by the sound of my door being thrown open. A loud thud and hushed giggles had me rousing from the bed, rubbing my tired eyes as I sat up in my sleep-deluded state.

“Who’s there?”

Light poured into the darkness of the room, temporarily blinding me. I threw my arm across my face, hissing at the intrusion. More soft laughs ensued as the distinct sound of footsteps entered my chambers. I slowly lowered my arm, vaguely recognizing the four distinct figures that now stood beyond my bed.

“I forgot that humans sleep so long,” murmured Bear, a delighted little smile on her face.

Bruce, Bear, Romeo, and Elora stood readily, all dressed as if prepared to go into battle. They wore silver amor as opposed to the golden suit Avel usually sported. Their eyes were all on me, and I instinctively sat up in bed, pulling the sheets tight underneath my chin. Their gazes proved unnerving in the remote space.

“What are you guys doing in here?” I yawned, looking to the window. The sun had not yet risen. “It’s too early to be awake.”

Elora had the decency to smile sympathetically but the others didn’t look a tad bit guilty for waking me at such an ungodly hour.

“We’re kidnapping you,” Romeo announced with a grin. He cocked his head and sniffed the air delicately, a rogue smile spreading across his cheeks. “And it seems that we have not been the only ones to visit you. Tell me, Wendy: how is our dear Dragon Lord?”

My cheeks heated as I thought about last night.

It was near midnight, and I had not left my room since Avel had left. I hadn’t the heart to go see if Rhett was beaten beyond recognition, and the rest of the horde was mostly uncharted territory. I would only get lost again if I tried to explore. Besides, I found the tranquil space of my temporary room to be quite agreeable.

Snuggled deep into the warm animal furs that made up my bed, I was almost on the verge of sleep when I felt a body slide into the space next to mine. My eyes flew open as I whipped around, prepared to scream my lungs out. I opened my mouth and—

“Peace, Wendy.” His arms curled around me, enveloping me in his ever present warmth. His eyes were already closed as he laid me on his chest, fitting me snugly to his relaxed form. “It is only me, tiger.”

Avel looked at peace for the first time since I had first laid eyes on him yesterday. Despite our argument, I couldn’t deny the utter joy that rang through me as he slowly began to rub his hand up and down my back in steady strokes. He did not stop until I had fully relaxed into his touch. Until I was practically asleep in his arms. And even then, he still kept gently massaging me into slumber.

“I think your rules are ludicrous,” I murmured sleepily, almost purring in contentment as he continued to rub me. “I think you are ludicrous. I think this whole horde is crazy.”

“I know,” he whispered, never once stopping.

Then—”I love you, Avel.” His hands paused a mere second as I tiredly professed my feelings. Whether it was his touch or the sleep readily about to claim me, I found the words flowing out of me as easy as breathing. “Since the moment I meant you, I have loved you. I think I always will.”

He started to stroke my back again. “I know,” he whispered. It was then that the darkness closed in. I had just barely left the world of the living after I heard him murmur, “I love you too, Wendy. More than I can say.”

My gaze flickered to the bed beside me, empty as it ever was. I was half-convinced that the whole thing had been a fevered dream.

“Shut it, Romeo.” Elora came to my defense, glaring hard at the dragon beside her. Romeo glared back, but there was an obvious playfulness in the gesture. They stared at each other for a moment longer than necessary before Elora was turning away in a huff. Romeo’s grin widened.

“Get a room, you two.” Bear stuck her tongue out at the pair, causing a flaming pink hue to ignite on Elora’s cheeks. Romeo just glanced at her, amusement and satisfaction shining in his orbs.

Bear shook her head before turning to me with a dashing wink. “You’re ours for the day, sweetheart. Your man had to ditch—secret horde business. He left us to babysit.”

They all towered over the bed and it was making me feel smaller than normal. I quickly threw off the covers and kneeled on top of the mattress, saying, “Don’t worry about it. I can take care of myself just fine. You don’t need to stay here and watch me.”

Romeo shook his head. “No can do, kid. Avel gave us strict orders. However,” he began to walk towards the door, a mischievous gleam in his eyes. “He only said we had to watch you and keep you safe. He never said anything about leaving the mountain.”

My brows furrowed as they all abandoned the bed and followed Romeo to the threshold. “You want to . . . leave the horde?”

Bruce grew tired of my questions, and turned back once more to haul me up from under my shoulders and off the mound of blankets and pillows. I landed on the ground with shaky legs, caught unaware. I glowered up at him but he was already striding for the door.

“You’re about to enter the real world soon. At Loch’s funeral, there is going to be all kinds of dangerous dragons who are going to want to eat you alive. So, today we’re going on a little adventure. You’re welcome.”

The four of them waited by the door as I shrugged on a pair of pants under my nightgown while simultaneously scanning the floors for a rogue shirt. I briefly thought about checking the armoire but knew Avel had only filled it with frilly gowns. Something told me that the beautifully embroidered dresses stored in the wardrobe weren’t suitable for wherever we were heading.

“Does—” I finally found a shirt and quickly slid behind one of the room’s niches to throw it on. “Does Avel know we’re leaving?”

“Where is the fun in that?” I heard Bear holler from beyond the wall.

Shaking my head, I strode to them, quickly running my hands through my hair to form a half-hearted braid. “So . . . where exactly are we going?”

“Patience, kid.” Romeo said over this shoulder as he finally opened the door, leading the rest of us down the winding staircase.

I followed behind, and was grateful as Elora hung back to walk with me. She looped her arm in mine. Even though neither of us spoke for awhile, I knew there was no ill will between us. Initially, I had been irritated with her and Romeo—more so Romeo than her, really—for keeping Rhett and I from leaving when I first arrived, but I knew she was just trying to look out for me in the only way she knew how.

The others descended the stairs ahead while Elora and I walked at a much slower pace. She leaned her head conspiratorially near mine and said, “There is one more member of Avel’s Inner Circle you have to meet. He’s very excited to get to see you.”

“Who?” I asked, curious as to who the final member could be.

Bear heard from up ahead and started to walk backwards so she could speak to me whilst walking. “Avel’s kid cousin, Seth,” she answered for Elora with her hands in her pockets and a casual smile gracing her lips. “He’s the baby of our circle. It annoys the shit out of him, too.”

We reached the bottom of the stairwell, and Bruce almost ripped the door off its hinges in his attempt to open it. The five of us made our way into the empty Throne Room. As promised, a scrawny teenager waited impatiently at one end, dressed in armor similar to the others. Once he saw us, his eyes widened dramatically and he rushed forward with a bright smile. “My lady!” He gushed, skidding to a halt in front of me. Seth was much younger than any of the other Inner Circle members, appearing only around fifteen years old in human terms. He had bright blue eyes, shaggy black hair that was cropped short, and tan skin that betrayed the many hours he has spent in the sun. There was a youth about his aura, as well as a general excitement for the world. I found myself smiling at the boy, wondering if I use to act as such when I was younger too.

“Whoa! Easy there, kiddo. You’re going to scare her off, running in here like that,” Romeo reprimanded. Even though his words were firm, there was obvious affection in his eyes as he laid a hand on the younger dragon’s shoulder. “Lady Wendy, this is Seth. He is currently in training to protect you in the future.”

Seth immediately dropped into a bow, looking both apologetic and sheepish. “I’m so sorry, Lady Wendy! It’s great—I mean, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” He did another little bow before straightening and smiling wide, no doubt enthusiastic once more. “I’m Seth.”

I smiled back at him, enjoying his animated character. “It’s nice to meet you too, Seth.” I stuck out my hand to him in way of greeting. “I am Wendy.”

The boy looked dumbstruck by the handshake, but took it anyway, his expression brightening all the more. He then released my hand, placing his fist on his heart, his features growing serious once more. “Lady Wendy, I promise to protect you until my last breath. I promise to be the best, most loyal, truest soldier—”

“Okay, Seth.” Bear slung an arm around his shoulders, placing one slender finger under his chin to close his mouth. “Save it for someone who cares.”

I shot an exasperated look at Bear, who only grinned at me, and turned back to Seth with a smile. “That’s very kind of you, Seth. Thank you.” I didn’t bother mentioning that I might be gone in three month’s time. It would have only upset the poor kid. Who was I to ruin his excitement? I faced the others and said, “Can you please tell me where we’re going now?”

“Heavens, your impatient.” Romeo shook his head as we began walking to the doors. Not the main one or even the side door that led to my chambers, but another one in the back. It was already open, and it was easy to see that it led to the edge of a natural cliff in the mountain.

I slowed as we ventured outside. The sun was just barely peeking above the horizon, red and vengeful in its early morning glory. The sky was painted in an endless wave of dark purples and shy blues, making way for the gold and orange of the oncoming sunrise. A lake laid just beyond the mountain range, glimmering in the burning light.

The crack and snap of bones had my neck whipping to the side. The dragons were already shifting, turning from human to beast. The cliff was large enough so that each of them had space to transform. Unsurprisingly, each of their dragons matched the color of their hair. Romeo’s was a liquid silver, while Bear’s and Elora’s were a darker shade of brown and black. Bruce, of course, was the largest of all, his dragon the color of newly bred hay. Seth’s was the smallest and darkest out of all them, his dragon appearing as an ebony-colored creature.

“I guess I’m travelling with one of you then, huh?” I drawled, brow cocked.

Bear laughed and swished her tail, provoking me closer. Hop on board, sweetheart.

Hello, loves. Another chapter written up and submitted. You guys got to see a little horde action, finally met the last member of the Inner Circle (Seth is adorable!), and, most importantly, that little scene with Avel and Wendy from the previous night.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. Elaine, they’ve only been back together for like a day. Plus, people change in eight years. They are probably way different now than they were when they were like five—

I'm going to stop you right there. First off, Wendy was seven and Avel was twelve. Second, they're mates. What do you want? And third, there are different kinds of love. All I know is that when I was writing I knew that they would have had that interaction. I couldn't get the image of Wendy, almost asleep and delirious, quietly telling Avel she loved him in the moonlight.

Idk you guys, it's Monday. *shrugs*

Alright, I think that's all for today, folks. I hope you enjoyed and be on the lookout for another update at the end of the week! (Reveal of the location the dragons are taking Wendy will be included ;)

~Elaine