Dragonbound: Birthrights (Book 2)

Kiaran’s head rang as she began to wake up. Her eyes squeezed shut as her hand lethargically rested on her forehead. The bite marks across her body were burning, but she could breathe, and thankfully, move. The furs beneath her were soft, making it so much more difficult to get up. The sounds of soft rain pattered on the roof above her.

Her mind swirled...Where was she?

Finally, she forced herself to sit up, the blanket falling from her. Her eyes shot open and she looked down to find a simple, thin, white dress. Where had her clothes gone?

Suddenly, her heart skipped a beat and she remembered the things she had endured the night before. All of the blood and flesh dripping from her hair and body. The nasty rotted blood and water spilling from her mouth.

Her stomach churned and she flung herself to the side, vomiting across the floor. Her hands began shaking as she calmed herself back down, wiping her mouth with the back of her wrist.

To keep her mind from wondering, she focused on the room. The small home made with warm wood walls that were lined with shelves and vials and trinkets. The fire beside her was welcoming, keeping her warm. She sat alone in the house, wondering where the others were.

The scent of vomit was strong. She forced herself to stand, her legs still very weak. Stiffly, she moved toward the door, dragging the blanket with her. Wrapping it around her body, she opened the door. The cool air brushed across her flushed cheeks and hot eyes.

The wind blew rainwater off the trees and the roof, but the sky was clear and shining beautifully. The smell of moist soil and flowers filled the air. A few feet away sat Ryker and Davin as they spoke with one another. Her feet carried her shakily across the wet ground, their attention turning to her. They both stood, watching her wide-eyed.

Nurra raced to her, trilling uneasily. She flashed her gaze to the dragon, but was too dazed to say much.

“How do you feel?” Ryker asked.

She looked to him, her eyes still bewildered. Davin walked to her and she fought to speak. Finally, her tongue shoved the words out, saying, “How...did you handle that last night?” Her heart ached and her eyes grew even hotter.

“Last night?” his brow drew low. “Oh,” he breathed. “That was three nights ago. You are just now waking up.”

Shock washed over her face and he smiled slightly. It explained why she was so weak and tired. “I need some food,” she shook her head.

He snickered slightly, saying, “Of all the--You want to eat? You just woke.” She shrugged a shoulder and his smile grew more warm.

"I'll go and get something started," Ryker stated, heading toward the house. "I am a good cook. I often did it for my father."

Once Ryker was out of view, Davin said, “You had nearly died, but the Destine was able to save you.”

She nodded her head slowly and asked again, “How were you able to get us out of that lake? You kept your sanity through all of that, I don’t understand.”

“Well...My only thought was to save you,” he answered lowly.

Kiaran looked to where Ryker had disappeared inside. Her eyes moved back to Davin as she said, “I am glad that you and Ryker are well.”

He nodded his head, lowering his eyes. She caught a glimpse of the scar on his neck. He had carried her through everything that night, even though he had no strength in his right arm.

Hesitantly, she raised her hand, reaching toward his shoulder. Davin lowered a brow uncomfortably. Resting her hand on his shoulder, her thumb and forefinger tugged at the clean collar of his new shirt, scrutinizing his old wound. “I am sure you had strained it...” her voice trailed off.

He rubbed his hand across his arm and replied, “I had.”

She sighed shortly, tugging at the shirt’s collar farther to see it better. The scar reached down past the shirt. Letting go, she wrapped her arms around his body, embracing him. She rested her cheek against his him, her fingers wrapping around the top of his round, crippled shoulder.

Surprised, he wrapped his arms around her as well. It was comforting...Especially while she was safe. His heart burned as he held her, feeling whole and complete and full of heat and happiness.

She tightened her grip on him as she closed her damp eyes. If it weren’t for Davin, she’d be dead. She couldn’t contain herself as tears fell down her cheeks. She cried quietly, though he could feel her shoulders tremble as she sobbed. He ran a hand down the back of her head, her cleaned hair soft to the touch. He kissed the top of her head, whispering that she’d be fine. That everything was fine.

The wind pushed more rain from the trees, falling like shards of light around them. Finally, she pulled herself away and wiped her face clean.

“So, you met the Destine?” she asked, hoping to shift the attention from her.

“Yes,” he nodded.

“Was this her home?” He nodded again and she continued, “Where is she, then?”

“She left,” he replied.

“Left?”

“Aye,” he said. “She gave us few answers, but said that Trindal-VinCar would answer all our questions, though going there would cause a war.”

Kiaran sat with her legs crossed, the grass softly touching her skin. It felt odd to move again. Her fingers smoothed over the bandages across her legs. She breathed in, smelling the wildflowers nearby. It was a beautiful day, seeming so very much different from the spiders’ den--almost like it was a new world.

“So...where do we go from here?” she asked, almost at a whisper.

It grew quiet, no one with a real answer. “Well,” Davin said slowly, “I suppose we go back home.”

Her eyes moved to the house where Ryker was at work. He would be under her care in Avestitia where Davin would not be able to help her. Perhaps Cyrin would be good with children. But that didn't seem likely.

Davin followed her gaze and said, “Kiaran." Her eyes shot to him and he continued, “Kimana told me something that you might want to know.”

Her eyes narrowed...Kimana...Suddenly it came to her. “Kimana? The soothsayer?” she exclaimed.

“Yes,” he answered.

“She was a soothsayer of the Zeil,” she said. “She was a Destine?”

“I suppose she was your father's, to be specific,” he said. She stared in shock. “I need to tell you what she told me.” She nodded once while clenching her jaw. “As she healed you, a part of you was pleading to be healed...but it was unable to be touched. She said it was a preexisting condition that she wasn't able to fix.” Her expression twisted with worry and he finally said, “You are...unable to have children.”

“Oh,” she breathed, her mind swarming. She was barren...It was difficult to determine how she felt about it. Davin remained silent to allow her to think upon it. She breathed in sharply and sighed. “That is unusual news...”

“I knew that was always a fear of yours,” he said. “I figured you may want to know this, though I don't know if it helps or not.”

She didn't know either. Nodding slowly, her eyes grew distant as she continued to think. Finally, she looked back to him. “So have you decided to go back to being king?” He nodded, his head lowered as he watched his hands. “Davin, it will be fine,” she tried to reassure him as she scooted to sit directly in front of him. She sat with her back straight, her hands on her thighs. “Davin.” He looked up at her and they both froze. Her cheeks were still red from crying, her lashes sparkling with the dampness of tears.

“Are you certain?” he nearly whispered. His face was freshly shaven, his dark eyes looking as desirable as drops of chocolate. She nodded.

“Come back to Vintar with us, and I will see to it that you reach your home safely.”

He nodded, lowering his gaze once more. Why wouldn’t he look at her? It was driving her mad. But why? Why did it bother her so badly? She reached a hand toward him, touching one of his. Her fingers ran along his rough knuckles before stopping at the base of his fingers. He turned his hand a bit and held her fingertips. Her heart swelled painfully. It was alarming how painful it actually was.

Clearing her throat, she withdrew her hand and stood. “Thank you,” she finally said.

Davin stood with her, his stature broad and tall. “For what?” he asked.

“For keeping me alive.” Her heart shrank a little. Just enough to realize how much she would miss him once they were home. Charmer snorted from where he stood beside the house, the other horses eating the tall, vibrant grass as the sun warmed their muscles.

"Of course," he said softly.