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I continued, “Something happened to me out there... during the crossing.”

He shook his head. His hand reached out for mine, giving it a sympathetic squeeze. “I am so sorry. You should’ve never been out there. They should have protected you.Heshould have.”

I shook my head back at him. “This isn’t about Fell.”

His jaw hardened as though the mention of my husband was too much for him.

“Of course it’s about him. That bastard would not know how to—”

“Stig! This isn’t about Fell. This is about me. This is about what happened to me. Whatishappening to me. I am a—” The word stuck in my throat.

He stared at me, waiting.

“I am...” I fought to get it out, to spit out the word, to get it off my tongue. It was just a word. One word. It shouldn’t mean so very much.

He gave a kind nod, prompting me to continue.

I tried again, and this time... I succeeded.

“I am a dragon. The dragon you’re all looking for.”

There were several moments when he neither moved, nor blinked, nor spoke. I wasn’t sure he even breathed.

“Stig, did you hear me?”

He shook his head and laughed awkwardly.

“Stig, I’m not joking.”

His laugh turned dry, humorless. “Why would you say that?”

“I know it is unbelievable—”

“No.” He rubbed at the back of his neck. “It’s...” His voice faded, as if he were unable to find the right word. He released a huff of frustration. “Did he put you up to this? Why would you say such a thing?”

“I know it seems incredible, but I really need your help.” My voice cracked, all my pent-up emotion rising, bubbling up in my throat, ready to break loose. I swallowed, trying to get a grip on myself, before I erupted into messy sobs.

“Hey, hey, there,” Stig soothed, pulling me into his arms.

I gave in. Tears rushed from me in a torrent.

I buried my face in his chest, my words a mumble of nonsense. “I am... a... I am... scared. I’m a dragon. I turned into a dragon. Please, please, Stig. Please believe me...”

He made hushing sounds into my hair, his arms wrapped tightly around me. The comfort felt good. Supportive. But he wasn’t listening. He didn’t believe me.

I pulled back to look up at him, to reach him, to convey to him with my eyes and expression that I was sincere.

“Tamsyn,” he said softly, as he wiped strands of hair from my wet cheeks. “I am so sorry I let this happen to you. I am so sorry I let him take you...”

I shook my head wearily. He did not understand. He was not listening.

I tried one more time. “Please. Listen to me. I am a—”

He kissed me.

I barely had time to register his head coming down, closing the distance between us. He swallowed my gasp, drank it in.

My palms were flat against his chest, pushing. He didn’t budge. He didn’t even seem to notice, to feel my hands. His lips continuedto move over mine, the pressure increasing as a hungry, satisfied sound rumbled up from him. The kiss grew persistent.