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A growling stomach was completely normal to him, but he’d been in this elven body for almost thirty years. It was being immortal that would feel strange now. Without asking, he took hold of her hand and flipped it over. A little pink scar where she dragged the blade over her palm remained. He ran his thumb over it and goosebumps rose along her arm.

“Thane?” she whispered.

He let her hand go. “Yes?”

“I think I keep dreaming about Atlanta because he is still looking for me. Even if Valeen did not tell him I am here.”

He nodded. “She said he might.”

“He will want me to go back with him. I know he will.”

“I’m not afraid of him.”

“I am,” she whispered. “I told you before I would speak to him if he came but… I am terrified.”

“I’ll be with you.”

“I do not want him to hurt you.”

“He won’t.”

“You do not know him like I do. When he sees you with me, even if we are nottogether, he will lose his temper. He is powerful—so powerful. The things I have seen him do are incredible. He can drown entire legions of soldiers in one fell swoop.”

As the god of the seas and a primordial, he expected nothing less. Thane lowered into a crouch before her; he didn’t want to be looking down at her when he said this. Her brows rose in curiosity, and she slid her hands over her knees. “You know who else is powerful? You, Katana. You have the power of the sun. You can stand up to him, and I will be with you. You won’t face him alone.” He took her hand, the one with the scar and held it. “I promise.”

She blew out a long, slow breath, curling her fingers around his, and gave a quick squeeze. “Thank you.”

“I have that meeting with the dragon king and queen. Would you like to join me?”

“I would love to. You might need my help convincing them, although you could always use your persuasion gift that comes with being a god.”

Not since his previous life as War had he used that gift. Although, he knew the ability was there and he had considered that. But nothing loses trust faster than taking someone’s will. “That is temporary. It would take constant control, and I don’t want to do that. It will make them hate me. No one likes being controlled like that.”

“I rarely use my gift either. You do have a good heart, Thane, whether you believe it or not. You can do this.”

Chapter 33

KATANA

The dragon shifters were ruthless, brutal, and yet there was beauty. Beauty among the architecture, the gold and precious jewels, and the way they treated their young with a balance of softness and ferocity that came with being partially beast. Five half-shifted children with great wings flew above playing a game of tag, their giggles making her smile. Two of them were the eldest dragon prince’s children, and the others, she assumed, were cousins of the family.

The dragon king and queen were supposed to meet Thane to discuss his proposed alliance in this lovely courtyard. Piper, Leif, and Fennan sat on a stone bench talking quietly. She sensed some underlying tension between them but after their argument outside the wall a couple days before, she hoped they were working through their problems. Piper felt betrayed by Leif for telling their secret, and Fennan seemed to hold a grudge that it happened. And Leif, well, he was still flirty, but more subdued.

Worry lined Thane’s forehead as he slowly paced back and forth. She wished she could take his anxiety away the way he could for her. It was as if his touch alone chased the monsters back into the shadows. His voice pulled her to the present whenher own mind played tricks on her, dragging her into the past and to places that weren’t real, but felt so.

He wasn’t just Valeen’s former lover in her eyes anymore. He washerprotector. The type of friend she needed. The night of passion he offered, as tempting as it was, made her realize that she felt more for him than she should in just a few short weeks. But from the first words they shared, she knew he would be special to her, even if it seemed irrational at the time.

The children raced away, chasing after the oldest boy, and left the courtyard quiet. Leaving only the soft patter of Thane’s boots, and the gentle wind in the treetops.

“They said they’d be here at noon.” Fennan looked up at the sky. “I’d say we still have a half hour before then.” He stood and pushed his hands into his pockets. “Want to go on a walk around the grounds with me?” he asked Piper.

She lifted a shoulder. “Sure. Are you alright with that, Thane?”

He waved a hand. “Go ahead, and no rush.”

“I’m coming, too,” Leif said.

After they were gone, Thane stopped his pacing and sat beside her on the bench. “Things changed this morning. I’m going to have to show King Drake Ryvengaard.”