Page 31

Mia looked up from the fire as Tiber finally stalked back into the cave. He’d been in and out for the last hour trying to decide if they should head out before sunset or not.

And also, she was pretty sure he was grumpy because Ilmari had insisted they stop making out. Which, fair. She was a little annoyed too—but also maybe grateful. She didn’t think kissing him was a mistake, but she could have easily gotten carried away.

She hadn’t realized that Ilmari had that much awareness. She’d assumed that he was more like Neptune, but now she knew. There was so much about this realm, and supernaturals and their customs she was learning on a daily basis.

“So what’s the verdict?” she asked.

“It’ll be dark soon enough and the sky still looks too temperamental. I say we hunker down and leave in the morning.”

“I’m fine with that.” There was no sense in pushing themselves, especially when Tiber would have to carry both of them at this point.

Ilmari, who had scooted up next to her and stretched his set wing out around her in a protective embrace chirped a little haughtily at Tiber.

Mia wasn’t sure how to translate it, but Tiber simply grunted at the dragonling. He’d assured her that Ilmari would be fine by morning, that he healed faster than what she was used to, and she was glad for it.

Suddenly Tiber straightened, then held his finger up to his mouth as he looked at the two of them, before disappearing into the growing twilight beyond the mouth of the cave.

Minutes later she heard a whooshing sound, then male laughter.

She straightened slightly but knew Tiber would protect them from anything. Though she was surprised when moments later he strode into the cave with two large males who were likely dragons. Or bears. But given the territory, her money was on them being dragons.

They both stopped and stared at her in surprise, then more surprise when they saw Ilmari, who was growling low in his throat. Definitely not his normal purring.

Oh. She blinked at Ilmari, wondering if she should be wary too.

“They’re okay, Ilmari.” Tiber’s voice was soothing. “These are not enemies.”

Ilmari immediately stilled, but scooted closer to Mia.

And her heart melted a little bit more. This sweet baby dragon was so protective it was hard not to want to cuddle him close and give him all the treats he wanted.

“Mia, this is Kirkurte. He trained under me long ago before moving on to bigger things.” The male had dark hair pulled back in small braids against his skull with little beads at the ends of them.

On second glance she realized that they weren’t beads but looked more like bone fragments. Oh my. Despite the cold weather, he wore loose pants, no shirt, and carried a small pack with him. His skin was a beautiful bronze that seemed to glow even in the dimness of the cave.

She nodded politely at him even as Tiber introduced the other male. “And this is Cordro.” He didn’t say how he knew the other male with pale blond hair that looked almost silver. He was dressed similarly to Kirkurte, but had a plethora of tattoos covering his olive-hued skin.

“Pleasure to meet you both.”

“The pleasure is all ours,” Kirkurte said, stepping further into the cave. “I’ve never met a human before.”

Mia wasn’t sure how to respond as she looked between the two men who were just as large as Tiber. He seemed at ease with them, and he’d told Ilmari they weren’t enemies, so that was something.

But a part of her she wanted to ignore was annoyed by their presence, that they’d interrupted them. Because she’d been enjoying this time with Tiber in a way she’d never expected. Still, she smiled at Kirkurte politely. “So what brings you here? Do you live near these mountains?”

“No, indeed. We’re just traveling and got caught up in some lightning.” Kirkurte shrugged dismissively and set his pack down next to the fire, then sat. “Figured it was better to wait out the storm instead of trying to fly through it.”

Tiber sat on her other side so that he and Ilmari bracketed her in. She wanted to lean into him, to take advantage of his warmth, but wasn’t sure he would welcome it, especially in front of the newcomers.

That little insecurity she’d been trying to bury bubbled up again. It was one thing to kiss her in private but that meant nothing at all. She was a human in a cave with powerful dragons. Perhaps Tiber wouldn’t want the others to even guess that they’d been intimate.

Cordro nodded along with his friend and as he sat, dug into his own bag.

Then he pulled out a smaller one filled with dried meats and fruits.

“Here, we just picked these up this morning if you are hungry, human.” He leaned around the fire to hand her what looked like dried apples or something similar.

“They’re quite sweet and don’t suit us. But I’ve heard humans like this kind of thing. ”

Surprising her, Tiber snatched the bag away from his friend and tucked it next to him. “You don’t give her food.”

Kirkurte’s mouth fell open for a moment while Cordro blinked rapidly.

“Is it poison?” she blurted before she could censor herself.

“Oh sweet goddess,” Kirkurte murmured, a grin on his face. “Not poison, sweetheart.”

The sweetheart got a growl from Tiber.

And then Ilmari chirped indignantly at Tiber, chittering away so quickly that Mia could only stare.

Tiber looked at the others after listening to the dragonling, his expression dry. “But Ilmari will accept your offering of sweets,” he said before he opened the bag and set the dried fruit in front of Ilmari.

Mia would have loved the dried fruit but kept the thought to herself as she glanced sideways at Tiber. He’d said these males weren’t enemies, but all his muscles were pulled taut, and he looked ready to attack at a moment’s notice.

“So tell us why you’re out here in this vast land with two wild dragons,” Kirkurte said, grinning at Mia.

“Oh, I’m on a journey to an artist’s retreat for inspiration and hope to get some work in. Tiber graciously offered to be my guide.”

Kirkurte looked between the two of them. “Guide, huh?”

“He’s an excellent guide,” Cordro added, nodding solemnly. But he looked as if he might be fighting a smile.

She frowned at the two of them. Were they messing with Tiber? “Yes, he is. And he saved my life. I’m very grateful to have him with me.” She sniffed slightly at the two of them, not sure about their tones.

“Wait, are you the Mia who Princess Stella sponsored?” Cordro asked suddenly. When she nodded, he continued. “Goddess, I’ve heard nothing but wonderful things about your work…”

As she fell into a conversation with him, both Tiber and Kirkurte disappeared outside the cave, talking in hushed tones.

She missed his presence immediately, but found that this Cordro had an artistic bent and was a pleasure to talk to. As they talked, she wondered where Tiber had gotten off to, but felt too awkward to ask if the other man knew.

Because it was clear that he and Kirkurte had left the area. When she yawned for the tenth time, Cordo smiled gently.

“Don’t let me keep you up. They shouldn’t be gone much longer. Please feel free to bed down. I’ll wait outside for them to give you privacy.”

“I am really tired,” she admitted.

Ilmari had dozed not too long ago, snoring softly next to her.

Cordro stood and nodded. “I’ll be out there if you need me.”

She was a little surprised by how polite he was, but grateful he was giving her privacy. She might find his conversation enjoyable but didn’t want to fall asleep next to a stranger.

She wasn’t even sure she would fall asleep at all, but sometime later, she was aware of Tiber slipping into the bedroll next to her.

The firelight was dim, but he was pure heat as he wrapped his arm around her and pulled her back to his chest.

“Where’d you go?” she murmured, setting her hand over his. Maybe later she’d think about how easy it was to cuddle up with him, or how sensual this position could be under different circumstances, but for now she was simply grateful he was back.

“Taking care of something.”

“What?” she asked, her voice fading again as the lure of sleep pulled her under. She was safe in Tiber’s arms, knew that he would protect both her and Ilmari.

Instead of responding, she felt him kiss the back of her head and murmur something in a language she’d never heard. Even the translating spell she’d undergone before entering the territory did nothing to make sense of it.

But she leaned back into him and savored his tight hold and dark, delicious scent that wrapped around her.