Page 51 of Daman

“Why?”

“Have you ever heard of Hoia Baciu? It’s said to be the creepiest forest in Transylvania. It was my home. Even back then, people feared it.”

“It’s haunted, yes?”

I nodded. “Most of my friends were ghosts.” His eyes widened, and I grinned. “They were nice to me. Humans are the real monsters. But anyway. I ran errands for people in town to get coin, and what I couldn’t buy, I stole. I got pretty good at pickpocketing.”

“I find this hard to believe.” A surprised smile curved his lips. “You, a thief?”

“Had to survive somehow.” I shrugged. “And those people had more than enough. With Lycus so sick, I—”

I snapped my mouth shut.

“Who’s Lycus?”

“No one.” I quickened my pace. Goddammit. I’d revealed more than I had intended. “How long are we going to walk through these fucking trees? I feel like I’m in one of those survival movies where our plane crashed and we’re having to walk through hours upon hours of ice and snow. We’ll probably see a bear soon. A big, mean son of a bitch who will tear us to shreds. Probably to get revenge for you making his sibling into a blanket.”

Warrin breathed out a laugh. “I quite enjoy your imagination.”

“At least someone’s enjoying himself,” I muttered. But really… I was too. Even if I pretended not to be. “Have you always lived here?”

“Yes. I have visited other dragon clans, and during military campaigns, I’ve traveled through many areas, seen many places and people.”

“But you always come home.”

He nodded. “My heart is here.” As we passed a tree, he reached out and touched it, almost lovingly. “This forest. These lands. I feel as if my spirit is tied to it all.”

Warmth flooded my system at the sight of his long, pale fingers caressing the bark. I remembered them pressing into my thighs as I rode his thick cock last night. Envy snarled, and I had to force myself not to laugh.

Only I would be jealous of a fucking tree trunk.

“We’re nearly there,” he said, after another few minutes passed of us walking in silence. As we neared the edge of the tree line, he peered down at me. “See? We didn’t get eaten by a bear. We live to see another day.”

I barked out a laugh. “Honestly, being mauled by an angry bear would be less surprising than you being facetious.” A strange expression crossed Warrin’s face. “What?”

“Your laugh,” he said, gaze darting away. “I like the sound of it.”

Holy shit my heart was beating like crazy. He made me feel so damn special. Warrin was more kindhearted and gentle than I’d given him credit for.

The snowy village reminded me of the quaint, magical ones from some of the Christmas movies Gray forced the whole family to watch around this time of year. Green garland and red bows decorated the lampposts along the sidewalk, and colorful lights danced in store windows. There were no depictions of Santa or elves, but there were snowflake decorations, ice sculptures in the village courtyard—one of King Nikolai, which was kind of cool, no pun intended.

People bowed their heads to us as they passed by on the sidewalk. Even though Warrin wasn’t crowned prince, he was still part of the royal family. Now, I guess I was too.

Rows of houses, some big and others small, stretched in the distance. There were apartment complexes and also housing for the soldiers with no families of their own. The kingdom was self-sufficient with businesses and even a school for the children.

“So everyone here is an ice dragon?” I asked, impressed by the thriving community.

“Yes. There are humans too. Mates of some of the dragons. Allowing mortals to live here must be approved by the king though. We normally don’t allow outsiders.”

“I’m an outsider.”

“No.” Warrin’s knuckles brushed mine, as if he wanted to hold my hand but couldn’t bring himself to go through with it. “You’re my husband.”

Husband.Would I ever get used to that?

“Don’t most Russians celebrate Christmas in January?” I asked, needing a change of subject. Because damn if I could explain the weird feelings swirling deep inside my chest.

“Yes.” Warrin walked leisurely by my side. He seemed so relaxed. “We in the kingdom have different traditions. The winter solstice is our main holiday, but we also decorate a yule tree and have a feast between family and friends.”