Page 34 of Heart Cradle (The Melrathen Saga #1)

Maeve gulped at the sight of another dragon waiting on the rooftop landing pad, smaller than Xelaini but still massive, sleek and striking.

His scales shimmered like a bed of glowing embers, orange and copper braided with lines of crimson.

His tail was furred, thick and expressive, twitching lightly as they landed.

The sunlight danced across his body, catching on the delicate network of interlocking plates that shimmered like volcano-forged armour.

Eiran slipped down first, then helped her dismount.

She barely registered her hand in his, her eyes were fixed on the young dragon.

Xelaini’s voice echoed through mind-talk. “This is Jeipier, my youngest hatchling. He was laid during the first thaw after the war ended. He wished to meet you.”

The dragon’s head dipped low with surprising grace and all Maeve could do was blink, stunned.

Xelaini continued, her tone like warm smoke. “Jeipier cannot speak to you directly, not just yet. He is unpaired, and so the bond between dragon and fae is unformed, but he did ask me to assist.”

Maeve glanced at Eiran, who offered a small nod, his expression soft.

“He would like to be your pair,” Xelaini went on. “He pledges his service and friendship to you, in return for yours.”

Maeve’s breath left her in a rush. “Me?” Her voice cracked with disbelief. “But…why me? We’re not even…he’s a dragon. I’m not even fae or royalty.”

Eiran stepped closer, touching her lower back, supporting her.

“You don’t need to be fae. Pairings don’t follow rules like species.

They follow heart, and you’ll be royal soon enough.

” He smiled, brushing a loose strand of hair from her cheek.

“Any species of dragon can hatch any species. It depends on the environment, the magic levels, the lineage, and Jeipier, he’s an Emberwick. ”

“Fire and heat?” she whispered, eyes flicking back to the blazing creature.

Eiran nodded. “And more. His lineage includes Xelaini and Brontis, Soren’s pair. That makes him unique. He’ll be powerful and special.” He leaned in slightly. “Perfect for my mate. ”

Her chest ached. From awe and disbelief, from the quiet swell of something she didn’t have a name for.

Jeipier stepped forwards slowly, his bright amber eyes locked on hers.

Maeve didn’t know what to do, but her body moved before her thoughts could catch up.

She placed her hand over her heart and bowed her head low, an instinct, maybe, or something deeper etched into her bones.

She raised her gaze and said clearly, “It would be my pleasure to care for you and to call you my friend.”

There was a rush of air, then Jeipier flamed, a controlled burst of heat and light into the sky, the fire curling up in a spiral of joy.

Maeve felt the heat on her face, her chest, and then he charged.

She gasped, stepping back instinctively as the dragon barrelled towards her, wings half-spread.

He stopped just short of colliding, chuffing softly, his snout nearly brushing her chest. Maeve’s hand reached for him without hesitation, landing against the warm, vibrant scales at his neck.

She felt the surge of their paired bond.

It roared through her blood like fire and starlight and home.

A tether between hearts, between spirits. They were paired, just like that.

Bonded to a fae, paired with a dragon, and linked to a Chain.

She turned to Eiran, brow raised. “And how exactly am I meant to fly him? With the power of stubbornness?”

Eiran grinned, totally unfazed. “Already commissioned, love. I thought ahead.”

Her smile was automatic, tone even, but something in her chest tightened.

Commissioned, without her knowing. Planned in advance, another thing done around her, for her, not with her.

She nodded at the three of them, still chatting like it was all perfectly natural.

Like this didn’t feel, just for a second, like being left out of her own story.

“I’m going to freshen up,” she said quickly. “Wind messed with my hair.”

Eiran tilted his head like he might say something, but she was already turning, already through the door and walking fast down the hall. Not running, just… quick.

She reached the room and closed the door gently behind her. She didn’t lock it, what was the point. She didn’t go near the bathroom either. Not after London, not after Lisbon. Two bathroom breakdowns in one month was already disconcerting. She sat on the bed instead, staring ahead.

It was all going well.

That’s what she kept telling herself. Magic. Dragons. Mates. Flying. Chains. Kisses that made her forget how to breathe. Orgasms that made her forget her name. Why did her stomach feel like it was about to turn inside out? She rubbed at her chest, frustrated.

Because it wasn’t going well, not completely.

Eiran was kind, strong and seemed devoted.

He told her he loved her, casually, openly, and fuck, that should’ve made her feel safe and anchored.

Instead, it felt like the floor had vanished under her feet.

He said he was honest, but he’d known about Jeipier’s pairing and ordered the saddle.

Organised things that affected her, and hadn’t said a word.

All of it carefully arranged. Tidy and so, so sweet.

Even her things from Lisbon. The offer to sort her flat in London.

She’d agreed, but Maeve wasn’t a child to be protected and given gifts.

She wasn’t a project to be handled. She didn’t want perfect packages and loving surprises, she wanted the truth, the messy, painful kind.

The full picture. Reality. She was an adult, who had no one for over a decade.

She needed to know what was coming, because she had to be prepared. That was how she survived.

She bit the inside of her cheek, twisting her fingers.

Then there was the magic. Still no fae awakening, no intention magic.

Everyone said it would come, but it hasn’t.

They had said: “When the time is right.”, “When your mate bond settles.” and “When your body’s ready.

” And she had nodded, smiled and pretended to believe them. But deep down, she didn’t.

What if I’m not enough?

What if I’m too human.

What if I’m so broken from the attack that I can’t.

Three breakdowns in as many weeks, but no tears this time, that had to be an improvement. Her whole life had flipped on its head. She was being pulled in every direction, emotionally, magically, physically, and somewhere along the way, she’d lost track of what she even wanted.

She buried her face in her hands and exhaled. Eiran meant well, she knew that, but if he wanted her beside him, truly beside him, then he had to trust her with everything. Not just the parts he thought she was ready for. She was an adult and she’d be damned if she let herself be caught blind again.

Never a-fucking-gain.