Page 94 of I Dream of Dragons

“I thought I saw the shadows,” I whisper. “Your shadows. Like wings.”

He felt it. I was both with him and Phaethon and the thought makes me both cringe and smile.

I wonder if Phaethon did it on purpose. If he yanked that barrier down or if it was involuntary. He said they merged better during battle—so maybe also during sex?

Could that be why he didn’t hurt me? Did Jai’s presence in his mind gentle him?

“A golden coin for your thoughts,” he whispers.

“They aren’t worth that much.”

“I’d give the world’s riches for your thoughts,makhair.”

A sweetness spills in my chest. “I…” But I don’t know what to say.

“And I’d give everything to hold you in my arms.”

I clear my throat. “You don’t need to pay for that.”

“No?” He opens his arms and I’m not even ashamed for the speed with which I throw myself into them. “Gods, woman…”

“What?” I mutter, burrowing against his warm, hard chest, encircled by his arms. He holds me like one holds a firefly, securely but ready to let go.

“I fantasize every day about holding you like this, don’t you know that?”

“I didn’t know,” I grumble.

“Well, remember it. Remember I’d let go of the world to hold you instead.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

RAE

It’s sometime later when a knock comes on the door and Arkin pokes his head inside. “Is it safe to enter?”

I startle. “Safe? We’re not doing anything?—”

“Ow, my eyes. Put a shirt on, will you, Jai? I have no need to see your muscles first thing in the morning.”

“What’s wrong with my muscles?” Jai grumbles.

“They’re bigger than mine. They offend my male ego.”

“I’ll show you something bigger,” Jai grumbles some more, and I can’t help but snort, still draped over his chest, his arms around me.

“Humans.” Arkin shakes his head with a sigh. “They have no manners and no shame.”

“Where is Tru?” Jai makes no move to get up or let go of me.

“No idea. Come on, put some clothes on.”

Reluctantly, I uncurl from Jai’s arms and sit on the side of the bed, Jai’s jacket wrapped tightly around me.

I see Arkin taking that in, the cogs turning in his head. “So I did intrude,” he mutters, grinning. “Jai, you horny dog.”

“Shut up,” Jai grunts, sitting up beside me.

“So it’s not what it looks like?” Arkin’s gaze returns to me.