Page 24 of Scorched by Fate (Drakarn Mates #3)

TWENTY-FOUR

SELENE

I paced through the makeshift infirmary, boots scraping softly across uneven stone. Somewhere in my mind, Vyne’s voice kept replaying like an echo stuck on repeat.

“You’re mine.”

I tried to pretend I had everything under control, but that declaration rattled inside me, refusing to fade.

The Drakarn’s ragged breathing pulled my attention back to the present. Their condition was improving, but each breath still sounded like it fought through a layer of sickness that didn’t fully want to let go. The vyrathis extract had helped stabilize them—enough that their labored wheezing wasn't quite so ominous—but it wasn’t a miracle. We had to wait for healing to happen naturally.

I hated leaning on hope that felt so fragile.

I stopped by Mysha’s cot, checking her temperature with the back of my hand. The soft glimmer of her scales was reassuring. She felt hot, but not feverish. Her chest rose and fell in a steadier rhythm than yesterday, but there was still a long way to go.

I exhaled slowly, letting my hand drop back to my side. The memory of Vyne heated my thoughts. His gaze, his strong grip. I was trying to push those feelings aside, but each time I remembered the slow burn in his eyes, my stomach fluttered traitorously.

Now was not the time for that. These people needed me focused. I shook my head, forcing my mind to return to the scene in front of me.

Then there was Reika

She looked so small in a space intended for towering Drakarn warriors. Her breathing was shallow but steady, and her forehead glistened with fresh sweat. At least the fever was no longer raging like it had been. She didn’t stir when I approached.

But I wasn't her only visitor.

Khorlar watched her with a stillness that made my skin prickle. I swallowed, unsure if I should say anything. The hush in the cavern was almost loud in a strange way, and I didn't want to disturb it.

Khorlar rose in one swift motion, ignoring me outright, and marched away, tall frame melting into the shadows near the exit.

What was he even doing there in the first place?

I kneaded my temple with my thumb before lowering myself at Reika’s side. Gingerly, I brushed a damp lock of hair off her forehead. Her breathing hitched under my touch, though she didn’t wake. Dull purple bruises mottled her arms. I hated to think of what had been done to her.

The hush abruptly broke as distant footsteps raced toward us. The way they thudded—a rapid, uneven cadence—made the fine hairs on my neck rise. Kira lurched into the healing cavern, looking winded and wild-eyed.

I stood and took a step toward her, worry punching through my own exhaustion. “Is everything okay?”

Her gaze darted from bed to bed. She didn't respond to me; I'm not even sure she saw me.

“Where is she?” Kira’s voice rang through the cavern, cutting through the moan of the sick and stirring an uneasy flutter among the Drakarn who weren’t fully unconscious. “Where's Larissa?”

Her eyes were frantic. “Kira,” I edged closer, “who are you looking for?” But I had a sick feeling in my stomach. I already knew.

Kira's chest heaved, words tumbling out almost incoherently. “My sister. They said there was another human. That you found someone. Where?—"

Then she spotted Reika. The color drained from Kira’s face as she hurried over, dropping to her knees with a raw cry. My pulse stuttered. I'd never seen someone's heart break right in front of me before.

“No,” she gasped, voice dissolving in a half-sob, half-denial. “No, no, no?—”

She gripped Reika’s arms, as though if she held on tightly enough, Reika might become the sister she was so desperately wishing for. Her one wrenching sob tore at my gut. I stepped in behind Kira and crouched down.

“I’m sorry.” It felt so hollow.

Tears rolled unchecked down her face. “I thought if I just kept hoping …” Her voice broke, and she bowed her head until her forehead touched the edge of the cot. “She's dead, isn't she? They're all dead.”

My own heart twisted. “We can't know that,” I said, as gentle as I could manage. “But maybe Reika can tell us what she knows. When she wakes up.”

There was no telling if Reika had been on the same ship we'd been on. It made sense. How many ways were there for humans to end up on Volcaryth? But jumping to conclusion could give Kira false hope. And she was already on the edge of falling apart.

She sniffed, nodding in a jerky motion, tears still brimming in her eyes. Slowly, she loosened her hold on Reika. Just as she was getting herself steady, a new presence disrupted the quiet.

Vega entered in her usual brash fashion, scanning the rows of beds with a quick, sweeping look. “So we found another human. The guys in charge are going to love that."

I was already bracing myself. “Not now, Vega.”

She raised an eyebrow, glancing at me and then at Kira’s hunched form. “Don’t get your hackles up. Am I the only one that remembers that we're here on sufferance? Or did you forget how they almost killed Orla for a bit of accidental trespassing? As far as they're concerned, more humans equal more trouble. I'm trying to keep us alive here."

Kira rose unsteadily, turning on Vega. “If you’re so eager for doom and gloom, go preach it somewhere else,” she snapped. “We don’t need you making everyone feel worse.”

Vega’s eyes flicked over her. She looked as though she might lob a retort but then seemed to think better of it. An uneasy shrug took over her stance. “Fine. But this place is a powder keg waiting for a spark.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose, a headache nudging its way behind my eyes. “Let’s just not,” I said, keeping my tone level through sheer force of will. “We can’t afford it.” I hesitated, then exhaled. “Why are you even here, Vega?"

“I'm a helper, didn't you know? I've been in here every day, cleaning up unspeakable messes and trying to keep the dragon-monsters alive." Her face wrinkled in distaste.

"Let's not call our patients monsters." I dreaded to consider her bedside manner.

Vega shrugged and walked off to get started with her shift. I didn't try to stop her. She had an attitude, but we needed the hands.

The silence she left behind felt loaded, all the more claustrophobic in the dim light. Kira gave me a look so full of exhaustion that I felt another wave of guilt rising.

Kira brushed her knuckles across her damp cheeks. Anger and sorrow mingled in her eyes. “Let me know if she says anything about Larissa.”

I nodded. “I promise.”

Without another word, she spun on her heel and headed for the exit. My heart ached for her—and for all of us, really. We were trapped beneath this mountain, clinging to uncertain alliances and half-fixes.

I looked at Reika. She was still, aside from the movement of her breathing. Then my own doubts started circling—and inevitably, my thoughts landed on Vyne. I told myself I was just tired, but even the mention of his name in my head made something hot twist in my gut.

I stood there, fists clenched, letting the memory of “You’re mine” pound against the inside of my skull.

He had the shittiest timing on Earth. Or, well, Volcaryth.

What would happen if I gave in? If I let myself believe? My stomach knotted, torn between wanting him in some undeniable way and knowing I shouldn’t risk it—not now, with so much chaos.

I owed Orla an apology. Looking back, my advice to her about her situation with her own Drakarn warrior felt glib. I'd even joked about wanting one of my own.

I had no idea what that meant.

“Are we going to talk about it?” I nearly jumped out of my seat when Kaiya’s question lashed me like a whip.

“The healers are doing better. We can figure out Reika’s situation once she’s up.” There was so much to do and not enough hands, but we were making do. “Is Rachel sleeping?”

“I hope so, but come on, Selene.” She sat down on a stool beside me and gave me a look. “You slept here last night. Are you hiding from Mr. Tall, Green, and Obsessed with you?”

Yes.

No.

I didn’t know.

I groaned. “Can we not? Please.”

“Are you one of those people who solves everyone else's problems while letting your own fester?” she asked, diagnosing me faster than any therapist back on Earth.

“I’m one of those people who doesn’t let others die because I have issues in my personal life.” It felt like a weak retort, but I didn’t have anything else.

Kaiya stared at me, waiting for me to break.

I wouldn’t. I was stronger than that. I didn’t need to vent. I could handle this on my own.

Who was I kidding?

“We barely know each other. The mission was all stress and excitement and … fuck if I know. And now he’s telling me I’m his mate, as if I have time to deal with that while all of this is happening.” I spread my hand out, gesturing towards the healing Drakarn. “What was he thinking?”

“Oh, no, you’re totally right on that part. His timing sucks. But I saw the way he looked at you. He wasn’t lying.”

“I know that!” I clamped my mouth shut, like that might call back the words.

If I knew all that, why was I stressing?

I groaned. “Do you have any advice, or are you just going to ask pointed questions?”

“You don’t need advice, just a little kick in the ass. Our lives are completely messed up. It’s not like any of this was planned. So maybe embrace the good stuff?”

Before I could say more, she patted me on the shoulder and walked away to tend to one of the moaning healers.

I didn’t want to obsess over Vyne. I didn’t want to think about what it meant if I was his mate.

The problem was, I couldn’t stop.

With a grunt, I got up and walked away from Reika and resumed checking the other beds. Mysha stirred under my hand, blinking in brief confusion before drifting back into sleep. I listened for any trace of that deep, hacking rasp that had haunted them all before, but it seemed to be fading. Hope flickered inside me, fragile but alive.

After finishing my rounds, I tipped my head from side to side, stretching until my spine popped. The oppressive space pressed in. It smelled like damp stone and stale air, and the walls felt closer than they had hours ago. I needed to leave this ward, if only for a few minutes.

But as I leaned against the wall, the rasping coughs of the healers echoed in my ears, and under that were Vyne's unforgettable words.

You're mine.