A few hours later, thunder and lightning filled the sky. I'd never seen anything like the angry display of fierce weather. Then as suddenly as it began, all went quiet. A woman's harsh voice swelled within our heads until the pain was so great we fell to our knees. My eyes were tightly shut with my hands covering my ears. A female voice rang bitterly through my mind until I thought my head would explode.The Goddess cursed us and we could do nothing. One-hundred-thousand years for the sins of my uncle. Each word of the curse was more painful than the last. When her voice stopped, the sun shown for the first time since the death of our parents. We didn't fully understand the depth of the Goddess's hatred. After vomiting our guts up, we tried to appear brave by joking about her wrath. Love for some human bride was the least of our worries. It seemed minor after everything we'd lost.Days later we all became violently ill again. The Goddess had told us to choose the first to claim a bri
I awake feeling rested. My legs are a little unstable, but I manage to get myself to the bathing chamber to take care of necessities. My breathing is heavy by the time I make it back to Tahr's bed. I hear a noise and I look up expecting to see Tahr. I'm relieved that it's Betty bringing food. I need thinking time to put my thoughts in order about the dragon. Betty looks over me closely and only when she's satisfied that I'm okay does she give me a gentle smile. I've imagined her smile for weeks and answer it with my own.The soup she brought is heartier than the earlier broth. My stomach growls loudly and our grins widen. Using sign language, Betty asks how I'm feeling.We converse for a short time until she wants me to explain why I was punished. I look away, unable to meet her eyes and unwilling to share my transgressions. I had no right to touch Tahr. Even Meagan would have been upset. Thankfully Betty doesn't push for an answer. Instead, she wraps me in her arms and pulls me clos
She hates me. What a joke! And I can't help my large grin at her feistiness. I like when a bride challenges me. No! Not a bride and I must remember that.I've decided the best way to care for Pepper is to have her care for me. That way I can keep an eye on her. Seeing her standing so close to the ledge terrified me. I slice my fingers through my hair wondering what the hell she was thinking.Then, there is the magic that flows between us when we touch. Magic, I can no longer overlook. I wonder if her parents were more than what they appeared. As far as I know, earth shifters and vampires don't become ill. There's no denying she was very sick when Meagan and I fetched her as a child.I pull a large section of my hair in frustration this time. I really need to visit Sarn and his mate, Sierra. It took a long time to forgive what he did to Roxy and Ashrac. Now I'm just relieved he's finally happy. And living in the earth's realm, he or even his mate might understand what Pepper is. Beca
Her expression changes from delighted to worried and I wish more than anything that we could truly communicate. "Come on, it's time we return. I will pick you up in my talons and carry you back."She adamantly shakes her head no and begins walking back to the castle. It's my turn to roll my eyes in exasperation. "Stubborn human," I mumble under my breath. I could shift and carry her anyway, but for some crazy reason I decide to give in. I walk beside her until we reach my tower. Her neck stretches back as she gazes up to the top. I can't help but notice her irritation when she realizes I'll be carrying her anyway. I bite my lip to keep from grinning. Pepper huffs, which is absolutely adorable, and places her hands on her hips. Her headpiece is tipped low over one ear again but I wouldn't dare try to adjust it. It's her large, expressive eyes that hold me captive for a long moment. What is this hold she seems to have over me? A human. A human with something more.I back away so I can
Tahr hasn't said a word since reading my note and I'm worried. I finally got tired of waiting for his response and went to my room to lie down. He followed me in a few minutes later with the rope in his hands-still silent, still running his fingers through his hair, and still as gorgeous as ever. He's dressed in tight trousers and no shirt. There's nothing about his body I don't like and in his current state of silence, pacing and making no eye contact there's nothing for me to do but scrutinize him.None of the humans I know have muscles quite so defined. They flow under his skin and make my mouth water. Other parts of me water too but it's embarrassing. Meagan told me of such things but I didn't believe her at the time. "It's like an itch that needs scratching," she once said. Now I know it's more like an out of control fire that needs extinguishing.Is his silence because I called him foolish? Or is it telling him of my dream? He must think I'm crazy and it's actually a good possi
Bastian is as concerned as I am. We decide that we will bring Ashrac with the adults so everyone can meet Pepper. Hopefully, Bastian can figure out the source of her magic.Bastian whispers into my head as we fly. "Because a Goddess has helped three of us, it doesn't mean that I trust her." I understand his tone. We try to be careful when we speak against any of the Gods.We fly side by side with Acasia and Ashrac slightly behind us. "Thank you for returning with me. It's possible she's simply dreaming and sleepwalking, but with the mention of Pegasus, I'm worried.""It would be quite a coincidence," Acasia volunteers. "I just don't understand why a Goddess would care about a human. Not that there is anything wrong with humans," she adds quickly.A strangled sound comes from Bastian's throat. "Acasia has a soft place in her heart for our servants. I believe she acquired the habit from Meagan."I see the humor in this conversation and the mention of Meagan's name doesn't hurt as mu
The dragons speak of me as if I'm not present. Just because I cannot use my voice doesn't mean I can't hear them or understand what they're saying. I have no way to convince Tahr that the woman on the Pegasus is no dream. She came to me while I was awake. For some reason I don't think she wishes me harm. I feel more alive beneath the light she casts.The young, red dragon mentioned a Goddess. Is that what she is? I agree with him-what makes me so special? A yearning for scales and wings is not enough.Tahr's arms comfort me. He says he wants me in his life; so what exactly does that mean? I'm here and fully healed. It's time to begin my duty and serve him.What if he hadn't caught me? As I fell, a painful burn erupted across my back along with the pressure under my skin. When Tahr grabbed me, his energy burst between us and soothed the pain. And I was devastated. Something waited and it was so very close. How stupid is that? I'm nothing to a Goddess."You will begin teaching me you
For the next two weeks, I keep Pepper so busy she falls into bed each night and sleeps soundly. I know this because her ankle is now tied to mine and I feel every move she makes. Betty has found a young man to help her serve me. Mikael, the young man who delivered the rope, irritates me to no end. Pepper acts shy around him and I don't like the way he looks at her. He is far too friendly. And even though I know in my heart that I should allow their feelings to blossom, I cannot. Pepper is mine. It's entirely unreasonable. She deserves a human to grow old with and one who makes her happy.I don't care!Pepper shakes her head causing the headpiece she's never without to tilt to one side. My frustration rises. I've grown to dislike the thing and want to see her beauty uncovered. I want to slide my hand over the smoothness of her scalp and her large expressive eyes to close in delicious anticipation of where I will touch her next.As I stare at her, a bewildered expression replaces her