Chapter 35: Chapter 35

SILVER

“I don’t expect to wake up with Storm’s warmth nearby, but when I reach consciousness to feel his arms securely tightened around me; I smile automatically.

He is breathing slowly and deeply, content as he spoons me. An arm is locked around my waist, the other clasps one of my breasts possessively.

I cannot mist away from him while he touches me like this, and I believe that is his aim.

I feel my butt tingle—it is numb with his loving last night. I’m pretty sure other parts of me are going to be noticeably numb as soon as I stand.

I try to shuffle out of Storm’s arms gently, trying my best not to disturb him. The reality is, I can’t get far without having to physically lift his heavy arm off me.

I try to do this slowly, but as I do so, the morning sun filters through a window from the passing of a cloud, and I sneeze loudly.

When my sneeze does not wake Storm—I grow confident that I can get away if I’m a bit more robust with my movements.

I quickly slip out from under him, my bare feet finding the floor as I squat and then rise smoothly, turning to my Dragon Lord and Master of Feeling.

This morning, he is the one out cold.

He doesn’t flinch—he lies peacefully while his Broken Fire leaks all over his pillow, leaving golden Dragon dust behind. It glitters and fades, a funny thing—but also a sign of his age.

The poor, ancient brute is still young in his looks, but Legends have to have scars, I suppose.

I slowly lean over and kiss Storm’s cheek, brushing his hair off his nose as I trail my fingers along his perfect face.

I can imagine his face was imprinted into the minds of many women when he was a young Shadow Assassin, cocky and unruly.

Now he is just grumpy—clearly for now, after he fucked all the pent-up energy out of him… Into me.

I turn and waddle away, going to Jinx’s box to find a spare dress.

I try on a silver one with a white belt, and then I look around for an exit.

The door is gone, so I don’t know how to escape.

I look to one of the windows, locked and barred shut. I gaze out over the camp, wanting desperately to help them repair.

But I don’t want to wake up Storm. I just have a feeling if I do, I won’t be allowed to exit the wagon any time soon. So, I have to find a different way.

I try to catch the eyes of wanderers-by, but it seems like they just don’t take notice of the window, or perhaps they can’t see it from a magical illusion.

I frown, about to give up—until a gray-scaled head pops up from under the wagon.

I smile as Rawk sniffs at the window, his nostrils flaring as he then stops searching with his eyes…to look at me directly.

He pauses, confused for a moment, but he knows it’s me.

Then he calls out, even though I can’t hear him—and hearing his noise, Zoraul, already a little bigger than Rawk, comes slinking out from the bottom of the cabin also.

His lighter-silver scales are shining in the sun as he yawns, showing all his brilliant, white teeth.

Zoraul joins his twin to gaze into the window, tilting his head curiously.

~“Let me out the front door,”~ I ask them, hoping they hear me.

I expect them to not completely understand my words, but I’m surprised as they both instantly turn and happily trot around the wagon.

I turn to where the door does not exist—and as I wait for them to work out how to open the door… It doesn’t exactly swing open.

It crashes dramatically inward—with Rawk sliding along the cabin floor, bobsledding on the door toward Storm, while his father is still in his deep slumber.

As Rawk jumps upon Storm and licks him awake, Zoraul pounces at me.

With a growl like a purr, he almost knocks me over as he rests his scaly head on top of mine and leans into my side with all his weight.

I have to lean back into him while wrapping my arms around his neck in a hug.

“You amazing beasts,” I laugh as he snorts out fire. And when Storm is abruptly awoken, Rawk jumps off the bed and blows some kisses of fire in my direction.

I have to dodge around Zoraul to prevent the flames from burning my dress, and Zoraul growls at Rawk in disapproval.

So Rawk spits playful fire at Zoraul, who snaps back at him—and then Storm is rolling to his feet quickly.

“~Parva bestias~,” Storm growls, and at his disapproval, both twins slink out the door, chasing each other as they happily play.

“Little beasts.” He looks wild as he stands with his hair in a complete mess around him as I now also slink toward the door nonchalantly.

“Good morning, my love.” I smile and then run out the door before he can yell at me to stop. I’m lucky.

Storm must be naturally slow after deep sleeps, because he does not react right away, and I manage to slip out without any yelling directed my way.

~“They get their recklessness from their mother,”~ Storm mocks me half-heartedly through our connection as I walk around the cabin once I’m outside.

~“Oh, don’t complain. Fix the door, and I’ll greet you properly when you’re dressed,”~ I try to reply calmly and reasonably…but of course, it’s still not good enough.

~“You will not go far,”~ Storm answers firmly. ~“Do I make myself clear, pipsqueak?”~

~“As clear as ever, dear Master,”~ I answer back—a bit too sheepishly.

I feel Storm’s frustration because of my attitude, but I can’t help but be happy. Storm loves me—he is a brute and sometimes a little harsh, but he has changed a little for me.

I can see the changes in him every day—making an effort to accommodate who I am.

It is comforting.

Once outside, I get to work. I help some of the Dragons rebuild a couple of stalls that were completely reduced to ash from the invasion of Xander’s army.

I help Kix and Jeekah and Fray retrieve berries from the forest. I also chat to the Gypsies and say good morning to everyone I see.

The morning is going well, even after I see Storm walking about, looking for where he can help out as well. When he does not bother me, I am happy that he is giving me room to breathe.

I assumed he’d keep me under lock and key for a while—simply to fuck me.

I am glad he allows me this freedom to participate more in the restorations.

After I eventually help Kai and Julian with hauling in some deer carcasses for food, they politely leave. I stand for a moment, having a break and placing my hands on my hips.

I watch Rawk and Zoraul as they fly around each other above the camp, snapping and growling.

Eventually, they settle in the middle of the field in the center of the camp, and they sit apart from one another, eyeing each other with auras of irritation.

I’m worried about the fight they’ve had, until eventually Zoraul collapses to his side and rolls onto his back, spreading his wings without a care as he sunbathes.

Rawk rolls his eyes, sees me, and then he quickly shakes himself out, nervous as he prances forward, then turns and walks around in a couple of circles…and then rests on his front claws, resting his head next to Zoraul.

He watches me through half-hooded eyes, and I see the love replacing the tension.

Zoraul growls at Rawk for being too close, but then they both close their eyes and start to nap together anyway.

“Aww, rivals already,” Drax whispers in my ear, and I jump in fright.

I turn to face him, about to blast him…but he’s holding a rose.

“What are you—”

“Relax, Silver; it’s not for you.” Drax shrugs. “It’s for Risen, okay?”

“What?” I ask breathlessly, hardly believing my ears. “Really? Good!” I slowly grin, and Drax slyly looks away, blinking fast as he thinks.

“Do you think that… Please answer me honestly…because you made me think twice with your passionate words last night, little Silver…”

Drax bites his lip before growling low and awkwardly, “Will the she-beast forgive me?”

“Don’t call her she-beast, and I bet she will,” I answer lightly. “How could I have possibly inspired you?”

“Okay, I admit.” Drax drops his hand with the rose and rolls his eyes before gazing at me. “You reek of great sex, Silver. I need some great sex…with my mate… I’m attempting to seduce her. No one else compares.”

“So why do you not choose her and only her?” I ask, raising a brow curiously.

“I don’t speak of my ways to anybody, Silver.” Drax winks. “I just enjoy making her go crazy…”

“That’s cruel,” I state plainly.

“Oh, but cruel…is often fun,” Storm now speaks up from behind me, and I slowly turn to see Storm standing a few feet back, his hair wildly moving in the wind as he watches me, an intense love in his eyes.