Call of the Dragon (Return to Avalore Book 1) (29 page)

Swearing under his breath, his gaze met hers. “How long has she been in this state?” His warm energy surrounded her even as he barked at the men in the other room.

“She hasn’t let us in for three days. She hasn’t had anything to eat or drink in at least as long.” Only Evan dared to speak.

Swallowing hard, she cleared her parched throat before speaking. “
She
is right here.” She meant to sound strong and clear, indignant even, but the words barely whispered past her lips.

“Rhia…” Shaking his head, he took another step closer.

Even looking a little scruffy like he did now, his hair all dishevelled, and his jaw needing a shave, he was gorgeous. Blinking fast, she tried to stop the tears from slipping down her cheeks again. He was here with her, so why was she still crying?

“Damn it.” Closing the distance between them in two long strides, he wrapped her in his arms, muffling her sobs against his chest.

“Leave us.” He didn’t wait to see if they listened. With one look, and a flick of his wrist, the door slammed shut, rattling the windows. How the hell could they let her get like this without telling him? Did they think he’d refuse to come? Sure, he’d stayed away from the palace and told Evan he’d needed some space, but this was fucking ridiculous.

The Elders would have a fit knowing he was in here with her, but then, they wouldn’t approve of most of what they’d done together anyway.
Fuck them.
They could just add it to his long list of sins. Right or wrong, he wasn’t going to leave her like this, and if they, or anyone else had issues with it, he’d deal with them later. She needed him right now, and he’d be damned if he would walk away from her.

Rubbing her back, he sent soothing energy into her as he held her close. “It’s okay. I’ve got you now.” When her tears showed no signs of stopping, he pulled away so he could see her. He wiped her damp cheeks before pressing his lips to her forehead. “Come on, honey. You have to stop this. Your crying is breaking my heart.” Goddess knew it was already in shreds.

“I can’t. It just w-won’t stop.” She took a deep shuddering breath. “I can’t sleep, I can’t e-eat. I think I’m going c-crazy.” She pulled back, bunching his shirt in her small fists as her eyes sought his. “I’m so tired. M-maybe if you stay with me for a little while I can get some rest.”

It was like a punch to his gut to see her like this, so withdrawn and hurting. She didn’t need to tell him she was tired, the evidence was all around for him to see. Dark circles hung under her sunken eyes and her cheekbones stood out more than usual. He’d give just about anything to agree and let her sleep, but she needed more than rest.

Her chapped lips trembled as she tried to suppress her tears. Evan was right. She hadn’t been eating, not enough anyway. “You need to eat, and drink. Then you can sleep.” Dropping his arms to his sides, he made his proposal. “If you wish for me to stay, I will, but you must have your breakfast.” Pulling away, he went to the door, reaching for the doorknob as though he was ready to walk out if she said no. “The choice is yours.”

He hated to see the panic flitting in her eyes as they widened, but he held his ground.
Say yes, damn it.
It was blackmail, plain and simple, and it left a bitter taste in his mouth, but she needed to eat. If she called his bluff, he’d never be able to follow through with his threat, but she didn’t know that.

He didn’t say another word as she swallowed once, and rested her hand on her belly as she considered what to do. As soon as he’d mentioned food, her face had paled, so he knew she didn’t want to eat, but still, he waited for her decision. Long seconds ticked by while she thought about it before she nodded her agreement.

“I’ll try.”

Facing one another on the bed, neither spoke as she picked at her cold breakfast. She chewed and gagged on the first bite, but he had to hand it to her, she had determination. Taking another deep breath, she fought to keep from retching, and popped a piece of fruit into her mouth.

If she realized he was trickling energy into her, she didn’t let on, and she didn’t object, so he kept going. Already her colors flowed better and her cheeks had a pink hue even if her eyes were still sunken and puffy after too much crying.

Clearing her throat, she pushed the plate aside. “I can’t eat anymore.”

Satisfied she’d eaten at least two thirds of her breakfast, he smiled. “Finish your orange juice, and then you can sleep.”

“I guess I was hungrier than I thought.” Gasping, her gaze shot up to his as he handed her the glass. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t even offer you any.” He hadn’t seen her blush often, but her cheeks turned the prettiest shade of pink.

Bringing his hand up to brush a stray lock of her hair from her face, he smiled. “It’s okay. I’ve eaten already. I’m glad you ate.” He hadn’t. Truthfully, he’d lost his appetite almost a week ago. He’d forced food down most days, but this morning, he just hadn’t mustered up the will.

Drinking the last sip of juice, she set the glass on her bedside table before turning to him again, eyes pleading. “You’ll stay, right? I mean, you said you would.” She fidgeted with the hem of her shirt, uncertainty shining in her eyes.

“I’ll stay.” He’d do anything she asked if it meant the haunted look in her eyes would disappear. Holding his hand out to help her stand, Drake turned down the blankets and patted the mattress. “Come, in you go.”

When she scooted to the other side, leaving plenty of room for him to climb in next to her, he did. He’d hold her for a while, at least until she’d fallen asleep, and then he’d pull up a chair and watch over her.

Knowing it couldn’t last, didn’t change the fact he needed this just as much as she did. Just being near her made it a little easier to breathe. His dragon had been in a pissy mood for a week, snarling and spitting at everything and everyone. It had quieted once he’d arrived at the castle this morning, sensing Rhia’s presence and had gone to sleep.

She snuggled into his warmth with a soft sigh, resting her head on his shoulder, making him wish things could be different. He’d give anything to be able to hold her in his arms every night and wake with her each morning, but that wasn’t how it worked.

“I need this more than you can imagine.” Her warm breath caressed his neck as she slid her delicate hand across his chest to rest over his heart.

“Sleep, Rhiannon. I’ll be here when you wake.” Stroking her soft hair until her breathing deepened and her body relaxed against his, he drifted off to sleep.

Chapter 23

Rhia’s heart pounded. Black storm clouds roiled in the sky, obliterating the sun as a wicked storm rushed in. Her fingers tightened in Drake’s cold hand as they danced in the howling wind.

Blood red tears dripped down onto the black suits and dresses of the Avalorian people. This was supposed to be her special day. Why was everyone so sad? Swallowing hard, and blinking back her own tears, she tried to speak to Drake, but his mind was closed off to her.

When she looked up, her father had taken his place. Intense grief poured into her, stabbing at her heart as she reached up and touched the silent red tears rolling down his cheeks.

Only the woman with the black hair didn’t cry. Her arms were outstretched as though drawing power from the storm itself, like a witch of old, casting spells, creating misery. Her black hair flew in the increasing wind. Her green-yellow eyes glittered with hatred.

Looking straight at her, the woman sneered before she turned and walked into the forest.

“Rhia,” Drake’s insistent voice woke her. “Wake up, you’re having a nightmare.”

Taking a deep breath, her lungs filled with Drake’s fresh, spicy scent, making her smile even before her eyes opened. He’d stayed, just like he said he would. The last time she’d opened her eyes, the room had been pitch dark and she’d gone back to sleep to the soft sound of Drake’s snoring rumbling beneath her cheek.

“Good morning.” Stretching, she smiled up at him. “It is morning, right? How long have we been sleeping?”

“If I had to venture a guess, I’d say we slept almost a full day. We both needed it.” Gazing into her eyes, he asked. “Are you all right? You were having a nightmare when I woke you.”

She bolted from the bed, remembering the dream she’d just had. “I have to talk to my father.” She didn’t want to wait and chance forgetting anything. Laughing at his confused look, she leaned down and planted a quick kiss on his parted lips.

“I keep seeing the same woman over and over in those weird dreams I’ve been having. I need to ask him about her. She’s the key to all of this. She has to be.” As though just now realizing what state she’d allowed herself to get to, she headed straight for the bathroom. “I need a shower. I’ll be out in just a few minutes.”

What a difference a day made. She’d only eaten one meal, but she’d gotten some much needed rest, and true to his word, Drake never left her side. It didn’t fix anything, but at least she could breathe now without feeling like each breath would be her last.

Showering in record time, she made her way to her sitting room. She had some apologies to make. Her refusal to see her family hadn’t just worried them, it had hurt them. When she emerged from her room, William was waiting along with Evan and Drake, none of them speaking. Not out loud anyway.

“Thanks for coming.” She bent down to kiss her father’s cheek. “I’m sorry for making you worry so much over the last few days. I don’t know what came over me.” She couldn’t meet their eyes. She knew exactly what had come over her and they knew it too. She took a seat near Drake. “I’m feeling a lot better now.”

“We’re happy to hear it, sweetheart.” William spoke in quiet tones, as though trying to gauge her emotional stability.

“I need to talk to you about my dreams. I think if we both try to work through them, we might get somewhere. I had another one last night, or this morning rather, and it felt more real in an absurd kind of way.”

“Okay, let’s see what we can figure out.” Her father sat forward in his chair.

She couldn’t believe the change in him in the weeks since her arrival. He’d gone from being weak and feeble to strong and intimidating. There was no question where Evan got his intense personality.

“In my dreams, we’re at a party in a meadow, all of Avalore is there, and there’s music playing. The day is beautiful and sunny. I always wear the same beautiful dress, and I’m dancing… with Drake.” Maybe she should have left that part out, but it was part of the dream, and she wasn’t going to shy away from it.

Drake’s eyebrows rose as he listened but he didn’t interrupt.

She went on to explain each dream, leaving nothing out. “I don’t know how I know this, but when you take Drake’s place and look at me, it’s not me you’re seeing, but my mother.” Her father gasped, stopping her in her tracks. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to upset you.”

“I’m fine, sweetheart. Your mother and I held a get together in the meadow after our joining ceremony to let everyone celebrate with us. Please continue.”

“At first I couldn’t pinpoint it, but now I know the woman with the black hair is the problem. She’s watching you dance, and she’s so angry. She’s chanting like she’s casting some kind of spell.”

“What else can you tell us about her?” Evan, who’d remained silent up until now, piped in.

“Not much, but I saw her more clearly this time. Her eyes stood out. They were bright green with yellow in them—almost reptilian.”

“Gryphon.” Both Drake and Evan spoke at once.

Evan leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Descendants of gryphon ancestry have green and yellow eyes.”

“The day of our joining, a woman I’d been friends with, Bethania, came to me and begged me not to join with your mother.” Her father’s voice trembled. “We’d gone on a few picnics, as friends, nothing more. Of course, when the time came, I didn’t think twice. I gave my heart and soul.” He hung his head, shaking it. “I should have guessed. Bethania had long black hair. She was gryphon. I never, not for a single second, regretted joining with your mother. It was the best thing to ever happen to me. I felt it each time my eyes set upon her.” His head hung low. “How could I have not seen it back then? She might still be alive today.”

Rhia went to her father and wrapped her arms around him. “You couldn’t have prevented it from happening then, any more than you can change fate now.”

“I don’t recall ever seeing her again. I know of one family in Avalore of the gryphon blood, though I suppose it’s possible others left to live up in the mountains after your mother was killed.” His voice broke.

Drake stood to leave. “I’ll go question them.” He held her gaze for a moment before heading for the door.

Rhia took a deep breath and sighed. As much as she wanted him to stay, she’d known he wouldn’t. Shortly after, William made his excuses, saying he had things to do, but he looked so shaken up that she knew needed some time to come to grips with what he’d learned.

Evan’s pulsating energy inundated the sitting room, making her head throb. When he wasn’t pacing, he was glaring at her. She knew he was still pissed, but she’d already apologized for locking herself in her room—twice. He’d just have to get over it. A soft knock on the door broke the unbearable silence.
Thank God for small mercies.

“Katie and Chantelle have come for a visit, are you up for it?” His look almost dared her to say no.