I wake feeling exceptionally warm and drowsily wonder if I fell asleep next to a radiator. Blinking, my eyes gradually focus on the image of a large red dragon. It is a magnificent beast, with wings outstretched and a large flaming sword gripped in its talons, and so intricately rendered that each individual scale is visible.

Reaching out a hand, two things stop me from actually touching it. The first is the way that the scales closest to my curious fingers glow as if illuminated by firelight, and the second is that even my sleep-addled brain finally realises that it is painted on a wall of muscle.

Kai! I recoil. Elle, how can you have forgotten that you're sharing a bed with that brooding hulk of a warrior.

Carefully, so as not to rouse the dragon so to speak, I slip out of bed. He may have lost some of his growl, but I still don't trust him. I creep into the bathing area to get ready for the day. I would love to go for a run, but he would probably have an aneurism and instead I dress in my elven exercise clothes.

Walking past the still sleeping warrior, I pull back the heavy canvas door flapand step outside. There is a chill to the air and the sun has not long risen. There are signs of movement in the camp, but for the most part it is peaceful. I work through my normal morning regime. Darish may no longer be with my physically, but he is here in spirit.

Lost in the movement, it takes me a while to notice my senses prickling and I spin around to find Kai staring at me from the tent opening. He is bare-chested and I struggle to find a safe place to look, quickly settling on his face. He looks less foreboding clean-shaven and thankfully the glower is gone, although the intensity of his dark gaze is disconcerting.

"Good morning," I call out a greeting and hurry back to the tent.

"Morning," he responds as I pass him. His gravelly voice vibrates through me and I feel the heat radiating off his body.

I grab my bag and escape to the sanctuary of the bathing area. Once I am dressed for the day, I re-emerge and am relieved to find him properly clothed.

"Would you care to break your fast with me?" Kai asks.

"Yes, thank you. Do you know if there is any fruit?"

"Fruit?" His brow creases. "What is that? Is it a food stuff?"

"It is sweet produce from plants," I explain, trying to keep my voice level and not betray my incredulity.

"You eat plant matter?" Kai's upper lip curls as if tasting something sour. I feel indignation bubbling up inside me but as I open my mouth to respond, he winks and jokes, "Worry not princess, even us barbarians occasionally eat plant matter."

Placing a hand on my back, he guides me outside and through the maze of tents to an open eating area where the remains of a fire are still smouldering. A welcoming array of food is laid out on a long table under a canopy. I help myself to several exotic looking fruits, warm flatbread and some honey before taking a seat.

Above us, a dozen or so dragons are flying acrobatics in the sky, their scales glinting in the morning sun as they whoosh overhead. They are different shades of green, blue and orange. Kai's dragon stands out from the others as it is red and three times the size of the smallest. Mesmerised I watch them, while absentmindedly nibbling at my food.

"Wow!" I breathe, awestruck. "Growing up I always loved dragons. Alas they only existed in fantasy. To see them is such an honour."

"Our kingdoms are adjacent to each other. There are hardly grounds to think them fictitious." Kai seems offended.

Not wishing his scowl to return, I explain, "While I was born in Elysium, I was sent to another world as a baby. A unicorn brought me back less than a solar ago."

His face takes on a strange, slightly waxy look. "You speak of the impossible."

"Not impossible. It took a lot of magic and..." I gulp, pushing back tears and Cosmos's memories, "... some of my family sacrificed themselves to ensure my safety."

He places a fist over his heart and pledges, "No one will harm you while you are in my care."

Emotions glitter in his dark eyes, although I would need a codex to decipher them. He is not quite the barbarian that I first took him for.

We have almost finished breakfast when the twins finally join us looking dishevelled and most definitely smug. Both have plates piled high with mountains of food.

One sidles up to me. "His Lordship seems a lot more amenable this morning. Did you do anything to ease his tension?" he asks, waggling his eyebrows suggestively.

I shake my head in disbelief and when he yawns I query, "Did you not sleep well?"

"We have been far too busy for sleeping," he responds with a wink.

......

It is mid-afternoon when we land in the courtyard of a honey sandstone fort. A man wearing a red velvet cloak is stood at the top of the stairs and flanked by well-armed Dragonite warriors. Behind them, a huge aged oak door stands gaping open.

He steps forward and bows. "Princess Elissa, Lord Zander, your humble servant. You are most welcome to my home."

Taking my hand, he kisses it and keeps hold for a little longer than is comfortable. "My little brother neglected to mention what a great beauty you are."

I look up into the man's dark indigo eyes. There is something about him that seems vaguely familiar, yet I can't place it. At a loss, I quiz, "Your brother?"

He gives a smile, which could and probably has charmed the panties off many a woman. However, the over familiarity just makes me feel ill at ease, so I start to edge away. He laughs in good humour and it is a rich and hearty sound. Then he steps to one side to reveal a figure inside the tiled hallway of the fort.

For a moment I just stand there frozen in shock on the threshold. "Zane!" Then I am running and leaping into his arms.

Zane's arms squeeze me tight and he murmurs into my hair, "Little one."

I squeeze back, overjoyed to see him again. Since leaving Alfheimr, I have felt adrift in an oft-turbulent sea and now his solid presence acts like an anchor.

Eventually, he places me down. His grin fades and a perplexed expression crosses his face. "What has happened to your ears?"

"Oh yes, I forgot about them. They are a gift from my grandmother."

"Do they work?"

"Well evidently, as I can hear you," I respond, bemused.

"Elven ears are particularly sensitive." He emphasises the word 'sensitive' in an overly seductive voice.

I roll my eyes. Seriously, I have more important things on my mind.

Placing an arm around my shoulder, he guides me back outside. "Come on, I have a very excited dragon who cannot wait to be reunited with you."

On cue, Roth swoops down into the courtyard. This day just keeps getting better. I practically fly down the stairs and throw my arms around him. He makes a chirruping sound and wraps his neck around me before licking me with a large, raspy tongue. It is rather like being attacked by an enormous excitable puppy, admittedly whose breath has a touch of sulphur and smoke.

The relief at seeing him so well is almost too much and I don't know whether to laugh in happiness or to cry. Leaving him to die had left a scar on my soul and now I have hope.

When I finally emerge from the dragon's embrace, I am probably grinning like a fool, but I don't care. Kai is in brooding mode again, yet even he cannot dampen my good spirits.

Kai narrows his eyes at Zane and demands, "How come you are so well acquainted?"

"Elissa was my ward for several moons until Nero kidnapped her and held her a prisoner at Corinth," Zane responds, guilt lacing his words.

Kai turns his dark gaze to me. "Lord Nero? I find it hard to believe that even he would risk the wrath of the elven court."

I withhold the urge to shudder at the mere thought of Nero, and in a cool tone respond, "My heritage was unknown at that point. If you recall, I explained that I grew up in another realm."

"I am curious and deeply indebted. How did you save Roth?" Zane asks. "By all accounts the poison should have killed him."

"I have since discovered that I have been blessed with healing powers. Although, at the time I wasn't aware, I just threw my arms around him and begged him not to die."

"Well that must be the answer. If you wrapped your arms around me, I would not be able to deny whatever you asked of me." Zander's eyes twinkle with mischief.

I giggle. It would seem that the brothers are made from the same mould. A low growl rumbles from Kai. I'm not sure that he has much of a sense of humour.

.....................

🐉💕