Dragonspire by Talya Andor

Author:Talya Andor [Andor, Talya]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Gay romance, Fantasy
Publisher: Less Than Three Press, LLC
Published: 2016-01-05T23:00:00+00:00

BREAKTHROUGHS

Gideon's sleep that night was shallow and uneasy. He replayed the moment he'd found Echo bound and bloodied in the cell. It was intercut in weird flashes with the kiss they'd shared at the end of the evening and the way Echo had jerked away from him, giving him a look as though Gideon had said all the wrong things.

He slept on the couch. When Echo rose from the bed as daylight filtered through the thin window slits, Gideon rolled to his feet, instantly alert with his hand on his sword.

"Sharp," Echo praised. He skirted the foot of the bed, heading for the bathroom.

"They won't catch me off guard again," Gideon said.

Echo paused. He stopped beside the couch, leaving a substantial gap between them. "I don't want you to spend your life on their weapons," he said. "I can't allow it."

Gideon lifted his chin stubbornly. "I pledged to protect you, and I mean to. I've seen what they'd do to you, Echo. I won't fail you again."

"You never..." Echo reached out a hand but let it drop. "You do not understand."

"Then explain it to me," Gideon said, so vehement it surprised him. Echo rocked back on his heels. Sometimes Echo was such an enigma it was beyond frustrating, but Gideon ought to expect that, given it was more than worlds that separated them.

"The pledge," Echo said slowly. "It goes both ways, Gideon. I cannot allow you to come to harm when it's within my power to ensure otherwise."

"Then..." Gideon made a frustrated gesture. "How am I supposed to protect you?"

"As you have been," Echo replied.

"Yeah, I've been doing great so far," Gideon muttered.

"It wasn't I who achieved my release from the cell, Gideon. It was you. And it wasn't I who negotiated us to this point, no matter how different from our expectations it has turned out to be. I am well satisfied."

"You were hurt." Gideon stood, setting his sword aside. "It might not have left a mark on your skin, but they hurt you, and I let it happen, and I can't stand it." Gideon couldn't look at Echo as he said it. The thought was one he wouldn't have been able to voice, before, but he wasn't able to provide any other comfort but words. Echo wouldn't let Gideon touch him.

"Very well," Echo said crisply. "Then renew your pledge to me by ensuring that nothing happens from this point onward and that we leave Chrystopolis safely. Both of us, because I'll endure no harm to you, either."

Gideon replied with a curt nod. He extended his hand.

Echo reached out and clasped Gideon's hand, eyes intense. Gideon half-expected to be reeled in for more than a handshake.

"I so swear," Gideon said, brown eyes solemn on his.

Echo dipped his head in acknowledgment. "As do I."

The touch lingered for a moment, and Gideon found himself unable to disengage, while Echo seemed to have no urge to do so. Gideon leaned in, eyes half-shut, going for what seemed like the natural conclusion to the tension singing between them.

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