The Dragon Mistress 3 by R. A. Steffan

Author:R. A. Steffan [Steffan, R. A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: OtherLove Publishing, LLC
Published: 2019-07-07T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14: Connections

Frella

THE FEELING OF finally having clean hair was amazing, even if there were still a couple of sore spots on my scalp from having tufts of it yanked out. The feeling of cold water against my scabs and bruises was… less amazing. But it was still good not to be covered in grime anymore.

I was also getting chilly as the last of the light faded, just as Eldris had predicted. He and Nyx walked close at my sides, the heat from their bodies blocking most of the evening breeze. Rayth had set up a fire outside the cave. He was lounging near it, claiming the early watch with Cheen. And, predictably, holding a wineskin in one hand.

Eldris eyed him as we approached. “Wake me later, yeah? I’ll take the late watch.”

Rayth lifted the wine in a small salute, but said nothing.

Inside, I warmed up by the fire and drank the two kinds of tea Aristede had made for me. After letting him change my dressings and eating another bowl of bland mash, whatever analgesic was in the drink Aristede had concocted started to unknot my aching body, leaving me feeling pleasantly relaxed.

Conversation was desultory, but as my gaze played over the three men seated around the fire, a different—and much more pleasant—kind of tension started to build inside me. Pity I wasn’t in any shape to truly indulge it tonight. Although…

My brow furrowed in thought.

“You scheming something over there, sweet thing?” Eldris asked, watching me from where he lay braced on an elbow in his bedroll.

I smiled. “Just wishing I wasn’t too much of a battered mess to enjoy a good tumble in the blankets, since we’re all here and safe.”

Nyx shifted a bit restlessly, but at least he didn’t stammer out an apology and flee the cave.

Aristede shot me a wan smile. “Best not. But give it a few days, and we’ll happily drive you to distraction in whatever manner and combination you desire.”

I nodded, deciding to indulge my curiosity about something. “Did you and Eldris, though? While I was gone, I mean?”

“No,” he said without hesitation. “It didn’t feel right, when we were so worried about you.”

An ache that had nothing to do with my injuries took up residence in my chest as I turned my attention to Eldris. “And how did he sleep while I was away?” I asked.

But it was Aristede who answered. “Poorly, as though you even have to ask. But I don’t think sex would have helped with that, to be frank.”

I chewed on my lower lip thoughtfully, rolling it between my teeth for a moment before I spoke.

“You do know that I don’t want you to hold back just because I’m not there, right?” I asked. “The whole point of loving more than one person is always having someone around when you need them.”

“You didn’t have anyone, though,” Nyx murmured.

But I shook my head. “Nonsense. I had all four of you plotting to come save me. Even if you weren’t with me, you were still with me—in here.

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