Flight of Dragons(55)

When he finally reclined on the bed, Balthazar pointed at him. “You have some explaining to do.”

“Tomorrow,” Eva whispered. “You need to sleep.” She traced his mouth with a finger, then bent down to plant a swift kiss on his cheek.

He grabbed her arm. “Don’t go.”

She became wary. “Why? Do you think Bal will show up again?”

Balthazar suddenly realized Eva had a very good point. He sensed Bal was not far, but his dragon made no attempt to fight. In fact, he felt his dragon’s grudging acceptance to wait. Balthazar grasped his chest, stunned at his dragon’s admission.

“Balthazar, what is it? What’s wrong?”

“Bal.” He stared at her. “He’s going to back off for the time being.”

Eva’s smile brightened the room. “Thank God.”

He hadn’t released his grip on her. “Maybe you should stay and make sure.” He gave her his best innocent expression.

She grinned. “Smooth move, Mr. Andal. Try and get some rest.” She pulled away from him and left.

Thorsson cocked an eyebrow. “I thought she would have run away by now.”

“Eva’s not stupid. She’s been marked. She knows it’s safer to stay here than risk her life with Ti roaming about.” He yawned, sleep sneaking into his wearied limbs.

Thorsson bowed. “Sleep well, my lord.” He left the door open, no doubt to keep an eye and ear on his movements.

Balthazar propped his arms beneath his head and closed his eyes. The dragon fire slumbered, and his aches were almost gone. Eva had taken a great risk to pull him out of despair by entering his dragon’s den.

Perhaps it was he who took the greater risk in allowing her.



***



He opened his eyes to bright sunshine as it streamed through his room, and to Eva sitting at his bedside. She held a wet cloth, and as he focused on her, she smiled and gently wiped his face. “How are you feeling?” she asked.

Balthazar noticed Thorsson standing quietly by the door. “Much better, thank you.” He grabbed her hands. “You took an unnecessary risk by entering the basement.”

“I told you, I wasn’t going to stay in my room when I could hear you screaming like that.” She fought his grip, but he refused to let go.

“And you.” He looked at Thorsson. “You gave her the key to the cage. I gave explicit orders that she was not to go down there. What the hell were you thinking?”

Thorsson shrugged. “She insisted on seeing you.”

“What do you mean, insisted?”

“She’s very persistent.”

“And you couldn’t ignore her?”

Thorsson frowned. “Could you?”

He might have accused his security guard of insubordination, but Thorsson was right—Balthazar couldn’t ignore Eva even when he was in excruciating pain last night. “Touché.”

Thorsson’s expression turned fearful. “My lord, I didn’t mean—”

He waved a hand. “It’s all right. We’ve both learned how charming Eva can be.”

“Please don’t blame Thorsson,” she said. “I was a bit demanding.” She glanced back. “And I think rude, too. I’m sorry.”

“Apology accepted.” Thorsson’s face was unreadable.

Balthazar eased his grip on her arms. “You have a lot of courage,” he said quietly.

Eva snorted. “Is that what you call it? Papa keeps telling me to think first before acting, but I forget now and again.” She caressed his chest, and his skin burned. Her lips parted slightly. “But if I had to do it again, I would without a second thought.”

He fought against pulling her to him, but he was losing the battle, damn it. “Thorsson, could you give us some privacy? I’ll be downstairs in a bit.”

“Certainly.” The blond man stared at Eva for several moments before letting himself out.

Eva had closed her eyes. “I thought he’d never leave.” She scooted closer and wrapped her arms around him, then gently explored his body. Her fingers felt like brands of fire as they delicately traced across his flesh. Eva’s lazy smile and wriggling body made it hard to concentrate. “You should be resting.”

“Fuck that.” Bal’s roar echoed his own sentiment.

He wanted to take his time, but years of pent up frustration and tension had taken its toll. He crushed her body to his and swooped down to capture her luscious lips. He slipped his hands beneath the waistband of her sweatpants and massaged her firm, round ass before pulling her closer. Finally, after what felt like hours, he backed off. “If I keep this up, I’ll explode right now.”