Three days and there was still no sign of Acasia or Laryn. Sarn and Tahr helped me search. If they hadn't fed me, I wouldn't have eaten. My moods switched from rage to overwhelming sadness and back to rage. Mostly I was angry with myself.
Besides our monthly poker games, we usually spent very little time in the company of other dragon brides. Tahr brought Megan to Sarn's lair to help Calista. When we weren't scouring territories, I observed their relationships. It took no time for me to realize we were at the mercy of our brides. If they were happy, we were happy. As dragons, we postured, but the bottom line was we loved our brides deeply. This knowledge did nothing to help my situation, so I stored the information.
This was the third night, and Sarn had taken it upon himself to make sure I was drunk enough to sleep. The females had gone to bed an hour ago and we were on our second bottle of whiskey.
"I think Laryn took her out of the realm," Tahr said before upending his goblet.
I was thinking the same thing, but hadn't wanted to voice my suspicions because it was the worst possible scenario.
Sarn refilled Tahr's drink. "Have you thought about this, Bastian?"
Fuck, if I said the words aloud, it was that much closer to being true. "It's what I'd have done."
We stayed quiet for a while. I knew they were thinking about the one-hundred years until I claimed a new bride. They might even be thinking their brides would be in danger from me like mine was from Laryn. They didn't understand. There was no other bride for me. Acasia was it. It didn't matter what the curse entailed or if there was a mate in my future. There was only Acasia.
"Are you going to kill him if we find him?" Sarn was looking at me.
"Yes, wouldn't you?"
"Yes, but I'm getting close to a time when I won't have Calista. It makes us crazy. Is Laryn really at fault or is it the curse?"
I slammed down my cup and stood. "I don't give a damn. He's a dead dragon when I get my hands on him."
Tahr stood and handed me my drink then tipped his cup against mine. "I agree. You touch my bride, you die."
I clicked his glass, finished my drink, and went to the room provided for me while I was here. Sleep did not come.
***
Acasia
I'd been here three days. All I thought about now was Bastian-not escape, not food, or even what Laryn would do to me.
Bastian.
Laryn didn't come near the bed again. Once, I asked about the private facility and he smiled like keeping me from it might have me talking. I didn't ask again. Hours later, he took me outside to an outhouse. I didn't thank him or even look at him. I crawled back into the bed when I returned.
The need for an outhouse was beyond me today. I was lightheaded from lack of food and liquid. Nothing mattered but Bastian. My poor dragon. I lay thinking about him-loving him and his sharing his world with me. I slept in fits dreaming about him holding me. I opened my eyes and jumped. Laryn sat in the chair, which he'd pulled close to the bed again.
His voice was softer this time. "You aren't going to eat are you?"
I stared without answering. I woke up this morning no longer hungry; food didn't matter.
"I'll make you a deal." He waited, but I didn't respond.
"You eat and talk to me for a few hours today. I'll take you back tomorrow."
I shook my head. I didn't trust him as far as I could throw him.
"You must eat, Acasia. I'm sorry I took you. It's easy to blame it on grief, but I was also selfish. Bastian's different with you. I was so jealous it hurt. If you won't talk, I will. I'd like to tell you about Maleah."
He started talking. I didn't want to listen. He began at the claiming ceremony and went on from there. In some ways, Maleah was like me and in others completely different.
Laryn's voice was laced with sadness, "She hated growing old and me staying young. I found myself in dragon form more and more as she aged. It didn't bother her as much to see me like that, and I wanted her happy. She loved to ride. Even when she was so old and her muscles and bones hurt, she would insist I take her flying. Towards the end, she was in pain all the time. That bothered me more than her eventual death. I hated seeing her in agony that I could do nothing about. She begged me to end her suffering, but I couldn't. One more day with me was one more day I wouldn't be alone."
He stopped talking and looked down. Finally, he lifted his head to meet my eyes. "She couldn't sleep and would take short walks around our chamber. I would listen for her, but leave her alone because I knew she suffered. The night she died, I must have nodded off. She jumped to her death."
My body was so dry from lack of water that I didn't think I could cry, but tears rolled down my cheeks.
"I won't watch you die or suffer. We leave tomorrow. Bastian will kill me, but I want you to know I'm sorry."
"I forgive you," I whispered.
He didn't acknowledge my words.
We left in the morning. I was too weak to ride even if he'd brought a saddle, which he didn't. We passed through a realm because he warned me about the pain coming my way. The pain was worse than when I passed the earth realm; I wondered where he'd taken me, but I didn't ask. If he managed to escape Bastian, I couldn't tell Bastian where to look for him.
Eventually, through the gap in his talons, I could see things I recognized-the lake nearest the lair, the stream that I walked to the first day Bastian left. It was such a relief, but something else bothered me. What would Bastian do? Killing Laryn would be first on his agenda, but after that, would Bastian believe Laryn never touched me? I'd seen Bastian's rage when he thought my own finger might have ruined my virginity. And I knew the story of Drakon and Eileithyia-Drakon killed her. As weak as I was, I cringed over what I might face.
"If he's here, he'll come out quickly."
Bastian didn't show and part of me was glad.
Laryn released me from his talons and I managed to stand while leaning against his leg.
His blue eyes jerked around watching for Bastian but they also showed wary concern. "Can you make it to the door?"
My head spun, but I had the door in my sights and I thought I could manage.
"Yes. Fly away quickly, Laryn," I whispered.
"Thank you, my lady."
I took a tentative step and then another. Laryn waited until I leaned against the door. He turned away and his wings sent enough air my way that I almost fell over. I turned the large handle and pushed. The door opened easier than I expected and I fell into the front hall.
It took me a few seconds to open my eyes. Maxwell stood over me.
"Water," I croaked.
Someone placed cool water to my lips a minute later. I drank too much and nausea rose in my stomach. I knew I looked the complete fool, but I managed to gain my hands and knees, then my feet.
"I don't think I can make it to my chamber without help."
Several younger men practically carried me to the library. "Bastian's room please." I needed his scent surrounding me. I had no idea when he'd return, but I wanted a reminder of him, now, this instant. I hadn't bathed since leaving, but I had no strength to get in the bath and needed to lie down. "Please bring me soup and more water."
They placed me at the edge of the bed and made a hasty retreat. I looked around before shedding my smelly gown. I lay down and waited for food or Bastian.
Fifteen minutes later, Maxwell placed a tray with soup and water in front of me. I drank most of the water before taking a few spoonfuls of broth, not daring to try the chunkier bits. It stayed down. My hands shook as I placed the tray on the floor and fell back on the coverings. Though I fought it, my eyes wouldn't stay open.