Before, I hadn’t helped her. In fact, I’d actively resisted it. Hard to say, now, whether it had been out of ego or survivor’s guilt. Moreover, I’d left Winfyre in other hands, and it had survived. Maybe I’d needed to think it couldn’t, after Brody—to keep myself going.
Now, I saw that was foolish. I didn’t have to go it alone. I wasn’t alone.
Two arms slipped around my torso from behind, and I smiled.
I had Tiani.
“I leave you alone for two seconds, and you start brooding,” she complained. “But it also gave me a chance to do this.” She rubbed her face against my spine, and I sucked in a breath, trying not to let all my blood go south. “I wanted to do this the first night we ever spent together, did you know that?”
“No,” I said, amused, and turned around, catching her face in my hands. “If you had, I might have done this, though.” Leaning down, I seared my lips to hers and then swept my tongue inside, tasting her unique sweetness. “I was—am—insanely attracted to you; you know that, right?”
“Seemed a likely conclusion,” Tiani said and smiled up at me, resting her hands on my wrists. “I really like, um, your hands. I mean, I like all of you, but you have the sexiest hands.”
“I guess,” I said and glanced at them, rough and scarred. “They’ve seen better days.”
“I, um…I like your tattoos, too,” Tiani said and bit her lip, looking to the side.
Trying not to laugh, I also wanted to shake her. Tell me when you’re ready.
“I made lunch,” I said and nodded, tugging her toward the kitchen. “Come eat.”
Tiani drew away and shook her head. “You know what I’m trying to say, don’t you?” She put her hands over her face. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”
“Nothing,” I said gently.
“You made it seem so easy,” she whispered.
"It wasn't," I said, and she dropped her hands. "I was pretty scared, and a little worried you might take off on me, but also—looking at you made me brave." I paused. "Tia, as I said, I know. Everything you did—it was for us, for Winfyre, and for our family. That's more than enough."
“I’ve never said it before,” Tiani said, and my lips parted. “Not like this. To my man.” She shook her head at her falsely jaunty tone. “I don’t know why I’m bringing this up.”
“You can bring it up. I’ll listen. I want to know.” I smiled at my mate. “I want to know everything about you.”
“You do, don’t you?” Tiani asked and came closer. “Give me your hand.”
“Okay,” I said, watching as she took my hand and placed it over her heart. Eyes closed, she pressed it there and frowned a little. “What are you doing?”
“Letting you read my heart,” she said.
“It doesn’t—”
An array of images rose up and spun at a dizzying rate through my mind. Flashes of Tiani when she was younger, some bittersweet and full of struggle, others dazzling and full of dreams. I saw a young, shy Iris who became her sister, saw her long and hard nights at school, her rounds on the floor and her bonds with patients. Then it leaped forward to us.
The memories in her mind had nothing on her heart. Our hearts.
I was speechless, my eyes wet as I brought my hand back to my face and looked away. She wanted to spend her life with me, and that was a humbling, incredible feeling.
Neither of us needed words as I pulled her into my arms, and we held onto each other.
With the mating bond falling back into place.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Tiani
“I have to go oversee the evacuations,” Xander said and rubbed his big hands slowly up my arms, a smile playing around his lips at my distracted nod. “I’m sorry I can’t stay.”
“Don’t be,” I said, darting my eyes between his face and chest.
I couldn’t maintain eye contact for too long. He thought it was because of his hands, and okay, it was, in a way. He had amazing hands, and my crush on them would not be denied. But it was more the fact that I hadn’t said those three little words. Xander had. He’d not only said them but also admitted how scared he’d been to say them.
I was right, I thought with a helpless internal laugh. It was this side of Xander—this wonderful, compassionate, and fearlessly vulnerable man, with his multifaceted strength.
“I have to go,” Xander said and dipped his head down. “Tia?”
Don’t! I wanted to say, but instead, I grabbed his shirt and pulled him in for a kiss. One big hand drifted its rough fingers across my cheekbone, while his other hand held my waist.
Pulling away, I whispered, “Be careful.”
“Sure thing,” Xander said. He should’ve left, but he didn’t; he only sighed and pressed his forehead against mine. “Please don’t run off.”
I smacked him. “Low blow, Bane.”
He yanked me against him as I tried to pull back. “I mean it. Not for any reason. Nothing.”
“Please don’t worry about me,” I said and tugged on his shirt. “I’ll behave.”
“I know, it’s just—”
“Xander,” Kal called irritably. “Now we’re late.”
We both laughed and glanced toward the tree line, where Kal and Iris had been saying their goodbyes on the steps of their house. We’d stepped away for a minute of privacy that had turned into almost twenty. Gripping each other’s hands, we began to walk back, only Xander stopped me for another kiss. I couldn’t get enough, and now I had no idea how much time had passed.
Kal’s bellow woke us up. “Bane, let’s go, dammit!”
“Right here,” Xander said, and we emerged from the trees together. Kal was scowling at us, and Iris was trying to look serious, but her small smile betrayed her. “We can be late, you know.”
“It’s not easy for him to say goodbye,” Iris piped up. “The longer we do so, the longer the list of things Kal comes up with to worry about.” He gave her a flat look. “I’ll be fine.”
“Of course you will be,” Kal rumbled. “But I’m also annoyed because every minute we spend here is one minute later I’ll be getting home.”
With a laugh, Xander stepped forward and gripped Kal’s shoulder. “Fine. We’re going.”
Air spun around them, and they were gone, an uncomfortable pressure rippling through my chest at Xander’s absence. Iris grabbed my hand in instinctive comfort and gave me a small smile.
“Kal’s still stunned that he took another day off, and that he didn’t tell anyone about it. The Alphas are all really relieved.” She paused and twinkled at me. “And grateful.”
Tugging at my shirt collar, I nodded and tried to smile. It was still a bit awkward with Iris. I couldn’t quite forget how upset and dismayed she’d been not even the other day. Plus, it was strange to have everything out in the open—both the clandestine deal with Orion and the mate situation with Xander.
“How are you feeling?” Iris asked as we walked back to the house.
“Oh, fine,” I said and rubbed my elbows. “How about you?”
Walking in, Iris didn't answer but went to the kitchen with me following along. Everything was bright and lovely, with the smell of lemon in the air.
This was interrupted by a splash of cold water in my face. Not a lot, but a good amount.
“Iris Lisay!” I exclaimed.
“Tiani Elkhadi,” Iris retorted and shook her blonde curls at me. “Will you knock it off? I can’t stand seeing you like this, and I want the dish on Xander before Lor gets here.”
“Oh. Because she’s his sister?” I asked without thinking.
Iris gaped at me. “How do you know that?” she asked in a small voice.
“I—uh.” I fumbled around for an answer. “Someone told me—I can’t say who.”
“Tiani, you cannot tell a soul,” Iris breathed. “It’s a complicated issue. And half the Alphas don’t remember her, or they’re starting to…I can’t believe Xander told you.”
He didn’t. “What a
bout the other Alphas?” I asked.
“It’s not my secret to tell,” Iris said desperately. “I found out by accident.”
“So did I,” I said. “And it’s not my secret to tell, either. But what did you mean—the other Alphas don’t remember Lor? Didn’t they all grow up together?”
“We did,” said a soft voice. “It was a safety precaution after Brody died.”
Whirling, we saw Lor standing behind us, looking somber and exhausted. She gave me a small smile. “Hello, Tiani. It’s nice to see you.”
“Lor, are you okay?” Iris asked and rushed forward, leading her to the table. Lor sat down with a sigh and rubbed her face. “What is it?”
“I’m not sure,” Lor said. “My dreams are all stained silver, and I can’t sleep. It’s like I’m trying to remember something all the time.” She put a hand to her head. “It gets stronger every day, and I’m not sure why.”
My lips parted slightly. Beylore was Lorel, Brody’s mate. Could some part of her be sensing him now that he was so close but not be able to make sense of it?
Suddenly, I felt a snap of anger at Brody. If she was the love of his life, why wasn’t he here? I knew he’d said something about taking care of things and Orion, but this was his mate.
He would be here, though, I thought suddenly. Unless something dire was keeping him away.
“Everything okay, Tia?”
I went to tell her a white lie, then slowly said, “I’m not sure. Remember how Ayani and Lazu, uh, helped me?” I glanced out the window, at the bright, early spring day and the soft blue sky. Everything was so peaceful and quiet, it was hard to believe Winfyre was in danger. “I thought they’d be here by now.”
“Ah, speaking of that,” Lor said, and I looked at her. "Sorry, we haven't had a chance to meet yet. Although I hear you convinced Xander to take the day off yesterday. Second one in a month." Her dark green eyes danced. "Incredible."
I couldn’t help but let a giant smile take over my face. “That’s the word for your brother.” I put a hand to my heart, where I swore it felt as warm as a sun in my chest. “I adore him. I…”
A sense, like light scattering shadows, filled my mind. Iris's living room was swallowed in the rush of an image. It wavered, flickered, and was almost gone, but something in me held on.
I was standing in the middle of a field of ash, the sky obscured by thick plumes of smoke, and the mountains burning. A crash came from above me, and an old tree plummeted to the ground, swallowed by the hungry flames. It wasn’t normal fire—it burned cold and white, all-consuming. The tree was gone within moments, and I stumbled back, kicking up ash.
Turning, a gasp escaped me, and I stared in disbelief at the long, still lake.
I knew this place.
Here, in this spot, was the first time I’d seen Xander.
A hand went to my mouth. This is Winfyre. But how…?
I told you, Bane. The voice jolted me out of my skin, and I spun around, eyes frantically searching for the speaker. You should have taken my deal twenty years ago. I would have settled for hunting you for all time. Orion stepped out from behind a tree, and I stared in horror as he looked around, smirking. Yet, somehow, I knew he couldn’t see me. This was a vision, a peek around the curtain.
I knew it would take years, if not decades, to kill you. He laughed. My worthy prey.
Orion was older, his face grimmer and lined with dark black lines. It reminded me of the carvings on the dindari armor. All his humanity had wasted away, leaving nothing but a husk of a man and his burning, wild eyes.
One by one, I hunted the shifters. And, one by one, they fell. Orion had a deadly-looking crossbow fitted with a dark black arrow. Some of your friends were smarter—they chose to become human again. Same as your mate. Although that didn’t save Tiani in the end, did it?
An enormous snarl shook the trees, and I almost fell back as Xander exploded out of the darkness, a fireball coming for Orion. But he vanished and reappeared some distance away, rippling like smoke. My eyes went wide with horror. Another Excris ability?
Xander landed heavily, a smaller and more nimbly-sized dragon. I let out a cry neither of them heard. My mate was covered in wounds, his great form shaking and weary. When his head turned my way, I saw that one of his eyes was missing. Yet the other was all the emptier.
Nothing of Xander was left.
Orion echoed my thoughts. I wonder, if I gave you the antidote, if you could become a man again. If there is even a spark of humanity left in the beast you’ve become.
Xander let out a snort and eyed him, his one eye slitting at his foe.
You’ve been a dragon for eighteen years, Bane. Orion picked up his bow, and it made a terrible creaking sound, one that twisted through my very soul. All of your family is gone. Dead. I made sure of that. Why not end it?
The dragon went to move forward when he let out a cry, and I saw a dark form flit by, snarling and laughing. It was Lind, but twisted by demonic energies into some kind of monstrous, hunched imp. The same markings adorned her face.
“Thank you, pet,” Orion said, and I blinked, not sure what was happening. But it was like I’d stepped forward into this vision, ripping the curtain aside, and nearly gagged on the putrid air that filled my nose. “Now, then. Time to kill the last shifter and end this game.” He lifted his bow. “I was always going to win.”
“Like hell you were!” I burst out, and Orion let out a grunt of shock. The arrow flew wildly, missing Xander, who whipped his head around, too. “You used the basest of tricks and Excris allies. You never had the nerve to take Xander or Winfyre on in a fair fight, you monster.”
Tiani? Xander’s deep voice, rasping and agonized, went through my head like a bell.
“I killed you.” Orion was white and staring at me. His nostrils flared. “No. No, I took that gift away from you. You can’t be here.” He let out a sharp whistle. “Pet.”
Lind came leaping at me, and I gasped, falling backward and then somehow, in the blink of an eye, next to Xander. I’d hopped.
In fact, I thought I’d hopped into the future.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Tiani
“We have to get out of here,” I said and pressed a hand to Xander’s leg. His entire body shuddered and jumped under my touch, a keen in his throat. “I-I can’t explain.”
Climb on. Xander’s voice echoed again in my mind, and the piercing loneliness caught hard in my chest. As he lowered his head, I heard Orion and Lind scrambling towards us, Orion yelling. Hastily, I scrambled up and wrapped my arms around his neck.
There was a sweep of powerful wings, and then Xander took off, flying through the mountains. He wobbled a few times, clearly exhausted, and banked, making for a lonely ridge free of smoke or anything else. It was as raw as a bone.
He landed heavily, and I was almost thrown off. “Easy there, dummy,” I said without thinking. “Uh, I mean…” I slipped off and looked up at him. “Sorry, I…”
Trailing off, I walked to the edge and looked out across the wasteland. Lips parting, I shook my head and tried to make sense of it.
“This can’t be,” I whispered as the sight caused my knees to buckle. “This cannot happen.”
Have I finally lost my mind? I turned sharply and looked up at the dragon eyeing me. His nostrils flared, and his big nose came closer, bumping me gently. How can this be?
“As much as I like your scales, can you shift back?” I asked.
Xander let out a huff of anger. You’re kidding. A lip peeled back, showing sharp fangs, and he eyed me. Who are you?
“Don’t be an ass, Alexander!” I said and stamped my foot. “You know it’s me. I don’t think we have much time. Although, maybe we do. Or I do.” Reaching down, I pinched myself and winced. “Yeah, this isn’t a dream.” I looked up at Xander. “This is twenty years into the future. Holy shit.”
I thought you looked as I remembered you. Before.
“Before what? Xander.” He flinched as I came forwar
d, backing up. “Shift back. Talk to me.”
I can’t. He looked away. None of this makes sense. I must be going insane. Then his head swung around, and again he snarled, his face twisting with anger. Or it’s a trick of Orion’s.
I rolled my eyes, even though my heart quaked a bit. If I couldn’t get Xander to trust me, I wouldn’t be able to figure out what had happened here. “Calm down, you giant lizard. It’s me.” A giant snort of air escaped him. “For me, yesterday was the first time we—y’know, um, slept together.”
Xander hadn't been expecting that, and his jaw snapped closed, then his head tilted in a familiar and heartbreaking way.
“Remember, we were being silly, and I pretended you were a trespasser.” My cheeks went hot. “Lord Bane, Lady Tiani. And later that morning, you said it was okay that I was a giant chicken.” I sucked in a breath and stared up at him. “Please tell me I said it before—”
Don’t! Xander’s chest was heaving, and he moved closer, his big eye taking me in. Tiani—it-it really is you? Reaching out, I laid a hand on his rough cheek and nodded. How?
“I’m not sure,” I said. “Although I have a feeling it has something to do with you and…” I touched my chest with my other hand. “When I had you touch my heart that morning—” A rush of cool energy spiraled through me, and Xander jerked back, snorting, shaking from head to toe. “Xander! What is it?” I gasped as he shifted back, falling to his knees. “Oh. Oh, Xander.”
His clothes were torn, and there was nothing but a length of cloth bound around his missing eye. Scars adorned his bare arms, and those familiar hands were clenched in rage. His hair was loose and unkempt, falling to his shoulders, streaked with white. As was his unruly beard.
Yet he’s somehow still a sexy mountain dragon god. What the hell, Xander?
“How?” Xander’s voice, disused and rough, washed over me. “Orion severed my human half eighteen years ago.”
“Healing,” I said and looked at my hands. A gasp escaped me. “I must be able to reverse what he did. And a gift of premonition. Maybe I can do this now, because in the future I would've become this powerful…or maybe I was always this powerful." Xander rose up, and a hitched breath escaped me. "You know, for a man who's been a dragon eighteen years, you're still too handsome for your own good."
Dragon's Oath (Northbane Shifters Book 5) Page 28