Nikolai considered.Something is definitely wrong.
I’ll see if I can push things today.
They’ve called Ash back in for the evening, to see if he’s got any more insights. If not, Cara is insisting they let us leave tomorrow morning.A sudden burst of worry.Are you okay?
I’m fine.
You don’t feel fine.
Aria sighed.It will be better when you get here.
Not sure I’m the scritch to your itch, but I’ll try.
What do you mean?
Cara thinks this is linked to your Dragon’s need to culminate the soul bond.
Was that what was going on? But they were already bonded, weren’t they?
You and I are. You even bit me, remember.
She did. Her skin flushed bright red. Her beast had pushed her to do that—Does that mean you are part Dragon, now?
Cara says no. My Bellati blood is immune. But you might need a Dragon, and I can never be that.
Neither is Lucas,Aria pointed out.
No. But he can be.
Aria’s gut twisted. She was still taking the herbs, but the herbs had nothing to do with the culmination of soul bonds.
Cara says she’ll check you out when we return. She’s worried about the hormones starting to do damage if they are denied for too long.His mindvoice remained calm, but the extent of his worry vibrated beneath it.
I’m fine, Nikolai. Just jumpy as hell.
Okay. With any luck, I’ll be there in the morning. I’m looking forward to seeing this place for real, instead of through your eyes.
Her heart lifted at the thought of him returning. And the rush of heat that overtook her stole her breath.
Wow. If that’s any indication, it’s going to be some kinda homecoming.And he opened his heart, letting her experience the depth and intensity of what he held within it.
Moments later, Aria was still quivering. Bereft of Nikolai’s contact, she sought the third component instead. But Lucas was still locked down tight. If she couldn’t break through soon, she’d have to physically knock down his door, and demand he talk to her.
* * *
Lucas lay on his bed and stared at the ceiling.
From hair to toes, his body ached. His heart fluttered like a trapped moth, and he had bouts of shivering that refused to resolve regardless of how many covers he pulled over himself.
The worst, though, was the craving. He longed for the powdered crystal sitting on the shelf in the kitchen. Desired it like he’d never needed anything before.
Time to admit he was addicted. He’d taken too much of it to free Nikolai from Galeran. Necessary to do all those morphs, but it had come at a terrible cost.
Cara would be back from Elandriel soon, and the Watcher had promised to help him kick this addiction. Sadie’s sallow face flashed through his mind. He now understood the desperation he’d so often sensed in her. Every cell of his being urged him to get up, walk to the kitchen, and consume—
Aria pushed at him along the link. He held his walls firm as he curled himself into a tighter ball beneath the covers.
Lucas.
