Nikolai this time, gently but insistently pushing through his barriers. Lucas ignored him.
LUCAS.No ignoring that one.
Go away, Nikolai. I need to rest.
You told me that yesterday, too. Not leaving today unless I get answers. What is up with you?
Annoyance flashed through Lucas.You bloody scorched me from the inside out. After Demeti did it from the outside in. I need to recuperate.
It had the intended effect of backing him off—for a few seconds, anyway.Is that all this is?
Lucas grimaced. The words were filled with innuendo. Nikolai was no fool—he must sense that there was more to this than a simple “time would heal.”
But instead of pushing on that, Nikolai switched tactics.Something’s wrong with Aria.
Lucas sat up, flinging back the mound of covers.What do you mean?Guilt stabbed at him. He’d pushed her out of his head from the moment they’d returned to the caves. Aria had come through the battle with a few minor cuts that her Dragon metabolism had already half healed. What could be wrong with her?
Cara thinks it might be related to the soul bond, and her Dragon’s need to consummate it.The words were laced with the depths of Nikolai’s concern.
Lucas’s heart began to pound.We’re already linked,he began.
She and I have consummated the bond,Nikolai pointed out. You have not.
Dammit. He couldn’t possibly tackle that right now. Not until he’d resolved this.That is none of your business, Nikolai.
Both Aria and you are very much my business,the Unicorn countered.And both of you are hurting right now. If Cara is right, Aria’s hormones could kill her if her Dragon doesn’t get what it wants.
Surely that was an exaggeration? Desperation rose in Lucas.Then come back here and give it to her.
I can’t give her what she needs, Lucas. Only you can do that.
Lucas swallowed. Dragons. He was talking about them mating as Dragons.I can’t do it. My Dragon can’t lift her without the crystal dust. My craving for it is already so bad—if I take any more, I might never be free from it.
A long pause, as though Nikolai were consulting with someone. Cara? Then he was back.
Cara says she will help heal you of the addiction, starting when we return in the morning. But I may have a solution for your Dragon, one that doesn’t involve crystal dust.
Lucas caught the stray thoughts running through the Unicorn’s mind and his stomach twisted.Not sure your solution will be much better. And I’ll need a lot for this. You’ve boosted me before, but your last attempt didn’t go so well.
Well, I was trying to shred someone. Not an easy thing to do through a soul bond, as it turns out.
Don’t know about easy, but it was painful.Lucas hesitated. The truth was, he’d already decided. Because since that night in Udo’s palace, he’d done everything for Aria. Would do anything for her.
Lucas pushed back the covers and threw his legs over the edge of the bed. The world swayed. No, that was him.Heswayed.
You really are in rough shape.
I tried to tell you that.
Okay, are you ready?
Lucas’s heart thudded.What, now? Right this minute?
Aria can’t wait, Lucas. Not from what I’ve sensed. She’s brushing off my questions, says she’s fine. But I can feel it. She isn’t.
Lucas closed his eyes, but the swirling sensation only got worse, so he opened them again. He took a deep breath.
Okay. Hit me.
