“Yes,” I said. “You’re my first priority. My only priority. I can see your exhaustion plainly written on your face.”
Aileana glowered, and green magic sparked at her fingertips.
Maiela sucked in a breath. “Ooo, the dragon’s done it now,” she murmured.
“Mai,” Kysha hissed, “that’s not helpful.”
“I can take the first watch,” I said again. “Aileana needs to sleep.”
“That will not be happening,” the elf in question snapped.
“Sunshine—”
“No.”
The four elves take a collective step back.
“I’m staying up, Xander,” Aileana said. “In fact, I have lots of energy.” As if daring me to contradict her, my Earth Elf released a flurry of green ribbons. They transformed into a pair of moss-covered logs, matching the soft green grass carpeting this part of the tunnel.
“See?” She crouched, grinning as she fed more magic into the shale. “I feel great.”
A growl ran through me. I knew she wasn’t feeling well, and I wished she would let me take care of her. But if she insisted on staying up, I would give in now. That way, she might at least get some rest before the night was over.
“Fine,” I groused, unhappy about this entire situation. “We’lltake the first watch.”
Aileana shot me a look that told me exactly how happy she was that she got her way.
* * *
A little while later,after sleeping arrangements had been sorted, Aileana sat next to me on a log. Her head rested against my shoulder and she idly wove green ribbons between her fingers. Soft whispers and quiet moans came from the two other couples, and I wrapped my arm around my bonded mate.
“I’m glad to have some time alone with you, Sunshine.” Picking my words with care, I spoke slowly. “Even though I think you should be sleeping. You seem… stressed.”
The word was inadequate, but I was treading carefully. I wanted her to open up, and my fierce mate wasn’t naturally inclined to doing so.
“I’m fine,” she said, shaking her head.
A growl rumbled through me. “I don’t believe you.”
Aileana sighed. “I’ll be fine,” was her reply after a moment. “I’m just tired.”
This seemed like more than just being tired. I was tired. Everyone was tired. But the stress was affecting Aileana differently.
Holding her tight, I rubbed her back. “Was it the trial?”
A long moment passed, and she did not speak. She didn’t need to. Sadness and pain flooded the bond, and I knew I was right.
“I’m sorry.” I held her tight. “I should have been able to stop this.”
She didn’t contradict me. Instead, she slumped against my chest. “It’s just… it was horrible,” she admitted. Pain laced her words, and my dragon roared at the sound. My mate’s pain hurt ten times as much as my own. I would give anything to bear this burden for her.
“What happened?” I asked.
“Blood.”
She only spoke the one word, but that was all she needed to say. A burst of fear came through the bond, and I held her tight. I pressed my lips against her hair, hugging her until the shaking subsided. She shouldn’t have had to deal with this. I should have protected her from it, but instead, I’d been stuck dealing with my own demons.
Eventually, Aileana turned in my arms. Her emerald eyes met mine in the near darkness, and she cupped my cheek. “Do you want to hear about it?”