The Lost Alliance (Rise of the Drakens Book 2)

would be an honor, even if it is a sorry apology for leaving you to fight the Demon Wars alone the first time.”
The earth witch lazily raised a few more blades of grass as she smashed through the hardened magma. The draken in front of her sniffed loudly, his face twisting as he fought to contain his tears. He let out one sob, before seizing the earth witch to his chest in a giant hug. Astrid smiled in victory, and the witches surged forward to mingle with the drakens.
“Look at that! History in the making!” Astrid was full of glee, punching Benedict playfully on his shoulder. He grumbled, turning away. Astrid dismissed him with a wave of her hands, and quickly drew the earth witch along with her, already discussing where to grow a grove of trees to make new homes for everyone. drakens trailed behind the women like eager puppies, offering their own suggestions and gesturing wildly as they described in detail what the island had looked like before. Their hope was an addictive drug.
Benedict and I were finally left alone. I looked up, allowing myself the luxury of trailing my eyes over his body. I reached a hand towards him, and realized it was shaking. He clasped it between both of his, one dark eyebrow shooting towards his brow.
“Is it magick you use to make so many allies?”
I laughed, putting my other hand on his chest. It blossomed with warmth as I ran my palm up to his shoulders, his eyes filled with heat. He looked down at me, so tense I thought he might shatter. I sighed.
“Go ahead, get it out of your system.” His shoulders sagged, and then he sniffed the air above my head, his eyes going immediately to my wing joint. Without another word he offered his wrist, and I bit down.
How I’d missed the taste of his blood! I had enough to heal in seconds, but it wasn’t enough to fill the hole left by his absence, or make up for the worry and the fear I'd felt. I tried to drink more, but he ripped his wrist away, licking it healed.
“I was so afraid, I couldn’t think, I couldn’t sleep—” I closed my mouth, not wanting to babble.
Benedict frowned. “Afraid of what? The demon hordes?” I stopped, glancing up to see if he was joking. He wasn’t.
“No! I was sick with worry over you!” I pounded his chest in frustration until he grabbed my wrists. We stared at each, our faces only millimeters apart. I ripped my wrists away and glared at him. Now that he was here, now that I knew he was safe, the anger came rushing back. It hurt that he’d believed me a traitor—that he’d left me for dead under the hot sun. It hurt worse that it took his people turning against him to not murder me. Benedict read the conflict in my eyes and looked away.
“I’m…sorry.”
A few months ago, it might have been enough. Now, standing as a queen and a survivor, I hesitated when he held out his hand again. Then I remembered Gelf…Pirth…the hopes of every draken who looked to us for guidance. If I didn’t forgive Benedict, was I any better than him? Forgiving me for his brother’s death was a large step, and even if he was awful at forgiving people, he wouldn’t learn how if I didn’t show him first.
I allowed him to pull me into his chest, his arms coming around as he held me tight. I stood rigid, my arms hanging awkwardly at my sides. Drops of water landed on the back of my shoulder, and he clutched at me harder. Benedict was crying—silent tears of regret and suffering. I had to forgive him; after all, forgiveness is never for you, it’s always for them.
Slowly, my arms came around to embrace him back, and every tight knot and tense breath he had been holding released. He released one small, quiet sob, and I squeezed him tighter.
“Don’t do it again—the witches taught me a few things.”
He gave a strangled laughed as I pulled back, such relief swimming in his eyes that it made me feel like the most powerful person on the planet. I audibly gasped when he seized my lips, one hand resting against my face, and the other burying itself in my hair. I relaxed against him, finally, finally feeling as if I’d come home. He was still as I took in the bags on his face and the myriad of unhealed bruises.
“You look like shit.”
His eyes sparked, and I held out my wrist. He exhaled through his nostrils, turning his face away. I scowled.
“Drink, or I’ll give you a few more bruises.” I slit a claw against my forearm, not bothering to wait. As soon as my blood touched the air his instincts took over, and he was drinking before he could stop himself.
How did you survive?” I whispered as he only took a few licks. His tongue was rough against my skin, languishing along the cut to ensure all traces of the injury were gone.
“You thought I would just let a mountain fall on us?” He gave me a disappointed huff, and the corner of my lip curled upwards.
My eyes flared in hope. “Us?”
Benedict threw his arms in the air. “Your human was standing at the hole by the blasted elevator shaft. It was easy to grab him and shift away, though I didn’t escape completely unscathed.” I closed my eyes, utterly relieved for his bloodline’s ability to shift through shadows. I wrapped my arms around his neck, whispering into his ear.
“Thank you.”
His arms went around me in reflex, though I could feel the heat radiating from him in mild embarrassment.
“Normally a male brings a mating gift to the bond. I wanted this to be mine.” He wouldn’t look at me, even as a dull blush colored his cheeks. I pulled back as he glanced down at me.
“You were truly worried for me?”
I gave him