Healed by the Earth Dragon Prince: Dragon Shifter Romance (Elemental Dragon Warriors Book 4)

right, Anna. I am honored by your trust. We will not rush into anything. We have time to get to know one another better—for you to decide if you want me. I will not leave unless you ask me to. I am already yours, my linaya. I will wait for as long as you need to decide if you wish to be mine.”
If I thought I was falling for him before, my heart is practically melting after those words. I brush the pad of my thumb across his soft, warm lips. This gorgeous man wants me. How did I get so lucky?
That’s it. I’ve decided I’m not going to be afraid anymore. If Kaj will wait until I’m ready, I’m all in. I’m going to give our relationship a chance—without holding back anymore.
“Kaj?”
“Yes?”
“Stay here with me tonight.” I gesture for him to lie down. “We don’t have to do anything. I just... want you to hold me while we sleep.” My cheeks heat in embarrassment. “I want to be close to you. I love being wrapped in your arms and wings.”
He gives me a smile as bright as the sun. “I will gladly hold you.”
We lie down side by side and he tugs me against him. He curls his body protectively around mine and wraps his arm around my waist. His wings envelop both of us, and I snuggle closer, loving this intimacy between us.
He drops his forehead gently to mine and whispers, “Rest, my linaya. I have you.”
Kaj makes me feel safe, something I haven’t felt in a long time. I close my eyes and allow myself to drift away. Somehow, for the first time in what feels like forever, I know that I’ll finally be able to sleep without nightmares.

Chapter 19
Anna
When I wake up, the morning is no different from each morning past, except that I don’t feel worried or afraid anymore. I’m wrapped up in Kaj’s arms and wings, and I love how warm and protected that makes me feel. I turn in his arms to face him. “Good morning.”
He gives me a sleepy smile. “Did you sleep well?”
“Yes. You?” Almost in answer, I feel his stav like a hard bar against my abdomen.
“Yes.” He leans in and nudges my nose gently with his in such a sweet gesture that my heart melts and I can’t stop smiling. “I will prepare a morning meal for you, my linaya.”
I want to protest that I should help because I’d like to learn how to cook for myself. I open my mouth to speak, but he stands from the bed then glances over his shoulder. “Would you like to help?”
“Yes.”
“Then I will meet you downstairs.”
It doesn’t take me long to get ready and join him in the kitchen. I open the tea cupboard and glance at his selection. Suddenly, I feel his presence behind me. His body radiates heat as he practically towers over me. He reaches for one of the many jars and hands it to me. “This one is preferable for a morning blend. I believe you will enjoy it,” he boasts.
I boil the water and add the crushed leaves to steep while we start making breakfast. I’m surprised by how well we work together in near-perfect synchronization as we trade off various tasks. Once we’ve put all the ingredients together, I place the dish in the Drakarian version of an oven and watch in amazement as it cooks in only a few minutes.
“Shall we eat on the balcony?”
“That sounds perfect.”
Breakfast tastes amazing, but I worry that he doesn’t like my cooking because I notice he barely eats any. “Does it... taste all right?”
He nods. “It is delicious.”
I point to his plate. “But you didn’t eat much.”
He tips his head to the side. “Drakarians do not require sustenance as often as humans.”
A short puff of air escapes my lips as I laugh. “Of course.” I roll my eyes in mock frustration. “As a doctor now studying Drakarians, you’d think I would have remembered that fact.”
He smiles, seeming to understand. “Do not be so hard on yourself. You have not been here very long, and this world is entirely new to you. There is much I still do not know about your species, and I will need your help—all of our Healers will—so that we can learn to treat any human ailments.”
He’s right. Now that I think about it, they don’t know much about us. For instance, Healer Ranas seriously believed that humans lay eggs. He asked Lilly how long it normally takes us to lay eggs after conception. At first, she was shocked, but now we joke about his mistake frequently.
I take a sip of my tea and a sweet flavor bursts across my tongue. My eyes snap toward Kaj. “This blend is even better than the one we had last night.”
“I am pleased you like it.” He grins. “I used some of the lotae flowers in this one. They add a hint of sweetness to this mixture.”
“That’s amazing, Kaj. How do you know what to blend?”
He tips his head to the side as if considering before he answers. “We of the Earth Clan are connected to all life on this planet, even more so than those of the other Clans. Our kind can sense the”—his brows pinch together as if he’s struggling to find the right word before finally settling on—“life force of each plant. The journey it has taken from seed to maturity.”
“That’s amazing.” I knew each of the Clans was named after an element, but I did not realize they had a deeper connection to the element they embody. “I knew your people could breathe different types of fire, but I didn’t know your abilities were further connected to nature.”
“Only the Earth Clan is.”
“Why is that?”
“We do not know.” He pauses. “However, as a result, many of our people are farmers. They can gauge the health of their land and grow crops without depleting the soil of vital nutrients.”
“That’s amazing.” I