Austar Wilderness

Saffra exhaled with delight. The sight stretched out below her was both familiar and unfamiliar all at once. Austar. Her homeland.

They'd been flying for days. She'd done what she'd been too afraid to do the first time she and Bedelth had taken a journey together. She'd gone ungloved and allowed him into her mind.

She appreciated the pace they set, flying by day, resting by night. In the air, they exchanged thoughts and memories and stories. At night, they exchanged gentle caresses, kisses, and heated moments. Her cheeks burned whenever she thought of the way he touched her, the way he left her gasping and satisfied.

"Are you excited to see your family?" Bedelth asked. Her stomach swooped. "I'll take that as a yes," came his reply. She wondered if he was likewise excited to meet them. "I am quite excited. But also..."

"Nervous?" she finished for him.

Sharing their thoughts was still new. They finished one another's sentences. They said a lot without actually saying anything. They shared emotions, and sometimes it was hard to discern whose was whose.

"You'll get used to it," he said.

"Oh? Speaking from experience?" she teased.

A draconic grumble vibrated his chest, the sensation reverberating against her legs. "Careful with that smart mouth of yours, mate."

"Why? Are you going to punish me—?" A squeal broke from her lips. They were suddenly diving, plummeting headfirst towards the land far below. "Okay! Okay! I'll be good," she screamed, her words mixed with laughter and the rushing wind that whistled past her ears. Her heart pounded and adrenaline flooded her body. "Bedelth!" she cried, when he didn't pull up.

The ground surged up to meet them. Her heartbeat came faster and faster. The grip on his neck tightened.

"Relax, mate." He would never hurt her. She didn't need him to say it. Still, it was hard to be rational when it looked like they were seconds from certain death.

A heavy pressure, like hands pushing down on her shoulders, settled against her. He finally pulled level, swooping mere feet above the land.

"If you ever do that again!" she screamed, smacking his scales, which hurt her hand and did nothing but amuse him.

"Then, what?" he teased.

"Then...then I'll stop talking to you."

He made a sound in the back of his throat, a growl more than anything. "Little mate, you realize that when we are mated and begin training together, you will have to do a lot more than dive."

She licked her lips. "Like...like what?"

He sent her a projection of a rider jumping into freefall, only to be caught midair. She gasped. "They're called trust falls. Every rider must perform them as part of training."

A prickle of unease chased its way down her spine. "I...I don't want to do that."

Bedleth let out a low growl. A dominant warning. It set the hairs of her arms on end with eagerness and curiosity. "You will, because you are my mate, and my mate fears nothing."

But he was wrong. There was plenty she feared. He knew that too, because he could see into her mind. Still, he didn't push, didn't say anything about it.

Taking cues from her memories, he navigated them to the cottage that had once been her whole life, until she'd moved to the capital. It was on the outskirts of Brushbridge, near one of the gates. She wondered, not for the first time, where in Claire's world the Austar gate led. Wondered what would happen if they abandoned their mission to locate the stones and instead, went to Claire's world to bring her back.

"Trust that our king knows what he's doing. That he will bring her back safely," Bedelth said. She wanted to. She really did. But so much time had passed. "We have our mission, Talon has his."

Bedelth was right.

The heavy thoughts were pushed from her mind as the sight of her family's beautiful cottage grew larger. They descended towards it. A cry erupted from below. Her mother waved to them with a towel in hand. She'd been hanging laundry, from the looks of it.

Such a simple life, those days where she helped her mother prepare food, wash dishes, hang clothes. Now, Saffra had servants to do it all. Her parents could have opted for servants, too. She sent them home a healthy portion of her earnings. But they didn't want that kind of life. They took pride in doing everything themselves. Instead, they squirreled the money away for emergencies.

Bedelth landed and her mother ran towards them.

She was sliding off Bedelth's back, breaking their connection, before she could process her movements. She sprinted straight for her mother. Soon they were locked in an embrace, laughing, crying. Her father strode out of his detached workshop a few moments later. When he saw what the commotion was about, he grinned and picked them both up off the ground, twirling them around in a crushing hug.

He set them down, his eyes twinkling with delight.

A throat cleared behind them, snapping her out of her hazy excitement. "Oh, right," she breathed, suddenly hesitant. "Mother, Father, I'd like you to meet...my mate." Her brief hesitation didn't go unnoticed as Bedelth lifted an eyebrow in challenge. As if he was daring her to introduce him as anything less, when he was her everything.

"Mate?!" her mother gasped, placing a hand over her chest, wide-eyed with delight. "A king's shield, no less," her father said, chuckling. Because everyone knew who Bedelth was. Especially in this part of the kingdom. Both her parents knew what had happened with Daxton. There wasn't an ounce of judgement in their gazes.

Her father was the first to reach forward. "You can call me Ali, and this is my wife, Sahir."

"A true pleasure," Bedelth said, grinning as he clasped forearms with her father and then pulled her mother into a warm embrace that left Sahir's brown skin flushed. He already knew her parents' names. Had even met them in her memories. But he treated this as if it were the first time.

"Come, come, into the house," her mother tsked, ushering them inside where she poured tea and served little honey cakes. "Tell us what brings you here."

Saffra was content to scarf down cake after cake, relishing in the memories of her mother's baking. The food in Kastali Dun was said to be the best there was, but she would challenge anyone who dared, because Sahir's food was unparalleled.

Saffra slurped down an entire cup of mint tea before pouring another.

Bedelth did the talking. He told her parents about their journey, keeping the majority of the truth hidden. According to him, they were flying through Austar on business for the king. Their journey would take them north afterward, and then up to the farther reaches of the kingdom. They didn't mention the stones or any of the other sensitive information.

"And you will be staying with us for the night," her mother asked. Except there wasn't a question in her voice. It was too stern for that.

"I have a feeling we don't have a choice?" Bedelth chuckled.

"None whatsoever," Sahir said, satisfied. "You'll take our room. Ali and I will have Saffra's old room."

"Nonsense, we don't want to put you out," Bedelth growled. "We're happy to sleep under the stars as we have the past few nights."

"I will not speak of it," Sahir admonished in true motherly fashion, making Bedelth sink a little lower in his chair. Ali and Saffra chuckled, used to her tactics. "You are our guest, and a shield, no less."

Saffra couldn't help but notice the stark contrast between her parents and Bedelth's. Not once had they questioned the idea of them being mates, even though he was a king's shield. They never questioned his honor at stake. Never once judged the situation.

Instead, they beamed with excitement and even pride.

Not for the first time, Saffra was grateful that she had them, even if she almost never got to see them.

They chatted a while longer before her parents went back to their chores. She spent the rest of the afternoon showing him around. First through the cottage, then the property, and finally, her father's workshop. Bedelth was enamored.

Her father was a bowyer, the finest craftsman in the region. He had customers for hundreds of miles who came specifically for hand made, custom bows. He also took his wares to various markets, sometimes even as far as Kastali Dun. Not often, though. It had been too long since she'd last seen him.

Bedelth asked Ali question after question about his process, going so far as to assist on his current project. Saffra was content to sit back and watch them work. Bedelth was a quick study. More importantly, he was respectful, reverent, even. He never once acted superior despite their differences in status.

***

Dinner was spectacular. She helped her mother prepare chickpea bowls with rice and diced vegetables. The entire house smelled like spices. She was especially excited for the flatbread that Sahir made on occasion, especially special occasions like this. They even enjoyed a dark celebration tea with their meal.

"We don't get food like this in the capital," Bedelth managed, all but shoveling spoonfuls in his mouth. Thank the gods her mother had the sense to use such a large pot. He'd eat them out of house and home, a male of his size. Her mother only beamed and encouraged him to refill his bowl not twice, but a third time.

"It's true," Saffra said. "There's a mix, of course, from different parts of the kingdom. But food like this?" She ate another forkful and sighed. "The offer stands, Mama, if you and Papa ever want to move to the capital. I could eat like this for days and days."

Sahir tsked. "Nonsense. It's only special because you don't get it often. As soon as you eat it every day, you'll be dying for your capital city faire."

Ali chuckled, throwing his wife a loving look.

"So," Sahir said, clearing her throat. "When can we expect an invitation for your ceremony?"

Saffra choked, swallowing down her mouthful and washing it down with a gulp of tea. Bedelth huffed and said, "Once the political climate calms down, Sahir, you will receive the first invitation we send. Saffra and I are waiting until the king amends the charter. He's got more important matters at present, as do we all."

Sahir nodded, understanding. "Of course, what with the war and all. Well, whenever it is, you can expect us to be there. We are so proud of you my love," she added, reaching over and squeezing her daughter's wrist. "We never expected you to have such a life, to move to the capital, work for the king! Your father brags to everyone in the village every chance he gets."

"Me?!" Ali sputtered. "How about you, woman? With all your little hens when they come over for tea. It's Saffra this and Saffra that!"

Her cheeks turned hot.

Sahir harrumphed. "Well, now I'll have even more to brag about. Your father and I never expected you to mate a drengr, a shield, no less." Sahir shared a look with her husband, who nodded in agreement. "I would've been happy to simply have you home with us, to raise you to womanhood and watch you follow your heart. But this? It makes me burst with happiness."

Saffra's throat tightened. She blinked back tears. "Thank you Mama, Papa," she managed. Bedelth ran a reassuring hand down the length of her back.

After the meal was cleared, they sipped more tea and enjoyed another round of cakes. Bedelth and her father talked in hushed voices beside the fire. Most of their conversation was about the war in the east, the goblins and how they'd raided so many villages. They also shared stories, mostly Bedelth, of some of his more daring fights during his long lifetime.

Saffra's lids were drooping by the time Sahir emerged from the bedroom and announced that the bed was made up and ready for them. Only then did she realize what it meant. She and Bedelth, for all their kissing and touching, had never actually shared a bed together. Sure, they'd traveled and slept under the stars side by side.

This was different.

"I'll be along shortly," Bedelth told her. She got the impression that he wanted a few more minutes with her father, so she left them to prepare for bed. She was crawling beneath the blankets when he appeared. He glanced around the cozy space before his gaze fell to her and heated. The way he stared sent hot tingles shooting straight to her belly.

"Is this...going to work?" The bed was rather small, certainly not made to accommodate a drengr male.

"I'll manage," he all but growled. Then he began shedding his weapons, his tunic, his boots. All that remained were his pants. He was aware of her gaze ranking over him. How could she not look?! Especially when she noticed his growing arousal.

Oh the cruelty of it!

Their first experience sharing a bed together and she would die before she so much as kissed him in her parents bed, beneath their roof with them merely in the room next door. The effort of keeping her hands to herself would be torture.

She scooted all the way to the edge, giving him room. He climbed beneath the blankets, his feet hanging off the end. A giggle erupted at the sight of him. "You know, I send home a handsome stipend to them," she found herself saying. "You'd think they would buy a bigger bed."

"I think I know why they haven't," he said, chuckling.

"Oh? Do tell."

"How about I show, instead?" With that, he blew out the bedside candle then wrapped his body around hers. Oh. Of course. Small bed meant only one way of sleeping, fully entwined together. His thigh was nudged between hers, his breath hot on the nape of her neck. The feel of his warm skin against her bare arms, left her covered in gooseflesh.

"Relax," he grumbled. "Sleep, mate. This might be the last bed we get in a while."

She exhaled, willing her muscles to loosen. He nuzzled the back of her neck, left a soft kiss there, then fell into a steady breathing pattern. She lay there a long time, listening to the sound of him, to the sound of her parents settling down. Eventually, the house quieted and she let Bedelth's gentle breaths lull her to sleep, too, with a smile on her face and happiness in her heart. 

💕❤️💕Don't forget to heart this chapter!❤️💕❤️

Dear Reader,

I kind of awwww'ed at the end of this one. They're just so cute. TBH, this chapter doesn't do much for the plot, other than tell you that they're on their way. But I wanted something as filler, to show the passage of time, and a special moment for Saffra and Bedelth before the plot picks up. So, here we are.

Next week's chapter is from Jovari's POV. Finally, right?! You will FINALLY get to see our baby Talon.

Did you know that back in November I wrote a Dragonwall novella called For the Rebellion? It's still free on Wattpad. I will probably take it down and publish. But it will remain free for a few more months. Make sure to read it while you still can ;)

--Mel

ps. I am so overwhelmed by the love for this series. So many of you preordered the special foiled edition of Talon the Black through my website last week. Don't worry, preorders are remaining open for several more months so there's time. I love you all!!