Kastali Dun

Jovari slipped into the royal library, keeping out of sight. The main floor was a bustle of activity. Carpenters rushed around to repair shelves, the noise of their hammers ringing throughout the vast space. Books were piled high in stacks, some waiting for repairs, others waiting to be shelved. A servant swept up a pile of broken glass by a display case that had been ransacked, probably by some of the Oshean guards looking for valuable trinkets.

Libraries were places of knowledge, of power. It was no surprise that Kane and his constituents had mistreated this place. The sorcerer had mistreated much of Kastali Dun. At least the library could be revived. What of the people he'd killed?

He caught a flash of pink and his breath stilled. Leah swept across the atrium, arms full of books, then ascended the staircase to begin shelving them. She was wearing a pair of spectacles. It shouldn't have made her look so damned cute, but it did. He silently crept after her. She disappeared down an aisle and he followed, watching as she lifted each book, squinted at the title, then placed it back where it belonged.

His chest swelled. He found his hand lifting unconsciously to rub away the pressure. To relieve it. This was his mate, the woman fates had chosen for him. The woman he was destined to spend his life with.

In those final moments when Kane had used the white dragonstone, when everyone held their breath, hoping beyond hope that Taylynn was correct, he realized how hard-headed he'd been. If things had gone differently, he could be stone right now. And then what? He'd never get to face Leah, to talk about what was between them. All because he'd flown off in a fit of fear.

She was his mate, gods damn it!

The thought frightened him. He'd been hurt before, by a human no less. He knew what it felt like to be rejected. It made him question his worth.

Leah could very well reject him. She was an outsider. She didn't understand the importance of mates the way those of his world did.

She could decide she didn't want to tie herself to the male who had embarrassed her.

The thought stifled the warmth in his chest, replacing it with the burn of acid. He swallowed, pushing the possibility of her rejection far from his mind. Because he knew one thing with certainty. If she rejected him, he would work to convince her to change her mind. There was no reality in which he would go mateless when his mate was standing right here!

"Leah." He stepped from the shadows.

She gasped, clutching what remained of her book stack to her chest. "Oh! Jovari. I...I didn't see you there."

"I apologize. I didn't mean to startle you."

"You didn't," she lied, quickly pulling her spectacles off and stuffing them into her pocket, like she had a reason to hide them.

"Don't." He stepped forward and reached for them. "I didn't realize you wore glasses."

"I...I don't usually need them unless I'm reading things up close. I haven't had a reason to wear them since...you know."

"I like them on you."

"Oh." Her cheeks flushed. "You do?"

"They make you look learned and scholarly. But not like the old folk who usually occupy the library here, pouring over ancient texts. More like a young, vibrant—" She was grinning now. "All right, I'm babbling."

"No. Do go on. Don't let me stop you."

He bit back a grin. Silence fell between them and she shifted her weight. "Oh, here. Let me take those."

"I can—"

He had the stack in hand before she could further protest. His actions earned a glare, but truth told, he didn't want her holding it while they simply stood there. He found an empty area of shelving and set it down.

"So, how are you holding up?"

She blew out a breath. "I can't stop worrying about her."

"Me too," he admitted. "Talon swears that the bond remains intact, that she feels alive and unharmed. But...it's the not knowing that's killing me."

"Same." She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her delicate ear, and he felt his fingers itch to reach out and trace the shell of it.

He cleared his throat and said, "I promised you we'd talk, when things calmed down."

Her throat bobbed. "Things haven't exactly calmed down."

"I know, but I'm set to leave with Koldis today, as per the king's orders. I don't know when we'll be back. I don't want to leave this unfinished between us."

"What's to finish?" She lifted her chin, a challenge in her gaze.

"The fact that we're mates."

"So?"

"So. I want to get a few things off my chest. And then I want to hear your thoughts." She continued to stare at him, so he took that as his cue to continue. "I wanted to apologize. I behaved rashly that day, when we discovered our bond. I can see how my behavior might have been taken negatively. I don't want you to think I don't want you. That I didn't want you and thus, didn't want the bond. I know it came across that way and I'm... I'm ashamed of that."

She watched him, motionless.

He blew out a breath and said, "My mother would probably box my ears if she knew I'd done that."

Leah pulled her lower lip between her teeth, fighting a small smile. "Nieven doesn't strike me as the type."

A laugh burst from his chest. "Trust me, she tanned my hide plenty of times when I was a child. Raising an unruly boy will test even the most patient of mothers."

"Right." This time, she let her smile free.

"Anyway," he continued, fighting the flutter in his chest. Was his chest supposed to flutter like this? Was that normal? He'd have to ask one of his shield brothers. "So, yeah, I'm sorry about that. The truth is, you know my history, what I've been through. I would be lying if I said I wasn't frightened by all this. But I want it. I want this bond. Us."

"You do?" She licked her lips and he couldn't help but be drawn to the action.

"I do. That is...assuming you want it too?"

"I..." She twisted her fingers together. Someone passed by their aisle and they both waited for them to retreat. "I do."

He felt his breath rush out of him—

"But, I don't know that I want to rush right into things. I mean, Claire explained what it all means. I know we've kissed, but I feel like we've barely gotten to know each other, you know? Plus, I need time to figure myself out, to find my place in all of this."

His throat felt thick. She wanted this. She wanted him.

"What is it you'd suggest, then?" he managed. "You wish for me to court you first?"

Her cheeks flushed again. Gods, she was so cute when she was shy. He loved that he could take this intelligent, strong, bright young woman and make her blush.

"I think that's a good start."

"Then that's exactly what we'll do." He took a step closer.

Her eyes darted to his lips and heated. He felt that look straight down to his groin. "I've been thinking a lot about our first kiss."

Her brow furrowed, eyes finding his again. "That wasn't my best moment. I was in a weird place emotionally and looking for comfort."

"You shared your vulnerabilities with me and I gave you another reason to feel vulnerable. It was poorly done." She lifted a shoulder, as if hoping to appear nonchalant. "We've both shared secrets with each other. You, your difficulty grappling with Claire's success and me, my pain of rejection. I like that neither of us is perfect. I like the idea of growing together. Of facing our difficulties together. That's how it should be for mates."

"I've... I've lost a lot of people I loved."

"Your parents." She nodded, even though it wasn't a question. "I cannot say I won't die on you, Leah. No life is certain, especially in these times. But I can say it's going to take a hell of a lot to rip me from this world, from you. I'm right here. I plan to continue being right here—for you."

She pressed her lips between her teeth, a look of hope betraying how she felt.

"You ready to go?" Koldis's interruption reminded him that he needed to wrap this up.

"Give me a moment."

"You said you were frightened by all this. I am too, because like you, I know what it feels like to love someone and lose them, even if it was in a different way, a different kind of relationship."

"I know." He swallowed. "But that's part of why I think we'd be perfect together. We understand one another in that way. Right?"

"Right." She blew out a breath.

Without thinking, he reached for her hand, flattening her palm over his chest. "I'm right here, Leah."

"I know," she managed, her voice a whisper. "I know.

"Good. Then, about that kiss. I'd like a do over, except without all the stuff that was said afterward."

Her shoulders seemed to relax. "Oh." Her words were breathy.

Reaching for her waist, he pulled her even closer and said, "You can stop me if you're not ready for this. But just know, I need food for the road. Something to think about while I'm away."

She snorted. "I had a feeling there was more to it."

"Call me selfish if you must." His heart began to hammer in his chest. He'd kissed plenty of women, but none of them had ever made him this nervous.

Their eyes remained locked, hers dancing with eagerness. He lowered his head, giving her time to lean away. She didn't.

Their lips met, softly brushing at first. He moved his mouth over hers, coaxing a sweet sigh from her. She kissed him back and he turned greedy, swiping his tongue along the seam of her lips. She opened for him and he swept in, clutching her more tightly to him.

Dragons—drengr—were ever possessive creatures.

He felt sparks burst along his skin. The sensation made him shiver against her. He could only press her hips more firmly to his, reluctant to ever let her go.

Her fingers twisted in his hair at the nape of his neck. The pressure of them made a growl rise in his throat. Gods, now he never wanted to leave.

He pulled her even closer, lifting her to get a better angle, devouring her mouth. Their breaths mingled, hungry and raged. The kiss morphed from sweet to passionate.

"Leah I—oh."

He froze and she squeaked, but he didn't release her. A possessive growl burst from his chest at being disturbed.

"Forgive me, Lord Jovari. I didn't—"

He angled his head to see the head librarian standing at the mouth of the aisle, wringing his hands.

"It's fine. She'll be with you in a moment."

"Jovari," Leah hissed. She pushed at him, albeit gently. He set her back on her feet reluctantly.

"I'll just be...downstairs." The man rushed off.

Leah cleared her throat, her face bright red. "That was my boss," she hissed. "I'm supposed to be making a good impression." He chuckled and she swatted his chest. "Not funny."

He sighed. "Koldis is waiting for me. I must go. But—"

Before she could protest, he stole a chaste kiss that made her squeak with surprise.

"There."

He began backing away. "When I return, we'll continue that kiss."

She patted her hair, fussing with it. "I'd like that."

"Good." He took a deep breath, his chest puffing with pride. "And don't forget about our tour of the city. We can consider it the start of our courtship."

"I think our courtship already started—with that kiss."

"True." His lips twitched with pleasure. He liked the sound of that. They were courting. Officially.

"You...you'll be safe?" Her gaze flashed with uncertainty.

"I'll be safe. I promise. You'll be so busy here, that I'll be back before you know it."

"Okay."

He gave her a final nod then turned and strode away. He knew enough from Talon that walking away from one's mate wasn't easy. Even knowing they wouldn't be separated more than a week or two.

He found Koldis waiting for him. "So?"

"So, what?"

"Oh, come on. I know you were bidding farewell to your mate. I'm not stupid. You think you'd just leave things unfinished between the two of you?"

"Fine. I was bidding her farewell."

"And?"

He rubbed the back of his neck, suddenly reluctant to share anything that had happened between them. Was that normal? To be so greedy? To want to hold every private moment close to his chest?

Koldis snorted. "That's answer enough."

"I didn't even say anything."

"No, but I can see it all over your face. Did you kiss? Tell me you at least kissed her."

"I kissed her," he grumbled, annoyed that Koldis read him so easily. Then again, they were best friends, even if they acted like irritating brothers.

"I knew it!" Koldis slapped him on the back. "Good. Now, let's go."

Koldis morphed, jumping from the ground and sweeping his wings to lift him into the sky. He waited several moments then followed. As his body soared above the keep, he couldn't help but lock his eyes on the royal library, knowing his mate was in there. She wanted him as much as he wanted her. He'd felt it just from their kiss. He replayed it in his mind, the feel of her lips on his. It sent fire roaring through his veins.

This thing between them, it was new and tentative, but it would work. He would make sure of it. She would be his. They would face this world together, sharing in their vulnerabilities and their triumphs. So much was still uncertain, but their love? It would never be.

To be Continued...

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

Fellow bookdragons!!! Say it isn't so! 

How can we be at the end already?! There's still so much left to do: Claire needs to battle Kane in Shadowkeep. But she also needs to break a few curses, no? And what about all the other characters we know and love?? All that is waiting for you in book seven! Dallin the Purple.

I was a little uncertain in how to end things with this book. Initially the plan was for her to defeat Kane in this book, but that would have given the final book less of a punch. So I decided that she would face him at the start of book seven, and we'd spend the rest of the book wrapping up loose ends. Kind of like a super long, extended epilogue. I always looooove a long epilogue and too many books cut me short on those. 

I am hard at work plotting book seven. My hope is to begin posting chapters for it late spring. Usually I take a six month break but...I really want to get this series wrapped up.

Anyway...

I hope you loved this installment. I hope you loved getting to see Claire say a proper goodbye to her mom and dad, bring her bestie into her world, regain her memories, and finally make a push to defeat Kane. 

If you'd like to keep up with me over the next few months, in between books, make sure you subscribe to my monthly email newsletter. You can subscribe at authormelissamitchell.com

You can also follow me over on Instagram: Melissa.nicole.mitchell

Otherwise, I'll see you all for the next book! Thanks for sticking with me on this journey

All my best,

Mel

PS. Do you love this series and want to show your love? 

Consider writing a review for Talon the Black on either Amazon or Goodreads (or both!!). Reviews help get this story noticed. Getting those numbers up for Talon helps new readers decide if they should give it a try. It will also help me get sales so that I can get that much closer to achieving my dream of becoming a full time author (which means more time to write for you guys!). Head over to Amazon and search for Talon the Black. There should be a place where you can scroll down to the review area and leave a review. You can do the same on Goodreads. Big thanks to those of you who have already reviewed my books on both of those platforms! It really helps :) NOTE: Amazon can be kind of picky about who they allow to review books. But Goodreads is open to many!