Page 38 of Dragon Unbound (Dragon Kings 3)
Cullen’s hand found hers and lightly squeezed it. The action calmed her somewhat. She thought he might release her, but when he didn’t, she twined her fingers with his. Something about holding his hand felt comforting and…right.
She didn’t dare look at him, though she desperately wanted to. His conviction and certainty gave her the courage she needed to enter Ferdon Woods. His confidence wasn’t shaken as they stopped in front of the soldiers, and she hoped she could be the same.
The men looked them over. The one closest to her walked behind her. She started to turn to look at him, but Cullen’s fingers tightened on hers. She tried to listen to what the soldier asked, but the other three staring at her broke her attention. They couldn’t know who she was, or even recognize her. Yet she couldn’t help but think that they could. She would never have walked the road and chanced being stopped by the soldiers. She had tried to warn Cullen. Now, they would be detained and possibly imprisoned. She had to do something. Didn’t Cullen understand that the soldiers might not have magic, but they had ways to—
“Thank you,” Cullen said in an accent that perfectly mimicked hers, then he yanked her.
She blinked, trying to hide her shock as the soldiers moved out of the way and allowed them to continue. Disbelief slowly ran through her, her knees threatening to buckle with each step.
“I told you it would be fine,” Cullen murmured.
“Are they following?”
“Nay.”
She glanced at him, swallowing hard. “Are you sure?”
“I doona hear them.”
They went a little farther before Cullen asked, “What happened back there? You looked like you were about to bolt.”
“I thought they knew who I was,” she whispered.
He sighed, his frustration clear. “They can no’.”
“You’ve not lived my life. You have no idea what I’ve endured,” she said angrily.
His thumb moved over the back of her hand. Tamlyn peevishly yanked her hand away. The moment she did, she regretted it. She’d liked having that contact with him. It was because of his hand on hers that she hadn’t given in to her anxiety with the soldiers. As much as she bemoaned pulling her hand away, she didn’t reach for his again. Her pride prevented it.
No matter what he might think, she had done the best she could. He was frustrated because she didn’t fall at his feet and take every word he said as truth. He had no idea what it was to truly fear. And nothing she said would remedy that.
They walked the rest of the forest in silence. Tamlyn felt his gaze on her several times, but she didn’t look his way. He made her feel as if her anxieties and concerns meant nothing—right after she had begun to warm to him. She hadn’t expected it from Cullen, which made it worse.
Right before they came to the edge of the forest, Cullen reached out and brought her to a halt. He faced her, and while Tamlyn wanted to ignore him, it was childish. His brown eyes held hers as if searching for something.
“I’m sorry I upset you.”
There was sincerity in his words and his voice. She glanced away, taken aback by him once more.
“It’s wrong to expect you to hand all your trust over at once.” He shot her a charming smile. “Forgive me?”
Damn him for being so persuasive. “Yes.”
His smile crinkled the corners of his eyes as he flashed white teeth. “I’ll no’ make the same mistake twice.”
All her anger vanished, and she wasn’t certain she liked that. How could he infuriate her so quickly, and just as swiftly, snatch it away? Not that she held grudges, but she had worked herself up on their walk. His apology had taken the fuel from her fire, leaving her with nothing.
He glanced at the city through the trees. “Ready?”
“No,” she answered honestly. “I hate this place.”
“I bet a lot of people do, but they doona think they have another choice. Their fear locks them in place.”
She narrowed her gaze at him. “You think mine has locked me to this area?”
“It’s possible. Frankly, I’m glad of it because I got to meet you.”
A smile curved her lips, the last vestiges of her anger fading with his comment. Her gaze briefly lowered to his mouth as she thought of their kiss the day before.
“I’m serious,” he said, holding her gaze.
“You might come to regret saying that.”
He chuckled, shaking his head. “Nay, lass. I willna.”
She turned her head to stare at the gates into the city. Trepidation filled her. She would never attempt this on her own, or even with Sian or Jenefer. Only Cullen could talk her into such a daring feat.
“You can do it. You got through the forest and the encounter with the soldiers,” he said.
Tamlyn glanced at him and squared her shoulders. “I’d rather be here if a child needs to be rescued. It’ll save time. It’s just that I know what kind of evil resides within the walls.”
“No harm will come to you. I swear it.”
The fervor in his tone caused her to look at him. “I believe you.”
“Then walk into the city as if you own it.”
He gave her a nod, and she returned it. Then they faced the city together. To her delight, Cullen reached for her hand again.
