Page 97 of Dragon Eternal (Dragon Kings 4)
“Yes,” she said.
“The way I feel with you, how my body responds, is unlike anything I’ve ever felt. I-I–”
She put a hand on his arm and made her lips curve into a smile she didn’t feel. “I don’t need you to say anything. I know what we were. I won’t cling to you and beg you to stay.” Nia stood and turned to leave, unable to say more before she burst into tears. But Shaw’s hand stopped her.
Her heart thudded as a tiny shred of hope sprouted.
Suddenly, he was in front of her. She didn’t know how he’d moved so fast or so quietly. He touched her chin to force her head up so her gaze would meet his. His throat bobbed as he swallowed.
“I’m no’ good with words. I never have been. Actions were what I showed everyone, because words could be twisted and used to manipulate and lie.” His brows drew together for a heartbeat. “But I’ve realized that words are important, and there are those who need to hear them. Please, be patient as I try to get them out.”
Nia nodded, struck by the honesty in his voice.
He drew in a breath and licked his lips. “I viewed my job as King as the most important thing in my life. I found comfort in my brothers and my brethren. Then my brothers were gone. We Kings had always been close, but when we were all that was left, our bonds grew even tighter. We became a family. I thought it would always be like that, but some Kings began to find their mates. While I was happy for them, I saw love as a weakness. We had duties to protect our realm, and by dividing that with someone else, it could cause an issue. It’s why I never let myself get close to anyone.”
Here it came. Nia braced herself. This was when Shaw would tell her that he might want her body, but that was all it would ever be for him. It hurt more than she wanted to admit. A hole was opening where her heart had been, and the pain was so vast, it might swallow her whole.
“Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d come across someone who filled my thoughts every hour of every day.”
Her breath caught. Could he… Did he mean…her?
“I need to feel you in my arms every night, and I need to find you in the morning when I reach for you. I crave you in ways I didna know was possible. It doesna matter how many times I take your body, it’s never enough. Yet, I’m more content than ever.”
She stared at him, unsure of what to say. Or if she should even respond.
He pressed his lips together in frustration. “Do you understand what I’m saying?”
Nia parted her lips and tried to answer, but she gave up and shrugged.
“Bloody hell,” he murmured. “I didna know how hard it would be to tell you that I love you. I should’ve spoken more instead of staying quiet. What idiot thinks it’s better no’ to speak?”
Her heart missed a beat. “What did you say?”
“That I need to speak more.”
She shook her head as tears gathered. “Before that. Say it again. Please.”
Fern green eyes searched hers in confusion. Then Shaw suddenly smiled. “I love you.”
The rush of relief was so great, Nia had to close her eyes. Tears fell down her cheeks. She looked at Shaw. “I love you.”
His arms came around her. He held her tightly and kept saying over and over, “I love you.”
They stayed like that for several minutes.
Finally, he released her, only to cup her head in his hands. His eyes were wet as he gazed at her. “A dragon always knows his mate. I’ve found mine in you. There’s much about my world you doona know, but I’ll show you all of it. Just say you’ll be mine. Say you’ll spend eternity with me. I’ll show and tell you every day how much you mean to me.”
Just like that, her happiness could be snatched away. “I’m not immortal.”
Shaw laughed. “I might have forgotten to mention that when mated to a Dragon King, you can only die when he does.”
Her mouth went slack with shock.
“Is that an aye?” he asked with a grin.
She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. “I can’t imagine life without you. Yes. My answer is yes!”
