Chapter 50

VALKYRIE

I’m darting between the bed and the bathroom for the fifth time in two days. Ever since I helped Zar, my stomach’s been in knots. I’ve been battling fevers, headaches, and nausea.

“You’re okay, Valkyrie,” Mia reassures me, again.

“Enough, Mia,” I snap, tired of her repetitive comfort. Yesterday, Michael examined me and discovered that Zar’s poison is affecting me. It’s not dangerous, but it’s going to be a nuisance for a few days. I wash my face and head back to Zar’s chamber.

Yesterday, Michael suggested moving Zar. Dimitri disagreed, but I had a say too. Dimitri left, feeling disrespected again. It hurt to see him glaring at me with such hatred, but he wouldn’t listen.

“He’s looking better,” Mia whispers.

“I know. We just have to wait for him to wake up,” I reply, reaching for a damp cloth. “We need to clean him.”

Mia nods and starts gathering clean clothes.

“I’m missing a few things. I’ll be right back, okay?” Mia excuses herself. I sigh, grab the clothes, and start cleaning Zar’s arms.

As I bend to pick up a dropped cloth, a hand suddenly covers my mouth. I try to scream, but when I realize it’s Zar, I calm down.

Zar’s breathing is ragged, and he looks scared. I raise my hand to loosen his grip from my mouth. Seeing that I’m calm, Zar slowly lets go.

“Are you okay?” I ask. Zar just stares at me, his eyes wide as he studies my face. I wait patiently as he reaches out to touch my face.

“Zar?” I call his name. He gasps, lets go, and leans back. I cross my arms and watch him.

“Sorry,” Zar mutters, his voice rough. I smile at him and reach for the water jug and goblet. Zar watches my every move.

“Here,” I offer. He takes the goblet and stares at it. “It’s not poisoned,” I assure him.

He takes a big gulp, closes his eyes, and sighs.

“How am I still alive?” Zar asks, opening his eyes. I tilt my head, watching him curiously.

“I saved you,” I explain.

Zar looks me up and down, then stops.

“Tamer?” Zar mutters. I glance at my mark.

“Yes?” I respond, confused. “How do you know?”

Zar meets my gaze, a conflicted look on his face.

“It’s okay,” I reassure him.

He smiles faintly, stands up, and turns his back to me. He peels something off his left shoulder blade, and I gasp. He has the same mark I do, with the new rune next to it.

“They’re the same?” I ask, stunned.

“It seems so,” Zar replies, turning back to face me. “Can I ask where I am?”

“You’re in the dragon’s horde,” I say, making him flinch. His hands shake as they reach for his lap. He’s trying to be brave.

“The dragon’s horde? Which one?” Zar asks, his voice shaky.

“On Mount Errigal,” I tell him.

“What?” Zar stumbles back, hitting his head on the wall behind him.

“Calm down!” I urge, reaching for him. “Nothing’s going to happen to you. I won’t let it!”

“How can you be sure? The king of dragons will kill me,” Zar panics.

“He won’t! Dimitri won’t touch you!” I snap. Zar frowns at me.

“What do you mean? Who are you?” Zar asks. His eyes are hopeful as he takes my hand.

“My name is Valkyrie. I’m the one who saved you and brought you here,” I tell him, smiling. Relief washes over his face.

“But who are you exactly?” Zar asks again.

“I’m… Dimitri’s mate,” I admit.

“A tamer? Are you sure you’re his mate?” Zar asks.

What’s wrong with being a tamer?

“Is something wrong? You’re asking me things I don’t understand,” I say, frowning. I pinch the bridge of my nose as a headache starts to form.

“Yes, what I mean is that a dragon can’t have a tamer as a mate,” Zar explains with a sigh. “It’s hard to explain, sorry.”

“Can’t?” I ask, shaking my head. The pounding in my head is starting again.

“Yes… You need someone else. A fairy or mage can explain,” Zar says. “I’m surprised you haven’t turned this place upside down.”

“What?” I snap, clutching my head. Feeling nauseous again, I cover my mouth and run to the bathroom.

I grip the bucket tightly as I throw up.

“Hey, are you okay?” Zar asks, rubbing circles on my back.

“Yes…,” I manage to say. “It’s just the aftermath of healing you. Your poison was strong.”

“Now that you mention it, I was wondering who healed me,” Zar says. “May I?”

I glance at him over my shoulder. He extends a hand, and I look at it skeptically.

“I can heal too,” Zar smiles. “I’m a tamer, but I have two abilities.”

“Oh,” I say, reaching for his callused hand. I notice some thick scars.

“What happened to you?” I ask, moving my hands up his bare torso.

“Those?” Zar murmurs, a wry smile playing on his lips. “My father’s doing.”

“Your what?” I gasp, taken aback. “He did this to you?”

He nods, a sad look in his eyes. I can’t help but stare at his body, the evidence of his father’s cruelty. How could a father do this to his own son?

“But enough about me,” Zar says, pulling me out of my thoughts. He’s grinning from ear to ear. I’m taken aback, staring into his eyes, trying to understand.

“Why are you smiling like that?” I ask, puzzled.

Zar chuckles softly, bringing my hand to his lips for a gentle kiss. He pulls back, still smiling.

“Well, I should be congratulating you. You’re expecting, after all!” Zar grins.

“Expecting what?” I sputter, taken aback.

“The next dragon king. You’re carrying King Dimitri’s heir.”