When the sun rose, Amalia awakened within Kylan's arms, wrapped in blankets. She didn’t want to move, or awaken him. She simply wanted to remain there where she was warm and close to him. Reality didn’t exist in that moment, just their connection.
Alas, they had more ground to cover and couldn’t remain in each other’s arms all day.
She yawned and sat up to stretch. Olaf stood nearby, and gave her a nod when she looked his way.
"The others are breaking up camp and preparing to head to the Dragon's Pass," he reported, and turned away, his arms folded across his chest.
She was grateful that he didn’t stare or linger. He still remembered her too much of Aros, and may have been a bit cold to him because of it. Out of the other three, he was the least mystified by her, and seemed to only tolerate her because it was his duty.
She groaned, tired and aching from sleeping on the ground, but grateful she had enjoyed Kylan's warmth and company throughout the night. As the sun had set, it had grown steadily colder, and he kept her pressed to his inferno of a body as they slept.
He stirred, and she glanced down at him as his green eyes opened and squinted. "Morning, Empress of Erani," he said, and she had to hide her beaming grin, looking away.
"Good morning, Chief Kylan," she returned, almost ashamed to feel so happy during such a trying time.
He sat up behind her, and rubbed her shoulders.
She rolled her neck, eyes closing at the feel of his large, strong hands on her. His massage was just what she needed. He worked out the tension and knots along her upper back and neck, and moved his way down to massage her hands.
He yawned and stood. They'd both changed into their dry clothes, but Kylan hadn't put his shirt back on. She glanced at him as he pulled his tunic over his chest and his hair into a ponytail.
She joined him, and put on her boots.
"The others are prepared to continue the journey," she told him, and he nodded.
"Good. We are close to the mouth of the Dragon's Pass," he said as she tossed her cloak over her shoulders and secured it.
"Let's get a move on then, shall we?"
He nodded, and they dressed and returned to the camp of dragons.
Jora met her halfway as she approached, and took her by the shoulders. She smiled, and glanced at Kylan as he walked past with a nod.
“I see the master and her dragon are getting along,” Jora said, her eyes twinkling.
Amalia’s cheeks reddened and she pursed her lips and nodded, unable to think of anything to say that would lessen her embarrassment.
She pinched Amalia’s cheeks, and winked. “Do not fret, child. That is a good thing,” she said. “One day, the two of you will be joined in a union that will unite the races once again. One day, your Mage blood and his dragon blood will create life.”
She left Amalia then, and Amalia’s jaw hung at what she’d just been told. She clasped her hands over her head, stunned by such a revelation.
What would they create with their love?