Desolation (Dragonlands Book 4) by Megg Jensen Read Free Book Online

anything. Jarrett had lived among dragons and been the consort to the Yellow Queen. He should have known better than anyone else Connor knew. His anger bubbled even at the thought of Jarrett. The man had slaughtered his passel of dragons before they'd been old enough to defend themselves. Yet Tressa swore Jarrett was under some kind of enchantment. That, Connor might be able to sympathize with. Maybe. Someday.
    Hazel settled next to him on the ground, her legs close, though not touching his. "Often you would bring me a bouquet on special days. The bees needed the flowers more than I did, but you always made sure I knew you were thinking of me."
    "Was I a good husband?"
    "Yes," Hazel said. She looked at the bright flowers. Connor got the impression she was remembering something very important. Something he should remember too. "I don't know how much you remember... In Hutton's Bridge, we did not choose our mates. They were chosen for us. A basket was filled with ribbons and each man had his own color. I chose your ribbon. We were then given three moons to get with child. If we did, then we would be married. If not, I would be given another man to mate with. When I chose your ribbon, I was disappointed."
    Connor glanced at Hazel, unsure what to make of that statement.
    "But soon I realized your quiet ways weren't an insult. They were an indication of a deep well of strength that resided in your heart. You were a good man, Connor. You are still. I couldn't be more proud to be your wife, despite everything. I have held back since we reunited. I have given you the space I thought you needed to deal with your new life. I am afraid it wasn't enough. Perhaps you don't know how much I still care for you. How much I miss you when I'm taking care of our boys. How much I miss you at night." Hazel leaned closer, resting her head on Connor's shoulder.
    "I betrayed you," Connor said. "It is that simple."
    "No," Hazel said, sitting up straight. "It is not. I know you. I know your heart. I don’t believe for one moment that you betrayed me or our family."
    Connor stood, brushing dirt from his pants. "I did. Vatra is the product of that betrayal."
    Hazel gathered her skirts and stood too. She grabbed Connor's hands and looked him directly in the eyes. "What happened was against your will. I will not blame you for that. I still love you, Connor. I love Vatra and Fotia as if they were my own. When you are ready to believe me, you know where to find me." Hazel stood on her tiptoes and planted a kiss on Connor's surprised lips.
    As she walked away, Connor almost reached out for her, but a rustle in the foggy woods behind him tore his attention away.

     
     

Chapter Eight
     
    Connor took a deep breath, reminding himself there couldn't be anything in the fog that could harm him. Gaia, the tree guardian, and her brothers had promised to keep them safe. He stood still, silent.
    Crack.
    There it was again. Something was out in the woods.
    Connor advanced on the fog. As he stepped into it, a memory flashed in his head. Holding hands with Tressa. Everything going dark. Losing his grip on her hand. They were separated.
    Connor shook his head. It was the same now. He couldn't see. The fog was so thick it covered him like a shroud. He remembered Hazel calling his name. Except it hadn’t been Hazel. It had been a beast using her voice.
    Connor! Connor!
    No. Not now. That was before. Past and present melded together. Connor stepped backward until he left the fog and stumbled back into the flower patch.
    "Hazel!" he called out, but she had moved past shouting distance. He wanted to tell her what he remembered. It wasn't much, but it was something. A start. And if that memory was still in there, maybe the rest of it was, too.
    Crack.
    It had to be an animal. Maybe a squirrel. Or a raccoon. It certainly wasn't a kilrothgi. Bastian and the villagers had slain all of them. Nothing else could have gotten through without a warning from Gaia. No, Hutton's Bridge