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

I left Hutton's Bridge." Connor's shoulders sagged.
    "It's okay," Hazel said. "I'm here for you, no matter what happens." She touched a fingertip to Connor’s chin. "Even if you never remember, you have me, your boys, and your girls. We all love you."
    Connor wanted to tell Hazel he loved her, too. He wouldn't, because he didn't. Not the way she deserved. Not the way she wanted him to.
    "It's okay." She leaned in again, her lips hovering dangerously close to his.
    "Hazel..."
    "Shhh." She placed her lips on his, silencing any protests he might have uttered.
    Connor returned the kiss, more hesitant than he'd been outside in the open. Here, out of sight, it felt too dangerous. If he wasn't careful, he'd give in. And he wanted to—so, so much. He didn't want to hurt Hazel, though. Connor broke away, breathless.
    Hazel only stepped closer, her fingers lifting his shirt and her hands traveling up his stomach. "I've missed you so much," she whispered. Her lips fell on his chest.
    He closed his eyes. A woman with a long braid and a blue leather suit flashed in his mind. She’d ripped off his pants and was forcing him to do something he didn't want to do. "No," Connor said, backing away.
    Hazel stood there, her lips swollen and her eyes wide. "I'm sorry." Her arms dropped to her sides. "I didn't mean to—"
    "I know you didn't," Connor said. "It's not you. It's me." He tucked his shirt into his pants. "There are things you don't know yet."
    "You can tell me," she said.
    "I'm not ready yet," Connor said. He didn't know if he ever would be. "I hope you understand."
    He could see in her eyes how painful this was, but she refused to give up on him. That thought, at least, warmed his heart, even as he battled guilt. "When I'm ready you'll be the first to know. I promise."
    "I'm counting on it," she said.
    "We should go back," Connor said.
    Hazel nodded. "Can I hold your hand?" she asked.
    "I'd like that," Connor said. He held out his hand, and she slipped hers in his. They fit together nicely. Something hovered on the edge of his memory. He reached for it, but it slipped through his grasp like wisps of fog.
    Connor opened the door to their cottage, greeting the sun. He blinked a few times, then led Hazel out into the village. They walked quietly, leaning on one another, their arms touching.
    "This is nice, isn't it?" she asked.
    Connor was about to agree when the screams of children ripped through the silent afternoon.

     

Chapter Nine
     
    A low growl nudged Tressa from her sleep. She grasped her cloak so tightly her knuckles ached.
    "What was that?" she asked.
    "I don't know," Fi said. "It doesn't sound friendly."
    "It is not," Donovan whispered. "Stay where you are. Do not move. Do not light a torch. Keep your breathing even. And if you want to live, stay silent."
    A snuffling sound traced a border around the bottom of their tent. Tressa stiffened as the sound came closer to her head. She focused on making her breath flow evenly in and out, like Donovan told her to.
    A foul smell drifted into the tent, unlike anything Tressa knew. Rot wrapped around sweetness. She struggled to swallow, but a quickly growing lump stopped her. Fresh air. She needed it immediately. The air in the tent was pure poison.
    Tressa sat up, ready to bolt, but Donovan grabbed her arm.
    "Do not give in," he whispered in her ear. "It is only an illusion to draw you out."
    Tressa closed her eyes and concentrated on breathing. The lump was gone—or maybe it was never there. Her chest rose and fell in measured beats. Donovan's hand moved away, but she could still feel him behind her. Fi was on her other side. Yet, Tressa didn't feel safe. In the morning she would ask Donovan what exactly was out there and how she could protect herself better.
    The noises continued for most of the night, keeping anyone from getting much sleep. It seemed like every time Tressa drifted off, the sniffing began again.
    After the long night ended, Donovan opened the tent's flap.
    Tressa