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me as if I were an infant. She only left my side if Kyo agreed to stay
until she returned. She and Kyo s father both gave me their blood,
even though I was a stranger to them, and Kyo s father agreed to
adopt me the moment she asked. Ryu blinked several times. I miss
them as much as I miss my own parents. My birth parents fought
every day, and we were poor because my mother ran away from her
home when her mate died. I believe she only stayed with my father
because he got her pregnant. That was one of the fights they had
often.
Did you ever try to find your mother s family?
Ryu shook his head. I don t know who they were. She
changed her name when she ran away. Her hair was blonde, but she
dyed it black. We didn t socialize, because she feared discovery. My
parents also worried someone would find out about my father and me.
And of course, that s exactly what destroyed them.
Takumi linked his arm with Ryu s. I m sorry. We don t have
to talk about it.
I like talking about it, some days. The man who captured me
used an obsidian charm on me, like the one used on Mikimo and
Hiroki. It forced me to remain in my dragon form and allowed him to
control me. I was too young, and it hurt terribly. It also affected me
mentally. My memory is fuzzy in places, but I am certain I was never
very happy until my adopted family took me in.
Tears fell down Takumi s cheeks. I know what you mean.
Ryu stopped and pulled Takumi close. Takumi, I m sorry. I
didn t think of how this would remind you of Mikimo s condition.
Ryu drew back and kissed him tenderly. Forgive me, please.
I m crying for both of us. Sad tears for what we lost and
happy ones for what we found. I long to make you so happy the sad
things won t matter anymore. I don t know if I m doing a very good
job yet. I m glad we can understand each other this way, Ryu. Truly, I
am.
Ryu smiled as a few tears rolled down his face. I am as well.
I want to banish your sadness in the same way. I am glad of so many
things, Takumi, but you understanding my past pain means so much.
You are doing a fine job and making me very happy. They resumed
walking. Come on. We have an important task. If Hiroki has family,
I wish to bring them here to be with him.
Takumi nodded, wiping his cheeks. Yes. I ll tell Hatori
where we re going and meet you in the stable.
I ll speak with Kyo and pack some supplies. Ryu kissed
Takumi s temple and then set off in the other direction.
Takumi watched him go and said a brief prayer, thanking the
gods for the blessings he did have and asking for strength to meet all
of the challenges ahead.
Chapter Four
Ryu lay awake staring up at the stars through the skylight in
his room. He and Takumi had been searching for Hiroki s family for
four days. As they d been preparing to leave the village of Jotun,
Takumi had fallen off his horse because of a sudden dizzy spell. The
moment had been sobering for Ryu, who had known Takumi was
pushing himself too hard. He d silently cursed himself for not caring
for his lover better. How could he prove he would make a good mate
if he kept going at this rate? He d let Takumi continue on at the same
pace because he couldn t say no to him. Ryu had insisted they stay
the night, and then he d put Takumi right to bed. He d been tempted
to climb into bed with Takumi, but instead he d watched his young
lover until satisfied Takumi had truly fallen asleep.
The inability to find anyone who knew Hiroki baffled Ryu.
He d have guessed Loxis was simply wrong about the man s name,
but Loxis had never been wrong about such things before. Plus, they
had a sketch of him that Kyo had dashed off for them, yet no one had
recognized the face either. Ryu sat up when his door opened.
Takumi came in and closed the door. Ryu rose from the bed.
You should be resting.
How could I rest without you? Takumi pulled Ryu back to
the bed and drew Ryu under the covers with him. I was worried
when I woke up alone. The innkeeper told me you d taken this room
as well.
I m sorry. I wanted you to sleep and worried my restlessness
might disturb you.
Takumi snuggled against Ryu s bare chest. Are you
restless?
Yes. He wrapped his arms around Takumi. I m frustrated
we ve found nothing. And I am worried about you. You re pushing
yourself too hard. I ve made plans for us to return to Yoshinaga
tomorrow. I should have taken action long before now. We ll take a
carriage so you may rest.
Ryu could feel Takumi s eyelashes tickling his skin as he
blinked. I won t argue, Ryu. I want to see Hatori and Mikimo, and
I ll admit I have been overdoing it.
You wouldn t admit that earlier, Ryu said against Takumi s
hair.
I know. I was embarrassed about what happened. I didn t
want to look weak. It felt good to know I was helping, even if we ve
had no success. Takumi took a deep breath and let it out in a huff.
Going back is best though. The last message said Mikimo has been
talking a bit. That has to mean the coma is no longer as deep. He had
a habit of talking in his sleep.
Ryu massaged the back of Takumi s neck. It might mean
that. Hatori s message did seem hopeful. Perhaps they ll both wake
up soon.
I m worried about Hatori. I know Lord Kyo is caring for him
well, but there is only so much he can do. Takumi ran one hand over
Ryu s chest and stomach repeatedly in a slow, rhythmic way, as if the
repetition comforted him. He has such a tendency to brood.
Ryu placed his hand over Takumi s to still it. The wandering
fingers aroused him far too much, and he wanted Takumi to sleep.
Perhaps we can give him some relief when we go back. We may
even return to good news. He kissed Takumi s temple and drew him
a little closer.
I hope so. Sighing, Takumi pulled back and moved up
Ryu s body. It s after midnight. I slept for almost seven hours.
There s something else I need now.
Ryu already knew he d give in, but he couldn t resist teasing
Takumi a little. Is there? I think I ve been cutting into your sleep too
much as it is. It s why you were so exhausted. Perhaps we should wait
until tomorrow night. He reclined in the pillows and closed his eyes.
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