Jahree found Drepal in the cargo hold, huddled on an overturned crate amid the shadows of stacked boxes and bundled ropes. She’d come awake in the back of Ann’s mind during their conversation with Krina and hadn’t relinquished control since. Her arms were wrapped around herself, shoulders tense. He approached quietly, sensing her turmoil. “What’s wrong?” he asked, kneeling before her and pulling her into his arms. Drepal shrugged, glancing away. “Why do you think that?” She kept her voice low, almost dismissive, but he could feel the weight of her sadness beneath the surface. He frowned, tilting her chin up to meet his gaze. “You’d keep something from your mate?” he asked softly, his eyes searching hers for answers. “We’re not mates,” she reminded him, with a hint of defiance in her tone, but her voice wavered. He smiled, undeterred. “That can be fixed.” With a gentle insistence, he drew her close and kissed her, feeling her warmth against him. She pulled back, her gaze flickering to the door. “Not here.” Undeterred, he moved closer, his fingers brushing her hair from her face. “When you say,” he promised, his voice tender, “but we’re still bonded. Tell me what’s bothering you.” Drepal sighed, leaning into his touch, her eyes darkening with memories. “Krina and Shuni leaving Shan—it’s what they had to do. If the rocs or the merfolk found out about their relationship, all three would be hunted down and killed. But...” Her voice trailed off, and she looked away, lost in thought. “It reminded you of your own dad, didn’t it?” Jahree guessed, his tone soft. She nodded slightly. “Kritalla was wrong. We met Dad when we were fourteen. Lanni didn’t recognize him. She didn’t know who he was.” “But you did?” Jahree ventured, watching her carefully. Drepal shook her head. “Not at first. But I kept my distance, watching. I saw things Lanni didn’t, things I couldn’t tell her. I never had the chance to explain.” He pressed a gentle kiss to her temple, his arms tightening around her. “I know I can’t understand what that was like. But I know your dad loved you, Drepal. He was a dragon; if he could have, he would have raised you.” “I know,” she whispered, her voice almost inaudible. Jahree studied her, concern softening his expression. “And you’re sure Krina didn’t lie? About loving Shan, about wanting to protect him?” Drepal met his eyes, her gaze steady. “No, he didn’t lie. But it’s not that simple.” “You already said they had to keep their distance,” he reminded her gently. “They do,” she agreed, voice heavy with resignation. “So what’s the problem?” He asked, his fingers tracing light circles on her back. She let out a slow breath as if weighing her words. “It’s the lie Shuni told Mirtone and Silva. I understand why she did it, but it still doesn’t sit right with me.” “She did what she thought was best,” Jahree said, his tone patient but firm. “Life doesn’t come with instructions, especially for things like this. What would you do to protect your own children?” Drepal’s eyes flashed with a sudden intensity, and she growled, “That’s not fair.” He kissed her softly, a small smile playing on his lips. “You’d do anything. Because she didn’t go through what you did, does that mean she loves less?” “No,” Drepal replied, her voice tinged with frustration. “And you think she can’t protect her family?” “No, but—” He cut her off gently, pressing his forehead to hers. “But nothing. No one is like you, Drepal, but that doesn’t mean others don’t love as deeply or make sacrifices just as great.” He kissed her again, letting his lips linger this time. She sighed, pulling back. “Jahree, not here.” “We need to bond,” he murmured, looking at her with an intensity that made her heart race. “The sailors will catch us,” she protested half-heartedly, glancing again toward the door. He smiled, pulling her close once more. “We’re just kissing, nothing more. I promise.” After a moment’s hesitation, she gave in, her lips meeting his again. They lost themselves in the embrace, the cargo hold momentarily forgotten, until a loud pounding on the door startled them apart. “We need everyone on deck,” Tercala’s voice called from the other side, urgent and clipped. Jahree exchanged a quick look with Drepal, noting the anxiety flickering in her eyes. “He’s up? This must be serious,” he muttered, a thread of worry knotting in his stomach. As they rose, he felt Ann’s presence resurfacing, her calm focus replacing Drepal’s turbulent emotions. Together, they hurried up to the deck, their minds already shifting to whatever awaited them above. #fantasy #magic #dragons #hiddenlands