Free Desolation (Dragonlands Book 4) by Megg Jensen

wanted the answer to be.
    "No. Not better. It's just... different. I don't know how to explain it." Hazel nuzzled Connor's shoulder. "I know I liked it, though." She kissed his cheek, her lips warm. "But we need to get back to the kids."
    "I think they're in good hands," Connor said. Despite wanting to take things slow with his wife, he couldn't seem to keep his hands off of her. His fingertips skimmed over her collarbone, eliciting a gasp from her swollen lips.
    Hazel's crooked smile crept across her face. "Tonight we'll move back into our cottage. We'll bring the children with us." She nodded to the left. "Don't forget, we have a door to our bedroom. Except..."
    "What?" Connor asked, perplexed by the confused look on Hazel's face.
    "Where do Fotia and Vatra like to sleep? I know they've been outside with you, but we can't just leave them out there by themselves. Can I make a nest for them? Put blankets on the floor? Should they have a bed to share like the boys?" Hazel jumped out of bed and pulled on her underthings. She grabbed a dress out of the wardrobe, then sneezed. "I forgot I haven't been in here in ages. My dresses are all covered in dust."
    "The bed didn't seem to be," Connor said. He smacked the mattress filled with straw to prove his point.
    "I think we, um, bounced all of it out of the bed," Hazel said as she pulled the dress over her head. "Now about the dragons..."
    "I think they'd be okay inside with a blanket," Connor said as he sat up. Hazel tossed him a dusty pair of pants. He shook them out, then slipped them on. "It's really sweet of you to think of them."
    Hazel grabbed his shoulders. "They are my children now, too. I mean that. We are a family, Connor."
    He looked into her grey eyes, his face serious. Hazel was offering him everything. She took hold of tragedy and turned it into something beautiful.
    Hazel let her arms drop, her mouth set in a frown. "Of course, only if that's what you want. I didn't mean to pressure you."
    It was Connor's turn to laugh. "I'm sorry. I was just thinking about how amazing you are."
    "Took you long enough." Hazel winked and punched Connor's arm. "Now let's get back to the village hall."
    He reached out and grabbed her wrist as she was about to walk out the door. "You know we can't stay here tonight. Not any night soon."
    Hazel sighed, her shoulders drooping. "You're going to leave again, aren't you?"
    "That shadow could come back," Connor said. "Should I wait here for it or look for help?"
    "Look for help," Hazel said. "Of course. I know that, but I hate being away from you now. It's selfish. I want you to stay."
    Connor wrapped his hands around Hazel's waist and pulled her close. "Then come with me," he whispered.
    "What?" She pulled away, but Connor wouldn't let her go. "I can't. The children—"
    "They're safe here with Pia. You saw what she did! We can go for help and let her protect the children, along with Lily and the healers."
    "But..."
    "But nothing," Connor said. He kissed Hazel on the tip of her nose. "It's settled. You're coming with me. I refuse to let go of you now. Let's pack and be on our way. We can ask for help and be back in three days."
    "What if Pia says no?" Hazel asked. "She might not want to protect the children. She doesn't even like children."
    Connor laughed. "She's going to have to get used to it sooner or later. No more arguing. Pack." He pulled Hazel back into the cottage.
    "Okay, okay, I'll come with you." Hazel grabbed a bag from the wardrobe. She opened the window and shook the bag, letting all the accumulated dust out. "Maybe one change of clothes?"
    "One for me, too," Connor said. He reached over her shoulder, stuffing his own clothes in the same bag.
    "Where will we go?" Hazel asked him.
    "To the Red. Sophia is there and I think she's our best bet at learning about the shadow. She seems to know more than she lets on."
    "I still can't believe she's alive," Hazel said. "The dragons perform miracles."
    Connor snorted. "I wouldn't call what