“I will never lie to you,” I say echoing my thoughts.“Anything true and lasting can’t be built on dishonesty.”
Her eyes flash with something—surprise, anger, or maybe even fear, I can’t tell.
“Why?Why am I here?Why do you insist that I am your mate when we both know there is no such thing?”
“Because I need to protect you, I need to protect what is mine.”He takes a deep breath.“As for the part about mates, haven’t you heard?All over the realm, fated mates and female dragons are finding their awakening.”
Her lips press into a line.“You’re crazy.”
“It’s the truth and you know it,” I reply with a smirk.“You are my fated mate.”
She rises slowly, crossing her arms over her chest.Her voice is steel.“I don’t want to be your prisoner.”
“You’re not.You can leave whenever you like.”
“Can I?Because it sure as shit feels like you want to keep me locked up in here.”
“That’s true but only because I don’t know how else to keep you safe.But you aren’t a prisoner, though you should probably know I’ll follow wherever you go.And I won’t be gentle about bringing you back.This is where you belong.”
Her breath catches.I step forward, placing the tray of food on the table.
“I know you’re scared, and I know this bond is overwhelming.But I won’t hurt you, Zahara.”
“Why me?”she whispers.“Why not someone else?”
“Because the universe chose you.Because my dragon would rather die than lose your scent.Because I would burn this entire world to the ground just to hear you say my name again while you fall apart under me.”
She shivers.And I know she feels it too.She lowers her gaze, the smallest gesture of submission I’ve seen from her yet.But it’s real.Honest.And it’s enough for now.
I sit beside her, close enough to touch, but I don’t.She flinches slightly when I reach out and adjust the tray.The scent of her unease still lingers, but beneath it is something far more dangerous—surrender.
“Eat,” I say softly.“Rest.I’ll be nearby if you need me.”
I rise from my spot and turn to leave.
“Wait.”The word is a soft broken whisper.I stop dead in my tracks.Her voice trembles when she speaks again.“Will it always feel like this?”
I turn slowly.“Like what?”
“Like I’m drowning in you.Like I can’t breathe without touching you.”
I cross to her in two strides, gently cupping her jaw.Her skin is warm and impossibly soft beneath my fingers.
“Yes.”Her eyes flutter closed.“But eventually,” I add, brushing a kiss over her forehead, “you’ll stop trying to fight the current.And when you do, it’ll feel like flying.”
She doesn’t speak but she leans into the contact just enough that I feel it.That whisper of want.Of trust.I leave before I break my promise and take her again.
Downstairs, I pour out the drink I didn’t touch earlier.I need to keep a clear head around Zaraha until our bond is complete before I do something stupid.I stare into the flames and plan.
I plan to make her happy.I plan for whatever it takes to keep her.Because she’s not just some random omega who walked into my building and my life.She’s my omega.My fated mate.My entire fucking world.
And no one will ever take her from me.
