“Kind of. It’s typical for a family to speak between themselves within their minds. Kain and Rime and I have been together so long we just synced up. It’s even stronger for mates.”
Mates. An intense love that syncs creatures’ minds, bodies, and souls. My heartbeat kicks up a gear at the sound of the serious word. I wonder if he’s ever felt that.
I’m bordering on information overload but I can’t help myself from learning more about him.
“Have you ever mated with someone before?” I try not to look at him as I ask the personal question.
His lips pull up into that half smile he always has. That sexy look that demands my attention.
“No. Dragons want to mate for life. Doesn’t always happen. It almost happened for Kain.” His mouth snaps shut as if he wishes he could take those words back.
Intrigue swirls through my mind, but I can tell he isn’t going to say more about that topic. Is that who hurt Kain? My stomach twists at the thought of someone hurting him.
“What about you?” His attention swings to me, hanging on my words before they’re even spoken.
Sinister’s name circles my head on repeat, sending my emotions into a frenzy of confusion and sorrow. He was my best friend.
And the years have passed so slowly I’m not even sure of what my own feelings for him were anymore.
“No. Not really.” I hate that I just said that. But it’s easier to say I never loved him than to explain the mess of a life I’ve led.
Falling in love with my ex-boyfriend’s brother isn’t something I advertise. Saying I ruined his life and mine sounds pretty terrible. Telling someone I’m on the run from said ex-boyfriend also isn’t exactly something I want to share. Especially with the man who’s currently holding my hand and sending me shy smiles that start to make my ovaries plot what our future dragon shifter babies would look like.
Why am I such a mess?
“I find that hard to believe. You act like you’ve had your heart broken. Destroyed.” Another small smile is passed my way.
Ignoring his entirely too correct statement, I look away from him.
This feels like a date… All of this. Every bit of being with Chaos feels like romance threw up all over my day.
I hate it.
I love it.
I hate that I love it.
My hand pulls away from his warm touch, choosing to fold my arms across my chest instead. For the rest of the day we walk and talk and I don’t even realize that we’re just roaming around as an excuse to get to know one another. It’s odd but he makes it so simple. Everything about Chaos is this easy feeling that I haven’t felt … possibly ever.
The day slips away.
We make our way down the little dirt path that leads up to my shack. I’m going to miss this shack when everything’s all said and done. After I collect my money, or once these three find out I’m the mage they’ve been looking for, I’m going to miss this place.
Grim stalks toward us, his bushy tail wagging as he strides toward me. He gives a low growl of a greeting to Chaos before planting his paws on my shoulders and swiping his tongue across my cheek. He’s so much larger than I am in this stance. He shadows over my body.
“Did you miss me?” My fingers push through his hair, singeing my fingertips just lightly but not enough for me to not show him some attention.
At least he isn’t trying to rip my new lovely shifter friends to pieces today.
Chaos raises his hand as if he might pat the hellhound as well, but Grim snips at him, baring his teeth like Chaos just tried to take away his favorite bone.
“Good to see you too.” He shakes his head at the beast before pushing open the front door. Chaos walks through the front door of my house like he’s lived here his entire life.
I pat Grim’s head once more before trailing after the shifter.
My shoulders sag slightly as I look up to the sun that’s attempting to fade down into the evening sky, casting pale light across the horizon. Exhaustion hits hard the moment I close the door behind me.
And I run right into a solid chest.
