A moment later, a caramel-colored dragon stepped into the clearing, her gold wings warring with the dual moons behind her for the title of most beautiful. In dragon form, their thoughts were far less refined than in their soma form, but it felt right when she nuzzled his snout, then took to the night sky with a wild gleam in her eyes. He followed after her, his beast’s mind clearing of all thoughts. Only feelings remained. He soared above Paragon, Harlow’s water-lily scent alive in his nose, perfectly content just to be with her.
Chapter Eighteen
As weeks passed, Marius enjoyed more walks with Harlow and more late-night flights. They’d become friends. Close friends. He desperately wanted more. She was a heaven he would gladly die to enter. Thoughts of her invaded his dreams. More than once, he’d awoken hard and ready for her with no choice but to reach between his legs and find his own release. Flying solo. Pathetic.
Sadly, the closer they’d grown, the harder it was for him to act on his desires. She’d always said his appearance didn’t bother her, but he knew in his heart that couldn’t be true. At times, he’d noticed her watching him with lust in her eyes. He’d thought she’d wanted him in the same way he’d wanted her. But afterward, he’d remind himself that she was kind. Unwaveringly kind. Her warm heart refused to allow her to see him for what he was.
But Adradys was right. He was a freak. And when it came to a romantic relationship, a deep, unreachable part of him thought Harlow deserved better even if she refused to admit it to herself. In the beginning, he’d thought there was a chance with her, but she’d been distracted these last weeks. More than likely, she’d come to her senses and realized he was friend material and nothing more.
The problem was, Marius thought she was mate material. His dragon pined for her. He thought he might even love her if he allowed himself to go there. He wouldn’t, of course. Admitting he loved her would be painting a bull’s-eye for a heartbreak arrow.
If his unrequited love for Harlow had any benefit at all, it was that Marius poured all his frustration into his fighting. The past two classes, he could tell that Brantley had to work his hardest to beat him. And today… He felt good about today.
“Take your places.” Harlow held up the flag. “Ready, and fight!”
Even before the flag hit the gravel, Marius had Brantley’s wings hooked into his own. As Harlow had taught him, he stayed on the balls of his feet, allowing the weight of his wings to draw him back, draw his opponent to him. He sliced an uppercut between their bodies and into Brantley’s ribs, then blocked the dragon’s blow with his elbow. His knee drove into Brant’s inner thigh.
Brant tried a hook to his temple. Wasn’t happening. He swept his leg, sending him off-balance. The hook glided in front of Marius’s face and connected with nothing but air. Marius cupped behind his elbow, unhooked his wings, and kicked his sweeping leg up. Brantley went flying, his feet kicking over his head. He landed flat on his back in the pebbles.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Harlow take a tiny step closer to the edge of her platform. Yeah, baby, I’m not done. Marius stood back, waiting for Brant to get up. The other dragon exploded from the ground, going from horizontal to his feet in a heartbeat. It was a common tactic. Any fighter who countered too slowly would have their teeth kicked in.
Marius was ready. A leg was longer than an arm. A body was longer than a leg. Before the man could come within striking distance, Marius faked like he was falling backward, flapped his wings, and drove both feet into Brantley’s chest. He hit him like a low airborne missile before bouncing back and skidding on his knees.
Brantley flew out of the ring and crashed down in the stones. He did not get back up.
“Three… two… one!” Harlow was beside him, a beaming smile spread across her face. “Marius, you’ve just won your first match.” She grabbed his hand and lifted it above their heads. “Goddess, you did it! You did it!”
With a groan, Brantley slowly climbed to his feet. “Fucking Hades.” He rubbed the back of his head. “I think you’ve created a monster. My work here is done.”
“You’re not quitting on me yet, Brant. You’re paid up for two more lessons,” Harlow said.
“Can we go back to balance work?” He hobbled over to them.
Harlow checked the back of his head. “Already healed.”
Brant thumped Marius on the back. “I think this is cause for celebration. Wife’s probably going to kill me for coming home late, but how about a pint at the Silver Sunset?”
Harlow’s smile faded, and her eyes shifted. Money was clearly still a concern for her. Marius stopped himself from offering to pay. She probably wouldn’t accept, and he didn’t want to damage her pride. She’d turned down every offer of financial support he’d ever made.
Brant rolled his eyes. “I’m buying, Harlow.”
The smile returned with a clap of her hands. “Then I’m happy to participate. Marius, are you in?”
Fucker! “Wouldn’t miss my own celebration, although I’m sensing if I don’t come, you will go on celebrating without me.” He fought back a wave of jealousy as he glanced between Harlow and Brantley, although he’d never witnessed anything but friendship between them. His dragon became anxious and moody that Brantley would get to pay for her drinks.
Her eyebrow inched up. “Stop. It wouldn’t be much of a party without our champion.”
Champion. He liked the sound of that. He wasn’t sure yet if he had what it took to win in the public pits, but he knew for sure that Brantley hadn’t gone easy on him today. And for that, he deserved a drink with the woman of his dreams.
“Give me a second to get cleaned up.” Marius headed for the locker room, then made a trip to the office to give the attendant there a command. Twenty minutes later, a royal carriage pulled around to pick them all up.
Brant whistled through his teeth. “Going in style!”
“You know this isn’t necessary,” Harlow said. “I don’t mind walking or flying.”
“It’s free, Harlow. Get the fuck in the carriage.” Marius opened the door for her.
“Language!” she said through a smile that wasn’t the least bit offended. She climbed in and took a seat across from Brant. The carriage lurched into motion en route to Hobble Glen.
