“Her name is Fiona, and she wasn’t involved with the Order in any way. She barely knew Roman.”
“Oookay. More of a reason to cut her loose and help me with this ring situation. It’s been weeks. Clearly she’s not the means to the end you wanted. Wipe her mind and send her on her way.”
My growl resonates loud enough to make my phone vibrate in my hand.
“Creator fucking hell!” Mason snaps. “Is your dragon targeting the human bride of Roman Cifarelli as your mate?”
“They were never actually married.”
His deep, rich laugh comes down the line, reminding me so much of his father it almost breaks my heart. “Oh hell, this is too good. Connor, Aries dragon of the Zodiac Brotherhood, is mating a human! I never thought I’d see the day.”
I frown. “You may not see the day.”
“She’s not going for it, huh?”
“Not yet.”
“Have you talked to the Oracle?”
The back door opens, and Fiona is standing there in her coat and boots. Our eyes meet and hold. “I’ve got to go, Mason. I’ll ask Seb if he can take the ring.”
“Thanks, man. Good luck with, uh…”
“Fiona,” I say, as much to her as to him.
“Yeah. Good luck with Fiona. I hope it works out.”
“Me too,” I mumble. The call disconnects, and I drop the phone into my pocket.
She approaches, never taking her eyes off mine, and stops inches from me, her hands in her pockets. “You missed our walk this morning.”
“Wasn’t feeling well,” I mumble.
“Yeah, I noticed you haven’t been feeling well a lot lately.”
Bones runs up to us, tail wagging. I look at him and just feel tired. “He has an endless supply of energy.”
Her voice is soft as she says, “Will you walk with me now?”
I busy myself putting on my flannel. “Of course.” I could be missing one leg and bleeding from the eyes and couldn’t deny her if she asked.
Her hand lands on my arm, and her expression turns soft. “I never told you, the day you shifted for me, that your dragon is beautiful. I’ve never seen anything more fiercely stunning.”
I preen, loving the way she keeps hold of my arm. We’ve grown closer these past weeks, but we haven’t touched much since she told me she needed time. “I could let him back out if you want a better look.”
She raises her chin. “Not tonight. It’s easier to talk to you like this.”
I can’t help the smile that overtakes me. “In that case…” I reposition her hand around my elbow and lead her toward the back trail. There’s a full moon and just enough light to guide our way. “How’s the writing going?”
“You always ask me that, and it’s the one question you already know the answer to.” She smirks. “I’m almost done. If I stay here much longer, I’ll have to start another book.”
“Why not five books more?” I slant her a hopeful smile. “You can write from anywhere, right?”
She snorts. “I can now.”
“I finished your series.” I’ve been waiting to tell her that, and I love the way she swells when she hears it. “I loved it, but I have a question.”
“Yeah? What’s that?”
