The Taurus in me cringes at that statement, and my dragon grows instantly defensive. “I’m not shirking my duties. I just don’t appreciate being left out of the discussion.”
Zoe clears her throat. “Seb and I have been working on a ring that will have powers in direct opposition to those of the Order’s rings, blessed where theirs are cursed. If it works as designed, it will be capable of being used as a shield as well as a weapon against those who would do you harm.”
“Connor mentioned that when he came to visit me on Cardinal Island.”
“Good, then you understand. The ring is almost complete. Why not wait until tomorrow when it’s ready?”
Remus sets down his fork and leans back in his chair, his face doing that half-smile thing that mirrors the masks tattooed on his chest. Gemini son of a bitch is arguing with himself again.
“One ring?” he asks her.
She sighs. “Yes. There’s only one so far. I can make more after we test this one, but?—”
“So, it will need to be tested, which will take time. Creating one for both of us and the rest of the zodiac dragons will take time. Getting vials of the celestial waters to civilian dragons will take time.” I’m impressed by how calm and matter-of-fact he keeps his voice, but then he knows that the moment he comes off as threatening to Zoe, he’ll have to deal with me.
“Yes, that’s all true,” she says, looking defeated.
Remus’s gaze shifts back to me. “We need to keep thinning the Order. They’re adding members at the fastest pace in a century. Dragons are getting restless. You’ve heard the complaints from dragon civilians. They’re tempted to go back to their daily lives. This is a prison for them. I don’t think we can wait on this, Seb. They need to know the brotherhood is doing something.”
I nod. “You’re right. I can’t keep up the code red if I’m not actively doing something to make it safe for them, and our other solutions will take a few more weeks to implement. We’ll go tonight.”
Zoe’s eyes widen. “I hate this. What if one of you is injured again?”
“Thanks to you, I’m so full of celestial water, an injury won’t kill me. Unless, of course, they take off my head,” Remus laughs.
The humor doesn’t reach Zoe.
“I’ve been adding a few drops from the vial to my morning coffee,” I tell her.
“We don’t know how much it takes,” she says quickly. “I don’t like you putting yourself in danger.”
I don’t want to displease her, but I have a job to do, and I am nothing if not loyal to my responsibilities.
Remus’s good humor quickly turns sour. “Zoe, I get that it’s scary for you. But you mated a dragon warrior. This is who Seb is and what he signed up for. He was chosen for this by the Oracle herself.”
I raise a hand, silencing him. “I’m sorry, Zoe. I know you’ll worry, but I’ll take good care of myself. I’ll be back before you know it.”
A tear forms in the corner of her eye. She sets down her fork. “Fine. Go. Do what you have to do.” She stands and leaves the table, heading toward our bedroom.
“Zoe!”
“Let her be, Seb,” Remus says softly. “There is nothing you can say that will make this easier for her. She loves you. It’s only natural that she worries for you.”
“Right.” I look down at my plate but can’t bring myself to take another bite. Instead, I take a long drink of my wine. Then I level a stare on Remus. “We leave in an hour.”
ZOE
What the actual fuck is happening to me? I feel like I’m fifteen years old as I throw myself on Seb’s bed, in the room that I’ve started considering our room. I know I’m acting childishly, but my feelings are out of control. Seb will be putting himself at risk tonight, and if something happens to him, I won’t survive. I’m sure of it.
I rub my eyes on the nest of my arms, trying to keep myself from crying. But even having my face buried in the comforter doesn’t stop me from sensing Seb as he silently walks into the room. His scent reaches my nose almost immediately. We’re so attuned to each other now. It’s a level of intimacy I’ve never experienced with anyone else.
His hand lands on my back, and I flinch. “I know you have to do it,” I say into the blanket. “But it feels like my heart is ripping in two.”
He lies down beside me, running his hand down the length of my back. “I get it. You love me. You want me to stay safe, the same as I wanted you to stay safe during Beltane. Besides, you’re a Pisces, so you’re going to feel our spiritual connection stronger than most. I’m sure this is scary for you.”
I turn on my side so that I’m facing him and raise an eyebrow. “Tell me more about what I’m feeling.”
His brows lift. “Am I wrong?”
