Taylor raised a brow. "Stripes?"
"Hey, Tay! You did it!" Muzo called excitedly.
"Yay, Taylor!" Poppy added.
I smiled at the pair. They were the least sore of all the losers, and seemed truly happy for their friend.
By now, I felt in control of myself enough to shift. "Well, Gaius?" I prompted, brushing off my suit.
He grinned and tossed the microphone at me. "You should announce the winner this time, Crimson. You seem like you have a lot to say."
I snatched the mic mid-air, then met Taylor’s expectant gaze.
“For his courage and compassion, and for having the bravery to do what was right even when it might've affected the outcome of this trial... the winner of the final challenge is Taylor," I declared.
Muzo and Poppy cheered loud enough for a whole crowd.
Alaric rolled his eyes, but wore a wry smile as he golf-clapped. "Why did the rest of us even bother again?" he asked, not unkindly.
Muzo grinned. "Hey, we got a free vacation!"
I strode over to Taylor and put my hands on his waist. Finally, I could touch him the way I wanted to. I wasn't going to hide the way I felt about him any longer.
"I'm the winner of the final challenge, huh?" Taylor said coyly. "What's my reward?"
I caught Gaius from the corner of my eye. If he had anything pre-planned in mind, he didn't announce it. He nodded as if leaving the choice up to me.
In which case, I had the perfect idea.
"As the winner, your reward is... a kiss from me," I said.
Taylor blushed. We'd kissed before, but that was in private. This would be our first time kissing in front of a crowd—and on film, too. This felt different, like a bold declaration of our love.
That was exactly what I wanted. I wanted the whole world to know that Taylor was mine, forever.
My hands caressed Taylor's face. Our surroundings faded away until he was the only thing I saw. In his expression was warmth, relief, and love. He let go of his tension and embarrassment of showing affection in front of other people. He closed his eyes and leaned in.
Tilting my head, I captured his lips halfway. The softness of his mouth overwhelmed me. I threaded my fingers through his hair and cradled the back of his head in my palm as I kissed him deeper. There was no resistance or caution from Taylor. He kissed me back without a care that the entire world watched.
"Aww," Poppy murmured in the background. "They're so sweet together. I've never seen Taylor look like that..."
Muzo chuckled. "Yeah, that dragon turns him into a little kitten."
Taylor didn't stop kissing me while he flipped Muzo off.
Nineteen
Taylor
After the commotion died down,Crimson said he wanted to show me something—away from the cameras.
The kobold director who gave him the stink eye clearly wasn’t happy about that. But I was. Any time I shared with Crimson away from the hustle and bustle of the game show was a treasure.
Gaius wrapped up the challenge and sent the other omegas back to the hotel. There was a buzz of uncertainty in the air. Were the Dragonfate Games over? Crimson hadn’t stuck around long enough to make an announcement. Maybe Gaius and the director would wrangle it out of him later.
For the moment, Crimson bristled with draconic energy, like invisible sparks danced along his skin. He seemed impatient and on edge, and nobody messed with him.
I loved that side of him. I wondered how much more of it I’d get to see.
