Crimson practically dragged me away from the crowd into a quiet clearing in the forest, saying, “I have something to show you.” I kept glancing over my shoulder to see if anyone followed, but Crimson never looked back. He was confident we’d be alone for a while.
“What did you want to show me?” I asked. “Because if it’s your cock, I’ve already seen it.”
He smirked. “No, but I can show you that, too, if you’d like.”
“I’m not opposed.”
He let out another laugh before tossing his head back like a rearing horse. Then a burst of magic seized him. His body grew, twisting and turning into a huge, intimidating, sexy form.
Crimson’s dragon stood before me. There wasn’t a single frightened bone in my body, but I saw how somebody could find him menacing. For one thing, he was massive, nearly the size of a bungalow. His hooked black talons could rip up a car with ease, and his shiny fangs glinted like a row of knives.
This wasn’t my first time seeing his dragon form, yet it never dulled my awe. I reached out and touched my palm to his foreleg. The red scales were smooth and cool under my hand.
No, calling themredwas an understatement. True to his name, they were a rich crimson, drifting into a different shade at various angles of the light. He was like a living, breathing ruby statue with lungs full of fire.
And he was mine.
A shiver ran through me. Just as Crimson was possessive over me, I was possessive over him. The end of the challenges came as a relief.
“Don’t ever do that shit again,” I muttered.
Crimson’s dragon voice rumbled with amusement. “Do what, my sweet kitten?”
“Threaten to go on a date with some other omega.”
Scoffing, Crimson brought a paw to his chest in an offended gesture. “I did no such thing. I knew from the start you’d win, Taylor. Have faith in your alpha.”
“I do have faith inyou. It was everyone else I didn’t have faith in. Could you imagine going on a TV show date with one of those guys? The second-hand cringe would be unbearable.”
He laughed. “You’re not wrong. I would’ve fought the urge to set myself on fire.” Craning his neck toward the ground, he nuzzled my cheek with his smooth muzzle. “You don’t have to worry about that anymore. The Games are over. You’re my mate, Taylor, and I love you.”
Those words made my heart flutter every single time.
“Now stop thinking about silly things and get on my back,” Crimson said.
“Getwhere?”
“How else am I supposed to take you to the castle? It’s a long walk for someone without wings.”
As a tiger, I wasn’t exactly afraid of heights. I could climb a tree well enough.
But being in thesky?
Sensing my hesitation, Crimson let out a puff of smoke. “Come on. Do you really think I’d let you fall?”
“I’m not that light,” I warned him.
“And I’m not that weak,” he shot back. Then he sighed dramatically. “Honestly, Taylor. It’s like you’ve never met a dragon before! We’re only the strongest creatures in existence.”
I rolled my eyes. “And the most pompous. Let me on.”
“I was kidding about getting on my back, by the way. Far too dangerous, especially since you might be pregnant.”
My jaw dropped. What did he just say?
Crimson kept speaking like he hadn’t just dropped a huge bombshell. “I’ve made a neat little seat for you. And I promise on the lives of my six brothers that I won’t drop you. Wait, no. I promise on my tail I won’t—”
“Crimson,” I interrupted. “Did you say I might be pregnant?”
