“Right? I was shocked, too. It seems so unlike him... Anyway, I’ve forwarded you the ticket info. See you soon, and good luck!”
After I hung up, I stood aimlessly in the lobby. I couldn’t stop thinking about my next trip to the island. It was a welcome reprieve from the gnawing anxiety I’d felt earlier.
I took a deep breath. No need for my feathers to get ruffled. I wasn’t in any danger, and in a week, I’d be on an all-expenses paid vacation on a private island.
Except it wasn’t really a vacation, was it? I’d be fighting talon and wing, competing against other omegas in the Dragonfate Games. And apparently, there were alotmore of them this time around.
I may have been a plain golden eagle, but I was no pushover. If Thystle was my true mate, I’d do anything to win.
I just had to trust fate.
Four
Thystle
As I watchedthe director shout orders at the staff, I turned the volume up on my CD player. Duke was so damned loud. How did such a short creature have a voice that could level a building?
The rest of the filming staff ran around like worker ants, dutifully taking care of everything. Producing a TV show took a ton of work and money. I wondered if my brother, Saffron, considered that when he originally pitched the idea. I was glad I didn’t have to do anything exceptbeon the show.
I sat nestled into a shaded chair on the edge of the beach, clutching my CD player. Duke ordered me to sit nearby in case he needed my input, but he barely asked me anything. I think he just wanted to waste my time. The only work I’d done for the show was to take a “sexy” modelling photo as advertising for the Games.
I shut my eyes and sighed. This was all such a pain... Why couldn’t Aquila manifest right in front of me? All my problems would instantly be solved.
Someone tapped the bridge of my headphones. A burst of anger erupted through my body. My human teeth shifted into dragon fangs as I whirled around.
“What?” I snapped.
“Geez, don’t bite my fingers off,” Aurum said, shrinking away.
I glared at him. My fangs slowly changed back. “You know I hate it when people do that.”
“Sorry.” Aurum shrugged. “Your eyes were closed, so it wasn’t like I could dance around in front of you to get your attention.”
“What do you want?” I asked.
Crimson strolled up beside Aurum with an amused smirk. I got the feeling he’d used Aurum as a meat shield in case Ididbite someone’s fingers off.
“I’m here to give you a friendly pep talk,” Crimson said. “I’m not sure why Aurum tagged along.”
Aurum plopped down in the sand next to my chair. “Bored.”
“So you came to bother me?” I grumbled.
Crimson cleared his throat. “Anyway. Thystle, you’ve invited quite a few omegas to the Games this time around. Are you sure you can keep up with them all?”
I bristled. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Like, are you gonna remember everyone’s name?” Aurum chimed in. “People get annoyed if you forget their names.”
“I don’thaveto remember everyone’s name,” I argued. “It’s not like I’m going to address every single one of them. Only one of them is important.”
Aurum snorted. “Make sure Duke gets that statement on film. Then you’ll be really popular!”
“Shut up.”
Crimson sighed. “Thystle, I get where you’re coming from. When the Games started, I took interest in Taylor immediately. Iknewhe was the one. But you still have be civil with the other contestants.”
“Why are you guys treating me like I’m some dickhead? Are you confusing me with Viol, theactualasshole purple dragon in our family?” I grumbled.
