Cobalt’s thick brows inched higher. “You think so?”
I nodded. “I dunno if you’re wearing cologne or what, but keep it up.”
“I’m not.”
“So you just smell naturally amazing. Good to know.”
Cobalt flashed a wisp of a smile that sent butterflies soaring towards my throat. I swallowed. Was he getting cuter by the second, or was it just me?
As the silence stretched, I wondered what to do. Should I invite him to stay? Was that weird, since he technically owned the hotel? Would he even want to stay here? It wasn’t like there was much to do in the hotel room besides laze around in the king-sized bed, watch TV, and cuddle.
Actually, that sounded nice. Mmm, cuddling...
Wait, what?
Before I could even think about unravelling that train of thought, the unhinged door burst open.
“I cannot believe Jade sent me, a father and fashion icon, to deal with this,” Crimson complained dramatically. In a casual motion, he placed the broken door back where he’d found it. “And what in the name of Holy Drake happened to this door?”
I pointed at my blue dragon companion. “Cobalt happened to it.”
Crimson dusted off his pristine suit before looking at me in surprise. “Oh, Muzo, it’s you. Good to see—” He fell silent, twisting his head towards his older brother. His ruby eyes narrowed as he glanced back and forth between us. “Interesting...”
“What are you doing here?” Cobalt asked.
The other alpha sighed. “Did my entrance speech not get the point across? I’m here to fetch you and attempt to undo this destruction you left in your wake.” Crimson nodded at the busted door hinges.
Cobalt sulked like a toddler. “I don’t want to leave.”
“And I don’t want to be an errand boy, but such is life.” Crimson shrugged. “Come along, Cobalt. There will be plenty of time for you two toplaylater.”
Before Cobalt could object, Crimson grabbed him by the arm and eased him out of the room like a rider coaxing a stubborn horse. I remembered from my time on season one that Crimson was a tall, handsome alpha—but next to him, Cobalt looked absolutely massive.
And he was way handsomer.
“Don’t fret, you’ll be reunited soon enough,” Crimson reassured us with a smirk. “Don’t forget the first challenge is tomorrow. Oh, and Muzo, I’m sending someone to fix this door ASAP, so don’t complain to Omega Resources, all right? Ciao!”
The broken-yet-soon-to-be-fixed door shut behind them, and I was left alone with the butterflies in my tummy and the memory of Cobalt looking wistfully over his shoulder at me.
Eight
Cobalt
As the eldest brother,I was usually the one who did the stern sit-downs and administered the gentle scoldings.
I wasn’t used to being on the other end of it.
Once Crimson led me behind the hotel, he and Jade cornered me like a pair of disappointed teachers. Jade pushed up his glasses with a sigh, while Crimson crossed his arms.
“I’ve been told you disappeared after the opening ceremony, then proceeded to cause unnecessary property damage,” Jade said mildly. “Care to explain what happened?”
Words were difficult in the first place. Describing what happened between me and Muzo was impossible.
I clutched my chest where the ache had been. “I had to find him,” I murmured.
“Find who?”
“Muzo.”
