Pushing aside my brain problems, I strode towards Rorik.
“Let’s get you a drink,” I suggested. “I could use one myself, too.”
More gasps—louder and bolder. I could imagine the other contestants’ protests:How dare you abandon us cool people for this clumsy oaf?
I didn’t know how or why yet, but Rorik needed me. I sensed it in my gut. There was something different about him.
And he was so freaking cute.
Besides, this was my meet and greet. Shouldn’t it bemychoice who I spent my time with?
As I sauntered up to Rorik, his forehead wrinkles intensified. He looked lost and confused. Poor guy.
“Follow me,” I encouraged. With a wink, I added, “I know where all the good stuff is.”
Rorik grunted, then fell in step behind me like an obedient worker ant. That was weird. Why didn’t he walk beside me as an equal? Maybe he was shy. In that case, I’d pull him out of his big furry shell.
My heart danced.This is so much fun! I love the Dragonfate Games!
As I led Rorik to the nearest drink table, we passed Kaskian, who stared at us with his jaw unhinged.
Kaskian sputtered, “Saffron, come join me! I just poured a fresh cup of—”
I gave him a polite wave. “Maybe later, Kaskian. Rorik is parched. I’ve gotta take care of him.”
Both Kaskian and Rorik looked utterly dumbfounded.
What? Did I say something weird?
Once we were alone at the furthest table, I poured Rorik a cold cup of water topped with a few ice cubes. My heart skipped as the ice clanked against the glass. Icouldn’t tell if I was excited or nervous. Maybe both.
“There we go. Nice and icy, just how you like it.” I chuckled. “I mean, ‘cause you’re a polar bear, so I assume you like it that way. It’d be super weird if you loved drinking warm water. Not that I’m judging. You can enjoy water however you want.”
Shit. I’d started blathering. I practically heard Aurum’s voice echoing:Okay, Saffron, shut the fuck up and give the bear his water. You’re embarrassing yourself.
“Anyway, here you go.” I offered the cup to Rorik, then realized he had no hands to take it. “Uh… Heh. You’re allowed to shift into human form, y’know.”
Finally, Rorik spoke. “I don’t want to.”
I felt like a cartoon character with a piano dropped on my head. Great. My first interaction with Rorik, and he shot me down. Was he even interested in me at all?
Of course he is, idiot. Why else would he sign up as a contestant on the Dragonfate Games?
My brothers’ cautious advice swarmed in my mind. There was a huge difference in a contestant being interested in a wealthy alpha dragon and being interested inme.
As the doubts crawled in, I looked closer at Rorik. His deep, dark eyes bore into mine. They never faltered, and he didn’t blink. His gaze was so intense that a shiver rolled down my spine.
The doubts scurried away. No, there wassomethingbetween us. I felt it in my bones. Maybe Rorik turned me down because he was simply voicing a preference. That was fine by me. I wanted to make him feel comfortable.
“Hey, I don’t control your life,” I said with a casual shrug. “You don’t have to shift if you don’t want to. Your choice.”
Rorik’s bearish brow rose ever so slightly, then returned to normal. “I… appreciate that.”
My heart lifted. He spoke again—and positively this time.
Oh, I was so back.
I flashed him a grin, too excited to play it cool. Since Rorik remained a bear, I slid the water cup across the table towards his snout.
