It seemed like my honest answer had redirected Crimson’s vitriol onto someone else—in this case, their absent brother, Viol.
“Putting the dragon killing aside,” Jade said, facing me, “how do you feel about Saffron?”
My heart squeezed at the mention of his name, but before I could reply, Thystle interrupted. “Who cares? He nearly killed Aurum!”
“I didn’t know it was him,” I said, my throat tightening. “I… I didn’t believe Saffron when he said he was a dragon. Not him, or anyone else. I thought you were too kind to be dragons.”
Thystle’s brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”
“I know dragons only as cold-blooded killers.” My voice turned thick. “Many years ago, a dragon destroyed my home and killed many of my clan mates. Since that day, I trained every waking moment to become a dragon-killer. To avenge my clan.”
Jade observed me for a long beat. He pushed up his glasses, then asked, “Was this a choiceyoumade, or one imposed upon you?”
I hesitated. It was frightening how he discerned the truth so easily. “It… was imposed on me. My alpha superiors controlled my every action. I had no choice.”
This information defused some of the dragon brothers’ anger. The tension in the room changed from a sharp blade to a dull knife.
“But you still did it,” Thystle muttered. “You had the choicenotto attack Aurum, but you still did it.”
I nodded listlessly. “You’re right. And for that, I accept any punishment.”
Crimson rolled his eyes, but the fight had left him. “Ugh, enough with the self-deprecating melodrama. Are you in love with Saffron or not?”
My mouth went dry, and my pulse kicked into overdrive. I had never been in love with anyone before, but now…
“Yes,” I murmured. “I think I am.”
Crimson cocked an eyebrow. “Youthinkyou are?”
Jade raised a palm. “Calm down, Crimson. Rorik was raised in a high-control environment. He’s discovering his true feelings for the first time.” He turned to me. “Would you like to see Aurum and Saffron?”
My heartbeat stumbled. I was terrified, but it had to be done.
“Yes. Please,” I begged.
“I think you’re giving the bear too much credit,” Thystle mumbled, drumming black-painted nails on his arm. “What if he’s lying, and he’s only going there to finish what he started?”
Jade smiled. “If that’s the case, then I trust Saffron’s judgment.”
I shuddered at his sinister tone. His implication was clear: if I was a genuine danger to Aurum, Saffron would be the one to end me.
14
Saffron
The castle’smedical room was quiet except for the steady rhythm of Aurum’s breathing. He slept in a bed by the furthest wall while I sat near his head, ready to act if he needed anything. Once in a while, my hand hovered over his shoulder, wanting to touch him and make sure he was still moving. Mylo was asleep against Aurum’s chest, curled up in ferret form. Taylor had offered to babysit the girls so they could be together, and so they didn’t find out what happened to their dad. They were too young to understand.
My head hurt. I still couldn’t believe this happened.
I clenched my eyes shut, then opened them to stare at Aurum’s injuries. His neck was bandaged, and his eyes had dark bags under them, but otherwise he was okay. The nurse insisted the wound wasn’t as serious as it looked. His thick dragon scales had saved him, thank Holy Drake.
But I felt horribly guilty. I should’ve spoken to Rorik properly that night. I shouldn’t have run away to let him stew in his chaotic thoughts alone. He needed me, and I’d abandoned him. What kind of alpha was I?
The door creaked open.
Before I could even lift my head, Viol already loomed over Aurum. His face was pale. He looked shaken.
“Tell me what happened,” he rasped without looking at me.
