“And if you’re really Saffron’s fated mate,” Jade continued, still smiling, “then I’m sure you’ll make up for mauling his twin.”
“Jade,” I admonished.
My older brother didn’t break his innocent-yet-scary smile. “I look forward to watching you two grow together.”
He left before I could scold him for that final jab, but Rorik didn’t look shaken. If anything, he seemed more determined to prove himself than ever.
But as I watched Jade evacuate the room, I noticed somebody else was missing too—Viol. When did he slip out? And why was he acting so weird?
Aurum yawned. “All this drama’s making me tired. Mylo, how d’you feel about a private video game session?”
Mylo blushed as he caught Aurum’s drift. “We still haven’t beaten that new side quest…”
I snorted and took Rorik by the hand. “C’mon. Let’s get back to the room before they do. I don’t want to walk in on them ‘gaining experience’.”
Rorik turned to me. He looked flat-out confused. “I don’t understand.”
“You don’t have to. Forget about video games. Movies are way better,” I insisted.
Aurum scoffed. “I heard that.”
15
Rorik
After a much-neededshower and power nap, I returned to the castle. Entering the dragons’ home again felt surreal. I didn’t deserve to be there after what I did, but Saffron wouldn’t take no for an answer. He was fiercely welcoming.
Maybe his aggressive acceptance was exactly what I needed. If he was any less certain, I would’ve fallen prey to my shame and doubt.
As Saffron led me down the hall, I couldn’t stop thinking about Jade’s comment.
If you’re really Saffron’s fated mate…
I swallowed the lump in my throat. It had been a threat to behave myself, but hidden inside was an outstretched palm. An invitation into the family. A confirmation that they all believed in fated mates—and that Saffron could be mine.
My pulse quickened.
Could I let myself believe in a destiny like that? To be loved and accepted unconditionally? To abandon my warrior past and embrace a new future?
As we neared the staircase that led upstairs, Saffron stopped abruptly.
“Wait,” he cried.
I halted, alert now. “What?”
He slowly turned his head, grinning up at me. “We need popcorn.”
Before I could ask what that even was, he dragged me into the kitchen. Whatever ‘popcorn’ was, it must’ve been important.
Saffron rummaged through a cupboard, pulled out a box, and dumped its contents in a large bowl. I sniffed the strange orange kernels.
“What are they?” I asked.
He grinned, clearly excited to explain. “Popcorn! You heat up the corn until it pops. Watch.”
He pulled me close so we stood hip to hip, then put the bowl in the microwave. As we watched it spin, Saffron bounced on his heels. His hand snaked around my waist—well, as far as it would go, anyway.
At first, I stiffened under his palm, but quickly relaxed. His touch felt nice. I was tired of pretending it didn’t. If Saffron was willing to forgive my awful actions and reach out to me, I needed to meet him halfway. He deserved that much.
