Thystle sat there pouting, his headphones perched on his shoulders. “I can’t believe you didn’t invite us, too,” he muttered.
“Sorry, guys,” I said. “I just wanted to go by myself, you know?”
The twins raised their identical brows like I’d said something insane. I figuredtheywouldn’t understand, being attached at thehip and all, but Thystle should’ve empathized with me. He loved spending time alone in his room listening to his favorite band.
“It’s not forever,” Jade pointed out, trying to calm the big babies. “Violet will return in two weeks’ time. You three can survive until then, can’t you?”
“Are you bringing Wolfy?” Crimson asked. “You’d better not pop the stitches I just fixed.”
I scoffed. “Obviously I am, and no, of course not. I don’t go around ruining my prized possession on purpose.”
Crimson smirked. “Then I see no reason why you shouldn’t go gallivanting on an adventure.”
“Did you bring food? You need food,” Aurum said, as if that was a good reason to stay.
“I brought snacks,” I told him. “Besides, I can hunt.”
Cobalt looked relieved at my resourcefulness. I’d already convinced him to let me go, but it was nice to know he believed in me. Jade and Crimson seemed proud, too. Only my youngest brothers were throwing a fit. It was sweet, in a way. I hadn’t even left yet and they already missed me.
“I’ll be back before you know it,” I promised. “So, don’t cry, okay?”
“Nobody said anything about crying,” Thystle grumbled, sinking into his TalonStorm hoodie. It was Thystle’s new favorite thing, an up-and-coming rock band composed of young shifters.
“Yeah, we’re not crying,” the twins announced defiantly.
I snorted. “Sure, if you say so. Anyway, I’m outta here. See you in two weeks.”
Everyone said their goodbyes and wished me well. When I neared the front door, Cobalt put his hand on my shoulder and gently pulled me aside.
“Be careful, all right?” he said.
“I will be. Don’t worry.”
He gave my shoulder a squeeze, then let go. Nobody had ever taken a long trip off the island, so I understood why Cobalt was a little nervous, but he’d always been a worrywart. Beneath my teenaged human skin, I was a dragon, just like him. I could handle myself.
I threw my arms around Cobalt in a firm hug. He relaxed as he returned the embrace. Then he pulled back, ready to release me into the world.
“Go on,” Cobalt encouraged.
With a final grin, I ran out of the castle and shifted, taking to the sky.
I wokewith a start that nearly tossed me out of bed and onto my ass.
I felt dizzy. Grasping my forehead, I stared at my bed sheets without seeing them. The dream had dazed me.
Except it wasn’t a dream. It was a memory.
Over the next few moments, I regained my breath and my bearings. Being thrown into the past like that was jarring. Why’d my stupid brain decide to show me those particular memories? I swear, the damned organ was out to get me.
Grunting, I slapped my palms against my cheeks. I was awake now, all right. But I remained disoriented. The Violet from my dream was a different person. He was distant, inaccessible. And yet, I’d seen those same images and heard those same sounds with my own senses.
I clenched my eyes shut and sank back into bed with a groan. I wasn’t dizzy anymore, but I still felt wired.
Even now, I couldn’t make sense of my decision that day. Had it been the best choice of my life? Or had it been the worst mistake?
A sharp rap of knuckles knocked at my door.
Oh, for fuck’s sake...
