I glowered at Serafina. Yaga warned her not to meddle in Hathor’s business. Bet she hadn’t shared that little tidbit of information during their private massage session. In fact, I was quite certain there were a number of things she’d left out. Things I knew but Alaric didn’t.
“Fine, then. While you’re training her, you can teach her to use her magic defensively. As she did when Mortis attacked her.”
“Mortis? What attack?”Alaric snarled.
I smirked at the expression of panic that washed over Serafina’s face. “Told him everything, did you?”
While she fawned over the dragon. I was the one who knew her secrets. For instance, how she tasted, and the sounds she made when she orgasmed.
Alaric lowered his head, chuffing a growl.“Tell me more about this Mortis.”
“I’ll leave you two kids to it then.” I shoved to my feet and stomped toward the door.
“Thanks, Thorne,” Serafina called out, fury in her tone.
“Any time, Princess.”
SERAFINA
Thorne was gone.
I didn’t know how I knew. I simply did. Maybe it was the dimming of the flame he’d gifted me, the one that had saved my life. A flame I still wasn’t sure how to feel about. There were layers to Thorne, to the Draconis blood in his veins, that I hadn’t even begun to peel back. So many masks. So many contradictions.
And yet sometimes…he was exactly what he seemed.
An arrogant jerk.
He hadn’t been thrilled about the plan to rescue Speck, that much was clear. But the least he could’ve done was say goodbye. Instead, he’d slipped away like one of the thieves he’d gone to retrieve—leaving me behind.
Alone.
With his brother.
Alaric lumbered beside me, his bulk crowding the massive hallway. If I wasn’t careful, he could easily smash me between his body and the wall.
We headed to a training area where I could practice my magic. I was eager to test my gifts, but annoyance buzzed beneath my skin like swarming widow wasps. Since I’d used the stone to draw the poison from his system, Alaric had recovered quickly. Now that he was better, he was back to his old self, making it clear my opinion didn’t matter.
“You’re pensive,”he said, the brush of his massive shoulder nearly sending me through the wall.
“Am I?” I stumbled, catching myself on the stones.
“You’re worried about him,”he added, the statement tinged with accusation.
“I guess.”What if the hunters spotted Thorne in his dragon form? I’d seen firsthand the damage they’d done to Alaric. What if, right at this moment, he was speared by their horrible grappling hooks, being dragged from the sky?
“It’s a waste of energy worrying about somebody like him. Believe me, I know.”Alaric’s voice rumbled with annoyance.“Thorne can’t be counted on. You need to watch yourself.”
I tilted my head, looking for some sign that Alaric knew about my time at the pool with his brother. While it was none of his business, I imagined he’d be displeased. Unfortunately, the dragon’s expression was difficult to read.
“Thorne’s been rather reliable so far.” Odd that I felt the need to defend him when he’d abandoned me without a word.
“That may be the case for now, but don’t expect it to last. Thorne will always combat anything he perceives as a restriction. He used to find any excuse to shirk his duty and escape these walls. Eager to chase one light-skirt after another.”
Thorne has said as much himself. So why were my nails digging crescents into my palms?
“All of them thought they would be the woman to tame him,”Alaric added.“None succeeded.”
The tips of my ears heated. Memories of our “swimminglesson” came to mind. How Thorne’s capable hands made me come alive. The glide of his hips thrusting between my thighs.
