I look around his small home.
“Here?Imean…will he fit?Howbig is he, anyway?”
“Whatever size he wants to be,”Theronsays.“It’seasiest for him to be big—his full form would never fit in this hut.Buthe can make himself smaller when he needs to.”
“CanImeet him now then?”Iask.
He takes a deep breath and runs a hand over his horns.Isense that he’s reluctant for some reason.
“Is…is he dangerous?”Iask in a small voice.
“Fuck yes, he’s dangerous—he’s a fuckingDrake,” he growls, then takes a breath.“Notto you, though.”Hecups my cheek again.“Hewould never hurt you—any more thanIwould.”
“Why?”Ican’t help asking.“Whydo you care for me—why are you helping me?”
“I don’t really know.”Heshakes his head.“Ionly knowIhave to.Butit wouldn’t be safe for you to be with me forever.Weneed to work that spell.”
I want to ask why it wouldn’t be safe…butIsense he won’t answer.He’sholding something back from me.
Well,I’mholding back from him too.Iguess that makes us even and at least he’s willing to help me.
“All right,”Isay softly.“Letme meet yourDrake.Andthen let’s go—we need to start soon if we’re going to collect all the elements.Weneed to go before?—”
I stop abruptly, pressing my thighs together.
“Before what, little one?”he asks.
I shake my head, unable to answer.Unableto admit that the curse is working on me again andI’mafraid of myself whenIfeel like this…afraid of whatImight do…whatImight ask for.
“It’s all right.”Theronmurmurs.“Youdon’t have to say it.Allright.”Hestands up from the bed and looks down at me.“Soyou want to meet myDrake?”
“Yes.”Itake a deep breath.“Yes,Ido.”
“All right then.Juststay where you are and let meShift.”
I stay, sitting tensely on the edge of the bed, wondering whatI’mabout to see.ButnothingI’mimagining could possibly prepare me for whatIsee next.
24
THERON
MyDrakeis excited to come out and meet her—maybetooexcited.
I can feel him pressing at the edges of me, restless and eager in a way that makes my skin itch from the inside out.It’sbeen a long time since he’s pushed this hard toShiftandIdon’t like it.Notone fucking bit.
Easy,Itell him silently, bracing my hands on the edge of the table.Youdon’t get to rush her.She’salready scared.
He doesn’t care about that—or at least, not in the wayIdo.Whathe feels isn’t fear or hesitation—it’s certainty.Adeep, instinctive knowing that sets my teeth on edge.
She is ours,he insists.
“Fuck,”Imutter under my breath, scrubbing a hand over my face.“We’vebeen over this.She’snot ours—she belongs to herself!”
I turn slightly, glancing back atElowen.She’sstill sitting on the edge of the bed, her hands folded tightly in her lap, her posture tense but determined.Herbig blue eyes are fixed on me, wide and uncertain—but she hasn’t run.
That’s something, at least.
Listen to me,Itell him, more firmly this time.Shehas no interest in breeding.Notwith me, not with you, not withanyone.
