The dragon clawed at my mind relentlessly, screaming for her. Not that I’d blame this side of me. It’s purely animalistic, instinctive and only yearned to possess her. It craved her just as much as I did.
And now the craving became so strong that the only form I could find rest in was my dragon shell. Being wrapped in my own scaled armor, close to the Ancient Springs, I felt stable, less afraid to lose myself completely. The water was the only thing able to control my emotions, the only way to prevent the storm raging inside me from winning.
The Ancient Springs were more than just water. It was a sacred place, existing before all kingdoms rose and bloodlines claimed their thrones. The place had not shown itself until the moment my dragon powers first awakened. It was a response, a reflection of the beast I was carrying inside me. The ancient statues surrounding the silver water portrayed forgotten deities, just like I was said to be. Something revered once, then buried and left behind. And now, mainly feared.
Except for Gwendolyn. When our eyes first met, there had been no fear, no insecurity, just plain admiration and curiosity.
It was one of the reasons why Xavier had chosen to build Carnivalland here. Not out of strategy, not even out of safety. But because something drew him to the water, just as much as me.
At first, I didn’t understand why, but I believed it was the connections I was able to build up to her in the water, before Ieven knew where she was, or who she was. Gwendolyn was the reason my own magic started to focus better, and yet I wasn’t sure if our bonding could pull magic from the edges where I’d kept it buried for so long.
Carnivalland had never been Xavier’s creation, it had all been hers. Her dreams, wishes, everything she yearned for, breathed into the land itself. She was the reason why I was feeling at home. And yet there was this burning hunger inside me, which only yearned to claim and possess her.
I rested in the lake, the silver water shimmering around my scales, making them look more purple than blue.
For a moment, I felt something stir around me… it was my bond.
It was her.
Instinctively, I shifted back. My dragon form melted away in a swirl of light and heat, and I emerged in my human form, the cold night air kissing my bare skin.
And then I heard a gasp. I turned my head and there she was.Gwendolyn.
Standing just a few feet away from me, wearing a flowy white dress. Gods, she was breathtakingly beautiful, and she had absolutely no idea how much it affected me. But it seemed like I was affecting her just as much, because her heart was racing. Almost as if it was speaking with me in a language meant only for my ears.
And here I stood, completely naked in front of her, the water only reaching my hips. If she came closer, the love of my life could see anything through the water.
I guess we were even, now.
“Gwendolyn,” I murmured. “You shouldn’t be here,” I added, but there was no heat to the words. Only need, raw and thrumming between us.
It was late. What was she doing outside?
It wasn’t because it was dangerous. Carnivalland was solely owned by Xavier, and he knew every single person living here.
But Xavier knew I was here… so he must have told her. And she wanted to see me. She opened her mouth, as if to speak, but no words came out of her sweet mouth.
Instead, she simply stood there, caught between shyness and the same desperate pull that was tearing me apart right now.
I couldn’t touch her, even if I wanted to. Because if I would, there would be no going back. The bond between us crackled, a living, breathing thing that only wanted one thing.Her, in my bed.
“I was trying to sleep… when I saw you from the balcony in your dragon form,” she said, her eyes trying to look anywhere but my naked form. The more steps she took toward me, the more steps I took back.
I wasn’t prepared yet. What would happen if I gave in?
Suddenly, she lowered herself to sit on the smooth edge of the stone surrounding the lake, letting her bare feet slip into the glimmering water. My eyes trailing down her bare legs, as the moonlight cast a silver glow over them. She didn’t speak at first, just looked at me.
But not with lust, like I had the first time I saw her naked. It was different, it felt like she wasseeingme.
As if I was something precious—not the beast inside me, but so much more, for her.
I began to move toward her slowly, until both of my hands rested at her sides, against the marble stone. My fingers brushed against her legs, drawing a slow shiver from her. Her skin was so warm and soft and begging to be touched by me.
“Why are you really outside?” I asked her gently.
“I saw you in your dragon form… I was curious, and wanted to see you,” she confessed. A smile escaped me.
“And why are you here?” she asked, her tone gentle—too gentle—as if she felt the need to be cautious when talking with me.
