I wanted to believe I still had a friend in Aurelius. No matter how complicated things were, we grew up together.
So, against my better judgment, I let him have the lie—because I needed it too.
But just because I’d let it go didn’t mean I wouldn’t keep my eye on him.
My guard was up. He’d been rubbing me the wrong way for a while—ever since she appeared in our realm. His aura pressed against mine whenever we were in the same room. Even if it were subconscious, I could sense it. He’d been challenging me. My power.
He could try all he wanted, but I know him. As soon as she was out of the picture, he’d go back to being the free-spirited dragon rider who avoided responsibility at all costs.
All of this was temporary—our Fae nature, our male instincts, fighting for dominance over Delilah. I just needed to
hurry up and retrieve the crystals so I could get back to preparing her for Mount Orid.
Everything was riding on this. I needed it to work.
I needed the God Dragon, and all my problems would be solved.
I placed my hand on his shoulder, mirroring him. “Thanks, brother. I’ll make sure to correct anyone who suggests otherwise,” I replied simply.
I felt his anxiety dissipate when he let out a sigh of relief. “Safe travels, my friend. I’ll make sure the remaining livestock towns are impenetrable.” He bowed his head, then made our sign of respect— fist over heart.
“By the way,” he added, dropping his royal mask, “have you seen Cercies?”
I lowered mine as well. “No. He’s probably buried in the handmaid somewhere,” I snarked.
Aurelius chuckled. “Do you think they’re really fated mates?”
“I don’t know,” I replied coldly. “I don’t know if I believe in that shit anyway.”
“Yeah, but if it is true…” He smirked. “How ironic that out of all of us,The Dogwas the one who found his fated mate.”
I detected a hint of something in his tone—sadness. Or was it jealousy?
I’d almost forgotten the nickname Cercies earned when we were young. Before crowns, titles, and responsibilities, we were young, wealthy, powerful—and most of all, free. All three of us had multiple females in our beds every night. Many of which we shared. And that was a lot of fun.
That night with Delilah in my lounge was the first time we’d attempted sharing again in years. And although things got heated, it felt different with her. For one, none of us ever felt any attachment to the females we fucked.
It was obvious now that Aurelius cared for her a great deal.
Maybe even loved her.
I knew The Dog was only there for a fun time—as was I…I thought.
But everything was complicated now.
I took a breath and broke away from my thoughts. “I’m glad it’s him and not me,” I said. Resisting Delilah’s pull, while also having to be her chosen mate for a “business deal” was hard enough.
Aurelius’s grin turned shallow. He nodded once, then saw himself out.
And the masks went right back up into place as we returned to our responsibilities.
CHAPTER 23
Draxxinar
TITUS
The first light of dawn peeked over the mountains, and right on cue, Delilah met me on the main platform outside the castle doors. Thank the Guardians my assistant managed to contact the royal thread master in the middle of the night, because he made a new riding outfit for Delilah by morning.
