Chapter 14
Kaiden
––––––––
“Ican’t take this!”Saige exclaims, but I don’t miss the way her pupils widen or the way her breath hitches in her chest. She likes it, no doubt about that, but for some stupid reason doesn’t think she deserves it.
She’s our goddamn mate. If we want to buy her pretty things to make her and the dragon shacking up in her body happy, we will.
Better learn to deal with it sooner rather than later too, because hell, there’s something wrong with us. Wearedragons, not separate entities like her. But that creature lurking in the back of her head is changing more than just Saige. Now that we know what her hoard of choice is? There’s a primitive drive to hunt down the prettiest stones I can find and offer them to her, like I have my own inner dragon that’s trying to woo hers.
And until we can figure out how to use the forge to make some custom stuff for her or stumble across something that catches our eyes, we need to buy it. Jewelry stores have pretty much tanked in recent years, but enough people barter that the gems have stuck around and aren’t too difficult to get our hands on. It cost me my left nut, but to see that look on her face? Completely worth it.
“You can and you will,” Kahl declares, fastening the silver and opal bracelet around her wrist. “Quickest way to learn how to fight the pull is by keeping something on you. Out of sight out of mind, but like this? You’ll be constantly aware of it, yet you hate being vulnerable more than anything. Neither you nor your dragon will let you just sit exposed in the middle of the street despite your obsession.”
She bites her lower lip, looking torn. “It’s too much. I don’t have any way to reciprocate unless I steal it. You already feed me; you can’t start giving me expensive gifts too.”
Shrugging, I grab my heavier, hunter green jacket and offer it her way. “Humor our pride, alright? Now, if we don’t get moving, we’re going to be late.” It’s colder than it was the other day and still drizzling outside, but I don’t even think of us opting out of tonight unless someone’s dying.
Slipping her arms into the sleeves, she pulls it tight before zipping herself in. “Still refusing to tell me what game we’re playing so you can stretch out the time until you lose?” she teases to camouflage her nerves while pulling her hood up.
Amused, I hook my finger in the collar and tug her closer to kiss her. I’m learning how to exist with a perpetual hard on, and each time she tries to take things further, I find it harder not to cave. But as confident as she seems to be, I can’t imagine she wouldn’t have some sort of flashback during sex, and it would kill me to hurt her like that. I don’t want to be the reason she shuts down or has nightmares, dredging up things better left forgotten.
As much as everything inside of me demands to bury myself inside of her, to sink my teeth into the side of her throat and claim her as mine, I love her too much to go through with it. It’s not even a choice, just a trial of conviction.
“I’m surprised it isn’t canceled,” she continues. “The storm still hasn’t let up. I’d imagine that less than half of the men in the city are going to turn up in these conditions.”
Scoffing at the ludicrous idea, I begin strapping weapons to nearly every inch of her. “Mandatory unless they’re willing to not only pay a hefty fine, but deal with all of the ridicule of wussing out.”
Kahl tucks a thin blade inside of her boot, gently caressing her calf before standing up. “Hope for the best, prepare for the worst. But we aren’t going to leave you alone. Things went well the last time you went out and this will be even better. More distractions to keep you from being the center of attention, even though people are still going to be curious and annoying.”
Kins comes into the room already suited up in simple jeans and a long sleeve shirt, rifle hanging from one hand and a backpack slung across his shoulder full of extra ammo and fates only know what else. “Even if your wings were to pop out, it will be dark enough no one should be able to tell. But on the off chance something happens, we’ll take care of it. I can’t imagine we’ll get separated with this pull we have going on, but you should still stick close to one of us.” He tugs her away from our brother, tilting Saige’s chin up to kiss her reverently. “So you don’t freeze. Not because I’m worried about anything happening.”
“Of course you’re not,” she humors with a small smile, clearly seeing through my brother’s nervous rambling to the concern he’s failing to conceal. “Got to love my angsty alter ego for stabbing my hypothalamus to death,” Saige continues with a sigh, clucking her tongue in annoyance. “Even if we get separated, there’s going to be a whole city running around out there. I’m sure I’ll find someone to suck energy from until we find each other again.”
As predicted, three grumbles of displeasure bordering on growls surround her instantly. She knows the perfect words to coax our beasts to the surface, and by that sly smirk on her face, enjoys it.
“I find you cuddled up with some bastard, this dummy ammo is getting swapped out real quick,” I threaten.
“That shouldn’t excite me nearly as much as it does.” She winks, looking over her shoulder at me. “I’ll do what I need to if it keeps me from freezing to death in this mess. So I guess you better try to keep up.”
Kins squeezes her shoulder before pulling away. “Come on, we’re going to be late.”
Wrapping an arm around her waist, she leans into my side as soon as the torrential downpour threatens to sweep her off of her feet. We pass dozens of people in the street like something out of a B-rated post apocalyptic movie, headed towards the center of town. Several stunned looks are tossed our way, more than a few men stopping dead in their tracks. Because despite Donovan and his fathers spreading around the information, as well as the few others that laid eyes on her during our short outing, there’s a big difference between rumors and seeing something with your own eyes.
In a world where most men witnessed their wives and daughters slaughtered in front of them, it’s no wonder what few women are left have gone into hiding. So having one besides my sister strut down main street? Pretty unusual despite the rumor mill claiming we’re keeping one locked in our basement and a few people already confirming her existence.
My grip tightens on her hip, keeping her fused to my side, but it’s more for her sake than mine. As much as I love the feeling of having my mate close, I’m not nearly as concerned about this event as she is. It’s not even that I trust the men I was raised alongside because beyond my family, any allegiance can be flipped with the right incentive. I don’t really trust any of the bastards I call friends.
It’s that I trust in myself and my brothers. And I know that Saige will gut a man if she gets cornered. She’s not a timid little thing like she appears, just wears the vulnerability as her first line of defense. Emotionally fragile, sure, but in the last year alone she’s seen and done more than we’ve ever had to. She’s stronger than any of us, but for some reason, just can’t see it. So I keep her plastered to my side, assuring her she’s not alone while her anxiety spikes, surrounded by strangers.
The other two keep their postures deceptively relaxed, fielding the onslaught of questions from a few men that approach. It can change in an instant, but we’ve learned well over the years that the best offense is appearing like you don’t even consider someone a threat. It pisses them off to no end and makes them more likely to strike out fueled by emotion, which makes their movements easier to read.
We’re far too paranoid of people to ever truly let our guards down even amongst friends, and well renowned cheaters. But one thing I’m not is a liar. I promised our mate she was safe with us, and I damn well meant it. She doesn’t know how to have fun despite her nerves, but I hope tonight will be the first step in changing that, starting her down a path where she can actually picture having a life here long term.
Saige takes several slow breaths, trying to calm her racing heart no doubt. “You alright?” Kinsley leans in and whispers.
