“Of course I do.” Carina eyes the falcon warily as I coax her to perch on top of my purse to save my shoulder from her sharp talons. “Offer still stands, I can throw something on real quick and join you. I guarantee all it would take is flashing the guards my tits and they’d scribble my name on the guest list.” Blue eyes bleed to grey. “If you’re right and Malcolm shows up tonight, I could ‘accidentally’ trip and break both his arms, or knee him in the balls. Or both.”
Chuckling, I shake my head. “No, I need to do this. Maybe I’m wrong and he won’t show, but he seems to crop up every time I leave the castle in some capacity. I’ll stick close to Stone the entire night, even if I have to drag him into the bathroom with me. But if shit goes sideways, I’ll shoot you a text and give you my blessing to make a dramatic entrance to avenge my honor and show your brother how it’s done.”
She blows me a kiss, but it’s clear her heart really isn’t in. “Deal. I mean it, though. If you get hurt, fuck Raiden’s plans. I’m killing him and you’re just going to have to suck it up and enjoy getting railed by your mates for a few decades to keep your mind off being locked away in a tower.”
“Well, when you put it likethat, it doesn’t sound quite so bad.”
Grabbing her hand, I lead her out of my room and close the door firmly behind us, double checking that it’s locked up tight. I might consider her a friend, know that she wouldn’t hesitate to drop everything and help me if I called, but I’m well-aware that she would just as quickly jump at the chance to booby-trap my room with actual fake boobs. I trust she’d never sell me out, but she’d take great pleasure getting creative reaping her reward for saving my life.
She’s a monster, not a martyr, but that’s just part of her charm.
We part ways at the stairs on the second floor, Carina gathering her things to follow us out. Nerves begin to sneak in again once I’m alone, but they’re swiftly burned away once I catch sight of the three men waiting for me.
Raiden, Stone, and Kodiak are the epitome of perfection. Clad in dark dress pants and long-sleeved button ups, Raiden’s blood red shirt matches my dress, while Stone’s crisp white one provides a hypnotically stark contrast. The top buttons are undone on Kodiak’s, the black sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and the metal band he usually wears has morphed into thick cuffs around each of his wrists for swift access. They track my every step as I descend the staircase, a dark hunger in their gaze. The deadly undercurrent is prevalent in the air, something that no amount of refinery can conceal.
A dragon is a dragon, no matter what suit you try to dress it in. Beasts masquerading as men, prepared to eviscerate anyone that crosses them in either form. It’s not the clothes that make the man, it’s the man that humors the confines of his clothes while awaiting the moment to show his true self.
Avery nuzzles her head against my side, bolstering my confidence with her reassuring presence. I don’t give a shit if her talons tear into my flesh or rip my dress; she’s back up that doesn’t give a fuck about keeping the peace as we venture into hostile territory.
Under their intense scrutiny, I stroke my thumb over one wrist, but I’m not going to cave into the desire to cover up. I’m done being ashamed over something I had no control over, and I’m done hiding.
Raiden swallows roughly. “You look absolutely stunning,mo chuisle.”
Of course he’s going to try and suck up after getting caught earlier.
“Says the man that looks like he stepped off the pages of a dirty calendar.” I fan myself in my attempt at a truce, ignoring the way he rolls his eyes.
“Stop putting yourself down and get your ass over here so I can grope it,” Kodiak demands, making grabby hands, and I bark out a laugh.
While I hate that they were discussing me behind my back earlier, Igetit. Malcolm is a touchy subject, and they were bouncing around theories. It makes sense that they wanted to confirm things before bringing it to me for consideration so I wouldn’t freak out over nothing. But all of the logic in the world doesn’t combat the little bit of doubt that’s wormed its way in, the uncertainty that they’re committed not to me, but to theideaof me; the fabled mate that had a wing of rooms reserved in their castle centuries before I was even born.
I don’t know where to put any of this in my brain to cope with, so for now, I’ll set it aside to analyze when I have the emotional bandwidth to. But I’m not going to let myself ruin a good thing because I’m feeling petty when I desperately need some freedom from the confines of Castle Garrison.
Kodi attempts to drag me into his arms, but doesn’t make contact before Avery screeches and takes a snap at his hand.
She’s the world’s most effective chastity belt and defense system, all rolled into one ornery, feathered package.
“Tell me you aren’t bringing the demon,” Kodi begs with a groan.
Fighting a smile, I step into Stone’s side and take his offered hand. “Of course I am, he’s too pretty to leave behind.”
They both snort, Stone lifting my hand to his lips to kiss my knuckles. “It’s a good idea. We won’t need to worry about anyone slipping something into your purse, or ‘accidentally’ bumping into you.”No more notes from Malcolm, he means.“Avery will be watching everyone like a hawk.”
Raiden rolls his eyes. “Yes, falcons tend to do that.” He steps into my other side, scratching under Avery’s chin affectionately before placing a hand at my lower back to guide us outside to the car. “It’s a brilliant idea, I’m ashamed I didn’t think of it.”
Following them out to the SUV, as Raiden climbs into the driver’s seat, I encourage Avery to join him so I can soak up a little time with Kodiak since he’ll be working all night. “Flattery will get you everywhere. Please, keep the praise coming, it’s my favorite kink.”
Kodi nuzzles the crook of my neck, gently kissing the skin and breathing me in. “No kink talk, it’s already going to be torture watching you all night and not be able to take advantage of you in a dress.”
Not the usual bodyguard fantasy, but seducing someone else’s away from their post has merit. I could make that work.
“Not trying to tell you how to do your job here or anything, but aren’t you supposed to be watching your client and searching the room for threats, not watching my eyes glaze over as pompous jackasses talk about the stock market?”
“I’d drop my client in a barrel of piranhas and let him get eaten alive for your amusement if you asked. My sweet, gorgeous mate, I don’t think you understand how much power you have over the three of us,” he declares with complete sincerity. “You have a legion of dragons at your command that would do countless terrible things simply to see you smile, and have some of that light shined in our direction.”
Kodiak palms the back of my neck, pulling me in to rest his forehead against mine. “You’re the sun in our universe,solas mo shaol. I can’t look away, nor do I have any desire to.”
Every potential reply I try to come up with falls flat in comparison, so I pour everything I can’t put into words into kissing him like it might be our last.
