Page 62 of The Heart of the Dragon

Twenty-Four

Rose

While they were givingeach other grief, I let what Isaac said sink in. I hadn't thought about whether I would come back or when. But it sounded like if I was gone for any length of time it would have drastic repercussions back here.

"I need to talk to my parents," I blurted out.

All three of them turned. Magnus eyed me curiously. "We just left them behind. Why would you want to talk to them again so soon?"

"Because it might be my last chance. I'm still upset with them, and that isn't going to change any time soon. But if I can only see them once more, I need them to know that I do still love them. Despite everything. Or maybe even because of it. They sacrificed their lives to save mine. I didn't even ask them what they might have given up to take me on."

"I guess that makes sense..." He didn't sound convinced that he meant what he said, but I'd take it.

"Is that all? Is there anything else you've left out of this scenario?"

"I mean there's tons of things you don't know about the fae realm," Kitra said. "But those are all the high notes."

I looked to Magnus for assurance and he nodded. I trusted him to at least be straight with me.

"Do you have a decision?"

"No. It sounds like I shouldn't rush into anything. I need to think, and to think, I need some peace and quiet. Is there somewhere I can go?"

"I'll take her upstairs." Magnus reached for my hand and I didn't resist. I let him lead me away from the others and up a grand staircase to the second floor.

"Where are we going?"

"To the perfect place. I've only been here once, but I did investigate the estate thoroughly. And as soon as the decision was made to come here, I knew where you would want to nest."

"Nest?"

"Of course. It's what Omegas often do when they are in heat."

I stopped mid step and pulled my hand free. "I thought we were done with this talk?"

He smirked. "Hardly. Your heat will come in waves. Ups and downs, per se. If nothing else, we should be prepared for when it hits again."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean? Are you grooming me for sex again?"

"There's no grooming necessary. I like you just the way you are."

I shook my head. He clearly misunderstood what I'd said, but what he'd followed with had only made it worse. "Just show me to my room. I need that peace and quiet more than ever now—alone."

He made a displeased face, but for the first time, he didn't say anything. I didn't know whether to cheer or worry. He was as volatile as they came but, I was cranky and tired and frustrated so he could join the party.

By the time he opened the door to what I hoped would be my room, I'd worked up a head a steam and was ready to take his off if need be. Fortunately, it wasn't necessary. He stepped aside and motioned for me to precede him.

I ducked under his arm and walked into a small room tucked under a dormer with a huge round window overlooking the sea. "Oh my gosh. Wow. I hurried over to the window so I could see the entire view and found myself instantly mesmerized. I loved being near any body of water, but the ocean was by far my favorite. Especially on a day like today.

It had begun to rain on the drive in, as it did so often here in Scotland and the gray pallor and soft rain on the water below made me both perfectly happy and suited my tense mood perfectly. All I needed was a big comfy chair and maybe a journal to keep me company.

I needed to take some notes. Get the facts all straight in my head.

I glanced around the rest of the room. There was an extremely large bed, but that didn't come as much of a surprise. This house belonged to a family of dragons who obviously needed a lot of space.

"Looking for something in particular?"

"I was hoping for a comfortable chair that I could put right here in this window." I whipped back around and leaned forward, pressing my forehead to the glass. “I want to sit right here and not move.”

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