Page 11 of Monsters In Her Head

Chapter 7

Desmond walked alongbeside me as I skimmed over each stall in the market. Every once in a while he’d point something out and explain it in my mind before I could ask. It was both helpful and extremely irritating.

Then there was the way the other drakes reacted with him around. Each time I stopped to look at something the drake behind the stall brightened to see me and then took one look at Desmond and became a little less enthused.

I paused in front of a food vendor with what smelled of honey glazed duck, my mouth watering with hunger. The drake behind the stall saw me looking, my tongue tucked between my cheek and my teeth. Before I could tell him I didn’t have anything to trade, the shimmery chestnut colored drake shoved a cloth wrapped duck in my hands.

Shaking my head, I held it back out to him unsure how to explain my lack of funds.

Desmond’s claw curled around my shoulder, his voice whispering in my mind.Take it.

Scowling at him, I made myself speak out loud so as not to be rude to the drake watching us with interest. “Just like that? You say I can have it so I should? I will not steal from him. I have nothing to pay him for it.”

Desmond’s lips ticked up at my snarled words. Not the reaction I wanted. Instead of answering me, he pointed at the owner of the stall.

The drake smiled politely and moved his lips slowly. “It’s a gift.”

My lips pursed.

See.Desmond’s voice smugly filtered through my head.Do not insult him by refusing.

Still not convinced that I should, I clasped the duck closer and inclined my head in thanks. I waited until we walked away from the stall before stalking at a quickened pace away from the drake prince.

I ducked into a side tunnel, not sure which way I was really going, just wanting to get away from Desmond before I throttled him. I came to a fork in the tunnel and struggled to read the markings on the wall.

Was it left to go back to the women’s quarters or right?

I felt the heat of his body before I saw him over my shoulder. Desmond stood close behind me, a curious and yet playful look in his eyes. At my attention, he cocked his head to the side almost like the dog the cook had in the kitchen whenever he wanted to be petted.

Go away.I shoved the thought at him with enough force there was no way he didn’t receive it.

Desmond’s smile widened until the tips of his fangs peaked out.And leave you to get lost in the tunnels? Ryu would punish me severely for such carelessness.

My eyes narrowed into slits.I’m not your concern and if you’d left well enough alone, I wouldn’t feel like I just stole something for the first time in my life.

One brow curled up and then Desmond’s head tipped back, his mouth opening wide as his chest shook with his laugh. A snarl built up into my chest and before I knew it, my arm jerked back and I threw the duck at the drake prince’s head.

Desmond pulled back, more surprised than hurt by my attack. Blinking at me, Desmond glanced down at the duck on the ground.Did you just... throw that duck at me?

Yes. I snapped, closing the distance between us. I shoved a finger at his chest, wincing at the hard muscle beneath it.You can’t just bully anyone you want into giving you free things. People have the right to make a living. Even drakes.

Snatching finger away from his chest, I gasped and stumbled back from him. Desmond jerked me forward until my front was pressed against his firm chest, the spines of his armor poking me.

You of all people should not assume you know what is going on.His lips moved while his words tickled my mind, his breath hot on my face.

I know you and your brothers use your status to do whatever you want. Your people are afraid of you. I can see it whenever you’re around.I shot back, glaring into his face.

Desmond’s lips twisted to the side in a smirk. He used one claw to brush my hair away from my face.The fear you see is laced with respect. You can rule with fear as well as love and still be respected. Drakes are not like humans. The strongest survive. Any weakness will be exploited. We cannot afford to let ourselves be loved by the drakes when they are always plotting to take our places.

My lips turned down in confusion.That sounds like a lonely way to live.

---