Page 52 of Dragon King's Cursed Mate

“Are they now?” he asked.

“Jasmine said she’s read all about oracles. According to her, I’m the only one who’s ever existed with a sense of humor. I’msure she’d say that all oracles are mystical and confusing and none of their messages make sense until after the event has already happened.”

He laughed. “Probably so.”

They were quiet for a minute. Then, she reached for his hand.

“Tell me what’s on your mind.”

Dain hesitated. He had no idea how to frame his thoughts.

She smiled at him. “You’ve come to tell me that you don’t think we should sleep together anymore, either sexually or actually sleeping.”

He looked at her quizzically. “How did you know?”

“You’re kind of broadcasting it with your mind, and I happen to be tuned into that station.” She touched his face. “The darkness is getting worse and you’re afraid.”

“Yes.” He closed his eyes and took a huge breath. “You are amazing and being with you is…well more incredible than words can describe. You know how I feel about you.”

Dain’s heart hurt and his stomach twisted into knots. “You bring something out in me that I didn’t even know existed. But I have to try to protect myself. There are so many people depending on me, and I can’t let the darkness stop me from regaining my throne and protecting them.”

“This sounds curiously like a ‘It’s not you, it’s me,’ break up speech.”

He must have had a horrified look on his face because she quickly said, “I’m teasing. You’re a protector. You’re a king. That must come first. I’m not hurt or angry. You are strong for recognizing that.”

Relief flooded through him. He knew she would understand and take it well, but it was one of the most difficult conversations he’d ever had with anyone. He kissed her hand.

“Just know that when this is all over, and it will be, I’m here for you. Always.”

“I know.” He hesitated and sighed. “I’ve got to get back. We’re planning strategies.”

She nodded. “I’ll be safe. I’m the oracle.”

“Sometimes I forget that. To me, you’re…” He stopped himself from saying something he couldn’t take back. Those words were not meant to be spoken. Not now and maybe not ever.

He made his way back to the ruins, hating life right now.

That evening, as he was getting ready for bed, Seraphina entered his tent. She smiled and held up her hand. “I’m not here to seduce you. I have something for you.”

He stared at the amulet she held in her hand. It was a warding knot made of a dark metal—almost black—but streaked with faint threads of silver that looked like veins of starlight. A stone was embedded in the center. It wasn’t a precious stone or showy, but it felt ancient.

“What is it?”

“It’s an amulet, different than the one before. This is to help you ward off the darkness from inside of you.” She held it up by the cord and let it dangle in front of him. “It’s made from Starfire metal, which is sacred to oracles. The stone is a dragon’s tear.”

She pointed to the runes etched into the amulet. “These are warding spells, designed to drive back the darkness.”

Seraphina shook her head and sighed frustratingly. “I should have thought of this instead of the dragonfly. This is more powerful. A lot more powerful. You can wear it with the cord as a human. When you shift, it will anchor into one of the scales over your heart. It won’t stop the darkness completely, but it’ll help you fight it.”

Biting her lip, she inhaled deeply. “It only works if youwantto fight the darkness.”

Gently, he reached out and took the amulet from her hand. The amulet was initially cool, but the moment it touched his skin, it warmed. It was as though it recognized him.

He put the amulet over his neck and took off the dragonfly, hanging it on a nail at the head of his cot.

“It will become a part of me when I shift.” It was a statement, not a question.

She nodded. She brushed a kiss across his lips. “Good night.”

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