Page 54 of Dragon Compelled
I dismiss the thoughts, knowing how crazy the theory would sound aloud. Besides, they already distrust him, and this would only make it worse. Right now, having him on our side could mean…well…the difference between me remaining where I am and having my memories wiped before being exiled.
Aries is notably silent, though, and I can’t help that he’s not at all disturbed by the sight of Tawny with a knife in her chest.
“Aries,” I say quietly. “Tell me you didn’t.”
His gaze snaps to mine, and I see hurt flicker. “Of course not.” Then he lifts his chin and adds, “But if she’d tried to hurt you or remove you from your home, I can’t promise I wouldn’t have taken action.”
I sigh, feeling bad for accusing him.
“Before you can ask, I didn’t do it either,” Blossom says wryly. “But karma’s a bitch.”
I ignore that, focusing on the problem it presents.
In the silence that follows, Zed speaks up. “Are they going to make us leave?” he asks in a voice that wrenches my heart. “Because we really like this place.”
“Yeah, it has really good snacks,” Fred adds.
The fear in their voices makes my decision an easy one.
“We clean this up and get her out of here,” I say, looking at the others. “Whatever happens, the council can’t find out about this.”
“What about when they show up tomorrow, asking where she is? Surely, she already contacted the third member,” Blossom adds. “And if she’s told him about you, you’ll be number one on the suspect list.”
I swallow hard because I know she’s right. “We tell them we haven’t seen her,” I say. “Anything could have happened to her out there in the world. We know nothing. Got it?”
Everyone nods.
I look at the gnomes, taking their tiny hands and placing them in my own. “We’re not going anywhere,” I tell them firmly. “This is your home. Now and always. I promise.”
“Good,” Zed calls out, and the others smile.
Fred still looks worried as he says, “Do we still get all the snacks?”
Chapter16
Aries
Ihaven’t let Paige out of my sight since we found Tawny, and for once, she doesn’t complain about my hovering. In fact, she’s been surprisingly stoic, considering my need to keep her close meant having her accompany me through the secret tunnel in her apartment closet and into the hidden cavern where I leave Tawny’s body.
When we’re finished, I lead her back into her apartment. The moment we’re there, I turn to Paige and pull her into my arms, grateful for the moment alone together.
She melts into me, and I breathe in her scent, letting her presence soothe my dragon, who hasn’t stopped wanting to kill something in weeks.
“How are you holding up?” I ask when she finally steps back.
“Not great,” she admits, “But I’m handling it.”
She looks steadier than she did a couple of days ago, despite everything that’s happened. I reach over and tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “I’m so proud of you,” I tell her, and she lowers her gaze, cheeks flushing.
Her blush has my body reacting in ways that probably aren’t appropriate, given the fact that we just hid a body together. Unfortunately, my hardening cock isn't deterred by a little death if it means seeing Paige’s flushed skin in all its glory.
Paige apparently doesn’t miss my display and surprises me by stepping closer and reaching for me again. “Aries,” she whispers. “I know I’ve been distant lately.”
“You’ve been grieving, love.”
She shakes her head. “I don’t want to grieve right now. I want to forget. To pretend we’re living in a world where this kind of pain and all of these obstacles against us don’t exist. Can you...can you give me that just for a little while?”
I don’t waste a single second longer.
