Page 55 of Is It Wrong to Escape My Fate?
Facing me, his golden eyes shone against the light peeking through the small window of the armory. “My Unique triggered for the first time. And you got caught in the middle of it.”
Trying to recall what his Unique was didn’t help. Mybrainhad very selective memory, it seemed like.
Elias blushed again, though from embarrassment or shame, I couldn’t tell. “I’m a dragon shifter. Your dress caught in my claws, and I also singed it with my fire breath. We were both so stunned we didn’t notice the fire worsen. I splashed the fountain water at you. By then I had to hide in the forest since I couldn’t control the shift, while you ran back inside the manor. I didn’t know why you left.” He smiled. “Then I found a perfectly fine dress at the edge of the forest. The shift tore my clothes into shreds.”
All this information fried my brain. I needed a second to process it.
Shifters did exist in this realm, and my best friend was one. Adragonshifter! It wasn’t hard to theorize their lineage probably had dragon shifters too, hence theirDrakonfamily name. Was Amos a dragon? There would be differences to be considered Unique, right? But if it was normal for their family to be dragons, why wasn’t this information a big deal? I would assume dragons were great, powerful entities.
And I didn’t imagine it — Elias did like methatway. Or at least he used to. I had to commend the kid him for having the guts to kiss me, even though it spawned an unpleasant situation.
His explanation of the events made more sense, too. I wasn’t running away from something like Mia described; I was hurrying to get Elias a spare dress.
Eli walked over and crouched again. “I expected rumors to come up that I was a dragon shifter. But it never did. You never told a soul about my Unique. I was able to keep it a secret all these years.”
“You didn’t want anyone to know?”
He shook his head. “Dragons, and dragon shifters, hadn’t existed for hundreds of years. If anyone found out before, I would probably be under the King’s direct watch. My father would think I hid it from the family so I could usurp him in the future. My mother, who already hated me for being male, would hate me even more. Amos would be proud of me, but his claim to my father’s position would be questioned since I was a more ‘powerful’ choice, proving my father right.”
God, I hated the fucking nobility and its politics.
“But surely you can’t hide it forever?” I reached out for his hands this time and held them together.
“Right. I’m thinking of revealing it during the mandatory Army conscription. By then, Amos should be appointed as the new Viscount, I’m protected in the Royal Army, and I can use my Unique to help the war effort.”
That was a perfect plan. I wanted to be there to see it. I didn’t like the concept of hiding your true self from everyone, as hypocritical as it sounded with my current situation. Being able to show the world who you truly are would be a monumental accomplishment.
But I couldn’t stay here and wait for his plan, or it would be too late for me.
Instead, I leaned close and kissed him, like the one he deserved all those years ago for being my best friend and forgiving me an enjoyable childhood. He immediately responded, tilting his head and nipping my lip, his tongue seeking entrance.
I pulled away before the kiss turned deeper.Set boundaries.“Eli, there’s something you have to know first.”
His cheeks were flushed, and his eyes glistened. Was he crying?
“When things calmed down, and you never faced me afterward, I thought you hated me. Now I know you didn’t.” He wiped away an unshed tear. “Sorry. I’m not being very manly right now, and just after we kissed.”
“None of that crap. It’s very manly to express your feelings, especially to me.” I brushed my hand through his hair, remembering how I used to comb and style it with ribbons. “And there really is something you have to know.”
Eli’s gentle smile took me out for a moment. “You’re in love with my brother?”
He sensed something between us. Especially earlier … If he was a shifter, did he overhear my conversation with Amos with his supernatural hearing?
I wanted to answer yes to his question. It was easier to say than thetruereason.
“Close.” I exhaled, letting him go. “I’m a little different now. And one of those things …” I looked him straight in the eye, so he’d understand I was sincere and serious. “I like sex, physical intimacy, and anything related to it. It’s an inherent need for me, like food and air. I’m not ashamed to admit it. I also refuse to be locked down to one man to meet my needs.”
Elias scrunched his face in deep thought. I appreciated his taking my statement seriously. “I understand having it as a basic need. What I don’t understand is refusing only one man to attend to it.”
That was a valid concern, and I was glad he brought it up. I was starting to think I was crazy for having three men agree to my preferences right from the start.
Aside from my experiences with previous exes and fubus who couldn’t satisfy me, I did have other reasons. “I know my limits and capabilities, and I can tell there will be issues. At the moment, I’m coping. I’m futureproofing to avoid potential conflicts.”
He eyed me curiously. “Why do you speak as if you have long-term experience?”Oh, fuck!
“I can imagine it in my mind,” I bullshitted. “Especially with how busy everyone is with schoolwork and training. I can already foresee a lot of disappointment headed my way. And besides, it’s not viable to have an actual, long-term relationship with me as a noble daughter. I want to have fun at least, right?”
Despite having loving parents, I wouldn’t take it against them if they decided to betroth me to someone powerful. It was just the way society worked in this universe.
