Page 35 of Brambles and Bellflowers
“Why not start with the prophecy that would have the Council concerned?” he suggested.
I bit my lip, my throat closing. “The dragon babies?”
Logically, it was a good idea to begin there. After all, that was the prophecy that had ruined my life.
But there were other implications along with that as well. Mainly… dragon babies. Talking about it made it more real, and such a thing could only happen as a result of a sexual encounter.
WithTitus.
While it was true I liked to admire him from afar and engaged in the occasional snuggle, it was possible to appreciate beauty without partaking.
“Bianca?” Brayden’s voice cut through my thoughts.
“Y-yeah,” I said, thankful no one was here to see my shaking hands. “Can you dig that up first?”
“Sure can. There are also some basic texts—how you’ve come to be, your relationships, and the creation of the Council. Do you want any of those?”
“Sure…” I rubbed my fingers over my forehead—I never would have guessed there would bethismuch. “Thank you.”
“No problem. And Bianca?” Brayden’s voice lowered slightly. “Thank you for asking me. That’s what I’m here for.”
My face heated, a warmth spreading through my neck and chest. No one had ever thanked me for bothering them before, and while I knew that technically I could boss him around, I never wanted to take advantage. “Y-you’re welcome…”
With a short goodbye, he disconnected the call, and I was left staring at my phone, my heart pounding a mile a minute as a warm feeling began to spread through my chest.
* * *
“That took longer than usual,” Finn remarked as I entered the kitchen. “I was beginning to think you drowned.”
Then why wouldn’t he make sure? “Thanks…”
“Why are you thanking me?” He turned from me, pulling the garlic bread from the oven. Sarcasm was still lost on him. When I didn’t reply, he added, “Whatever.”
Bryce and Damen were seated at the breakfast nook, and upon my entrance, Damen jumped to his feet and crossed theroom in two giant steps. “Are you feeling better now, baby girl?” he asked, looping his arm around my waist. “Do you need me to carry you?”
What the heck?
“Don’t carry me…” I furrowed my brows, craning my neck to meet his eyes. What in the world had gotten into him? “I’m fine.”
“Don’t be modest. You deserve to be pampered and spoiled,” Damen continued, raising my hand toward his mouth. My skin grew hot as he brushed his lips across my knuckles.
“Oh please, you’re making me sick.” Bryce was slouching in his seat. “Your game is easy enough to see through. You’re either terrified of Julian, and want to make sure she’s not actually sick, or you’re indulging in some nasty fantasy of yours. Remember, you have not earned my approval yet.”
Damen rounded on Bryce, eyes flaming. “I’m not doing either of those things! Areyousaying that you don’t want to see her be pampered?”
“He didn’t say that,” Finn answered, pushing past us and placing the pot of spaghetti in the center of the table in a most unattractive display. I’d be shocked if the top of the wooden table didn’t have a scorch mark. “But you’re wasting your time. Bianca isn’t going to fall for it.”
I glanced between them. There was something about this conversation I wasn’t grasping, and it had to do with Damen’s flamboyance. “What?”
“Never mind.” Damen rolled his shoulders before he guided me to a seat next to his. “My pride can’t handle this discussion right now.”
Hispride? What in the world was I missing?
“Don’t worry about it,” Bryce said. He sat across from me and began to heap pasta on my plate.
“But,” I began, watching him as I slowly picked up my fork, “what about—”
“Bread?” he asked, holding up the long, serrated knife and gesturing toward the uncut loaf.
