Page 26 of Drakhana's Treasure
“What about them?” His voice almost growls as the dragon rises in him.
“Why were they in our territory? What happened to me could be a direct attack.”
“I agree. They’ve been attacking us everywhere else.” He looks moodily at the horizon. “The business strategy of romancing away our partners and customers, offering our investors better deals and buying up every single piece of available real estate is a dirty move. Its working though. We are losing ground. They definitely showed up there to stir us up.”
“They did that.”
He turns to me, face softening. When he cups my cheek his eyes shimmer, just a little.
“If they killed you, I would spend every last day hunting them down.”
I wouldn’t want him to be consumed in such a way, but I know him well enough by now to know that his fury may be hidden but it is unquenchable.
I stand up and hold out my hand to him. The sun is angling down, moving towards late afternoon. They will be looking for us.
We shift, almost in unison and jump for the sky. The sun warming my wing membranes soaks into my blood and soothes me. The quick spiral on to the roof is easy for me and my body seems to have fully recovered.
Rastus grabs us a couple of robes from the doorway, wrapping me up in mine.
“Now, you go ahead first, get to your room and have a warm bath and some food.”
“Won't you come with me?”
“Kirra… You know how carefully matches are made. We can’t just claim each other, even if our souls already have. They have to rule on it. Announcing that we are together would only anger them and make them more likely to deny us.”
I nod slowly, letting the tears gathering at my eyes to spill over.
“I know. I’ll stay quiet. I just want to be with you.”
“and I want to be with you.” We press our foreheads together, feeling the intensity that builds between us when we focus on each other. The pain that tears at me now feels intolerable, but it would be far worse to have denied him forever.
As I step away from him to head back to my apartment, I know I would happily leave the clan to be with Rastus. Despite the dangers of exposure for an outcast, it wouldn’t stop me for a second.
I would do anything to be with Rastus, even forsake the only home I have ever known.
Eighteen
Rastus
Days have passed and I have not seen her.
Walking the casino floor with sweet alcohol teasing my nostrils and the noises of the machines ringing around me, I let myself think of her.
I knew that if I was seen with her, I would give myself away immediately. I can’t pretend I’ve never touched her skin or breathed her scent. It would be impossible to be near her and not touch her.
I’ve thrown myself into work and I’m starting to lose track of all my recruits. That’s actually a good thing, if they are confident enough to move forward on their own, they really don’t need me.
Zelena and Kane are always quick to report on Kirralee. I can tell they have some immature gossipy shit going on but it’s swiftly fading as they get caught up in their new jobs. I’ve heard back from all the department managers that the others are doing well and I’m happy to forget about them.
My Kirra is not doing well. Over the past few days, I’ve had reports of her working in maintenance, behind the scenes. No one will let her work near customers anymore.
At first, I was told she was lazy and uncooperative. I simply logged the information without comment, thinking she might be preoccupied. When more managers started calling in telling me she was lethargic and dropping things, I ordered her stood down immediately.
I’m dying to get to her.
I know that I can’t see her.
I’ve had plenty to distract myself with. Even after just a few days the ice dragons have managed to wreak havoc. The only holdings we now own are the ones we have held outright for years. Shares and investors have dried up. They are flaunting their new casino and hotel ‘Frozen Palace’ in every publication. A full social media team is hash tagging the shit out of it and customers have gone pouring over there for their special opening deals.
