Page 74 of Castor
“What the fuck?” Castor’s eyes widened. “Why in the hell would someone do that?”
“Because I’m half human.” I dropped my gaze to the water gently sloshing around my legs. “Not all dragons condone mixing of bloodlines. A prominent family in our clan was disgusted that my father took a human woman as his wife, and when I was just hours old, an assassin snuck into my nursery. But before he stabbed me, the sword turned on him, forcing him to disembowel himself.”
He grinned. “That’s awesome.”
“You’re such a boy.” I shook my head. “Once he died, the sword’s essence flowed into me.”
“Why?”
“Tatsuya says it’s because I have the heart of a true dragon warrior. That I’m meant to save lives. The sword saw into my soul. Or something like that. It’s only happened once before in our clan’s history, centuries before I was born. The dragon’s name was Izumi, and he was a renowned warrior. Also, half human. He died protecting a group of children who had wandered too close to the mainland. Humans killed him.” Suddenly self-conscious, I cleared my throat. “That doesn’t mean I’m some badass warrior or anything though.”
Castor slid an arm around me. “I don’t know about that. You were pretty badass when you rescued me from the pit, little dragon. I think the sword protected you so you could grow and protect others. Just like Izumi did.”
I closed the gap between us. He cupped the back of my head and kissed the curve of one of my horns.
“Do you want to swim with me?” I whispered against his skin. My heart swelled with my affection for him.
“Only if you promise not to make me look bad. I’m pretty damn awesome at a lot of things, but I’m not dumb enough to think I can outswim a water dragon.”
“I promise.” I laughed and closed my eyes, feeling tears well behind them. “I just want to be with you.”
Castor wound both arms around me and tucked his face in the crease of my neck. “I love when you’re in this form, Kyo. I feel closer to you somehow.”
“Maybe it’s because I’m your mate,” I said, my voice thick with emotion. “Our souls are laid bare for each other.”
“Listen to you sounding all romantic and shit.” Castor pulled back to look at me, running the pad of his thumb along my jaw. “You’re so goddamn beautiful.”
Careful not to cut him with my sharp nails, I grabbed his hand and led him deeper into the water. When I dove beneath the surface, he came with me, his hand still secured in mine. His hair floated up in an adorable way as he tossed me a grin.
He was the beautiful one. Bright. And warm.
Like the sun.
We found a sea cove a while later, situated between rocks jutting from the water and a secluded section of the beach. The shallow water allowed our feet to touch the bottom as we surfaced and joined our lips.
“I could kiss you all day,” Castor murmured, nose brushing mine.
“Just kissing?”
That smile returned. “Kissing. Fucking.” He brought me closer. “Holding on to you just like this. I’ll never have enough.”
I wouldn’t either.
Chapter Fifteen
Castor
“I think Baxter’s gonna die,” Raiden said before eating the pineapple Bellamy had cut up for him, his gaze fixed on the arena in front of us.
Baxter was sparring with Lysandra and had been knocked to the dirt countless times. He had a sword while she used nothing but a freaking stick. Everyone had agreed on a training session that afternoon to pass time, while Sirena and Alastair spoke privately about strategy in the upcoming conflict with Asa.
“To your feet, pretty boy.” Lysandra slapped his arm with the stick.
Bellamy leaned forward on the wooden post, his golden hair falling in soft waves. “Come on, B.”
“I don’t need you to cheer me on,” Baxter snapped before pushing to his feet. “Shouldn’t you be with Elon?”
“Nah. I don’t know where he is. Doesn’t matter though. I’m kind of tired of him.”
