Page 35 of The Dragon's Perfect Omega
Until my dragon looked up from his drums and caught my eye. Somethingunclenchedin my chest, a breath I hadn't even known I was holding escaped my lungs. Lowen was smiling at me. To the casual observer he might have appeared to be smiling at the crowd, but the moment he connected with me, I felt it in my bones. I knew his smile was meant only for me.
I knew it was a promise.
He hadn't forgotten about me, and he hadn't changed his mind. I could breathe again. The relief was so great my knees went weak.
"You okay?" Timtom shouted in my ear, but by then, the band had started playing and I simply waved him off instead of shouting a response back at him. I was okay. I was more than okay. I'd broken up with my fiancée and my parents were probably going to disown me, yes, but Lowen still wanted me, and that made it all worth it. A voice in my head told me I was a goddamn idiot for thinking that way, but I didn't care. Things were going to be okay. I was okay.
Lowen's smile promised me that.
* * *
After the show, we had to wait about twenty minutes or so until our guide came back to lead us to the back of the stage for our special meet and greet. Finn and Zed shot me a knowing grin when they saw me, making me wonder just what had Lowen told them. Thankfully, they couldn't stare at me for too long, because the other winners, predictably, flocked to them. So I went over to the only dragon who was free—the drummer. My drummer, or so I thought to myself before I could stop it.
His eyes lit up as I approached, a sight that warmed my heart more than any of the flames around us could. "You came," he said, so quietly that no one else could hear.
"I had to," I said, offering my hand to make this look like a regular star/fan interaction from the outside.
"You don't have to do anything," Lowen told me, but the moment his fingers touched mine, sparks erupted in my chest. How could I stay away from that? I had to think of all the times my parents warned me off drugs.One hit and you're addicted,they used to say. I'd never known thatpeoplecould be like drugs, but Lowen made me rethink that idea. He made me rethink everything I thought I knew.
"I did what I wanted to do." I didn't have to tell him what a novel concept that was for me, or what I was risking by being here. He was well aware. I could tell by the look in his eyes.
"I'm glad you did." His tone was hushed, and gentle. He meant what he said, and yet, he always left the choice up to me. I wondered if that was why I liked him. And I wondered if he'd been as nervous about all of this as I was, wondering whether or not I'd show up. Was it that important to him? Was I? The idea made my head spin. This infatuation I had with Lowen was hard on me, but if it was returned... I had to bite my lower lip to keep myself from drifting off into fantasies about myself riding off into the sunset on the back of a majestic dragon. I hadn't seen Lowen's other form yet, but I was sure it wouldn't disappoint. I bet every part of him performed just the way it should.
It was only when Lowen laughed that I realized my eyes had traveled down to the groin area of his pants. With one finger, he tipped up my chin so we made eye contact again. Wasn't he worried what the others might think, seeing us like this? Apparently not, because he leaned closer, until his breath whispered across my skin as he spoke. "I know that guide is gonna take you to get some food next, but if you want to break away, I'll be waiting by the tent with the smoked salmons. Have you seen it?"
"I might have." It was difficult to think when he was this close and all I really wanted to do was lean forward another inch and kiss him, no matter who saw. "I'm not supposed to wander off on my own."
The corner of Lowen's lips curved up. "I promise you won't be on your own." He leaned back, letting go of my chin. The moment was broken, but I still felt dazed. How could he put a spell on me just like that? He'd told me about his psychic abilities, but I was wondering if he was hiding any others, because everything felt kind of magical when I was around him. Surreal.
Too good to be true.
That's because it is, when you think about the ramifications on your life.
I closed my eyes to shake the thought, and everything else, and then I turned to the other two dragons in the room. I would find Lowen again. Later.
18
Lowen
Zim mademe wait nearly an hour, but I didn't mind. For him, I would have waited all night if that was what it took. Sure, my clothes were starting to take on the smell of smoked salmon, but who cares? My mate had come to this island for me, in spite of all the prejudice he'd been raised with. This couldn't have been easy for him. I could stand by a food tent for a little while.
Every few minutes, someone recognized me and came over to tell me what a great show it had been, but I hardly paid them any mind. I only had eyes and ears for one person tonight.
When my mate finally approached me, the colors of his aura told me exactly how he was feeling. Streaks of bright yellow excitement wove themselves around him, offset by the deep red of desire. But that wasn't all there was to his aura. Barely visible at the edges, I detected shades of fuchsia. Suppressed irritation or frustration. Worry or even anxiety. The color seemed to cling to Zim like hair dye that just didn't want to wash out. I wanted nothing more than to take it away from him.
That was probably going to take time, though. Still, no better time to start than tonight.
"I'm sorry!" Zim called, waving when he spotted me. "I couldn't get away earlier."
"It's fine," I assured him. "Are you hungry?" I motioned at the smoked fish.
He shook his head. "They made us eat so much, I swear, if you try to force any more into me, I'll explode."
"I'm not going to force you to do anything." Not ever.
Zim only looked at me for a moment, and then his features softened. "I know," he said. "I think that's part of why I came."
"To the food tent, to the island, or in the hotel room?" I asked with a cheeky grin before I could stop myself. Zim's aura darkened. The only warning I got before he whacked me over the back of my head.
