Page 219 of Cursed Evermore
His eyes glittered. “That's it.”
“Then let's play.”
“Are you sure you want to gamble with me just to get some answers?”
“Are you scared I'll win?” I smirked.
“No. I'm not worried about myself, Ziyka. Just giving you the chance to change your mind while you still can. You might like what I want to take from you, especially if I win five times.”
“But you could lose five times, and I could win.” I gave him a challenging stare.
“Let's just play.”
He closed his hand, made a tight fist, then opened it again, and out rolled three shimmering stones onto the table. Each one was as smooth as river glass, carved with fine lines that pulsed with faint color. One red, one green, one a cool shade of blue. Each then changed color to something else entirely.
“Ladies first.”
I picked up the stones. They buzzed faintly and were warm against my skin.
I rolled. The stones tumbled with a clatter and landed scattered. Green, blue, red.
“No match,” Wolfe said with mock sympathy. “Shame.”
I rolled my eyes at him. “Don't gloat yet.”
He rolled next and his set came up with two blue stones and one pulsing gold. He clicked his tongue. “Luckless tonight.”
“Round two?”
“Round two.”
I leaned forward and rolled again. I watched eagerly as the stones settled to one, two, three purple. Three in a row. I won. “Yay me.”
Wolfe smiled despite himself. “Looks like I underestimated you.”
I grinned. “Oh, you definitely did.”
He opened his palms wide. “Go on, then, ask me your questions, Ziyka.”
I thought about what I should ask. If this was my only win, I didn't want to waste it with pointless questions. I decided on asking the right things that allowed me to strip down the layers of the dark prince.
“What's your favorite thing to do when you're completely alone?”
He stilled. “That's what you want to know?”
“Yes.”
“I like flying my dragons. There's nothing like it.”
That made me smile. I'd gotten a taste, so I knew what he meant. “Nothing feels more freeing.”
“No, nothing. And there’s nothing like being one of the few who can.”
“Why don’t more people do it? I can’t imagine there aren’t others fantasizing about flying dragons.”
“There are probably thousands. But dragons don’t bond with just anyone. Their magic ties them to certain bloodlines, and it’s almost always Fae who can command darkness, fire, and the Void. I’ve never seen them bond with another being. Somedragons won’t even let outsiders near. You’re the first mage I’ve ever seen a dragon accept.”
I couldn’t help but wonder what other dormant powers stirred within me. “I guess I’m lucky then.”
