Page 20 of Dragon Flames
I haven’t survived ten years in prison only to die now, especially not when I just got my first taste of freedom.
While Elias rubs his chin, deep in thought, Preston’s expression brightens. “I should be able to scrounge up something.”
“Yeah, I’m not wearing another woman’s castoffs.” I shake my head with a moue of distaste. While I normally don’t give a fuck where I get my clothes, and I’ve worn much worse in the past, the thought of wearing something that belongs to one of their lovers makes my stomach churn with revulsion. I fist my hands, barely holding back the impulse to gut him for even offering.
Preston flushes, dropping his gaze with a grimace of distaste.
It’s enough to appease my beast.
Even Elias winces and shoots Preston a reproachful, slightly exasperated glare. “What he meant to say is we have a laundry full of clean clothes. You can take your pick while Preston goes out and buys something more suitable for you to wear.”
Preston brightens at the prospect of making up for his blunder, flashing me a relieved smile. “On it.”
He heads toward the door like a dragon on a mission.
“You don’t have to go to all that trouble.” I doubt I’ll be around long enough to enjoy them, but the young dragon just waves away my protest and flashes me a flirty smile.
“It will be my pleasure.” He winks and vanishes out the door.
“Let him,” Elias interrupts my musings. “He’s young, and his dragon is riding him hard. He won’t be able to resist the need to provide for his mate. If he stays, he will just hover and fuss over you. I suspect you need some time and space to adjust to your new…station in life.”
Humor tickles through me. “How very diplomatic.”
“I have my moments.” With a wry smile, he beckons. “If you follow me, I’ll show you where you can choose something fresh to wear.”
I nod, shoving aside the blankets and getting to my feet.
My muscles protest the strain, the spot between my shoulder blades tender, and I stretch my arms over my head.
Elias doesn’t miss the move, his eyes tracing over my body almost clinically. “You’ll be sore for a day or two. The strain of presenting can be hard on an untrained body.”
“Presenting?” I freeze, not sure I believe him.
Presenting means my animal has been identified.
I’m no longer an unknown—the very dregs of society, often ignored and ridiculed for being lesser.
A thrill of pleasure leaves me buoyant…but shouldn’t I remember if my beast revealed herself? The last thing I remember is their kiss…then nothing.
My spirits crash a second later when grim reality settles over me like a smothering blanket.
It doesn’t matter that my beast has been identified or that I can shift.
My fate was sealed ten years ago.
I head toward the door, kicking the hem of my skirt out of the way. “Let’s go find something else for me to wear.”
* * *
ELIAS
Ihover outside the laundry room door, reluctant to let Felicia out of my sight. My beast woke up completely at the first touch of her lips on mine. I expected him to immediately shift and wrench control away from me, but the beast just hunkered down and now watches our mate obsessively.
Plotting.
While I’m glad the dragon hasn’t tried to set the world on fire, it leaves me suspicious.
I know he wouldn’t harm our mate, but I’m still perturbed by his silence.
