Page 31 of Dragon Flames
I turn toward Preston, trying to mask my disappointment at their easy dismissal. But apparently, I did a piss-poor job, because he casts me a half-apologetic glance.
“Ignore them. The thought of you in danger is driving their dragons hard. They need time to cool off.” The smile he gives me is strained.
“But not you?” I cock my head, curious why the one who is so much younger than the other two has so much more control.
A bark of laughter escapes him, and his expression turns rueful. “I haven’t shifted yet, so I don’t have to deal with my dragon demanding to take control.”
“You’ve never shifted.” I blink at him, my mind blank, then I blink again, unsure I believe him. He mentioned it once before, but I thought I misheard.
“Not yet.” He rises to his feet and offers me his arm with a charming smile. “Dragons are unique in that way.”
Dragons.
It’s only now sinking in that I’m an actual fucking dragon.
I’m not damaged or a loser—I’m one of the more feared and fierce shifters left in the world.
I’m not sure I will ever believe them until I finally shift.
Getting up, I obediently follow him out the door. “How will I know when I’ll be able to shift?”
He cocks his head, then shrugs. “There is very little known about female dragons. Elias should be able to find more information on the subject. I suspect he’s already looking into it.”
I follow Preston back to my room, then stop dead, my jaw dropping when I spy the sea of boxes and bags taking up every surface of the room. I’m afraid to step inside the bedroom and wake up from this dream. “What is all this?”
“Some clothes to get you started,” Preston replies distractedly as he saunters into the room.
I gape after him. “To get me started?”
He turns and tucks a strand of his brown hair behind his ear, the blond streaks in it almost glowing when the sun hits them just right. He looks uncertain when he glances at the bags. “Yeah, I got you some of the essentials. I know it’s not much, but I figured it would be enough to get you by until we can plan a real shopping trip.”
My brain explodes at his generosity. I search his eyes, looking for an ulterior motive, but his blue eyes remain clear and guileless.
To my shock, I believe him.
He honestly doesn’t expect anything in return for such generosity.
For a moment, I’m caught between feeling giddy and uncomfortable. I hesitantly walk into the room, peeking into the bags, spying sparkling fabrics and glittering jewels gleaming back. As much as I want to gather the treasures to my chest and shout “mine,”I curl my hands into fists and pull back, shaking my head. “I can’t accept your generosity.”
A loud snort escapes him, and I jerk my head up in time to see him roll his eyes. “Please, I have more than enough money to cover anything and everything you desire.”
I narrow my eyes at him, not sure I understand, crossing my arms to resist temptation. “What do you mean?”
He shrugs nonchalantly. “Darius is the mastermind, the leader of our flight.” Then he casts me a cheeky smirk. “He’s also our cook. Everything I create in the kitchen ends up charred. Elias is the scholar, second in command, and our security expert. If anyone starts a fight, he ends it, fast and brutally.”
I think about that for a moment and almost dismiss it when I remember Elias’s library, and I find myself nodding. “That makes sense. What about you?”
He straightens his shoulders, his chin lifts, and his smile is nearly blinding. “I’m the money man. I take care of the investments.”
I cock my head as a memory of the auction rises. My eyes widen in horror, and I gulp, suddenly unable to find enough oxygen in the room. “You! You bid a million dollars for me.”
He just shrugs, like it’s no fucking deal.
Knees weak, I slump at the edge of the bed, helpless to stop the avalanche of bags that cascade to the floor. “But…but…I…you…”
A harsh expression takes over his face, changing him from young and innocent to ruthless and cold, and I shiver at the transformation, unable to help wondering which is the real man. “I would’ve gladly paid the fee a thousand times over. My fortune means nothing without a mate to shower with gifts.”
But I still couldn’t get over the numbers. That anyone would offer so much for me just blows my mind. “But a million dollars. Wasted.”
