Page 29 of Scaled Hearts

Slowly, the magic fades. It leaves me feeling more worn out than I expected. I let go of her hip, spotting the mark that has been left behind. It’s beautiful, with my first initial and swirls that surround it on all sides in a filigree pattern.

I smirk at it, pride filling my chest.

I roll back onto my feet and stand. I’m not used to this form and how easy it is to get myself joints twisted up from bending them around someone else. Sure, I’m strong and very healthy, but my dark elf form is much less strong compared to my dragon form.

Kelly sits up slowly, her eyes wandering down to the mark on her hip before coming back up to look at me.

“Can we go to my sister now?”

I nod. “Yes, we’ll head there now.”

A smile stretches across her face, making my chest tighten again. What I won’t do to keep that expression on her face. Even if it’s to save her sister who will die within the blink of an eye anyway.

Her reservations about coming here have paid off, however. Not only is she getting the gift of immortality, she’s potentially saving her sister’s life so long as I can figure out what exactly is harming her.

Judging by her vague descriptions about the problem, it may take me some time to do so. But at least by doing this, Kelly will be happy.

I would move mountains to keep her that way—happy and full of life. I don’t wish to see her saddened like she’d been recalling her past. It makes me feel off and out of sorts.

I wave my hands, reanimating my ghost servants. They scuttle around and collect a new outfit for Kelly after I’d discarded her dress and burned her original clothes. She stands and accepts them with a small bow that I find amusing.

She’s polite even to those that have come here to try and steal from me.

I watch as she dresses, pulling on her layers of clothing that keep her pale skin from burning in the sun.

When she fixes herself, she turns to me. “Alright, I’m ready to go.”

I move over to her slowly. “Oh? Are you?”

She blinks at me. “Yes? I’m not missing anything.”

I grab at the side of her dress and rip it up the seam to expose her entire leg. She lets out a startled yelp, grabbing onto the fabric and yanking it out of my grip.

“What did you do that for?”

I let out a soft snort. “You must have your brand visible at all times. Everyone must know that you’ve been claimed.” Now, she wears my initial and my jewelry for all to see.

She looks down at her dress before jutting her hip out to reveal the mark on his skin. “Seriously?”

I fix her with a pointed look. “Yes. Don’t cover it up again.”

I move past her and head to the mouth of my cave.

14

Kelly

Ican’t help but gape after him, still holding the torn side of my dress.

What the hell is wrong with him?

I look down again at my marred skin and run a hand over it. It isn’t raised at all like it would be if I’d been branded with a hot iron. It feels smooth just like my normal skin, though there is a heat that collects there now. Much like the same heat that expels from Angurus.

I let my dress go, the pieces of it folding together and then splitting apart when I walk. I shake my head and try to ignore the breeze that moves across my skin. If he expects me to tailor every piece of clothing I have in order to show off my hip, he’s insane.

I find Angurus standing at the mouth of the cave, overlooking the lush greenery surrounding the ground down below. He has his hands on his hips while his white hair moves in the wind.

Heat stirs in my belly. I know that there’s something seriously wrong with me when I find this…beast attractive. He’s brutish and forceful with his opinions, and all encompassing when it comes to his desire for me.

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