Total pages in book: 157
Estimated words: 155900 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 780(@200wpm)___ 624(@250wpm)___ 520(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 155900 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 780(@200wpm)___ 624(@250wpm)___ 520(@300wpm)
Seriously, what the hell?
I couldn’t make any sense of him. Not of Theo or Kane or the strange interaction they’d shared before Kane had ridden off on his motorcycle while I’d been standing on the front porch watching.
It’d seemed…tense.
An argument.
Theo’s own speculation rolling off him.
Kane had texted not twenty minutes later, saying I miss her already. Won’t deny that I miss you, too.
How was I supposed to respond to that? So, I hadn’t, though I had changed Deadly Dragon to Dragon on my phone. I guessed I was having a difficult time continuing to view him that way. Now, hours later, another text had come through. One asking if Maci was asleep seemed a whole lot safer, so I quickly responded.
Me
Yeah, she’s been asleep for about half an hour. She insisted on making dinner and taking it out to Theo.
Two seconds later, another text came through.
Dragon
She’s a little caretaker.
I wavered before I let my fingers fly across the screen.
Me
I think she might be a protector, like you.
Dragon
You see her in me?
My tongue stroked out to wet my dried lips.
Me
Every time I look at her face.
Dragon
Is that a good thing or a bad thing?
Me
I think it’s always going to hurt a little when I look at her, because I’ll always see my sister, too.
I sat with my phone on my lap, not sure why I was so eager for a response. To see his words light up the screen. This foolish reaction the man elicited in me.
A concoction of distrust and grief and greed.
Wanting something I knew I shouldn’t have.
Dragon
Wish I could take that pain away from you, but I can’t. Only thing I can say is I get that pain. Being robbed of the one you love most.
My stomach twisted at his vulnerability. At the way he could read mine.
That chain that shackled us cinching tight, tugging between us on a keening bow. I had no idea where it’d gotten its power. How it was possible that he affected me this way.
I shouldn’t delve any deeper, but there was no stopping the question, and I wasn’t entirely sure if it was some kind of jealousy driving the question. Wondering if he’d ever had someone who’d gripped him by the soul.
Wondering if that’s exactly what he’d done to mine.
Me
Who?
It took forever before he finally responded.
Dragon
My mother.
Sorrow flooded out with the response, and I felt swamped with it, as if my mattress had become a pool of his grief.
Me
I’m so sorry.
Dragon
It was a long time ago.
Me
But it doesn’t change the pain, does it?
Maybe it got distorted. The edges worn out and frayed. But it would always be there.
Dragon
No.
The single word came through, and I watched as the bubbles jumped then paused then jumped again.
Dragon
I wasn’t strong enough to protect her from the ones who hurt her. I failed her. Something that won’t ever happen again.
I thought he was all wrong, and he might not be the dragon after all. Because even if he was battle-worn, I could see him in his armor.
A white knight standing for what was right.
Was I crazy for thinking it?
For trusting him the way he’d asked me to?
When I could feel the shroud of secrets hovering around him? Storm clouds that darkened and concealed?
Me
I trust you with her.
My stomach tightened. I wanted to trust him with myself, too.
I still didn’t understand how I’d arrived at this place.
Believing in him.
Dragon
I promise I won’t betray that trust.
Another text came in right behind it.
Dragon
It’s something that’s hard for you. Trusting.
I could almost feel his spirit dancing in the room. Shadows that played across the walls as he watched over me from afar.
Me
Sometimes the only thing it takes is one incident…one horrible moment…to destroy trust forever.
His response popped up almost immediately.
Dragon
I want to know who hurt you. Who put those ghosts in those gorgeous eyes. Want to end them so you never have to be afraid again.
I should be terrified of what he was saying because nothing about his statement felt off-handed or blasé.
Me
It was a long time ago, and it’s not your burden to carry.
Dragon
That’s where you’re wrong, Little Warrior. You became that when you let me touch you. When you let me taste you. When you put your trust and your body in my hands. I’m the only one who’s done that, aren’t I? The only one who’s made you feel safe to bare yourself that way?
God, how did he know? How could he see right through me? And why was I giving him an open door? But there I was, letting my fingers betray the promises I had made to myself.
Me
I tried. Twice. Both times, I just went numb.
My spirit taking flight. Removing me from the horrors I was instantly transported back to.
Dragon
And were you numb with me?
I glanced around the room as if I was worried I was going to be caught doing something salacious, my heart racing and that achy spot he conjured throbbing.