And somehow,Ifeel what theDrakeis feeling too.Hisemotions brush against me gently at first—like the edge of a thought that isn’t mine.Comingfrom him in a steady waveIfeel, warmth and caring—a steady, grounding sense of protection that settles over me like a cloak.
I feel safe with him—but beneath that loving protectiveness, there’s something sharper…something stronger.
Possession—Theron’sDrakewants to own me.Hewants to hoard me like gold.Becauseto him,I’msomething precious—someone to be cherished and cared for and protected.
It startles me, that feeling.Itisn’t cruel or harsh, but it isintense.It’sa deep, instinctive certainty thatIbelong within the circle of his wings—thatIam something to be guarded…kept…claimed.
The strength and depth of theDrake’semotions almost scare me but he’s still so gentle with me.Hedoesn’t tighten his hold or try to trap me.
He simply holds me there, his warmth surrounding me, his breath steady against my shoulder, as though he is waiting to see whatIwill do.
I don’t pull away—Ican’t.Becausefor the first time since the curse took hold of me…since everything fell apart…Idon’t feel alone.
I rest my cheek lightly against his scales, closing my eyes for just a moment and let myself breathe him in—let myself be comforted by his warmth.
But just asI’mtruly getting comfortable, theDrakebegins to change–his big body begins toShiftin my arms.
I give a little gasp, but it happens so fastIdon’t have time to pull away.
BeforeIknow it,I’msitting there with my arms aroundTheron’sneck.He’skneeling before me and looking into my eyes.There’sa look of wonder on his face.
“You liked him—you reallylikedhim,” he says softly.
“Of courseIdid—Ido,”Itell him.“Hewas so sweet and gentle.”Ican’t seem to stop myself from lifting my hand to his hair, running my fingers through the thick, dark strands.“Justlike you.”
He goes very still at that.Thenhe catches my hand in his much larger one and brings it to his mouth, pressing a kiss to my fingers.Hiseyes never leave mine and the intensity of his gaze makes my heart flutter.
It’s too much…too close…toohim.
I can feel the curse working on me—my whole body heating again, the slow, insistent ache building as his scent surrounds me—warm and spicy and undeniably male.Itpulls at me—tugs at something deep inside, makes me want to lean into him…to ask him…to beg?—
But no.Ican’t—Ihave to control myself.
I swallow hard and hold myself still.Somehow,Iresist the need building inside me.
ButIcan’t stop looking at the bigShifter.Oureyes stay locked together and the space between us feels charged—tight with something unspoken.Ican feel it building, that same tension from before, only stronger now—sharper.
I swearIcan feel him wanting to get closer.
Or maybe that’s just whatIwant—whatIneed.
The thought makes my heart pound.Isthis just the witch’s curse working on me again?Twistingmy body, making me feel thingsIshouldn’t?
Or is it something else?Somethingreal?
Why doIfeel so drawn to him?
I don’t know.Ionly know that when he finally pulls away,Ifeel the loss of him immediately.
Theron rises to his feet, running a hand over his horns as though trying to steady himself.
“Well,” he says gruffly, not quite meeting my eyes now.“Iguess we’d better get going.Letme pack a few supplies and we can be on our way.”
I nod becauseIdon’t trust myself to speak right away.Idon’t ask which quest we’re taking on first—it doesn’t really matter.
The main thing is thatI’llbe withTheron…with both of them.AndthoughIdon’t fully understand it yet,Ican feel something deep inside me—a connection—to him and also to hisDrake.
I don’t know what it means, butIwant to find out.