“What you’re saying is … now that I’m informed about your preference, I shouldn’t be surprised if I see you kissing someone else.” He fiddled with the edge of my dress. “If I wanted to kiss you.”
I got his attention and shook my head. “No. I need you to accept it, too. You don’t have tolikeit, but understand it’s a part of me that’s never going to change. I’m willing to compromise on a lot of things, but this one is non-negotiable.” I had so many conversations like this with all my ex-boyfriends. Despite being straightforward and hammering it in, they still assumed they could “fix” me.
Then they get shocked when I break things off after they get mad and complain I had sex with somebody else while they were busy. They couldn’t understand me, despite laying it out already from the very beginning.
Elias smiled again, but this time forlorn. “Can I be honest? I was kind of expecting this from the moment I saw you again in my hometown. Ever since I triggered my Unique, my senses heightened even when I’m not shifted. You felt … different, you talked different, you even smelled different. Sweeter. Like peaches and vanilla. And when you’re turned on, I can sense it several meters away, and it’s maddening because you’re constantly in need and I can’t do anything about it.”
Eli was my horniness detector.
Oh, my god. I didn’t think — I knew for sure my thoughts weren’t always on the horny side since I kept trying so, so hard to think about my goal, my situation, and the academy life I would’ve gotten if I didn’t end up here.
But I could see my body craving extra intimacy, which might explain what Eli was sensing. I used to have sex nearly every day, compared to my one time here after a month of no action. And not enough kisses. Ugh!
Elias inhaled, shaking his head. “It’s intoxicating. There’s something raw and primal in me that wants to fuck and breed you. I’m sorry.”
Well … let’s just say I was so glad magic contraception existed, because I very much had a breeding kink. Topic for another day. “Maybe it’s the dragon instincts?” I tried a rationale despite having no real idea how creature shifting worked. I did read about shifters sharing a soul with their beast. Did that mean there were actually two souls inside one body, or their souls merged, forming two halves?
That was possible?
“What instincts?”
“To reproduce,” I clarified. “Since dragons are most likely extinct. I’m not a dragon, though. Maybe it just feels that way to everyone horny around you.”
“I don’t sense this with other people, only you,” he informed me in haste, as if it was important that I didn’t misunderstand. “It’s like my grand vision. Like I’d always known I was meant for you. Circumstances didn’t matter. I am yours, Ela.”
I frowned. “Just like that — you’re swearing yourself to me despite the non-negotiable I talked about.”
“In spiteof it,” he corrected me, smiling. “I accept this new aspect of you. But I’m also new to this concept; will you take it against me if I realize it’s not for me, after all?”
“Of course not. As long as we communicate, we can be civil about it.” That was the key takeaway from my previous experience. My relationships would’ve ended on good terms if we had been mature about it. But no, emotions would run high, anger would take over and all hell would break loose. And for me to repeat that all over again.
He moved closer, head only a few centimeters away from mine. “Will you tell me who the other men are?”
That was a topic we hadn’t broached yet. “I will once I have their consent.”
“You have mine. I want to know everything new about you.” He closed our distance, our lips moving in sync as his tongue quickly found its way inside my mouth, tasting me.
I braced myself, hands on his shoulders, as I kissed him back and parted my legs so he could move closer in between them. He growled lowly while he pressed his body close to mine, and I trembled at the intensity of his kiss, as if he was afraid I’d disappear any moment.
A long overdue kiss. I had always adored Eli for being my first and best friend, and it was wonderful he felt the same towards me. What better way to show our affection for one another than to make each other feel good?
Elias nibbled my lip as he pulled away. “If I could take you right now, I would. Unfortunately, your companions had foundyou. They’ll be here any minute. Dragon senses.” He paused before adding, “I’m just glad we established our relationship. I look forward to our future, Bea.”
I looked forward to it too, but what exactly was my relationship with him? Or with my other three men?
Chapter Nineteen
The few minutes I thought I spent with Elias hiding in an armory turned out much longer. Mia wasn’t happy that I skipped lunch, and my knights were frustrated with how I escaped them without noticing.
Of course, I ate my delayed lunch as they watched to appease them. Some may find that overbearing, but I appreciated it, if only because they were doing their job properly and I wasn’t being a good noble daughter.
After spending the rest of my day at the library with little progress, night eventually came. I was at my desk in my room, writing a letter to my parents when a looming presence manifested behind me. Two of them.
One hand appeared at my side, plucking the pen from my fingers and laying it gently down on the desk, while another ran their fingers on my other arm. A sigh followed, before the two separate hands moved to my chest, cupping one breast each.
“You didn’t think you’ll get away this time, did you?” Robin whispered in my ear as he rolled my cloth-covered nipple.
“Wasn’t going to try,” I rasped, just as Reuben slipped his hand under my nightdress, stroking my thigh. “I made a promise, after all.”
