As that thought settles, another slams into me — I’m a genius!
I turn to Sin. He looks about as engaged as a corpse. Stifling a yawn.
Perfect.
I grab his face before he can react, palms on both cheeks, drag his head down and plant a big, wet kiss right on his lips.
His eyes go wide and not even a full second later, a thunderous growl rips through the clearing. The ground cracks. Birds flee like the apocalypse just rolled in.
Sin’s voice is a dry mutter. “I’ll never forgive you if that beast bites my head off.”
I step back and grin. “Don’t worry, bestie. I won’t let him kill you.” I pat his cheek. “Just… don’t run. He’ll chase you down and peel you like a grape.”
Sin glares at me. “I won’t forget this.”
“It’ll all be ok,” I chirp, then turn.
And there he is.
Draxis.
Massive. Towering. Drenched in shadows and rage. Black fur rippling over slabs of muscle. Wings spread wide enough to eclipse the sun. Silver eyes locked on Sin like he’s already dead. Fangs glinting. Talons twitching.
Yeah. He’s beautiful.
I move slowly toward him. Careful.
“Hello, Draxis,” I say softly. He doesn’t look at me. His gaze is still fixed on Sin — but one of his ears twitches at the sound of my voice.
“Look at me, big guy,” I coax. “It would make me very happy if you took your eyes off Sin and let him live another day.”
He finally shifts his gaze to me. Silver eyes. Burning. Blinking slow. Then — one talon lifts, points at Sin.
“Bleeeeeed,” he hisses.
Oh gods.
“Nope,” I say, sweet as honey. “No bleeding. No hurting Sin. That would make me very unhappy.”
I reach him and lift a hand, pressing my palm to his chest. His fur is warm. Coarse. Alive with energy.
“Is Draven awake?” I ask gently.
He shakes his massive head. “Maaaatttte,” he growls, low and deep.
“Yes, yes,” I murmur. “That’s something we’ll need to talk about. Later.”
His eyes don’t leave mine. Not even for a blink.
“First,” I whisper, “we need to find a way to take that collar off you.”
He nods once. Deadly. Calm. So intense.
"Tell me something," I say, keeping my voice steady. "Was the magic of the leash weaker the day you first shifted?"
“Yeeessss,” Draxis rumbles, the sound slithering out of him.
My heart stutters. Progress.
