Page 41 of Microburst

Luckily, Belinda’s magic would hide our noise as well, but she was startled when I let out a pained roar. Eloise and I realized at the same time that it wasn’t about things coming up.

It was that my parents had intentionally put obstacles in mywayas punishment for being a monster. They were always doing something so I couldn’t let Eloise out because they blamed her for ruining their lives. It wasn’t just Father. Most of the luncheons or lectures were Mother.

I really hated them both in a way that I didn’t think I could ever express and I wasn’t feeling guilty about it anymore. I thought I was getting pretty damn valid at this point for hating them.

They need to rot wherever they are.

“At least they’re where the bad gods are and they’re laughing at your parents saying they didn’t give you two dragons,”Iris said with evident satisfaction.

I hadn’t thought of that and neither had Eloise. It helped us both to calm down and just enjoy our time flying.

Thelongtime flying. A dragon didn’t go as fast as a plane, and Belinda actually knew where we were going since Benson had brought up the plan with her bouncing around ideas. That was why she was amused.

Well, there was more to it. There always was with Belinda, but I understood at least now she knew what was going on. I knew I was still missing pieces, but I was fine with that.

I really was.

I was tired but also exhilarated when we arrived, Benson far away from the plane talking with a man I vaguely recognized. He was someone from when I was much younger I might have seen a few times.

I wasn’t really sure, but didn’t want to open any more cans of worms and instead just got dressed and on the plane. Belinda frowned after we did and I didn’t understand until Benson joined us and we took off. He kept glancing back at me like he wanted to say something or might ask me to sit up there with him.

But he didn’t say anything… Until we landed. Then he asked if we could talk privately.

Away from Belinda.

“No,” I bit out, making it clear that I wasn’t remotely about to have the type of discussion with him that I could see that he wanted in his eyes.

No, just…No.

Which was how I somehow ended up heading to Thorn’s room? I wasn’t sure, just understanding that Benson equaled love and my heart, and Thorn was anger and something without a future.

Someone I didn’t have to worry later about hurting like Joris or Onyx.

That was all I could think about with everything else swirling all around me.

He felt me coming or—I wasn’t sure, and I wasn’t sure I cared, but the door opened before I reached it. His nostrils flared as he eyed me over and something was in his eyes as he stepped aside to let me in. “You’ve been flying.”

I almost tripped over my feet and I gave him the look he deserved. “Yeah, I’m here to baby trap you, which isn’t a thing with dragons.”

His lips twitched as he closed the door. “Why are you here, Sagan?” He leaned against it and crossed his arms over his massive chest. His blue eyes curious, but a lot of other emotions simmering in them, looking extra blue with his wet hair hangingin his face and the blue streaks of his water dragon standing out. “You’ve made it clear you want no part of me.”

“Like you don’t deserve that,” I threw right back. I snorted when he didn’t respond and pulled off my sneakers. “I need a shower.”

“And yours isn’t broken.”

“Nope.” I reached for my shirt next.

His nostrils flared again. “I need one too.”

The fuck he did when his hair was still wet, but since I was there for his attention… I wasn’t going to argue. “I’m not going to deny you.” I took off my bra and headed for the attached bathroom, feeling better already when he groaned.

And then almost chuckled when I heard the seams of his clothes tear. Probably his shirt, but it was definitely the ego boost I needed.

He was on me before the water even warmed up, his huge hands moving over my stomach as he kissed my shoulder. “Fuck, I’ve missed you.”

I swallowed the shiver, remembering what this was. A large part of me still hated him for breaking my heart or at least injuring it badly. This was about getting something good for my mental health.

Not intimacy with someone who saw being my mate as adowngradefrom the life he was born into. Remembering that and hearing the words he’d said to me echo in my mind disconnected my emotions besides lust and I just enjoyed his touch.