Page 55 of Mate of a Monster

I keep my eyes on Legend. Thyrix’s heat soaks through my gear and still I don’t turn. Let Legend feel the dragon at my back the same way I felt his knife in it the second he fucking dismissed me.

I snarl.

“Now, now, Hellpet. Red isn’t his color.”

Thyrix lowers his head, grazing my shoulder in a deliberate nudge that leaves a scuff of black soot on my jacket. I reach up without looking to scratch the scales under his chin. A low rumble answers—amusement, not warning.

“Be nice, Thyrix. Remember, he’s my mate. Even if he is a fucking fool right now.”

Thyrix blows steam from his nose.

Legend’s jaw flexes.

“There’s a damn dragon ban!” Arabella’s annoying fucking voice interrupts. “How are they here?”

I grit my teeth. She did this. Took away their purpose and left them feeling lost. Tried to claim my mate. I’m not stupid enough to think she was smart enough to pull it off on her own, but that’s a whole different fight. One I will have—just not today.

My body begins to tremble as a tingling sensation spreads across my skin, like something is boiling just underneath.

The beast strokes my spine and my eyes snap wide.

I’m going to explode.

No, I’m going to ignite.

“Stop!” Another voice this time, and the urgency actually manages to draw me out of whatever heat was consuming me.

Creed. “Yay,” I fold my arms across my chest, fingers digging into the leather of my jacket sleeves. “My other favorite person.”

Creed steps forward.

He’s different. Where Legend seems better, this royal looks worse.

The clean boots are scuffed at the toe. The black shirt is wrinkled at the collar like it was slept in—if he slept at all. His jaw is tight the way it always is, sure, but the skin beneath his eyes looks hollow and dark. It’s not a look I’ve seen on him before.

And there’s something else sitting in the lines of his face. Something that twitches when his gaze lands on me and stays there a beat too long.

Guilt.

Well, what the fuck did you do, Oldest Royal?

“Mmmm…” The Nightkin rumbles. “The question should be what hasn’t he done?”

“I said take her away.” Legend shoves forward then, shaking Arabella’s hand off when she tries to go with him, but putting himself in front of her.

Like he’s protecting her.

My lip curls and suddenly Creed is there, blocking him from my view.

“You will surrender yourself,” he says loudly, but there’s a look in his eye.

“He knows.”

Right. He’s in my head.

I picture myself gliding a dagger across his throat, wondering if that’s how his magic works and he can see me daydreaming about taking his life.

“He’s protecting the crowns, Hellpet. We must listen.”