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“It’s not that.” He blew out a breath. “Historically speaking, in all the stories of dragons, that’s our one big happy ending. In every other tale, the dragon always loses. The people kill him and steal his gold. They live happily ever after without an ounce ofremorse.”
I glared at him. “So, now you think I’m going to rob you.Really?”
“No,principessa,” he murmured while crushing me to his chest. “You’re thegold.”
10
Blaise
Maggie inhaled sharply.“Why would you even joke about that? I’m nobody. I’m nothing,really.”
As I released her from my embrace, I grabbed her shoulders and stared into her eyes. “Never say that, understand?” I blew out a breath and shook my head. Her words hurt me as much as if a stranger spoke them about her. I had no idea I’d have to protect her fromherself.
“I’m not being humble.” Her voice cracked as she tried to express her thoughts. “I genuinely have no idea why you’d be interested in me. I have no money, no degree, no real career.” She huffed. “I freelance, mostly for authors who want their books translated into one of the languages I’m fluent in. This…makes no sense. I’m noprincess.”
“Maybe not, but you should be treated as one.” I struggled with how to explain everything to her. “Listen, I started to think you might be made for me earlier.” I grinned. “That’s why I told Fredo I’d bring youlunch.”
“Crap. That went well.” Maggie laughed then rolled her eyes. “So, was it my acid tongue that lured youin?”
I grinned. “I do rather like that. You’re the only woman who talks back to me, who argues with me, who makes my heart pound in my chest with a single look, and who quells the flutter inside me, which about drives me mad.” I cupped her face, then slid my hand behind her neck and pulled her in for a kiss. This one was just as intense as the last one, filled with hope and the promise of love. When we finally pulled apart, I paused to catch my breath. “See what you do to me? Do you understand why it’syou?”
Her fingers covered her lips like she was trying to seal in my kiss. “You have a fluttertoo?”
With a nod, I took her hand and pressed it against my bare skin just below my sternum. “Right there. It started soon after we met. I thought it might be indigestion, but now I think it’s somethingelse.”
Her brilliant green eyes widened. “What do you think itis?”
“To me, it feels like the flutter of dragon wings inside.” I chuckled. “I know. Sounds strange, but this is one of the signs my father told me about many yearsago.”
“How many?” Her headtilted.
My brow furrowed while I tried to calculate. “I think a little over threehundred.”
Maggie jumped. “Wait. How old are you? I mean, I was guessing you were in your earlythirties.”
“Try…ten times that.” I braced myself for objections, a meltdown, something. Instead, she sat there, quietlyprocessing.
“So, in all those years, how many ‘the ones’ have you had?” She licked her lips and I knew she was trying to hide her feelings. Maggie truly expected to be hurt and it nearly brokeme.
“None,” I whispered. “I’ve been alone all these years. Did I go through a stage where I was a tad promiscuous? Of course. Puberty. Surely, you recall being a horny kid. Still, no one has ever lived with me. And I have never lovedanyone.”
Her brows rose. “All these years…alone?”
I nodded. “Yes. And sadly, growing more alone every year. I can be around people and still feel alone because I keep my origins secret. The dragon shifter population is nearly non-existent. We’re talking less than thirty in the world. I’m one of a very few who remain, and have survived thecenturies.”
“What would you want with me? What does being The One mean?” Her head tilted and I sensed a combination of anticipation andfear.
“Being mated to me, which is much like being married.” I watched for a reaction. To my surprise, her shoulders drooped. “What troublesyou?”
“You’re immortal and I’m human. You’ll have me for a few short years compared to the lifetime you’ll live. I’ll get old and undesirable.” She sighed. “I don’t see how there’s any hope for uswhatsoever.”
I chuckled. “I’m not immortal, Maggie. I just age much slower than a normalperson.”
She rolled her eyes. “Doesn’t change anything on myend.”
I inched closer to her, pushing her onto her back while positioning myself on top of her. “Actually, it does.” I nuzzled her neck while I spoke. “When we mate with the one who was made for us, we’re able to pass on some of ourtraits.”
“Traits? Like your superpowers?” Maggie giggled. “If I get to fly, I’m all in.” I pulled back to look her in the eye and she batted her eyelashes atme.
