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LUCIAN
Icould see them approaching in the distance, Rumir’s large wings flapping as they drew closer. I’d rip that fool to shreds. He shouldn’t have left the grounds with Natalie.
The gods had put her in his care so that she wouldn’t come into contact with anyone else. What if they had encountered another dragon or another supernatural creature while flying?
What would have happened if she’d lost control?
The air around me grew cold when he landed. He lowered his head and I caught a glimpse of Natalie on his back.
“Have you lost your mind?” I asked as he lowered Natalie onto the ground with his wing. “You shouldn’t have left with her.”
“We were only gone a few minutes,” Natalie said, walking excitedly towards me.
Her cheeks were rosy as she smiled, and her hair was tousled from the wind.
She looked happy for a change, but even that didn’t soothe my anger. It wasn't just that they'd left the grounds that was making me upset. I couldn't help the burning jealousy I was feeling.
There was nothing new about them spending time together. They did that often, and I’d come to terms with it. But what bothered me was that Rumir seemed to be able to offer her comfort in a way I could not. I'd tried, and she'd run from me.
"If the gods find out we can't keep you away from others, they will take it upon themselves to keep you contained. And if they do, there’s a chance that neither one of us will be able to see you.” I cupped her cheek. “That was unwise, Natalie.”
"It's okay, Lucian." She placed her hand on mine and leaned into my touch. "I promise I'm okay. We really were only gone for a few minutes, and we didn't go beyond Rumir’s property."
“There are barriers around the property that no one can cross,” Rumir said, shifting back. “So give it a rest, Lucian. The gods can’t keep her from us.”
I looked beyond Natalie to where he stood, slipping on the ripped pants he'd left behind when he’d shifted into his dragon. Leaving his chest bare, he placed his hands on his hips and glared back at me.
When I didn’t say anything, he added, "She can't stay inside forever, Lucian. I wouldn’t have let anything happen to her.”
“You have no control over that,” I argued. “Or have you forgotten that? There is nothing either of us can do if she loses control.”
I shook my head at Rumir. Sure, he was dealing with his own issues right now, but that didn't mean I would give him a free pass for being reckless with Natalie.
“I think for now at least, it’s best that Natalie does what the gods expect her to do—stay inside." I frowned at the stubborn expression he wore. “Let’s just avoid any more issues, okay? Yes, there are barriers around your property, but not above it. You can’t stop someone from flying over it and seeing something they shouldn’t. And we don’t know what’s happening to Natalie or when her power will awaken.”
Rubbing at his temple, Rumir stepped forward, his eyes glowing.
We had an understanding that Natalie wasn't to go anywhere alone. That stood now more than ever. But I wouldn’t just sit by while he recklessly put her in danger. Even though he was still mated to her, I was her true mate. And apparently, I was the only one thinking of the consequences of her being discovered.
While she wasn't like other infected souls, she was far more of a threat when angered. If people discovered the truth about the virus because Natalie lost control, there was no saying what would happen.
"I'm thinking of the future, Rumir,” I continued. “I’m thinking of the future that Fate and no one else can see. Remember that?”
“Don’t speak to me as if I don’t know the risks,” he growled in response. “We all need something to smile about, or we'll be consumed by panic. Yes, we don’t know what the future holds, Lucian, but we didn’t before, either. Are we supposed to stop living because Fate can’t see what’s going to happen?”
“Guys, stop,” Natalie said, but my wolf was already stirring.
“But that’s not it, is it?” Rumir continued, smiling sadistically. "You're her true mate, but that changes nothing. I'm not going anywhere."
I growled, and the ground beneath me started to freeze.
"Enough!" Natalie screamed.
At the sound, Rumir and I hunched forward, covering our ears. Her scream had sounded like an atomic bomb had gone off beside us. We were hit with a wave of power that sent us staggering away from each other. When I turned to face Natalie, there were red veins beneath her crimson eyes.
I went still as they moved beneath her skin like tentacles, while her skin grew even paler.
“Natalie,” I said softly. “It’s okay.”
