AllFreeNovel
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“I’m in a closet. What’s wrong? And why are you opening a communication line outside our cottage?”
Sapphire smiled, taking in the flush on her sister’s cheeks that signaled she had been drinking for a bit now—not enough to get drunk, but then again, it was rare for Pearl to get drunk.
“I tried the cottage, and no one was home. I couldn’t figure out where Em and Ruby would be, either, but you…”
Pearl groaned. “Saph, I swear I’m not out in the bar every night. I do other stuff.”
“I know. I was going to close the line, but then you were there.”
“Which brings us back to the main topic.” Pearl stared her down. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” Sapphire shrugged. “I just miss you guys.”
There was a long pause.
“Something’s wrong. You wouldn’t just waste your magic like that knowing…” Pearl trailed off. Sapphire waited for the other to mention her magic weakness, but Pearl was swift to change tracks. “Anyway, tell me what it is. Was I wrong about him? Is he treating you badly?”
“He’s not treating me badly. And nothing’s wrong. The island’s safe and the people here are nice. The pact is unbroken.”
“But…” Pearl prompted.
“He’s…confusing. Do you know where Em is?”
“Em’s with Ruby and Mad. She told me about what went down, and I suppose she’s going to tell them tonight. They just came back from a short mission. Don’t ask. It’s the council’s request, and I think Mad’s trying to impress them.” Pearl waved a hand away, deeming it unimportant. White-gray eyes scrutinized her, then turned sympathetic. “Oh, honey. Is it the sex? Is it that bad?”
Sapphire spluttered.
“No. Pearl, not everything’s about sex.”
“It plays an important part…and oh, my heavens. You’re blushing.” Just like that, Pearl was smirking, and her expression was gleaming, like a creature who had found life’s greatest treasure. “He’s giving it to you well, I assume?”
“I’m not talking to you about sex with him, Pearl,” Sapphire reprimanded, but there was no stopping the memories that flew through her mind and the way her body heated. Pearl made a disappointed sound.
“That’s too bad. I’ve always been curious how it would be like with a dragon...not that I’m ever planning to get with one now.” At Sapphire’s glare, Pearl’s smirk widened. “I like to think I’m unique and won’t go down the same path that my sisters are headed to. So, no vampire sex and no dragon sex. He’s all yours.”
“Gee, thanks.”
Pearl ignored her sarcasm. “So, it’s not the sex nor the island. I suspect it’s not even because you really miss us, not when you don’t look like you’re ready to flee. It’s the man, plain and simple. What’s bothering you about him?”
“His secrets.”
“Huh?”
“He has too many secrets and too many stories that don’t coincide with what I’m seeing around here. He closes off every time I ask, and everyone else still considers me an outsider, so they won’t tell me anything beyond the surface. I don’t want to pressure them and get them in trouble. At the same time, I want to know. Pearl, you know me. I have to know things, otherwise, I just feel…”
“Useless,” Pearl finished, understanding. It lightened the heaviness in Sapphire’s chest. “I know. That’s how you operated since we were kids. Always the responsible one with the answers and solutions. Always the one to get us out of trouble.”
“Yeah.”
Silence. Pearl found an old table and sat on it, making herself comfortable. “Do you want my advice?”
Yes.
“Maybe.”
“Saph, honey, you know me. I would tell you the irresponsible thing that includes seizing the day and taking a dragon by his horns, except he has none. I’m not sure if that’s what you want to hear, either, especially since you’re so used to being cautious all these years. Your caution was a part of you being responsible and keeping us safe.”
“I’m still responsible,” Sapphire confirmed, then hesitated. “But I’m tired of being cautious.”
