AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I put some distance between us, giving me enough space to shift. I reach for my beast awaiting deep down inside of me. Shifting is as easy and as natural as breathing. I don’t have to think about it, my beast comes when I call him. There’s a slightly uncomfortable feeling as the switch happens, but I hardly notice it anymore. My body is accustomed to the change.
The shifting process takes seconds if that. I stand tall, all ten tons of pure fiery beast. My scales are black, with black spikes framing my face and trailing down my neck. They flatten when they reach the rest of my body. My onyx-colored wings stretch, spanning the size of over half the courtyard.
My yellow cat-like eyes adjust to my surroundings before landing on Rose. Our bond is alive with wonderment and curiosity. There’s an underlying fear, which will go away in time. Rose will know that I would never hurt her. I’ll hurt others for her. Rip to shreds any dragon or Nephilim that defies my queen.
“Wow,” she whispers, taking a tentative step forward. Her emotions fight each other, grappling with the idea of touching me or staying back.
“You can touch. I won’t harm you,” I speak through our bond, startling her.
Rose composes herself quickly and closes the distance between us. I bow my head to get to her level. “You’re safe,” I assure, and push that emotion into her, filling our bond with security.
I watch her steel her resolve and soon her hand is on my snout, feeling the textured scales underneath. She sees dragons walking around every day, but she’s still in awe when looking at my dragon.
Pride and intense alpha satisfaction fuel me. I flick out my tongue, licking her arm and she pulls away with a giggle.
“Satisfied little dragon?” I ask, curling my tail around her small frame.
“So very satisfied. You look…” The word seems to elude her, amplifying my already cocky demeanor.
“I fucking love how you look at my dragon,” I murmur and nuzzle her neck. Her soft skin is a stark contrast to my rough, leathery scales.
“I want to see you fly, but before that, I need you. Now. Shift back.”
Not normally one to take orders, I obey hers without any questions.
Chapter 23
Rose
Malix left early this morning, but not before leaving me with a tender ache between my thighs. It was slow, sensual sex, far different than the fucking we did a few nights ago. There was something different in the way our bodies collided and how we watched each other fall over the edge together.
Pure bliss. That’s the only way I can describe it.
Although the hour is early, I find myself not able to go back to sleep. It is crazy to say, but I missed Malix the moment he left. Emptiness settled over me, along with the fear of running a kingdom I know little about. Malix has faith in my abilities, and I desperately want to live up to those expectations.
Breakfast is a simple meal of oatmeal and berries with apple cider. I don’t have much of an appetite for it, but I manage to eat about half of it before giving up. I need the fuel for the things I have planned for today.
Mina meets me at the entrance to the castle cellar. The smile she gives me is melancholic and tired. It hits me for the first time that not only did Malix leave, but her wife followed him as well. I should have realized this earlier, but I was too wrapped up in my own husband leaving.
“How are you doing?” I pull Mina into a hug. The woman sinks into me and I feel the weight of her sadness.
“I know it’s silly to be this upset”—she sniffles into my shoulder—“but I hate it so much when she’s gone. I never sleep well and I’m in a constant state of worry. I try to put on a brave face for our son because I don’t want him to be scared, but it’s so exhausting.”
On a minuscule scale, I understand how she feels. My relationship with Malix is still so young and new. The attraction happened on day one, but it wasn’t until recently that we allowed ourselves to give in to those desires. Now I feel connected to him in a way I haven’t ever been connected to anyone else. Even Stefan, and we dated for years.
What was it he called it?
Mates.
The word doesn’t seem so heavy as it once did.
“Well, you don’t need to be strong around me. Cry if you want. I’ve done a lot of that in the past few years, and I can confidently say it makes you feel marginally better.”
Mina laughs, pulling away from my embrace. Her eyes are shiny with unshed tears and cheeks tinted pink. “How are you holding up?”
I inhale a deep breath. “Honestly? I didn’t expect to miss him as much as I do. It’s such an odd feeling to care for someone this deeply after only knowing them for a short period of time.
“Yeah, that would be the intensity of the mate bond. It’s the best thing, but times like this make me hate it just a little bit.”
