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Not just for her sake, but... because he had once liked this woman. Watching her as she was now, it was hard to not be reminded of the female he’d constantly wanted beneath him, especially since she had worn her mask heavily and with unfaltering persistence since she cried in front of him.

He understood why Valerie did what she had, even though it happened to be on his hunting grounds.

She’d gotten herself into the palace he’d been guarding and using as a luring trap for her kind, and paraded around it like a vicious butterfly. Without meaning to, she’d captivated the Dragon rather than ending up in its claws.

She tricked the king he was currently serving. She had even tricked him.But it is I who really lured her.

Geryon managed to seduce the Witch, who should have been trying to entrance him instead.

What of her desire, then?Had she truly felt something as strong as passion for Geryon when she’d thought of him as a human? What did she think of him now that she knew he was a Dragon?

She told him she hadn’t tried to fool him. He knew he’d been persistent, forceful even, coaxing her to melt for him.Was I truly unwrapping that mask from her face?

Her wintry green eyes still caught his attention, especially when her cold, sweeping gaze crossed over where he was hiding. He knew her pale skin was soft and easy to bite through. Her long, wavy brown hair fluttered when she moved, and he realised he’d never grabbed it in his fist.

Geryon still wanted to unravel this beauty, but he was also deeply against it, simply because of what she was. Once more, she had become a thing he could look upon but could not touch, like when she first arrived at King Bradwick’s palace.

When the child was fast asleep, Geryon emerged from the shadows the same size as Valerie. He made himself this size so his voice would be easier to hear, but not loud enough that it was booming.

It also meant he wasn’t small and vulnerable, either.

“I am hoping we will be able to return her home tomorrow,” Valerie said without facing him.

Like she often did, she stared at the fire. It was as if she were wishing for something from it. It was an intense gaze, like she wished to take it into her soul.

“I will warn you. Since you are not of our family, you will find when we get closer that you will not like it. If it is too much for you, you may stay outside of the magic there.”

“What kind of magic is it?” he asked when he sat down, looking over her body.

She changed her position to kneel in front of the fire. “There are wards, ones that have been on those lands for centuries. Every year, we replace them, and our magic mixes with the lingering magic to refuel them. It is off-putting to most, and since I cannot place a passing spell on you because my magic is bound, you will find it uncomfortable.”

Geryon couldn’t create wards. They required strong, focused magic, and he didn’t have the kind of power to make anything long lasting. It was why she’d been able to steal her sister from him so easily.

“Also, if you intend to follow all the way to the house, you will need to stay close, or you will get lost. There are other spells that confuse travellers.” She turned her head to him. “You will keep your claws to yourself when we arrive?”

“Are you asking if I intend to harm your family?” His nose crinkled in agitation, a light growl coming from him.

“This is the perfect opportunity for you to wipe out an entire coven. I am like the sheep leading the wolf to others. I have no idea as to the real reason why you have allowed me to take her home.”

“I have no intention of harming your family, unless I smell darkness and malicious intent. Only then would I kill them.”

“Try to,” she corrected. “You would not be successful, but they would not harm you.” She turned back to look at the fire. “Our family has sworn an oath to never kill your kind.”

“Your family is truly odd.” He nodded his snout towards the child. “She is often whimsical with her magic.”

“Kaeylyn is six, not old enough to understand her magic is not just about fun. She plays with it like it is a toy.” Valerie tilted her head at her younger sister. “I do hope she never loses her playfulness.”

“You love her dearly, do you not?”

She nodded. “Yes. I know I do not often show it. Sometimes I cannot and sometimes I do not wish to, but I love my sisters and mother more than anything in the world. I have chosen to sacrifice myself for Kaeylyn for that reason alone.”

Geryon was surprised she would admit to such a deep emotion.

“Why do you do it? Why do you hide?”

She gave a shrug. “Most of the time, it is not conscious. Sometimes, I simply do not wish to burden the world with how I feel. Other times, I just do not wish to honour it with my emotions. Mostly, it is because I cannot feel. I am often numb.” She looked to him. “I have always been this way. My mother told me I am wrong, that I am broken, but I am happy with the way I am.”

Geryon eyed her, unsure of why his heart stammered when he asked, “And what did you feel in the palace?”