Page 14

14

Az’zael

“ G ood afternoon, Az! Where’s your human?” Tikalass shoved a wrapped package at me as she stepped inside, wearing a brightly patterned wrap dress.

“Busy.” Trust my baby sister to waltz in at the worst possible time and act like I should have been expecting her.

Tika pouted. “But I came to apologize.” She held up a second, smaller package.

I waved it away. “You can’t give her gifts until we’re mated.” Tika knew better.

She rolled her eyes. “It’s just a makeup set. Courting dragons are so unreasonable.”

“I don’t care what it is.” The rational part of my brain knew that my sister wasn’t trying to steal Elle from me. The part of me that drove me to claim a city, sniff out wealth, and create a hoard only saw Tika presenting herself as a possible provider.

“Besides, I told you to come tonight. ” It was pure luck Elle was here at all.

Tika notched her chin up an inch. “I’m going back to my lair tonight, just like you told me to.” She lived high in the mountains. Like most dragons, she’d picked out an isolated territory to claim as soon as she hit adulthood. Dragons like me and Niemrin, who claimed cities, were outliers.

Although I suspected Tika wanted to claim her own city as well, she needed to mature a little first.

“I thought waiting until afternoon would give you enough time to do”—she waved her hand vaguely—“whatever it was you wanted to do. It has to be now.”

I recognized the half-embarrassed, half-angry set to her shoulders as she sauntered through my foyer and set Elle’s wrapped gift on the nearest surface. I groaned. She was punishing me for chastising her last night.

Elle tiptoed out of the kitchen, still wrapped in one of my shirts. It almost reached her knees, and she looked lickable. I motioned her back. No telling what Tika’s apology would be like if I didn’t prep her first. Maybe I could send her packing and return to Elle before she realized what a pain in the ass my sister was.

“Where’s my gift?” Tika demanded.

I flushed. “I didn’t know you were coming so early.”

“You must have something .” She waltzed into my neglected library. Tika had inherited all of our parents’ knowledge-sniffing abilities. Of course she’d want a book.

I clenched my jaw and stood in the doorway. Elle tiptoed up behind me.

“Not this…not this,” Tika said to herself as she picked through my books for her gift.

“What’s she doing?” Elle whispered.

I held up the wrapped package in my hand. “We haven’t seen each other in a while, so she expects a gift.”

Elle wrinkled her nose. “Just because it’s been a few months?”

“When’s the last time you added anything to this pathetic excuse for a library?” Tika called out, laughter in her voice.

I kept my focus on Elle and hoped she didn’t notice Tika’s taunt. Just a few hours ago, Elle had invited me on a date. What if we spent more time together and she thought I was an idiot? I’d always been confident that I could provide for a mate materially, but intellectually…maybe she’d prefer someone like Udar. Udar probably wouldn’t have been so stupid about human courting that Elle didn’t even know they were courting.

“More like weeks,” I forced myself to answer. At Elle’s confused look, I added, “It’s a dragon custom.”

I ran a hand down Elle’s spine, and she nestled against me in a way I found intensely satisfying. Humans might not give gifts as often, but they gave their affection as easily as all the rumors claimed.

“This one will do.” Tika held up a book I’d picked up more for its beautiful illustrations of birds than whatever it had to say about them. Since it didn’t have the treasure bindings I preferred, it was one of the cheapest things in my library, the cheat. “Now open yours.”

I opened my package to find an etched dagger with a large ruby on the hilt. Several times more expensive than the book I’d impulsively picked up years ago, when my hoard was smaller and less impressive. I was a little surprised that the small volume had survived the move from my old, isolated lair in the Rocky Mountains.

“I won that dagger at auction after a minor bidding war.” Tika looked pleased with herself. “I gave the better gift, obviously.”

Elle glanced between us, eyes wide.

I wanted to lie and tell Tika I’d searched high and low for the bird dictionary, or whatever it was. Balancing out the monetary cost with a time investment would be the only way my “gift” could be more valuable than hers, but she’d never believe I wasted so much time on a book that didn’t even have treasure on it.

“I won.” She preened. It was rare for her to win a gift exchange with me. “So you have to give me two minutes to explain.”

“You’re here to apologize, not make excuses.”

“That’s the terms of my win. You owe me two minutes. I won’t even take that long.”

Elle’s attention whipped back and forth between us. I squeezed her shoulder, set my watch, and waved a hand at Tika.

“The whole visit was Udar’s idea,” Tika said, jutting out her chin.

I flicked my wingtips dismissively. “Ah, he tied you down and dragged you.”

Elle crossed her arms, her fingers plucking at the sleeves of her shirt.

“He promised he wouldn’t make a scene. He said we would just check on how you were settling in.” Tika pouted. “It’s so unfair that you won’t let us visit you.”

I rolled my eyes. “You’ve visited me every month since I claimed Kilinis.”

“Az told me you liked the shops,” Elle said.

“I do! You humans sell such creative little things, but I have to beg for every visit.”

If by beg she meant send me a message or two before I caved . Part of this was my fault for indulging my baby sister too often.

“And you’ve never invited Udar.” Tika ended her tirade with a puff of smoke from her snout.

Elle stiffened next to me. I wrapped a wing around her. Her hair brushed its sensitive inner skin.

“Udar proved why he’s not invited to visit last night. Crashing my party was incredibly rude.” And this morning, he’d had the audacity to visit my potential mate. I’d had to fight the temptation to pry more details about his visit out of Elle, but as long as she didn’t seem tempted by him, I didn’t want to give her an opportunity to change her mind.

“He’s our brother! I know you two have some stupid rivalry since you’re only a few years apart, but you’ve both been wonderful older brothers to me.”

I ran a palm down my face. “You said you’d explain, but all I’m hearing are more excuses.”

Tika huffed. “He said—”

My watch chimed.

“Time’s up.” I took pity on Tika. She’d never been on the receiving end of Udar’s manipulations before. “I’m sure he goaded you, but you can’t take the bait.”

Tika drew herself up. “Take the bait? I’m not some stupid kid anymore.”

“I’m sure he didn’t mean it like that.” Elle held out a placating hand.

“Besides, what am I supposed to do when you’re the one keeping secrets?” Tika said.

Elle froze.

“Elle is not a secret,” I snapped.

“You haven’t told Mom and Dad about her.”

I shuffled my feet. “I plan to bring Elle the next time I visit.”

Elle squeaked and nudged me. I squeezed her hip.

Tika snorted. “Just show up with a mate?”

“They would be happy.” My parents were always on me to find someone. When I was younger, they’d thrown anyone with an extensive library my way, but I think now they’d settle for any sign that I wasn’t a complete failure at courting.

If they met Elle and she changed her mind, I’d never hear the end of it. In a few months, I’d be more sure that Elle planned to mate me. If she didn’t decide she needed several years to evaluate me instead. My stomach dropped.

“Of course they’d be happy! But you know they hate surprises. Anyway, they want to meet her next week.”

“You told them?” My grip on Elle’s waist tightened.

“What?” Elle said.

“Of course I did.” Tika frowned. “Or maybe Udar’s the one who called them?”

That sounded more likely.

“Does it really matter? You’re always so weird about them. Bring her over for dinner next week.” She glanced at Elle, who gaped at her. “It’ll be fun, promise.”

Take Elle to dinner with my parents, who would spend the whole time interrogating her like Tika had, and my brother, who’d try to snatch her out from under me while we were still courting? Every muscle in my body tensed.

I took a deep breath. Tika and I would never see eye to eye on our parents. She was their late-in-life surprise, the one who wanted to pick up all their research projects. “If Mom and Dad want to say something to me, they can call me. You’re here to apologize to Elle. You were very rude to her last night.”

Tika held up her hands. “I just asked normal questions.”

I opened my mouth to argue when Elle wriggled out of my grip and stepped between us. “I appreciate that you’re concerned about your brother’s happiness and well-being, but he’s an adult, and he can make his own choices.”

Something warmed in my chest.

“I’m not concerned about his choices. I’m concerned about a potential mate who has one foot out the door,” Tika said .

“Tika. You know humans do things a little differently.” I grabbed Elle’s shoulder and pulled her to me. “You were rude to my future mate. For the last time, apologize.”

Tika clasped her hands together and looked Elle in the eyes. She had to crouch down to do it. “I’m sorry I asked normal, reasonable questions in an aggressive manner.” Her voice remained even and sincere. “I tried to bring you a gift to make up for your sensitive human feelings, but someone won’t let me give it to you.” She sent me a pointed look.

“Thank you, Tika. I, uh, appreciate the effort.” Elle forced a smile.

Finally, Tika left, and I was once more alone with my perfect mate, who wore nothing but one of my shirts.

Before I got distracted and devoured her, I said, “Sorry about Tika.”

“I see what you meant about your family being hectic.” She leaned into me, and I pulled her closer. “She really thought a gift would fix everything?”

I squinted down at her. “Gifts are an important part of an apology. She might be spoiled, but she knows that much.” At her confused look, I pointed out, “You brought me one this morning.”

Elle blushed and glanced away. “I guess. I don’t know, it just felt weird, the way she said it.”

“She hurt your feelings, so she brought you something to show she was wrong and that she values you. Why should she pretend it’s anything other than what it is?”

“But you didn’t want her to give it to me?”

It was my turn to blush, my skin growing hot. “I, um, I don’t like the idea of another dragon giving you anything while we’re still courting.”

“You’re jealous of your sister ? ”

Fuck. “ Arum , I’m jealous of everyone . I want to lock you in the bedroom and fuck you until you beg to mate me. But I’m not that stupid; I know that’s not a good idea.”

Elle studied me for a long moment. “Okay.”

“Okay?”

“Okay, I’m going to…I’m going to have to think about that.”

My stomach dropped. “Okay.” I swallowed. Should I have lied? But what was the point? She was supposed to be evaluating me for a lifelong commitment. Lying now would only buy us both misery later.

I changed the subject to something slightly less uncomfortable. Slightly. “Don’t worry about my parents. I’ll tell them you aren’t ready yet.” It should be simple, since they hadn’t actually issued an invitation.

“Do you want me to meet your parents?” She bit her lip. “You talked about it at coffee.”

“I’d love to show you off to my parents.” Not five minutes ago, Elle had placed herself between two arguing dragons. Tika would have already bragged to my parents about her bravery. But I’d feel much better about bringing her around my brother if my claiming mark was on her neck. “When you’re ready.”

“Then yeah, I’ll go to the dinner party.” She swallowed. “But I don’t want to cause any issues with them like I did with Tika.”

I frowned. “You didn’t cause any issues with Tika.”

“You had to force her to apologize after a ten-minute conversation.”

“Because she’s high-strung and nosy, but she gets over it quickly.” I reached for the buttons on Elle’s shirt, done with this conversation.

She stopped me with a hand over mine. “I thought we might go to the park this afternoon?” Her cheeks went pink.

Her date idea. My wings flared out in delight. “Today? Yes.”

“Great!” Her smile dimmed. “I need some clothes… ”

Because I’d shredded hers this morning. I suppressed a grin. “I’ll send someone for them. And the rest of your things.” The sooner I got her moved into my building, the better.

“Thanks.”

“Would you show me?” Elle’s eyes fixed on my wings. I could get addicted to her rapt attention.

“It won’t scare you?” I’d never shown anyone up close. The last person I wanted to scare was Elle.

“There’s no one around.”

She was right. We were in a quiet part of the park and hadn’t seen anyone else for nearly an hour.

And I wanted her to see all of me.

“It’ll be fun.” Elle’s brown eyes were huge and pleading. “I mean, how big do you really get?”

“Pretty big.” With one last glance around at the clearing, I said, “Okay.”

I stripped.

“What are you doing?” she hissed, her face going red.

“Shifting shreds my clothes.” I was naked, and with a single breath of pain, I was in my four-legged form.

In this form, I was over a dozen feet tall at the shoulder. My neck and head stretched even higher. She looked like a doll from this height.

But I could still see the shock on her face, and the way it morphed into wonder.

She approached me slowly. “Can you hear me?”

I dipped my head. Talking in this form was difficult. My vocal cords were now better suited for hissing and growling .

Cautiously, she reached out a hand, ran it over my foreleg, and whispered, “Amazing.”

My hearing was incredible in this form.

I dipped one wing to the ground, forming a ramp for her to get on my back.

Elle glanced at my face.

I gently rustled my wing.

She crept closer and traced the fine bones in my wing, sending shocks of sensation through me. When I shivered, she startled, then relaxed as I pushed my wing back into her hand.

I tilted my wing at her again, and finally she understood and climbed up. Through the sensitive skin, I could feel her fingers trembling, but I sensed no true fear.

When she was seated securely on my back, I gave an experimental flap of my wings. Her tiny fingers gripped my neck, her heels dug in, and I took off.

She whooped with joy, and I flapped my wings harder.