Page 10 of Anaki

I focused my gaze on her face, capturing the intricate details of her velvety skin, the delicate freckles sprinkled across her nose, and the faint scar gracefully etched on her lip. A symphony of colors and textures danced before my eyes, as if my vision had heightened.

Elena was shorter in stature than her sister, but still very much of perfect height to have her bury her nose into my throat, to…

Elena threw the cane in her grandmother’s direction. My heart jumped in my chest when I saw her screaming at her. Her grandmother, unphased, grabbed her shoe and was ready to throw it at Elena. My heart leapt in fear when I saw she was about to be struck.

While it was only a shoe, I would allow nothing to strike her. Nothing!

I stepped around Bear, who had blocked half my body, and strode over to Elena, who had no way to hold herself up securely, now.

Elena wobbled and grabbed the table before I arrived. With the gear on my body, I could not touch her with my skin. Curse these fucking gloves.

I carefully scooped her up and settled her into the cozy rocking chair. As I held her, I could hear the soft rhythm of her heartbeat gradually calming, a soothing melody to my ears. The air was filled with the delicate fragrance of fresh, clean linen, wafting through my nostrils and filling me with a sense of comfort.

I suppressed a low groan as I took a deep breath, the scent of anticipation filling my nostrils. I could feel the front of my pants constricting, my muscles tensing as my jaw clenched tightly.

Gods above, she was healing me, while she had to sit there in pain.

Hang on, love, I’m going to heal you. Take away all your pain.

I tucked the blanket under her legs and tried to recall all the information I read on the plane about her sickness. Dragons don’t get sick like this,unless it is with magic or when pertaining to a bond.

I felt the heat of her stare while I tried to make her comfortable.

She won’t reject me, will she? She won’t… do what they did to me… will she? No, I refuse to believe that. They were heartless. So far, no second chances have done that, but no other shifter has been in my predicament.

Will she be as accepting of my past? Of what I am?

A trickle of my sweat beaded enough to drip down my temple.

The whistle blew from the kettle, and it was a perfect time to break away. The gear was getting too hot. I craved to get into the water, to feel the coolness against my skin once again.

It was all happening too fast, I couldn’t believe I’d found her.

While my dragon stirred beneath my skin, I asked, as calmly as I could, if anyone wanted any tea. No one seemed to be the wiser as I pulled mugs down from the shelves like I owned the place.

I was good at that, making myself at home. A quirk not everyone appreciated, but I was trying to make the mood light.

I shrugged off my vest and gloves and glanced at Elena, who was staring at everyone else warily.

Pay attention to me.

My dragon lifted his head and yawned. He had full rows of teeth, all appearing to be intact, his tail was swishing, and his long ears were pulled back and twitching, urging me to put my eyes back on the prize. He hadn’t claimed her, hadn’t seen her yet, but by the gods and the universe, he was pushing.

We were both overwhelmed. It was too good to be true. There had to be a mistake. Was that what Bear felt like when he met Nadia?

I watched as Bear took Elena’s wrist.

I suppressed a guttural, cavernous rasp that was hovering in my throat. My dragon hadn’t seen her eyes yet; once he did, it would be all over. Wewould have leaped over that chair and taken Bear out for touching what was ours.

I shook my head. Surely not. It was Bear, just making sure she didn’t shoot us. Because if she were anything like her sister, she would.

Which was hot, but I could die right now in my weakened state. So, it was a good idea to take it away.

I swallowed and listened while Elena argued with her abuela in the corner about eating rocks. Secretly, I hope she looked toward me while I poured the hot water into the mugs.

“There is no way you are a vampire,” Luis' voice said, full of skepticism.

“Yes, they are real. Why don’t you touch my fangs?” A smooth voice came from the back of the house. “Come see, don’t be shy.”