Page 11 of Bound by Fire and Scales (The Dragons of Earis #1)

After Zephyr left, I waited for Panryr to show up and help me get ready for the day. Today she had picked for me a stunning black gown with golden lace that trailed to the floor. It had a square neckline and its sheath silhouette accentuated my hips in a way I didn’t think was possible.

Once dressed, I made my way to the library for my morning training with Loryr. When I arrived, she was nowhere to be found. The minutes dragged on while I waited, impatiently counting the seconds until, at last, nearly half an hour later, the doors burst open with a sharp, echoing bang. As soon as I saw her face, it became very clear that she was in a sour mood. She swept in with the kind of disdain that only someone who had spent years wielding authority could muster.

“Are you prepared to learn, or will you waste my time again?” she snapped, her voice laced with a condescension that made my skin crawl.

It was never easy with this woman.

I clenched my fists at my sides, planting a fake smile on my face. “I’m ready, Loryr.”

“Ready? We’ll see about that.” Loryr gestured for me to approach, her eyes narrowing. “Today’s lesson is about harnessing your inner strength. As a human, you're at a disadvantage, since your kind is so weak.”

Her words cut deeper than I wanted to admit. I knew she didn’t think I belonged here, and the way she carried herself—like I was an unwelcome pest—only fueled my anger. I thought that after our previous lesson, I proved that I didn’t give up that easily. I took a deep breath and tried to focus.

“Begin by connecting with the elements,” she instructed, her voice clipped. “Show me you’re not just a pretty face, but someone worthy of this clan.”

I closed my eyes, forcing myself to visualize the flames that flickered deep within me, their warm glow pulsing with the rhythm of my heartbeat. I could almost feel the heat radiating from them, inviting me to reach out and harness their power. I imagined those flames as vibrant tongues of fire, swirling and crackling with potential, eager to respond to my call. But as I concentrated, Loryr’s piercing gaze bore down on me. It was as if her scrutiny could extinguish the flames before they even sparked.

I began to lose my focus, and the fiery connection I sought slipped away like sand through my fingers. Once again, I let the doubting thoughts creep in, easily bringing my confidence down. I struggled to regain my grip, mentally reaching for that spark, but with every flicker of hesitation, the flames receded deeper into my mind, leaving only a dull ache in their absence. The more I tried to connect, the more I felt like a child fumbling with matches, terrified of burning myself. I opened my eyes, meeting Loryr’s disapproving gaze .

“Is that the best you can do?” Loryr’s voice sliced through the silence.

Her words cut through me like a sharp blade. “I’m trying! You can’t expect me to just—” I stopped mid outburst when something caught my eye. Loryr’s sleeve had risen up, exposing the skin on her upper arm, which was covered in deep purple bruises, as if someone had pinched her skin hard enough to leave deep marks on her skin.

“Loryr, your arm…” She quickly covered it, a flash of irritation darkening her features. She stared at me with a face full of disgust and I felt a pang of guilt for having drawn attention to her injury.

“You’re only wasting my time with this half-hearted effort.”

I couldn’t help but connect the bruises on Loryr’s arm to her sour mood. Someone had done that to her, and whatever turmoil she was dealing with, I knew I’d be the last person she’d confide in. She clearly didn’t like me, and now that her frustration was bubbling over, it seemed I was just an easy target for her pent-up anger.

“Loryr, that bruise looks painful. Have you seen a healer or someone who could help you with it?” I tried again. I was genuinely worried for her.

Her response was a sharp snarl, her eyes narrowing dangerously. “And what would a little human like you know about a dragon’s pain?” she snapped, venom dripping from her words. “A human who probably spent her life sheltered by her parents, feeling like she hit the jackpot when a dragon alpha chose her as his mate. Isn’t that right?” The yellowed smile that accompanied her words was anything but friendly.

“You know nothing about me!” I shot back, unable to suppress the frustration in my voice. She had no idea what I had endured, how much I had to fight to survive since the moment I presented as an omega.

“Oh, I know enough,” Loryr retorted, her tone dripping with disdain. “I see a human who believes she can play a role meant for dragons.”

That was the final straw. Her harsh judgment felt like a physical blow, and I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks.

“I don’t have to prove myself to you. I’m doing this for Zephyr, not for your approval.”

With that, I turned on my heel and stormed out of the library, my heart racing with anger. I could feel Loryr’s disapproving gaze on my back, but I refused to let her words linger in my mind. I would connect with the fire within me without her help.

I stormed, walking through the stone corridors of the fortress, wrapping my arms around myself as I walked, the air thick with the scent of damp stone and the faint trace of smoke. It was easy to get lost around here, but I’d memorized enough of the twists and turns by now. At least, that’s what I told myself until I stepped outside and found myself at the training grounds.

I leaned against a wall as I watched a group of younger members of the clan training. I froze for a moment, considering heading back the way I came. But before I could move, a strong voice cut through the air, grabbing my attention: “In your position!” Leading the training was the man who had white platinum hair and a scar under his left eye. “Go!” Although we hadn’t spoken before, I had a strong feeling that this was Enrik.

The command rang out in the training camp and I watched as a group of six young males ran through the yard, their bodies twisting mid-run, a fiery glow enveloping them as they shifted into their dragon forms. Their wings unfurled with a whoosh, making the ground tremble beneath their massive forms. They leaped into the sky, their red and black wings slicing through the clouds freely.

“Are you lost, little tailchaser?” The words made me spin around, my eyes locking with Enrik’s as he appeared behind me, silent as a shadow. Sweat beaded on his brow, a clear sign he’d been training hard with the others. His clothes clung to his well-defined muscles, accentuating his sculpted chest. I glanced up, meeting his cold, calculating stare. Damn. Why were all dragons so strikingly handsome? Was this specific to their species ?

“I’m just looking around. Is that not allowed?” Seeing him up close, I noticed he was shorter than both Zephyr and Kislav, yet he still towered over me with a presence that was as commanding as any other alpha. Maybe being ridiculously tall was a dragon trait or something.

“You shouldn’t be here,” he spat, the words thick with a heavy accent that caught my curiosity. It wasn’t like any human accent I heard before, completely foreign to me. While Zephyr and the other dragons here spoke the Earis human language flawlessly, Enrik’s accent lingered in a way that added a rugged edge to his voice.

His clear eyes roamed over me, unhurried and sharp, taking me in with a scrutiny that felt almost predatory, assessing if I was a threat. I raised an eyebrow, unphased. I wasn’t easily intimidated, and if he was looking for some sign of weakness, he wouldn’t find it here.

“I’m pretty sure Zephyr told me I was free to explore the fortress without needing anyone’s permission,” I said, keeping my tone light, though my gaze held steady. “Isn’t he the one who gives orders around here? You know, like your leader?”

Enrik’s response to my sarcastic tone was a sharp, amused snort. His lips twisted into a smirk, eyes glinting with an entertained gleam, as if he couldn’t quite believe I dared to speak to him like that.

“Right…” he drawled. “You’re Zephyr’s mate. Or at least, that’s what you’re claiming to be, isn’t it?”

“That’s not just what I’m claiming ,” I shot back. “I'm his mate.”

“Is that so?” He took a step closer, his gaze narrowing as he looked down at me, his smirk deepening. “Because from where I’m standing, it doesn’t look that way.” He leaned in, his nostrils flaring. “And it doesn’t smell that way either.”

Fuck . Of course, he would notice. None of Zephyr’s scent clung to me, not the way it would if we were truly mates. Of course, he wouldn’t miss a detail like that.

I shrugged, keeping my expression neutral. “Maybe you shouldn’t obsess over your leader’s love life. What’s the matter? Got a secret crush? I get it. Zephyr has all the dependable daddy vibes going for him.”

Enrik chuckled, a predatory glint sparking in his eyes as his grin stretched wider. “He wishes I swung that way.” He moved closer, his voice dropping to a whisper as he spoke directly into my ear. I shivered at the warmth of his breath against my skin—he was far too close. My omega recoiled, feeling uncomfortable. “I don’t buy it. Not for a second. Zephyr’s not the type who would pick a weak human for his mate.”

I met his gaze, refusing to back down. “You know you’re only making the crush allegations more believable, right?”

He didn’t reply immediately, his eyes widening for a moment, a flicker of surprise flashing in his clear eyes. He was so close that I could see now that his eyes were not blue but clear gray. “You’re weird for an omega.”

“Thanks?” I raised an eyebrow, unsure if I should take that as a compliment or an insult.

“How did he find you, anyway? Zephyr must be really desperate to pick such a bland human for a mate.”

“You know what, Enrik? You can dislike me all you want, but I’ll prove myself worthy of Zephyr and this clan!” I snapped back at him. His stupid face and that stupid grin were driving me insane.

“We’ll see about that, tailchaser.”

“I have a name, you know?”

Enrik chuckled, the sound rumbling low in his chest. His stormy eyes gleamed with amusement. “Oh, I know,” he said, his smirk widening, and I could feel my nerves fraying with each second.

“Care to explain why you’re standing so close to my mate, Enrik?”

I turned, my breath catching in my chest. Zephyr’s face was stone cold, impassible, not betraying what he was feeling, but when I looked into his eyes, they were focused entirely on Enrik. And if looks could kill, Enrik would be dead and buried already.

Enrik’s smirk only deepened. He took his time, turning to face Zephyr. “Just exchanging pleasantries,” he drawled, not moving an inch away from me. “Didn’t know she needed a guard dog.”

“He was just being annoying,” I blurted, my voice sharper than I intended as I shifted uncomfortably between the two alphas. Zephyr’s eyes remained fixed on Enrik, a cold glint in them that sent a shiver down my spine.

“What?” Enrik placed a hand over his heart, feigning hurt with a dramatic expression. “You don’t trust me anymore? You’re really hurting my feelings, Zeph!” Zephyr’s growl rumbled from deep in his chest, a clear warning to Enrik. But Enrik only smirked, unfazed, and with exaggerated slowness, he spread his arms wide in a mock surrender, the gesture dripping with insolence. “She’s all yours, anyway. But for how long, I wonder?”

Zephyr’s eyes narrowed slightly as he locked onto Enrik. His gaze flicked to me, and before I even knew what was happening, his hand shot out, his fingers wrapping around my wrist with a possessive grip that left no room for question.

“Let’s go,” he growled.

“Zephyr!” I stumbled, breath catching as he pulled me along. Enrik’s smug laughter echoed faintly behind us, but Zephyr’s grip stayed firm, his jaw set, his scent radiating a dark and commanding energy that made my omega whine.

“Hey! Let go of me! What is wrong with you, Zephyr?” I protested, my voice rising as he held me with an iron grip, dragging me through the training camp and into the fortress, while I stumbled to keep up with his pace.

“There are people watching!” I exclaimed, my eyes darting to the curious onlookers who had stopped to stare. His actions were painting a picture that we weren’t supposed to be sharing right now. We were supposed to be the happy, newly mated couple, the ones everyone envied, not... whatever this was!

He didn’t seem to hear me, or maybe he didn’t care, his hold only tightening as he guided me through the fortress doors and into the shadowed corridors within. Finally, he stopped, and with a surprising force, he turned, pressing me back against the cold stone wall. The impact knocked the air from my lungs, and I winced, a sharp “Ouch!” escaping me. “What the fu— ”

But my words faltered the moment I looked up, meeting his gaze. His green eyes were blazing, a storm of fury and something else, swirling in them. The force of his glare pinned me in place, and a strange, overwhelming stillness settled over me. His anger was palpable, and without thinking, my omega instincts screamed for me to stop, to shut up, to give him the space he seemed to demand.

“Would you care to explain to me why Loryr told me you’ve given up?” he whispered, a raw rasp that sent a jolt of heat through me. I blinked, struggling to focus, my mind scrambling to catch up with his words. It took a moment for the weight of his question to settle in, and even then, it felt like it wasn’t just the words that hit me, it was him, his presence. He was too close, his body pressed in so tightly that every inch of him was impossible to ignore. His scent, so sharp and overwhelming, flooded my senses, making it harder to breathe, harder to think.

Alpha is angry.

Offer your neck to him.

Get on your knees for him.

“I didn’t give up,” I snapped, quickly looking away from his piercing gaze, my heart racing. Was I officially losing it? My omega was practically screaming inside me, reacting to him, to his scent—too powerful, too intoxicating. “I just went for a walk before I punched someone,” I added, trying to sound casual but failing miserably.

I could feel his eyes on me, searing into my skin, tracing every movement, every breath. It was like he could sense every inch of me, every hidden reaction I wasn’t ready to face. The heat of his stare crawled beneath my clothes and reached a hidden place between my legs. I squirmed, backing my body closer against the wall, feeling my skin flushing with heat.

“What?” I asked, my voice a little too breathless.

“And you decided to visit the training grounds?” he probed further, his voice getting lower. I frowned. He was acting weird and my omega was reacting to it. I didn’t like it. I had to get out of here, and fast.

“I didn’t plan it, okay? I didn’t know I couldn’t walk around the fortress,” I said, trying to move past him, but he wasn’t having it. Before I could take a single step, he pressed me back against the wall with a firm hand on the left side of my shoulder, trapping me in place. His other hand shot up, bracing against the stone on the side of my head, caging me in, pressing himself even closer to my body. I shivered, feeling the warmth emanating from him.

“What are you doing?”

“Why was Enrik with you?” Zephyr’s voice was tight. My heart skipped a beat—was he actually jealous?

“We just ran into each other. What’s the big deal?”

Zephyr’s jaw tightened, his eyes darkening like a storm gathering strength. “You reek of him.” His voice cut through the air, sharp. He stepped closer, even closer, and I felt my heart pounding, my thoughts racing. His face moved closer to mine, leaning down so his nose was almost pressing against the bridge of my nose.

“It can happen. He's an alpha, after all.”

Zephyr’s gaze bore into mine with an intensity that made me feel exposed. It was as if he was stripping away all my defenses, making me confront my own emotions. “He was way too close to you.”

A flush of heat crept up my neck, and I struggled to find my voice. “He wasn’t that close!”

“He was.” Zephyr’s voice was low, almost possessive, and it made my breath hitch. He forcefully grabbed my chin, lifting my face to make our eyes meet. “And I don’t like it,” he growled.

I stared at him, caught between the heat in his eyes and the sudden shift in the air around us. “What are you gonna do about it?”

He stepped even closer, his body pressing fully against mine, the hard planes of his muscles molding against the softness of my curves. His chest pressing against my breasts and my breath hitched as I tilted my head up, looking at him through half-lidded eyes. A low, primal sound rumbled from his chest, sliding over me like velvet, and I felt it resonate down to my very bones, curling my toes as it washed over me .

His hand lifted, rough and sure, brushing along the side of my neck until his fingers pressed possessively into my skin. He slowly leaned down, his breath hot against my ear as he hovered, his mouth mere inches from my skin. I closed my eyes, surrendering to the delicious anticipation as his rough voice slipped into the space between us.

"I don't like it when you're reeking of another alpha's scent instead of mine." His words sent a shiver down my spine. “And I don’t want to see my mate alone with another..” His breath was warm, the heat of it ghosting over my skin, leaving me trembling as his hand slid down to rest against my waist, keeping me pinned to the wall.

The words hung in the air, and I found myself speechless, caught in the gravity of his stare, the weight of his words. I couldn’t deny the pull between us, the way my pulse quickened under his touch, or the way his jealousy stirred something in me I didn’t want to admit. My heart raced as his green eyes bore into me, full of possessiveness and something darker, something delicious. My breath hitched when his hand, warm and rough, traced the line of my jaw, his fingers brushing my skin as if testing the boundary between us.

“I’m an alpha Sabrina.” His voice was low, almost a growl, but there was a strange tenderness hidden beneath the edge. “And alphas don’t share.”

I swallowed hard. “Zeph—” He didn’t let me finish, as his hand slid down to my neck, his thumb brushing the pulse point where he could surely feel my heartbeat quicken. His gaze darkened as he leaned in, his lips brushing the sensitive spot just below my ear, sending a jolt of heat straight through my core. My breath caught in my throat as his scent, warm and wild like the crackle of fire on a winter night, enveloped me. My head felt dizzy, as he pressed his mouth to my neck, his sharp canines grazing my skin lightly, sending another surge of hot warmth through my veins.

“Zephyr…” I barely managed his name, my voice a breathless whisper.

“Now, be a good girl for me.” His hand slipped to my waist, pushing me closer, our bodies flushed against each other. His mouth lingered on my skin, teasing at first, before his sharp teeth nipped, just enough to make my breath catch, then settled with a firmer, possessive pressure. I gasped, as heat bloomed through me, deep and primal, awakening something raw that I couldn’t push down.

Then I felt it, the undeniable hardness pressing against me, straining through the fabric between us, hot, insistent and impossibly huge against my belly. Fuck. I’d done that. I had made him like that. A small sound escaped my lips, a needy, involuntary moan that only seemed to heighten the ache building inside me. I pressed my thighs together, ignoring the deep ache to put more pressure between them.

Every nerve felt alive, attuned to him, the warmth of his skin, the possessiveness of his grip. I couldn’t stop myself from arching into him, from craving relief, seeking pressure , as my body trembled under his touch. His scent wrapped around me like a cloak, thick and heavy, binding me to him. He pulled back just enough to look at me, his green eyes dark with desire, hunger and want.

“There,” he murmured, the words edged with an almost frustrated need, as if it was taking all he had not to close the distance again. “Now you smell like me.”

But I didn’t want the distance.

I didn’t want his restraint.

Without thinking, I pulled him back, the shock in his eyes briefly flickering to surprise. His body shifted, giving in under my touch, and I felt a thrill race through me as I leaned into him, following that magnetic pull that seemed impossible to resist. I rose onto my toes, slipping my hand up to cup his face feeling his strong jaw against my palm as I tugged him down toward me, pulling him into the kiss I’d been craving. My mouth found his with an urgency that startled me.

His scent flooded into my mouth, into my tongue. It was sharp, smoky, and wild, and I drank him in greedily, every inch of my being consumed by the heat of his kiss. I could taste the fire of him on my tongue, the sharpness of his scent filling me, making it impossible to focus on anything but the way his lips moved against mine. His hands gripped my waist roughly, pulling me closer, his lips answering mine with the same urgency.

I couldn’t help the soft moan that escaped my lips when he aimed his hips at my core, making me feel his hardness pressing against me. My hands found their way into his hair, tugging him closer, desperate for more. His body tensed as his muscles shifted under my touch, and I shivered, feeling the sculpted ridges of his stomach beneath my fingertips. Our kiss deepened, a low growl vibrating in his chest as he moved his lips like he couldn’t get enough, like he needed to own this moment as much as I did.

I broke the kiss just long enough to catch my breath, my pulse racing, my chest heaving. My lips tingled from the heat of him, and I could taste him on my tongue—something wild, something forbidden. But I wanted more. Always more. Without thinking, I kissed him again, this time slower, savoring the way his lips parted under mine. I traced the curve of his jaw with my fingertips, feeling the hard line of it, the way it clenched with restraint.

I pulled back slightly, my breath ragged as I looked up into his eyes. They were darker now, filled with an intensity that made my stomach flutter with need.

“Zephyr...”

He looked down at me, his hands still gripping my waist, his gaze intense, as if he was trying to figure out exactly how far he could go with me, how far I’d let him. Then, something shifted in his eyes. The haze lifted, and they cleared, no longer clouded by lust. “I... I apologize...” he muttered, his voice thick with regret as he stepped back, the absence of his body leaving me cold and aching. “I shouldn’t have...”

His words trailed off, his green eyes searching for something into my eyes. But I was as lost as him.

“I’ll see you later, at dinner.”

Without another word, he turned and walked away as I stood there, breathless and shaken, my skin tingling from where his mouth had been, his scent clinging to me like a claim.

I brought my fingers to my lips, still tingling from the intensity of the kiss we just shared. This wasn’t just any kiss—it was the first time in my life that I had kissed someone because I wanted to. The first time my body had responded so fiercely to an alpha, my heart racing, my breath shallow. It felt... new. Foreign. But not in a bad way. There was also something undeniably thrilling about it.

I couldn’t deny the part of me, the dark and slightly twisted part, that had actually enjoyed seeing Zephyr lose control like that. The way he had been so possessive and aggressive, like he wanted to claim me right then and there. It was such a contrast from the composed, self-controlled dragon I had come to know over these past days. The man who always kept his emotions locked away behind walls. And yet, in that moment, when he let himself go—when he let me see that other side of him—it had stirred something deep inside me. Something I didn’t quite understand, but couldn’t ignore.

???

Dinner at the fortress was as rigidly formal as everything else in this place, a ceremony where appearances mattered as much as the food. Every night, the inner circle of the Firescale clan were expected to join the grand dining hall, an obvious display of the power and hierarchy in place.

I arrived a little later than Zephyr, delayed by Panryr’s insistence on fixing my hair. My blonde waves, usually an untamed mess, now fell sleek and smooth down my front like a golden river. If I didn’t know any better, I would swear that Panryr was a mage by the miracles she performed on my appearance. She had somehow turned my hair into something that looked like silk. Her determination didn’t stop there. She’d convinced me, after much arguing, to change into yet another gown. Now, I wore another black dress adorned with gold flowered lace. The importance these people gave to appearances was ridiculous. The clan’s obsession with flaunting their wealth at every opportunity was exhausting. But then again, why was I surprised? Dragons were infamous across Earis for their love of gold.

I entered the grand dining hall to find the U-shaped table already filled. The moment I stepped in, every pair of eyes turned toward me. Attendance at these dinners wasn’t optional for the council members or the influential families, those with wealth, power, or ties to the clan’s founding bloodlines. Zephyr had explained that these families made up the elite of the Firescale clan, and now, as his mate, I was expected to navigate my place among them.

I held my head high, forcing myself to walk with confidence as I made my way to my seat beside Zephyr. As the clan’s leader, he sat at the head of the table, and I took my place right next to him. When our eyes met, I couldn’t help but smirk down at him. His heated gaze locked with mine, and I noticed his eyes linger a moment longer than necessary, scanning over my body with an unmistakable look of appreciation.

The attention sent a shiver of delight down my spine. I knew I was playing with fire, testing his limits, and there was something about it that made this entire situation all the more enticing. He sat there, calm and composed, the powerful leader of the clan, but it was me who had made him lose control earlier. A dry cough snapped me out of our intense stare, pulling my attention back to the table. I looked up to see Loryr watching us, and I forced a smile.

“Oh, Loryr, I didn’t see you there,” I said, my tone sweet but laced with false warmth. Her sharp gaze locked with mine, her expression dripping with disdain. She didn’t say a word, though—just shifted her attention back to the person seated beside her. “Always a pleasure,” I murmured under my breath, making Anphyr stifle a giggle beside me.

“Don’t mind her. She’s like this with everyone,” Anphyr whispered, her bright green eyes scanning the table before us. The smell of spices and roasted meats filled the air, mingling with the faint sweetness of fruits and pastries I’d never seen before.

“Oh!” Anphyr exclaimed, her eyes lighting up as she found what she was looking for, clapping her hands together in delight.

“You have to try this, Sabrina. It’s one of the Fire Island delicacies!” Anphyr said, her voice filled with excitement as she placed a plate before me. The dish oddly resembled a meatloaf, though it was surrounded by roasted potatoes and decorated with fresh herbs, giving it an almost elegant appearance.

“A meatloaf?” I asked, skeptical but intrigued.

“It’s not what it seems.” She grinned, taking her knife and slicing through it. As the knife slid through, I couldn’t help but lean in closer to see what was inside. When the slice fell to the side, my eyes widened in surprise. The interior wasn’t meat at all. Instead, it was a glowing, fire-like slime that shimmered with a fiery color, reminding me of the firebomb fruit I had tried before.

“See? It’s not made from meat! It’s made from firebomb fruit.”

“This is amazing!” I exclaimed, almost too loudly, my surprise mixing with delight as I accepted the portion she had cut for me. “And is it spicy?”

Anphyr’s grin widened. “That’s the trick! When you roast the firebomb fruit with herbs and mushrooms, the spice mellows out.”

I hesitated for a moment, wondering if I was about to embarrass myself in front of all these people. I cut a smaller piece and brought it to my mouth, bracing for the worst. But as I chewed, the taste that spread across my tongue wasn’t what I expected. It was savory, rich, and surprisingly reminiscent of roasted meat. “It tastes just like meat!” I said, amazed.

Anphyr giggled softly beside me, her bright green eyes sparkling with amusement as she watched my reaction. “The firebomb fruit is incredibly versatile. You just have to roast it for at least twelve hours to get that meaty flavor. And picking the right mushrooms is key to getting the taste just right.”

I couldn’t stop myself from smiling, savoring another bite. “This is so good,” I said, the warmth of the meal settling in my chest as I ignored the disapproving look from Loryr across the table. “Are you good at cooking, Anphyr? You seem to know so much about it.”

Anphyr’s eyes softened, and for a moment, she looked almost shy as she glanced down at her plate. “I’ve had to learn, you know? The Fire Island is full of unique ingredients, but it’s about knowing how to make them work together. I’ve always enjoyed experimenting with flavors.” I took another bite, genuinely impressed.

“You should ask her to bake some of her ashfire pies,” Kislav suggested with a sly grin, earning an exaggerated chef’s kiss from Enrik. The two of them were seated across from us, with Kislav positioned directly in front of Anphyr and Enrik at his side. Anphyr immediately shook her head, a faint blush creeping across her cheeks. I chucked at her cuteness.

“I don’t know why you guys like them so much. They’re not that good.” Her hand instinctively covered the right side of her face, as if trying to hide her shyness.

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her modesty. “Is it made from ash?” I asked, half-joking, my face scrunching up in mock disgust.

Anphyr let out a laugh, shaking her head at my question. “Of course not, it’s made from chocolate.”

I couldn’t help but grin. “Then you really need to bake one for me!”

Enrik, pointed a finger at me. “Oy, oy! Not so fast, tailchaser!” His sharp and harsh accent drew the attention of several people at the table. “Our princess here promised to bake for me first.” His voice was teasing, but there was a mischievous glint in his eyes.

I raised an eyebrow at him, ready to retort, but Kislav was quicker. He reached over and gave Enrik a light push on the arm, his tone turning more serious. “She isn’t your princess. And stop putting more work on her. She’s got enough to deal with.”

Enrik rolled his eyes, the slight edge in his voice still present. “She’s not the only one busy around here, you know. Did you forget I train the fucking army?” His words were sharp, but I could tell it was more frustration than anything personal.

Anphyr’ reacted quickly, her attention shifting to Kislav as if she expected his irritation. She cut in, a playful yet firm tone in her voice. “I can very well bake for both of you. It’s no problem. And Enrik, don’t be rude to Sabrina, she’s Zephyr’s mate!” Her pout was adorably cute, the softness of her expression balancing the tension.

“Pff, mate…” Enrik scoffed, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he swirled his firewine, not bothering to look up. The gesture was dismissive, but his sharp gaze still lingered on me for a moment.

Anphyr, however, didn’t let his comment distract her. She leaned towards me, her green eyes wide with curiosity, glowing with excitement. “We didn’t have much time to talk before, but I’ve been dying to know—how did you meet my brother? He never talked about you, and then suddenly, it turns out he has a mate hidden somewhere!”

Before I could respond, Enrik cut in, his voice low and almost uninterested. “If anyone knows that story, it’s probably Kislav. Those two can’t keep secrets from each other.”

Kislav, who had been lazily circling his firewine in his cup, raised an eyebrow. “Don’t look at me. He never told me anything either,” he said with a shrug, his tone casual but a hint of mischief in his eyes.

Anphyr shot both of them a playful glare. “Oh, stop it, you two! You’re terrible,” she said with a laugh, before her gaze softened. She was genuinely interested in what I had to say. “Now, Sabrina, you must tell me. How did you manage to catch my brother’s attention?” Her enthusiasm was contagious, and despite the subtle tension in the room, I couldn’t help but smile at her eagerness.

I stole a quick glance at Zephyr, and it was clear he had heard every word. The uncomfortable tightening of his jaw and the way his gaze flickered toward the table told me everything I needed to know. He didn’t like all the attention, but that only made the moment more satisfying. A wicked smirk tugged at my lips as I met his eyes, feeling a thrill rush through me. Oh, this was going to be fun.

“Zeph gets shy about it,” I teased, glancing at him, enjoying the way his brow furrowed in response. He arched an eyebrow at me, clearly unamused. Both Kislav and Enrik were fighting to not burst out laughing. “But I guess, since we’re all friends here, I can tell you. I was sitting in my guild’s bar when this unknown alpha walked in. I knew right away he wasn’t from around those parts. He was so damn handsome , I mean, look at him! He looked like he’d been carved by the Gods themselves!”

A member of the council chimed in, his voice smooth and knowing. “He does come from a royal bloodline of the Fire Dragons.”

I nodded, acknowledging the correction. “Oh, yes, thank you. So he is carved by the Gods, then! My omega was drawn to him the instant I caught his scent, as if he was made just for me. So, naturally, I approached him.”

Anphyr gasped, her eyes wide with surprise. “You approached him first? You didn’t wait for the alpha to make a move?”

I covered my face in mock embarrassment, pretending to be shy. “I just couldn’t wait. His scent was driving me mad, if you know what I mean?” I looked around the table, grinning. “So I walked right up to him, handed him some mead, and asked him if he liked my scent.”

Anphyr and several others at the table cooed in disbelief. “You’re so brave, Sabrina! I could never say something like that!”

I winked at Anphyr. “Oh, you would, Anphyr. When it’s the right person, you absolutely would. When you know, you know. And I knew Zephyr was the one for me.” I glanced at him, a playful smile tugging at my lips. “I mean, look at him. He’s the perfect alpha. Any omega would be lucky to be mated to him. He’s tall, broad... and, if you must know…” I leaned in a little closer, my voice dropping into a teasing whisper, “he’s not lacking anywhere and he’s big everywhere.” I paused, taking a dramatic breath. “Oh my, here I am, talking too much. But even I, as an omega, had trouble handling every inch of him—”

“Sabrina!” Zephyr slammed his cup down on the table, the force making the dishes tremble. His eyes were dark with a mix of annoyance and amusement, and I couldn’t help but smile back at him. “I think they’ve understood your meaning, darling.”

I raised an eyebrow at the use of darling , but leaned into it, throwing in a wink for good measure. “Oh, Zephyr, you’re right! It’s so improper of me to say such things!” I feigned an exaggerated pout, but the laughter around the table only grew louder. “But, the ladies here know, when the mating is this good, it’s hard not to brag.”

The ladies around us chuckled and nodded in agreement, no doubt recalling their own experiences. I reveled in the moment, watching Zephyr’s discomfort, while I basked in the attention. It felt good to take control of the room for once, to push his limits, and to let him feel the heat of my teasing.

Zephyr’s gaze never left mine, the flicker of his dragon’s temper barely contained. My grin only widened at the thought of it. “You're really enjoying this, aren’t you?”

I leaned back in my seat, putting on my best innocent look. “Whatever do you mean, my love?” I batted my lashes, making a show of pretending I hadn’t been enjoying myself far too much. “I’m simply sharing our special story with our clan.”

The laughter around the table didn’t stop, and I noticed the council members exchanging glances, their curiosity piqued. But then Anphyr jumped in, her voice soft and teasing as she turned to Zephyr.

“Oh, come on, brother, you have to admit it! She really knows how to keep us entertained.” Her bright green eyes sparkled with mischief, her smile just as playful as mine. She winked at me, making my heart warm in response. “Besides, it’s just a bit of teasing.”

“Fine,” he muttered, crossing his arms over his chest, the muscles in his biceps flexing. The intense expression on his face told me he wasn’t going to let this go. “But if you’re going to tell stories, Sabrina, you’d better make sure to tell them properly.”

The way he said it sent a jolt of heat rushing through me. It was a challenge, but there was something in his tone, something both commanding and indulgent. His hand rested on the table, and my eyes were drawn to his huge hands, his long thick fingers and the image of those fingers travelling down between my tights made me swallow down a whine from my throat.

“Properly?” I raised an eyebrow, leaning forward slightly, inviting him to explain. “Oh, now you’ve piqued my curiosity, Zeph. What do you mean by that?”

He didn’t answer immediately, instead fixing me with an almost predatory gaze, as if savoring the moment before delivering his response. “I mean, if we’re telling stories, we might as well tell them to their full, real extent. You know, the part where you couldn’t resist me the second you saw me. How you begged for me to scent you, to mark you…”

The room grew quieter, and for a brief moment, it was just the two of us, caught in the heat of our shared history. Anphyr’s excited squeal broke the spell.

“Now that’s the story I want to hear!” she said, clearly thrilled by Zephyr’s teasing. “Tell us, Sabrina, what happened after you gave him that mead?”

The air around us felt thick with anticipation. But I couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled up inside me. Anphyr wasn’t going to let this go. Neither was I.

“Oh, I’ll tell you, Anphyr,” I said, my voice dropping just enough for only her to hear, my lips curling in a wicked smile. “But it’s a story best told with more... intimate details.”

“Alright, enough,” Zephyr said, slamming his hand on the table, but this time it was less about anger and more about regaining control. “We’re here to enjoy the evening, not to entertain your wild fantasies, Sabrina.”

The table erupted in laughter again, but I could see it in Zephyr’s eyes. He wasn’t entirely serious. I leaned back in my chair, savoring the moment, the laughter, the heat of his attention still burning me in my seat.

Later, after dinner, when we finally returned to our quarters, the door clicked shut behind us, and in the same breath, Zephyr turned to face me.

“You’re impossible,” he growled, but there was no heat in his words. Only something deeper, something I recognized all too well.

I couldn’t stop the grin that stretched across my face. “Oh, you loved it,” I teased, stepping closer. “They loved it too.”

He ran a hand through his hair, clearly frustrated, though softened by the faint smile that tugged at the corner of his lips. “Yeah, they did. Even though I still think you were a little too much, I think we’re on the right track for them to start buying our relationship.”

I raised an eyebrow, savoring the playfulness in his tone. “We make a great team,” I said, feeling the satisfaction of a job well done. It wasn’t just about the performance; it was the way we’d both fallen into it so easily, how we’d danced around each other, pretending, but feeling like something more.

“Yeah, we do.”

We stood there, staring at each other, a quiet tension threading through the room. But I could already feel the weariness creeping up on me, the exhaustion from the day weighing on my body. My muscles ached for the comfort of the bed, for the softness of the sheets. I reached my hand toward him without thinking, almost as if it were second nature.

“Come on,” I murmured, my voice low and inviting. “Let’s go to bed.”

The words felt easy, effortless, as though we’d been sharing this routine for far longer than just a couple of days. It wasn’t just the act that felt natural—it was the way he took my hand, the way his massive palm closed around mine. There was no hesitation, no uncertainty in his touch. Just this quiet, unspoken understanding between us.

I led him back to our room, feeling like we had already been doing this forever, that this was just another night in a lifetime of shared moments.

And, for once, I let myself enjoy that feeling.