Page 29

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P aisley

All of the dragons take to the sky at once. I gasp because the display is already incredible, and it has only just begun. Their majestic wings spread wide as they shoot up in formation.

Scales glint against the afternoon sun as they climb up and up and up. Then they’re plummeting back down in freefall.

Some of the Tributes scream, but it’s in sheer excitement, not fear.

The dragons pull up at the last second, breaking up into five groups. All of us clap. They twirl and swoop.

My eyes, as ever, are drawn to a certain dragon. To him. To Arctic. To his pearl-like scales. To his size, his power. His dragon is quite something, just like the man.

“It’s incredible, isn’t it?” I say to Maggie, who is altogether too quiet. Normally, she would be jumping up and down. She’s barely spoken since we got here earlier. She hardly looked at the guys when they took their clothes off.

“It’s great. Beautiful.” She tries to sound upbeat but fails.

“You should get back together with him,” I tell her. Maggie broke up with Hazard a few days ago and has been miserable since. I’ve been waiting for some of her sparkle to return, but it hasn’t.

She looks at me like I’ve lost it. “No, I shouldn’t.”

We’re standing right at the back of the group, only about forty or fifty yards from the tree line of the forest.

“I’m just going to say it, Mags: you’re miserable. You miss Hazard. From all the flowers and gifts he has sent you…and the sheer number of texts…” Her phone pings non-stop. “I would say he feels the same way.”

“It’s exactly why I made the right decision. I can’t get into a relationship with the first guy I date after the divorce.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t want to be in a relationship, full stop.” She shakes her head. “No, just no. I won’t go through that again.”

“Hazard isn’t your ex.”

“I know that.” She gives me a dirty look and then sighs. “I miss the sex, but I’ll be fine. I’m going to start dating someone else soon. Hazard will be a distant memory in the near future.”

I chuckle. “A distant memory…right? Two guys asked you out just yesterday, and you turned them both down. Do you think maybe that you miss Hazard more than you’re willing to admit, even to yourself?”

“I miss the sex.”

“You’re fooling yourself, Mags. I think that you might have feelings for him?”

“No,” she snorts. “Turning those guys down has nothing to do with Hazard. I want to take a little break before jumping into bed with the next guy…that’s all.”

“If you say so.”

The dragons swoop down low, getting back into one big formation again as they head back up toward the clouds.

“Aren’t you supposed to be sneaking off to go and meet your lover for a little fun in the forest?” she smirks at me.

I look over at Cathy, who is right at the front of the Tributes. You’d say she was one of them. Then I glance at Thorn. Arctic was right; everyone is focused on the show. No one will see me slip away.

“Yeah, but I’m still not convinced—” I start to grumble because this is a terrible idea.

“Go have your fun. You only have three days left with your guy, so you may as well make the most of it.”

“He’s not my guy,” I grumble some more.

“Whatever! I’ll cover for you. We’re walking back. If anyone asks, I’ll say that you had somewhere you needed to be, which wouldn’t be lying.”

I lick my lips, still unsure.

“Just go already! Did you know that these guys have the best sex right after shifting back into their human form?”

I do a double-take. “I didn’t know that.”

“You and your man should talk more.”

“He’s not my man.” I shake my head. “We don’t talk much. It’s better that way.”

“You know what I mean,” she says in an exasperated tone. “Hazard and me…” her eyes go hazy, “we did it a few times after he shifted back.” She lowers her voice. “The sex was… incredible. A little animal and a lot hot.” She waves a hand. “But enough about that; go already.” She gives me a little shove toward the trees. “Don’t be a prude.”

I turn back and glare at her, and she winks at me.

I giggle, looking up as the dragons start with their fire display; they blow plumes of flames up into the air. It’s so darned impressive that I forget I’m supposed to be sneaking off.

Everyone shrieks. Many of the women clap. No one is watching me, that’s for sure. Maggie is right; we don’t have much time left. I need to make the most of it. Sex outside in the open air. A chance at getting caught. A shiver of excitement runs through me. We’re playing with fire here.

Over the last two weeks, I’ve done things I never thought I would. It’s been scary and yet, fun…it’s been amazing. I look up at the dragon at the head of the formation with a lump in my throat.

Then I quickly run for the tree line, glancing back to see if anyone is looking, relieved to see that they’re not. I rush into the safety of the trees. I’m wearing sneakers and a summer dress. No underwear.

It feels decidedly naughty. My dress is green because I know Arctic likes me in this color but also so that I can blend in with the vegetation. I’m getting good at being sneaky. I love it and hate it.

The forest gets thicker, and so does the undergrowth. There are vines hanging from the branches. It feels like I’m in the middle of a jungle. Leaves rustle as I push my way through. The sun is high in the sky, casting a warm, dappled glow on everything. I can hear the distant sounds of the show still going on. It should end soon.

I see the boulder up ahead; it’s covered in moss on the one side. I pick my way over there and round the boulder, putting my back to the cool stone just as the crowd goes wild. There is a bright flash through the canopy. More fire, I’m sure.

I think that was the end of the display.

There’s cheering and chanting from the Tributes for half a minute before it goes quiet. Yep, I think it’s over. Arctic should be here soon.

My gut churns.

It’s quiet and tranquil, tucked away in the trees. Minutes later, Arctic stalks through the trees. He’s completely naked. I note how his footfalls don’t make so much as a sound as he moves toward me.

My heart stutters. Everything pulls tight with anticipation. My clit does a happy dance. You would swear I wouldn’t react like this every time, but I do.

He smiles at me; it’s sexy. Everything about this man is perfection. His cock is jutting from his body. His muscles bulge from his exertions. His biceps, abs, and thighs seem to be carved out of stone. There’s still a smattering of scales on his chest. His eyes are fully focused on me, and they’re still slitted. A vivid blue that has my breath hitching.

It’s like I’m the only woman on the planet.

He stops just shy of me, taking me in…sniffing the air. Then he growls low, his chest rumbling. The sound is terrifying and such a turn-on. I’m about to be attacked in the best of ways.

I lift my dress and open my legs a little so that he can see I’m naked and ready.

Arctic’s gaze drops to the junction between my legs. He licks his lips. “I’m going to eat you all up, Paisley,” he says so softly that I almost have to read his lips.

Then he closes the short distance between us. He kisses me, grabbing a handful of my ass, groaning into my mouth, pushing himself against me.

I moan, tasting smoke and fire on his lips. I love it.

Then he drops to his knees before me, looking up at me like I’m…special…like maybe I’m everything. But that just isn’t true. It’s lust.

Then he pulls a leg over his shoulder and buries his face between my thighs, his tongue zoning in on my clit.

I moan softly, putting my hands flat on the rock.

His tongue.

His mouth.

His—

“What’s going on here?”

Arctic stands and turns. I drop my dress.

Crap!

Cathy has her mouth wide open. She staggers back, her eyes filled with horror as she looks down at Arctic’s erection and then at me.

He puts his hand over his cock. “What are you doing here?” he snarls at her.

Cathy flinches away. “Oh, my god! Were you just…? Shit.” She covers her mouth. “You guys were… You’re…” She staggers some more. For a moment, it looks like she might faint.

“What are you doing here?” Arctic asks again.

She stands up taller. “I followed you.” Her face goes a little red. “I thought you… I wanted… It doesn’t matter what I thought. I’m an idiot. All this time, I…oh…” She rubs a hand over her face, pursing her lips together. “I’m so stupid. You guys are… You’re—”

Steel runs into the clearing, stopping just short of Cathy. “Sorry, um… Shit,” he tells Arctic. “She was quick. I didn’t expect someone from the audience to actually follow you, Arctic. I took my eye off—”

“It’s fine,” Arctic tells Steel. “Cathy isn’t going to say anything to anyone about this, are you Cathy?”

From the look on Cathy’s face, I think it’s safe to say he’s wrong in making that assumption.

“Please, can the two of you leave us?” I ask Arctic. “I want a word with Cathy.”

Cathy rolls her eyes and folds her arms. She looks pissed off, and I know why. She was expecting to follow Arctic in the hopes of something happening between them. I’m sure of it. She’s disappointed and angry. I really hope I can smooth things over, but I’m not holding my breath.

“That’s unnecessary,” he tells me. “Cathy isn’t going—”

“Please.”

“You should get back to the castle,” Steel tells Arctic. “I’ll make sure that the females get back safely.”

“No, I—” Arctic starts to say.

“It’s okay. We’ll be fine. You heard Steel. Please.” I implore him with my eyes.

“You sure?”

“Yes.”

Arctic nods once.

We knew the risks.

We were well aware.

I knew. This might be for the best. I was getting too attached. I am too attached. I have feelings for Arctic.

Shit! Shit! Shit!

This is the first time I’ve admitted it to myself, but there it is, clear as day.

“Okay, then.” Arctic sighs. “We’ll talk later?” he asks, eyes on me.

I nod. He seems to relax, and he and Steel leave, giving us some space.

Cathy stays where she is. She stands there glaring at me, her arms tightly folded over her chest.

I walk over to her. “I’m sorry you had to see that.”

She snorts. “You’re not the only one who’s sorry. How long has this been going on?” Her eyes are blazing. Her voice is clipped. “All this time, I thought he was looking at me, when he was actually looking at you .” She’s angry at the rejection. That’s how she sees this. “The other day, when you warned me against pursuing him, you were already fucking him, weren’t you?” she shouts at me.

“I can understand why you’re angry.”

Why did it have to be her? Why?

“Can you? I’m sorry, Paisley, but I have to report this.” She shrugs, looking smug.

“That’s not fair, Cathy.”

“Life isn’t fair. You taking my job isn’t fair. You sleeping with my man isn’t fair.”

She’s so deluded that I choke out a laugh, but there’s no humor in the sound. “Sorry to have to be the one to tell you this, but Arctic isn’t yours.”

“He isn’t yours, either. You’re not a Tribute. And you’re old. Too old for him, at any rate.”

“I’m only nine years older than you, Cathy.”

“Like I said, ooooolllllld.” She pouts.

“This can’t get out. Please don’t say anything.” I hate begging her. Especially since I know it isn’t going to work.

“It’s my duty to report this.”

“Your duty?” I snort. “You were planning on seducing him yourself. You came into this little grove of trees to find him and do just that.”

“No, I didn’t. I got lost and stumbled on—”

“You told me at the karaoke evening that you were going to approach Arctic. That you were interested in pursuing a relationship with him.”

“You’d been drinking that night, Paisley. Perhaps you were a little drunk and misunderstood what I was saying.” She narrows her eyes.

Damn her.

Cathy is going to twist everything.

I know what I have to do to keep this from getting out. It’s the only thing I can think of. I’m sure she’ll go for it because it serves her.

If there’s one thing I’ve come to know about this woman, it’s that Cathy is all about Cathy.

I know what I have to do.