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He swallows loud and harsh, the muscles in his throat tighten as he does. “Cyrus. I didn’t mean to frighten you.”
I nod in understanding and then I remember what he said. “Anticipate what?” Although my words are shaky, I’m proud I asked.
His mouth falls open, but he quickly slams it shut and shakes his head.
“I only came to speak to Drago. I didn’t expect to find you here.” He’s lying. He saw me and didn’t react like that at first. As I attempt to confront him, he blurts out, “I have to go.” I watch with confusion as he turns on his heels and quickly opens the door. He looks back at me with a pained expression. “Don’t tell Drago I came.” I have no idea what the hell is going on, but the idea of withholding from Drago makes my heart clench for some reason. He must sense my hesitation, so he adds, “Please?”
I’m flabbergasted by his request and his demeanor entirely, but I nod yet again, agreeing to keep this from Drago. He gives me a tight smile and leaves me perplexed, alone in Drago’s bed.
DRAGO
Ican’t believe she did that to herself, starving herself until her bones protrude.
Deep within my chest, my dragon snarls with the image of what they did to her. I’m all too aware that I need to know every detail of what’s happened, though I can’t stand that thought.
Breathing in heavily as I stalk the fire-lit halls, I nearly choke on the lump growing in my throat. The vision of her, and the idea of what would have become of my mate…it’s indescribably horrific. The empty hall is silent apart from the crackling of fire within the torches. I’m only left with the visions of her and the idea of what she went through…what those bastards did to her. To my mate.
My jaw clenches as anger simmers and I take a moment. With my eyes closed and my hands clenched, I lean my knuckles against the stone, breathing in deeply. I need to calm the fuck down. They had her, my little treasure. They hurt her and used her. They made her want to die. The snarl that rips through me is uncontrollable and I roar with anger. My rage bellows down the hall as I slam my fist into the wall. The smooth marble splits and crumbles beneath the blow. The skin of my knuckles rips and blood drips down my forearm.
I merely flex my hand, staring at the crack and wishing I had the men who took her on their knees in the throne room. I’d let her watch as I burned them alive.
I can’t change the past; it’s a lesson my brothers and I have learned far too many times. However, I can kill Victor and anyone else who ever caused her pain. Leaning my neck to the side, I let it crack and tame my disdain, allowing my dragon to settle. I can put a stop to whatever the fuck they’re doing. Victor may be right in that changes need to happen with the Authority, but I’m sure as fuck going to dictate what happens. Starting with the horrid events occurring in towns like Kara’s.
Just thinking her name calms me. I focus on her needs in this moment and it pushes me forward. Her cut is healed and won’t scar, but she needs to eat. I need to make up for the days she’s lost.
The castle is nearly empty, and my footsteps fill the silence. I imagine at this late hour the servants are beyond our walls doing whatever it is that humans do, but there are always a few on hand for my brothers and myself at any given moment. I take long strides to the kitchen knowing someone will be there and I can figure out what to feed my little human.
I recognize the older woman stirring a large pot on the stove. The sight of her warms me a bit, calming the chaos that brews inside me. She’s rather motherly to the others and has a sweetness about her that nearly reminds me of the way things used to be. I can’t help but to be drawn to this woman as a child is to a mother.
The castle is ancient, but our kitchen is modern and massive. Nearly everything is for commercial use. It’s essential. There are at least three families’ worth of servants living here and we provide for all of them including ourselves. Dragons prefer red meat, as one would expect, although we dine on fine cuisine as well. I intend to spoil Kara with delicious and filling meals, but it’s only then that I stop short, realizing I haven’t the faintest idea of what my little treasure would order.
The woman looks up with a small smile that emphasizes the wrinkles around her pale blue eyes and mouth before setting the spoon down and turning to face me with her hands clasped in front of her while bowing her head slightly. “Lord Arrington.”
A simper picks the corners of my lips up at her greeting.
“Adora, how are you this evening?”
“I’m well, my Lord. You have my sincerest gratitude for your gifts.” It takes great effort not to stare blankly at her and instead I offer a tight smile and nod. Surely, that’s Galen’s doing.
“Certainly. I hope you’ve enjoyed them.”
“They fit my granddaughter perfectly.” I nod my head in understanding. A new birth. That makes sense although I wasn’t aware there was an addition. Galen’s fondness for company is not something we share. “What is it you’d like at this hour? I’ll tend to it at once.”
My eyes narrow slightly as I glance toward the cupboards. “I’m not sure,” I admit and turn back to the human. “I’m in need of some information.” Her lips part and her eyes go wide with trepidation. It’s only then I realize she must imagine I’m here to question her about someone in the castle. It has been necessary before. I decide to quickly put her out of her misery. With a tight smile I confess, “I have no idea what it is humans enjoy eating and I’d like to provide for a guest.” The old woman blinks rapidly as she takes in the information before relaxing her shoulders and offering me a smile. “I can certainly help you with that, my Lord.”
“I’d appreciate it. I’d like to spoil my…” I hesitate to call her pet to the servants. I don’t want them to perceive her in any way that would be less than my equal. After all, she may be my mate and mother to my children. She deserves the utmost respect. “My little human.” Adora peers back at me with questions sparkling in her eyes but she knows better. No one here asks any questions.
“Spoil her with food?” she clarifies.
“Yes.”
“This is the third girl? Not the two I’m currently cooking for?”
My jaw ticks slightly, noting she referred to my mate as merely a “girl”, she is a woman and she is to be my mate. I grunt an agreeable response although my hackles are raised.
She nods her head and frowns slightly. “It’s such a shame what happened to those poor girls,” she confides in me, and I allow it for the moment. Only because it’s her. Adora crosses the kitchen and opens the fridge as I follow behind. As she rummages and pulls out several packages, she tells me, “A lobster bisque is on the stove for the two now. I made sure to give them light food so they wouldn’t get sick, but the bisque will fill them up.”
I eye the pot although the lid covers the contents. “How long until it’s ready?” I may be patient at times, but Kara lays in bed waiting for me and I do not intend to keep her waiting for long.
