Page 21 of Emergence of Fire
“Oh, I’m done,” I say with finality in my voice. “I’m with Torin. It really is not possible.” I can’t believe I’m agreeing with him again.
“Adrian, we are having too many firsts for my liking,” Torin says as he catches up with me. When I don’t hear Gale move, I stop.
“What?” I direct my question to him. Torin quirks his brow and we both turn towards our unnaturally aggressive brother.
“What do we tell her? She has a right to know our theories, or thoughts. She can feel our emotions, or have you forgotten why she ran the fuck away from there.” I swing my head over to Torin. Waiting for our fearless leader to answer. I love how he’s our leader when I don’t know what the hell to say. Gale is right. I don’t know. I am usually the quiet, broody one.
“We tell her that we are going to help her connect further with her Dragon. We will take her with us when we shift. Hell, she can ride on your back for all I care. We just need to push her Dragon to Emerge. We cement our bond with our mate. We protect her, that’s what we will do. We don’t mention a fourth mate, because there isn’t one.” Torin’s word is final. I feel his steely resolve as he stares Gale down. Gale raises his hands in surrender and walks our way.
“Then that’s what we will do.” He smiles his signature smile like he wasn’t just ready to topple this place to the ground and pats us both on the shoulder. He walks past us and turns the corner.
“The last one to Cordelia is a powerless Black Dragon!” Gale shouts. I snort at his joke. I haven’t heard that one in a long time.
“Is it just me, or has his aggression kicked up a notch?” Torin looks at me in shock. I don’t usually talk about these things. Again, quiet and broody.
“It’s not just you. I think we are all changing.” I purse my lips in thought and he just laughs.
“You most of all brother.” He punches my arm and takes off to catch up with Gale.
I pause. The fact that I’m not throttling them both is proof enough that he is correct.
Here I go again, agreeing with him. Adrian you’ve got to get a grip, I think to myself.
* * *
The palace is buzzingwith the anticipation of meeting the new Queen and Twyla’s return to Celestia. Even from the distance we were flying we could hear Twyla telling Cordelia that there will be a dinner tonight. My mate didn’t seem keen, and to be fair neither was I. I wasn’t up for a public affair. I am surprised we were able to have a private word in the hall just now with all the activity going on around us.
We make our way down the hall towards Cordelia’s room. Well, I guess it’s our room. I can’t see myself anywhere else but by her side. So, our room sounds right to me. We never managed to get set up anywhere considering we’ve been too busy keeping watch over Cordelia. The little skittish maid exits the room as soon as we approach the door. She doesn’t shy away from us like she did before. I have to agree I was a bit overprotective about who came and went from Cordelia’s room. She doesn’t even look my way as she finds Torin’s eyes and she instantly relaxes. Gale chuckles and looks over his shoulder. I’ll be damned if I apologize for my earlier reaction. She could have been a damn assassin. I will leave nothing to chance. I have lost too much in my life already and because of that I’m always vigilant.
“King Maddox has had clothes and tuxedos delivered for the three of you.” She says to the two of them, I pretend I didn’t hear a word she said. I hate formal affairs. Being a Regent, I should be used to this. I let out a sigh.
“Is that all?” I say, yeah, I wasn’t paying attention, but she’s paused for some reason and these two assholes are being too courteous. Cordelia is waiting for us.
“Adrian.” Torin warns with a rumbling voice, I ignore him. I focus my attention on her.
“Is there anything else or can we go inside?” Gale asks her. Again, too nice. Why should we have to ask to get past.
“She just seems upset.” She looks at me for the first time like I was the cause of Cordelia’s current mood and I almost respect the little woman in front of me. It lets me know all I need to know about her. She’s willing to protect Cordelia and face whoever she deems is the bad guy, I can’t help but like her.
“What’s your name again?” I ask her and she takes a step back, raising a hand to her heart, like she’s surprised by my question and my tone. I can be nice when I need to. Most of the time my kindness is not warranted.
“Silva,” she replies.
“Well, Silva, we need to get in there to talk to her. Thank you for bringing her current emotional state to our attention.” She gives me a smile. A smile. Gale looks at Torin who then turns and looks at me in disbelief. I raise my eyebrows in question, the fucker just smiles at me. Silva moves away from the door with a little curtsy and scurries down the hall.
It was either be nice, or toss the woman behind us like a rag doll. I don’t think that would score me any points with Cordelia though. So, I chose the former.
Gale opens the door and stops, all three of us pause at the sight before us. Cordelia is leaning with her arms behind her at the end of her massive four poster bed, her long legs dangle over edge as her black combat boots swing back and forth aimlessly. She doesn’t acknowledge us as we enter while she stares straight ahead, lost in thought. She is gorgeous without even trying. Her hair is in a ponytail, no makeup, and her pouty lips are begging to be kissed. Even in my Dragon form I appreciated the sway of her ass in those tight jeans she’s wearing. My heart squeezes just a bit more in my chest. My feelings are no longer hidden from her. I know she felt my emotions directed at her outside, and I know I am one of the main reasons she wanted to escape.
She looks up then, locking eyes with each of us, lingering just a bit longer on me. A moment passes and it feels like we’ve been assessed by her before she offers us a tiny smile. Her smile is all the invitation Gale needs to cross the room and sit next to her. He wraps his arm around her shoulders and tucks her beside him and she goes willingly. Torin grabs one of the wicker chairs we’d abandoned earlier and sits directly in front of them. I make my way over slowly and I watch Cordelia track my every move. The room feels heavy with the weight of all that’s happened in just a short time, and I wish like hell I could carry all of her pain, sorrow, and stress for her. I take a seat as she pulls away from Gale slightly giving herself a little space to talk.
“Cordelia, I know there’s—”
“I know who I am and what I am.” She cuts Torin’s speech short, and I can’t help but smile. She called us here to talk, not Torin. I love this woman. She truly is a queen.
“I’m sorry, Torin.” She pleads and gives him a tight smile. Torin nods his head then leans forward giving her his full attention. We all do.
“I have lost everything in just a matter of days. My life, as I’ve known it for the past thirty years, was yanked unceremoniously from under me. There are people who want me dead.” She pauses and we all stay quiet. Gale takes her hand and places it in his lap. She lets him and she continues. “I will never forgive myself for what happened to Ms. Banks.” She pauses and looks at Torin. “I know you will say it’s not my fault. I accept that. But they were after me. She’s gone, because of me.” She wipes away a tear but composes herself. “My business, my apartment, my family home is gone. I know they were material things, but it was a part of my world all the same.”
