“Yeah,” he said, waving me off as he continued to answer questions that I hadn’t heard.
I rushed over to Don, who glared at me, but I knew he didn’t mean it. Of course he didn’t mean it. He liked seeing me. Why wouldn’t he like seeing me? Besides, I looked rather fine today. I was wearing my usual crop top and oversized hoodie, but I had a short skirt on, leaving my legs bare.
At said thought of my legs, Don glanced down and his tail moved even faster.
I smirked.
“You distracted me,” he said gravely, like I’d committed some horrid crime rather than a simple teasing.
I scoffed. “My prerogative.” He shook his head, but I continued, “Why are you here? It’s too early for your lunch.”
Don crossed his arms as a slight smile tugged on his lips. “You know my schedule?”
Did I notice him coming and going? Sure. Was that memorizing his schedule like an obsessive stalker? No. Don always had lunch at the same time. It wasn’t hard.
He moved closer, leaning toward me. “You’re annoyed.”
“At you? No. At everything you told me? Yeah, pretty much.” His response wasn’t great, but I got it. It wasn’thisfault, but yeah, I was pissed off. At everyone. At everything. Fuck, I was even mad at Teddy for walking out of my room and not giving me a second. I was mad at Seth for marrying that fucker Kal. I was mad at Kal for being alive. I mean, the list went on and on. I was pissed at everyone, except Don. He was too nice. It would be like being mad at a puppy.
“You told Bartholomew about Earth.” His voice had turned grave.
“Yeah,” I said, even though it wasn’t a question. Don hadn’t moved away, but his expression was closed, as if he was fearing my reaction, which was stupid. None of this was his problem or fault. I poked him in the chest, and he jolted. “You didn’t tell me why you’re here, Donny.”
“You were distracting me.”
“How?” I was across the ship. If I was distracting him among everyone that was closer to him, then how did he work or function for that matter?
“You were upset, though oddly… vacant. I couldn’t catch more besides the turmoil in your thoughts, but it was enough I decided an early lunch was in order.”
“I shouldn’t have bothered you.” Fuck, was this going to be a daytime issue too?
“No,” Don said forcefully. “There’s no issue, Little Warrior.” He glanced toward where Seth was. “Did you want to rejoin Seth and the human huddle?”
I laughed at the term, which made him smile. “No, I would rather stay with you.”
“I would like that.”
We moved toward a table in the corner, near the long window that framed one wall—which I refused to look at—and took a seat on the round stools. Every seat or stool was backless. It drove me bonkers. I couldn’t get comfortable. Drakcol had to have abs of steel or something.
Don chuckled. “They are backless because of our wings. When we relax, we often let our wings out.”
“Why aren’t they always out?”
“Besides the inconvenience of space and tight corridors, we consider it an aggressive act. Back when we were warring clans, we would spread our wings to make ourselves larger. Also, the talons are sharp enough to cut through our scales. They areweapons, our freedom to fly, and in some cases, shields for those we love.”
“Hmm. Interesting. When did you stop in-fighting? Or are you like Earth and have many nations?”
“We are unified,” he said, taking a bite of a bright red berry. “We unified under a single empress after the Crystal elected her. The legend says she was a great warrior who had the gift of light and life.”
Don had talked about the Crystal, though I’d been half-asleep, but I didn’t really get it.
“I can explain in more detail,” he said.
I grinned. God, it was convenient having him hear my thoughts. I got why people didn’t like it, but at the same time, I didn’t mind. He couldn’t help it, and he didn’t go around spouting people’s secrets.
Don placed his hand on the table next to me, not touching but close. I spanned the distance and grabbed his hand without thought, enjoying the feel of his warm scales against my skin.
I froze, tension making my muscles creak with strain.
