A strange sensation tugs at my heart as I watch him leave. An urge to offer praise, to wish him farewell, springs to mind, but I suppress it with molten resolve. It reeks of weakness—an abnormality that does not belong where my heart resides, a place of fire and death.
“What a creep!” Princesa exclaims with an exaggerated shudder once Ignixis is out of sight.
Her fiery rebukes toward Ignixis at first pleased me, until her disdain went too far, crossing the line into shame and dishonor.If she can show such disrespect to an Elder, it proves she lacks any sense of deference.
“Did you see the way he threatened me?” she asks, turning to Sandra.
I would condemn all human females if not for Sandra, who sits mild-mannered and compliant. Is the fire-haired female unique in this regard? A pointless question. The Gods have already chosen my bonded mate, who will hopefully be revealed soon. Until then I will forge ahead.
“It was... intense,” Sandra mutters in agreement, her eyes flicking toward the door.
“And then there were three,” Princesa says with a sly grin, casting a knowing look at Sandra. The pair share a quick giggle. They think me a fool, as many do—mistaking my great size and silence for a lack of wits. Their coming manipulations are as obvious as my strength.
“I don’t know about you two, but I already feel more relaxed,” she adds, stretching her arms and stealing a glance at me to gauge my reaction—there isn’t one.
“Finish, we leave soon,” I say, gesturing toward their still uneaten food. I frown as I notice Princesa hasn’t even started her Glintfish.
“Already?” Sandra asks, sounding disappointed.
“I haven’t even started—” Princesa begins to complain.
My claws lash out in a blinding flash, slicing her Glintfish into neat pieces, cutting off her protest before it can begin.
“Um... thanks,” Princesa stutters, recovering from her initial shock. Sandra has almost finished her meal, and it pleases me to see her belly full.
But Princesa takes her time eating for what feels like eons. Breaking each tiny piece into even smaller, minuscule pieces like she’s trying to reduce them to the molecular level.
“This fish isn’t actually bad,” she announces as she chews as if she actually needed to.
My jaw tightens watching her. The smug look on her pretty face—vainglorious and overly proud, as if her ploy isn’t blatantly obvious.
“I thought all of it was delicious,” Sandra chimes in, clutching my wrist with her pale softness. “Thanks, Dracoth,” she beams up at me, her beauty almost washing away my irritation—but I will not be distracted.
“You,” I say, jabbing a finger at Princesa and jangling the chains around her collar, “eat faster.” I command, my gaze piercing hers.
“What?” She shakes her head, tossing her wavy blonde hair. “I’m eating as fast as I can,” she sighs, plucking another small morsel of Glintfish and popping it into her mouth. “You don’t want me to get indigestion, do you?” she smirks.
Indigestion—the irksome female is more at risk of starving at her current rate. I begin to draw in her chains, taking my time, savoring the growing concern on her face, wiping the smugness away as she struggles to resist the pull.
“Wait, wait!” she pleads, bracing herself uselessly against the table. “For fuck’s sake, Dracoth!”
Her meager strength is nothing—a breeze against the Peaks of Scarn. Sandra gasps beside me, tugging at my arm, but she cannot move me.
“Dracoth, please don’t hurt her.”
“Open,” I demand, plucking a chunk of Glintfish onto my claw, placing it before Princesa’s mouth. Her silver eyes widen as she’s forced, bent over the table, held in place. She shakes her head like a stubborn wild borack, glancing between Sandra and the morsel she is soon to eat.
“Don’t look at her, female. She cannot help you—EAT!” My voice booms, my fangs bared.
Finally, she squeezes her eyes shut, and her full lips part, waiting expectantly. A tingle of victory and something else runs through me. I slide the meat in carefully, ensuring not to cut her little wet, pink… alluring tongue with my claw.
She plucks the Glintfish with puckered lips, chewing slowly. Her silver eyes snap open, locking onto mine.
For a moment, I almost look away as a sudden rush of emotion surges within me.No! This weakness afflicts me again!I feel it coursing through me like an uncontrollable river of molten lava—this desire, this uncertainty. It pulls at my mind, threatening to drag me into an abyss of madness and shame.
I will not be controlled; I will not submit!
“Yummy,” Princesa moans as her eyes roll back in her head. My grip loosens, distracted as my mind reels, fighting to distance myself from the confusion she’s provoking.
