Page 45 of Twilight of Embers
But once we’d all touched her, she would be a ticking time bomb. There would only be so long that her dragon could lie dormant.
It happened sometimes, usually due to trauma, our inner beasts being shoved down. But being around others of our kind, especially our mate, would bring our dragons to the surface.
“Why don’t we head to the dining room,” I suggested. “We can get you something to eat and drink.”
I held out my arm for Hayden to take.
Cáel’s scowl deepened, and I bit back a grin. Jealous fool.
Hayden’s hand trembled as it looped around my arm. But the moment she made contact, she seemed to melt into my side. My beast eased at her contact. I could only imagine what a nightmare he’d be when she left.
“So,” I began, “you’re from Seattle?”
She nodded. “Just outside the city.”
“Knox said you grew up in foster care,” I pressed.
Knox growled behind me as Hayden’s eyes flared.
“Um, yes.”
“Where did you live with your parents?”
I needed to know everything I could about Hayden if I was going to trace her lineage.
Those violet eyes narrowed. “Why does it matter?”
I gave a casual shrug. “Just making conversation. I’m curious.”
“More like an interrogation,” she muttered.
I bit back a laugh. Our girl had fire. Good. She’d need it. “It’s okay, Little Flame. Plenty of time for me to find out everything about you.”
Her pupils dilated at the promise in my voice, and my dick pressed harder against my zipper. She was my Little Flame, and even though I knew I was playing with fire, I kept right on going. I let her scent wrap around me, digging in so deep I knew I’d never get it out.
“What about you?” she challenged. “Where are you from?”
The depths of hell. That would’ve been closer to the truth. “Rhode Island.”
“Oh,” Hayden mumbled. “We lived in Maine.”
Maine. Interesting. That would’ve been just beyond the reach of the horde I grew up in. A no-man’s-land, really. There were few supernatural clans that far north. Mostly rogues who were looking to hide.
If her parents didn’t trust the horde she’d been born into, their running would make sense. Because female dragons were rare. And once the supernatural world knew of Hayden’s existence?
They would come for her.
23
HAYDEN
My hands trembled in my lap as I took in the spread before me. How we were going to consume all this food, I had no idea. How I would eat a bite when I could feel five pairs of eyes studying me with a ravenous focus was another great question.
Knox reached under the table from his spot next to me and squeezed my leg. “Do you like steak?”
I nodded. I did. It was one of my favorite meals. But I wasn’t sure how I was going to handle consuming it right now.
“Here,” Cáel offered, loading my plate down with steak and all the side dishes. There were mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, salad, and garlic bread.
