Page 13 of Dragon My Crazy

“That’s right; they are my guards. Not my pets. And Emmett already agreed to them being here.”

Emmett stepped between Flame, who looked ready to toss a fireball, and the wizard, diffusing the situation. “I have,” he said, his voice calm but firm. “They are welcome here.”

“Have you met?” I asked Emmett, ready to make introductions.

The wizard scowled like he thought the ifrits did not deserve introductions. After all, bound spirits were not afforded such things.

“I have. Flame and Blaze, right? They were the first to greet me at my last visit to Desmon’s.”

I smirked at that. It was a very generous use of the word “greet” since Blaze and Flame usually responded to intruders found on and around the estate with threats of violence.

The wizard bristled, his jaw tightening, but he nodded curtly before turning away and muttering something under his breath about “reckless dragons” and “unnecessary complications.”

Emmett ignored him, turning to me with a grin. “Welcome to my humble abode. Let me take your bags and show you your rooms. Then I’ll give you a tour around the castle.”

“Wow, I get the grand tour from the dragon himself? Should I be flattered?”

“I’d give you the full tour and show you my treasures, but I don’t think you’re ready for that yet.”

I rolled my eyes, even as he took my single piece of luggage from me. I was simply visiting for the weekend and had only brought a few changes of clothes.

Unlike the outside of the castle walls, which totally gave off medieval fortress vibes with the towering stone walls, iron gates, and moat, the inside was a lot more reminiscent of a luxury ski lodge. Soaring timber beams arched overhead, their grain showing in the soft light of wrought-iron chandeliers. The floors were covered in plush rugs that muffled our footsteps and softened the space.

We walked by a set of double doors that led into the drawing room, where a massive stone fireplace dominated one wall. The furniture was all generously sized and sturdily built, yet still super comfortable-looking, and the decor had a certain rustic charm. The only strange thing was the low-grade glow of magic over anything textile or wood.

“This is unexpected,” I admitted, eyeing a couch that looked soft enough to sink into.

Emmett chuckled, a low, rich sound. “I like my creature comforts,” he said. “And after centuries of stone caves and cold drafts, I’ve earned every single one of them.”

He led us up a set of grand stairs and turned to the left, stopping at the first door down a hallway.

“This will be your room, Blaze and Flame.”

The door opened to a spacious suite with two large beds and a view of the mountains. “Elana is only a few rooms down,” he said, gesturing toward the hallway. “The door with the red ribbon on the handle.”

“Now, if you boys don’t mind. I’d love to show Elana her room and give her the grand tour. I promise to keep her safe. Feel free to mix and mingle with the staff. I have already put out a note that you are welcome.”

The two ifrits exchanged a look before looking at me.

“I’ll be fine. I’ve handled worse.”

They both nodded, and one of them said, “You know how to call us.” Then the two puffed out of existence. That really didn’t mean much though, because for all I knew, they could still be here watching.

“Now let’s show you your room.” Emmett stepped behind me, a warm hand landing on my lower back to guide me down the hallway.

It was warm, firm, and way too familiar, the heat of his palm burning through my shirt. My skin prickled under his touch, my pulse kicking up. I let him guide me, hyperaware of every shift of his fingers against my back.

My room was just as nice as my friends’, except it had a single giant bed. He dropped my bag off and held out an arm.

“Now, how about that tour?”

I eyed his arm with distrust for a second.

“Oh, don’t tell me you’re scared of little ole me?” He feigned offense. “You wound me.”

I rolled my eyes. Emmett was very different than Desmon. I could tell that already. He was more playful and laissez-faire. Did he use his well-timed quips and jokes to avoid confrontation?

Then, shoring my courage with a reminder that I was just here for Melantha and I wouldn’t let him get under my skin, I stood a little straighter and took his hand.