Savage Dragon: Earth Dragons Series: Book 2

by Hartnady, Charlene

  Obsidian inclined his head. “It is good to meet you.”

  “Oh my.” Delilah smiled. She reminded him of Demi, only her hair was brown rather than black and there were a few lines around her eyes, which were just as dark and lovely. “I can see why my daughter is—”

  “Obsidian,” Demi interrupted. “You’re here.” She was smiling brightly.

  “Yup.” He wanted to smile, but his lips didn’t work right then. “I thought I would check in. Make sure you’re okay.” He had to fight back a wince. What a stupid thing to say, of course she was okay, she was with her family. Away from Cody. “Also, to come and say goodbye as we are leaving soon.” Demi had left with her parents after the whole incident earlier.

  “Let’s give these two some space,” Delilah said.

  Sampson nodded.

  Obsidian waited for them to leave.

  “Would you like something to drink?” Demi folded and unfolded her arms, looking towards a door he assumed led to the kitchen.

  “No…thanks.” He shook his head.

  “I…” they both said at once. Demi laughed, sounding nervous.

  He smiled.

  Demi swallowed thickly, he watched the column of her neck work. “I just wanted to say thank you…for everything.”

  Shit! For claw’s sake…this sounded like goodbye. He hated that so much. Then again, she had said that she was fond of him. That she thought he was sweet…so… Fuck!

  He nodded once. “No problem. Any time and I mean that…any time you’re in a bind or…” lonely, “just any time you need…a friend.” Fuck! Why had he said friend?

  “Thanks.” She toyed with a button on her sweater. “I really mean it. Thank you so much. I don’t even know what to say or how to convey just how grateful I am. You told Cody to execute you, for goodness sake!” Her eyes turned stormy. “It did piss me off some when you did that. Especially after we agreed you—”

  “I couldn’t let you go through with it.”

  “Even if it meant dying? That’s nuts, Obsidian. You don’t even know me that well.”

  “I couldn’t just stand by and watch you throw your own life away.” He shrugged. “I would have done it for anyone.” Not true! Not at all! He needed to shut the fuck up. He of all people. The male who didn’t say something unless he had to. Unless he meant it. Unless completely pertinent. Yet here he was spewing shit. His mouth kept moving, more and more bullshit flooding out.

  “Oh…okay then.” Her smile widened. Like his false admission made her feel better. “So, you’re heading back now?”

  “Yeah, in a couple of minutes, but I couldn’t leave without…”

  “Saying goodbye.”

  He nodded once. Telling you how I feel about you. He had to tell her. Had to. Surely she knew though? “I just wanted to…I…” He took a deep breath. “I want to see you again, Demi.”

  There. It was out. Mostly. There was a ton more but that was a good start.

  “Oh, yes…I mean, that would be nice.”

  Nice?

  Fuck.

  She must have seen the look on his face because she continued. “You know I’m still mated right? Nothing has changed. Not really.”

  “Surely they won’t make that stick.”

  She shrugged. “I don’t know anything yet. I took the vows. I made promises…” She rubbed a hand over her face.

  “It was all under duress. They were just words at the end of the day. I don’t believe so much in words.” He cupped her jaw. “I believe in the feeling I get when I look into your eyes. When I touch you.”

  Her heartrate picked up and her breathing turned a touch ragged. Then she pulled away. “I believe in those things too. In fact, I told Cody much the same things. That they were only words, but in the eyes of my people they were binding. Technically, only Cody can release me and he…he isn’t well.” A look of concern crossed her face. “He isn’t normally like this. He isn’t being himself.”

  “Do you have feelings for him?” Jealousy, the big green monster reared its ugly head.

  “No. Not like that. Thing is, I don’t really know my feelings about anything. It’s all just such a mess. I think I need some time to figure things out. To figure out what to do about my mating. About how I feel about you. These haven’t been the best of circumstances and sometimes people feel things they normally wouldn’t because of the situation they find themselves in. I like you a lot.” She stared into his eyes. “I don’t want to end up hurting you. Let me figure things out. Let me work through some stuff first.”

  “Okay.”

  “Give me your number. I’ll call you when I’m ready.”

  “Oh shit!” He scrunched his eyes shut.

  “What is it?”

  “I don’t have a phone. I’m kind of backward that way. I’ve never needed or wanted one.”

  “Email then?” She raised her brows.

  He shook his head. Feeling like an idiot. “I guess I’m old school.” He had a thought. “I know! I can give you my brother’s number. Maybe you could message him?” He tried not to sound too eager. Too pushy. “When you are ready that is. I’ll see about getting a phone in the meanwhile.”

  “Don’t do that on my account. I can always send Mountain a message…for you.” She shrugged.

  “Sounds good.” He gestured to the door. “He and Shale are waiting outside. I have no idea what his number is.”

  She nodded. “Let’s head over there then.”

  Things were suddenly even more awkward between them. He wanted to roar in frustration. He followed behind her, trying not to notice how fantastic her ass looked in those jeans. Her long hair was glossy down her back. It smelled of berries and sunshine. He tried hard to ignore all of it. She wasn’t ready. Not yet. Soon. Hopefully very soon.

  Shale and Mountain were waiting a little distance from the house. They were talking about the slayers. Various precautions they were taking. Shale gave Mountain a bump with his shoulder, gesturing with his eyes to them as he saw them approach.

  Mountain’s eyes widened as he took them in. He smiled, looking uncomfortable.

  “I need you to give Demi your number,” Obsidian half barked at Mountain. He cleared his throat. “I don’t have a phone or a computer, so she won’t be able to get hold of me otherwise.”

  “No problem.” His brother searched inside a leather bag he had brought along, fishing out his phone. He pushed a few buttons.

  Demi did the same with her phone. Mountain told her his number. Things got a bit weird after that. Mountain looked down at his phone and then at Demi and then back down at his phone.

  “Well,” she said, licking her lips, “it was nice meeting you.” She spoke to Shale and Mountain. “I’m truly sorry about all the trouble.”

  “How is the male? The bear Alpha?” Mountain asked, putting his phone away again.

  “He is…in a bad way.” Her voice hitched. “Sorry, it’s just I’ve known him for so long. No one ‒ not even I ‒ realized how bad he was. His family is organizing help for him. They may need to take him into town.” She shrugged. “It will be a long road, I’m sure. At least now he is showing emotion about Brie…and what happened. Anyway, I don’t want to keep you any longer. I’m sure you have lives to get back to.”

  Mountain nodded. “Yes, my female will be waiting for my return.”

  “Goodbye, Demi. Take care of yourself,” Shale said, being uncharacteristically polite. Mountain also said goodbye, then ushered the prince a little away from them.

  “You’ll call then?” Obsidian winced. Fuck! He hadn’t meant to say anything about that. “No pressure of course. You’ve been through enough. You had more than enough forceful behavior to last a lifetime. I won’t do that to you. I won’t come back unless you ask.” He really prayed she would call.

  “Thank you. That means a lot. I meant what I said, I like you a lot. I’m so grateful for everything. If it weren’t for you…” Her eyes filled with tears. “You saved me.”

  “I wo
uld do it a thousand times over.”

  “Of course you would. You’re such a sweetie.”

  “Not really,” he tried. Hating the tone this conversation had taken.

  “What do you mean?” She frowned.

  “My nickname is Savage. I don’t train a lot or have very much to do with the other males because I tend to hurt them by accident. Hence the nickname. I’m not sweet or kind or nice.” His voice had turned gruff. “At least, that’s what they would tell you.”

  She shrugged. “I would disagree because I think you are. I don’t care what the others say. Or what they call you. Being sweet and kind is a good thing. A compliment.” She touched the side of his arm.

  He pushed out a heavy breath. “Okay then.”

  “I mean it. I know you’re a bad-ass as well. There’s nothing wrong with being nice, you know?”

  He nodded.

  “I guess this is goodbye then,” she said.

  Why did it feel permanent? “I guess so.” He opened his arms. “Can I have a hug?” Such a pussy thing to say but he wasn’t sure what to do or how to react. He had no idea where he stood with this female.

  She smiled. It made his chest hurt. “Of course.” She put her head against his chest and hugged him hard. It was over too quickly for his liking.

  “I’ll be seeing you then, Obsidian.” She gave him one last smile before she turned and walked away.

  He watched her the entire time, hoping she might glance back at him, but it never happened.

  “Bummer!” Shale said as he approached Obsidian. Mountain wasn’t far behind.

  Obsidian grunted. He didn’t feel much like talking. Didn’t feel much like anything.

  “I wouldn’t hold my breath for a call if I were you,” Shale went on.

  “You don’t know that,” Mountain objected. “Leave Obsidian alone.”

  Obsidian couldn’t help but frown. “Why do you say that?” he asked, looking in Shale’s direction. “She might call. We have a…had a connection. You wouldn’t understand.” He shook his head.

  “Yeah, leave it be,” Mountain said, widening his eyes at Shale. Like he was trying to convey something. Then he turned to Obsidian. “I will let you know the minute anything comes through.”

  Shale made this noise. He sounded skeptical. “I don’t want him waiting around. That’s all. Don’t wait around,” he directed at Obsidian. “I know females, and I know the wolf isn’t going to call. She gave off all the wrong signals.” Shale looked solemn and very serious. “I’m not trying to be a dick here. I can see how much the female means to you.”

  “What signals?” he finally asked, even though he could guess.

  “The biggest clue was not giving her number.” Shale raised his brows. “She gave the whole ‘I’ll call you’ thing. Mountain was ready to take her number and she blew him off. That’s never a good sign. Trust me! If a female is serious about staying in touch, she will always give her number.”

  Fuck! Shale was right. He never even thought of that.

  “Then calling you a sweetie.” Shale whistled. “Kiss of death, bro. She put you in the friend zone.”

  “You don’t know any of this for sure,” Mountain said. “Don’t listen to Shale.”

  ‘Friend zone’. He’d never heard this term before. Unfortunately, he could guess what it meant.

  “I’ve been with tons of females. I know females,” Shale insisted. “Using words like sweet, kind and nice…nope, nope and nope. Sorry.” Shale squeezed his shoulder. “I’m putting you down for the next Stag Run and I want you back in training. You showed integrity and restraint today. Mountain has always said that you would be an asset to our people, and I agree with him.”

  Obsidian should have felt happy at the compliment. He should feel ecstatic. His mind was still reeling though. He felt…hurt. He couldn’t blame Demi. She had never asked for anything that happened to her. She hadn’t promised him a thing, but…still…it hurt.

  “Think about it,” Shale said. “It’ll take your mind off things.”

  Obsidian nodded. All he could think about was Demi. He hoped to god that Shale was wrong but this weight on his chest told him otherwise.

  Chapter 20

  Two months later…

  Demi’s step faltered. For a second, she thought about backtracking. Then turning around and running ‒ as fast as her legs would take her. Fear, guilt, anger…so much anger. It all came flooding back. Maybe the emotions had still been there all along. Only, dormant? She wasn’t sure. They were back now.

  Then she saw his shoulders shake. She heard his anguished sob.

  Demi pulled in a deep breath. He was a big male. To see him on his knees like this. A crumbled mess. It made all of the anger she’d been carrying float away. It made her realize something for the first time. Something else she’d been holding onto. It made her see things more clearly.

  Demi took a step towards Cody. To where he kneeled on the ground next to Brie’s grave. She’d been avoiding him. The fact that she’d managed it for four whole days, since he’d returned to their village, was a feat. He made another sobbing noise. It tugged at her.

  Would he want her to see him vulnerable like this? She didn’t think so, but she needed to see it. Needed to see him like this. Grieving. It helped her to move forward. Chances were good, it would help both of them move forward. Demi walked over. She kneeled down next to him.

  Cody started. He hadn’t even heard her approach. He wiped his face and sniffed, tamping down on his pain. Packing it away.

  Demi placed the wild flowers next to the headstone. “I’m glad you’re back,” she said simply.

  “How could you be?” His voice still held the grief she’d seen moments ago. His eyes were still watery and bloodshot. “After everything I put you through.”

  “You weren’t you though.”

  “I’m still a little lost.” His eyes moved upwards. “Very lost.”

  “Lost, but you’re you again. Brie’s Cody.”

  He nodded. “I’m sorry. You were right about everything.” He wiped his face. “I was trying so hard to replace Brie. I didn’t want to believe she was gone. I refused to accept it. To acknowledge it. Psychologists at the hospital I stayed at said that it was because of my guilt over her death. I was riddled with it. I still am. I refused to accept that she was gone. I was unable to work through the denial stage of the grieving process as a result.” He sniffed again. “I was willing to do anything to hold up the lie I was telling myself. I was in full denial over her death, to the point where I pretended you were her. I convinced myself that if we just mated, everything would be okay. That I would feel better. That you would be happy. I was wrong.” He bowed his head, trying to gather his control again.

  Demi touched her sister’s gravestone and rose to her feet. She gave Cody a hand, helping him up to his feet.

  “I realize now,” Cody went on. “That it wouldn’t have worked. You aren’t Brie and the lie would never have held up. We don’t love each other in that way.” His face had a stricken look. “I’m working through the stages now. Trying to forgive myself, not only for the accident but for what happened with you as well.”

  “I need to apologize as well.”

  “What?” He frowned heavily. “No! Why? What could you…?”

  “I blamed you for her death. I did!” A couple of tears leaked out. Demi swiped them away. “I never once told you that it wasn’t your fault. I was angry with you. It wasn’t just over the whole promised situation. It went deeper. I blamed you, Cody. I’m part of the reason you felt all that guilt. You tried to talk to me about it after the crash. You tried to explain and apologize but I shut you down.” She shrugged.

  He nodded once. “I wouldn’t blame you if hated me. If you—”

  “I don’t! I didn’t realize how angry I was…at you…for her death. I didn’t realize until just now that I blamed you for her death and in so doing was harming you. I think that’s why I was having those dreams about the accident.”<
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  “I heard you…every night. Some nights were worse than others, but they were all bad. I know that much.”

  “I still am.”

  “No.” He looked concerned. “You’re still plagued by the nightmares?”

  “Yes.” She nodded. “I dream I’m there. I see her die every night. The worst part of it all is that I hear you laughing. That’s how I wake up, with you laughing. I didn’t realize why. Now I know. It was like you killed her on purpose. Like you were happy about it.”

  “I’m so damn sorry. I hate myself.” He sounded angry. “I swear it was an accident. A stupid, senseless—”

  “No, don’t. Please. I do forgive you. Not that there’s anything to forgive. The accident was just that…it was an accident.”

  “I took my eyes off the road.” His voice was anguished.

  “We all have at one time or another. No one is perfect. None of us. It was bad luck! The worst luck. I know you loved Brie.”

  “With all my heart.” He hung his head. “I miss her.” His voice hitched.

  “I miss her too.” Demi bit down on her lip to keep herself from crying.

  They stood in silence for a few beats. “I heard that our mating was dissolved a week or two after I left but I wanted you to know that I don’t hold you to any of those vows. I wish none of that had ever happened. I wish I could turn back the clock and—”

  “It’s fine. I forgive you for all of that as well. It’s related. You were in a bad place. I think you still are.”

  “It feels to me like I only just lost her, you know?” He got this look on his face.

  “I know. I can see it.”

  “Thank you.” He gripped her hand. “For your forgiveness, for your understanding. I can’t tell you how much it means.”

  Demi felt so much lighter. “I’m glad I saw you today. Glad that we talked.” She took a step back and then another.

  “Me too.”

  She began turning away.

  “Hey,” Cody said, making her turn back to face him. “Whatever happened with that dragon? Obsidian.” He smiled.

  She shrugged. “I said goodbye to him the day you left. I haven’t seen him since.”