by G. Bailey
“Welcome back,” Dagan whispers, his fingers brushing my hand as he walks past me into the lounge.
“Go and sit down. I’ll get you a drink,” Korbin says, and walks off to the kitchen before I can reply to him. I walk into the lounge, loving how it’s my favourite room in the house. It’s the cosiest place in the house. It has three black leather sofas, a fur rug on the floor in the middle and they all face the stone fireplace. The television above the fireplace is on, and someone has lit the fire, so it’s toasty warm in here.
“Come here,” Dagan pats the space next to him on the sofa, and I go over to sit next to him. I rest my head on his shoulder as he flips through the movies on the Sky box.
“That movie looks good, I like end of the world movies,” I comment. I have a weird fascination with them.
“San Andreas?” he asks, and I nod.
“Okay, we have the movie picked then,” he replies, renting it and pausing the movie when it starts up. Dagan holds me close to his side, seeming fascinated with twirling a strand of my blonde hair around his finger.
“Hey princess,” Elias says coming into the room. He puts his drink down near the sofa and sits down, stretching his legs out.
“How was school?” I ask him, just as the doorbell sounds. Elias and Dagan stare at each other, neither one of them moving to answer the door. I go to get up myself, but Dagan’s arm stops me.
“I’ll get it then,” Dagan says sarcastically, getting up and walking away. Elias grins, grabbing his drink, and moving to sit next to me.
“That’s is Dagan’s seat,” I laugh.
“I know, that was the plan. I miss you,” he grins, wrapping an arm around my shoulder and pulling me to him. I laugh, snuggling into his side and not arguing, I’m sure Dagan won’t be impressed when he gets back, but that’s his argument to have.
“Asshole,” Dagan grumbles when he walks in with the pizzas and sees Elias in his seat. Korbin walks in next, putting a glass of Coke on the floor for me and sitting down. Dagan passes the pizzas around to us, and I open mine up, inhaling the smell.
“Give it here, fucker,” Elias grumbles as Dagan holds his box in the air, slowly opening the box.
“Nope,” he says, and Elias gets up lazily, grabbing the pizza, but not stopping Dagan from grabbing a slice, which he shoves in his mouth.
“And they say I’m the asshole brother,” Elias grumbles, moving back to his seat next to me.
“Damn, I love pizza, it’s just amazing,” I say, picking up one of my pieces and eating, ok inhaling, it in seconds. I look up to see all the guys looking at me, with matching smirks.
“I like a girl that loves her food,” Elias grins as he picks the remote up and presses play. When I finish my pizza, I rest my head on Elias’ shoulder and smile. This is a perfect moment, all of us here together, but it feels like I’m missing something. Or someone.
Issy,” Thorne’s voice comes through the haze. I force my eyes open but I can’t see anything other than darkness. It’s an unsettling and scary darkness, one I just want to wake up from.
“Thorne? Where are you?” I ask nervously.
“Here,” he says, and a hand grabs my arm. I turn, trying to see him but I still can’t, just a black shadow of a hand holding my arm.
“Why can’t I see you?” I ask, feeling for his hand. It doesn’t feel right, not solid but like air instead. It’s so weird, and for some reason it scares me.
“I don’t know why, but I think it’s because we have been apart for too long,” he tells me, his voice wavering at the end.
“Thorne,” I mumble, wanting to tell him everything I learnt from Melody, but not like this, not when I can’t even see his face.
“Your adoptive father killed my mother,” I say, angry with him. Angry would be an understatement. I’m furious.
“Yes, but he was brainwashed into thinking your mother was evil, brainwashed into believing he was doing the right thing. It’s no excuse though, I don't blame you if you hate me for it,” he says sadly.
“He still killed her, and you made me feel sorry for him and you!” I say, trying to move my arm away from him but he doesn’t let go.
“He did, hate me for that as well if you wish, just don’t go,” he whispers.
“Why do you want me to hate you?”
“Because I messed up, and I don’t deserve forgiveness,” he says, each word is more distant and faint than the next.
“Who brainwashed your father?” I ask quietly.
“I don’t know, I never knew. My mother and I will kill whoever it was,” he vows, but I can just about hear him.
“She doesn’t know?” I ask, needing to know how much she has lied to him.
“No, she doesn’t,” he whispers.
“Stay safe, Isola, I don’t think I’m strong enough to keep doing this,” he says, and for some reason it makes me feel sick. The idea of never talking to him again, never seeing him again.
“You want to let me go Thorne?” I ask.
“Never. I never want to let you go, but you should run from me,” he whispers, and then everything goes black.
I blink my eyes open, hearing the television on in the background, and feeling my body resting on top of something hard and warm. I look down to see Elias underneath me on the sofa, my head on his chest, his heavy breathing telling me he is sleeping. I hear light snoring, and turn on my side to see Dagan sleeping on one of the sofas, and Korbin sleeping on the other. I slide off Elias slowly, careful not to wake him, and avoid the pizza boxes on the floor as I escape the room. I go through the kitchen and to the bathroom, turning the tap on and splashing my face with some water to wake me up. That dream was weird, and why am I suddenly so worried about Thorne? All I can think is that something is wrong, and there is nothing I can do. I’m tired of being here, helpless and not being able to do anything. I’m the princess of Dragca, the last ice royal, and my ancestors didn’t back down. They didn’t hide when everyone needed them, no, they went to war. They took the throne, demanded peace, and never let anyone beat them. The door opens behind me, snapping me out of my thoughts, and I see Dagan come in the room in the mirror.
“Shit, sorry. I thought you had gone up to bed,” he says. I shake my head, words escaping me as I still can’t stop thinking about how much of a disappointment I am. How I’m meant to making them remember me, instead I’m just falling for them. It’s a massive clusterfuck. I don’t know if Dagan sees something written on my face, but he doesn’t walk out, only holds the door as he looks at me like he can read my every thought.
“I only just woke up,” I admit, and he shuts the door behind him. Dagan walks up to me, wrapping his arms around me from behind, and resting his head above mine. Our eyes meet in the mirror, neither of us looking away, and just finding some comfort and security in each other.
“Things are changing for us all, and it’s getting complicated. Sure you don’t want to run, kitty cat?” he asks, seductively in that panty dropping voice that I swear these dragons have mastered. I could run from everything and live a life in hiding. But I would always be running once I started, and I would be heartbroken. I know I would, I couldn’t leave them.
“I’m not running from anything anymore, especially not with how I feel. Life is so short, my life has taught me that, and it’s pointless to fight what is right,” I tell him, keeping my eyes locked with his. I want to make sure he understands every word. I will find a way to break the curse, to set them free and able to keep their dragons. Even if they don’t want me in the end, even if I die making sure it happens, I’m going to do it.
“Tell me to stop, and I will,” he says, as he tilts my head to the side and kisses me. The kiss is slow and leisurely as he holds me close to him. I moan as his hands tighten on my hips, sliding towards my stomach slowly. Every kiss teases me to the point of begging him. His right hand flicks open my jeans, as he slides hand slowly into my jeans, and underneath my lacy underwear.
“You’re a tease Dagan,” I moan
, as his finger glides up and down my slit.
“I want to spend hours teasing you, learning your every reaction. What you like,” he rubs a finger around my clit making me moan out in pleasure as he whispers, “what you love, and what makes you scream my name.” He slowly slides one finger inside me, before taking it out, and adding another.
“Watch me as I pleasure you, I want you to remember this,” he demands, and I look at his eyes in the mirror, as he gets me closer and closer. So much passion, so much devotion is blazing in his eyes. He means every word, and I know after this, I will be his. I know I already was.
“Come for me, Isola, I want to see and feel you come,” he whispers in my ear as his thumb finds my clit, and his masterful hands send me over the edge. I moan out, keeping my eyes locked with his even though it’s difficult, and my body pressed against his. He keeps his fingers inside me as I calm down, enough to tilt my head, and look at him. I slide my hand to his belt, but he stops me with his other hand.
“No, beautiful,” he whispers slowly, removing his fingers, and stepping away. I watch breathlessly as he walks to the door.
“Don’t you want to?” I ask.
“Not yet, there are plenty of things I want to do to you before I finally get to be inside you, kitty cat,” he says with a seductive smirk, and walks out the room.
Chapter 23
Isola
How was your exam?” Hallie asks, rubbing her forehead as we walk out the dinner hall where we have been writing our exams for the last two hours. I didn’t even see the point of trying to study for it, so I just drew the royal crest while I waited. I know I’m going to fail every class. The memories of being here for the last two years have nearly all gone, and all I remember are certain things, only the big things that happened. And that wasn’t much, or anything to do with school.
“Shit, I know I failed it, but it doesn’t really matter,” I reply, and she sighs.
“You’re lucky your parents aren’t on your case like mine. My dad would lose his shit if I failed,” she says, and I reach over lifting a bit of her hair.
“Is that why you dyed the tips red?” I ask. I've never really known why she changes the colour.
“Yeah, I thought it would give me some confidence with the exam and dealing with my parents,” she laughs sarcastically, “it didn’t.”
“I’m sorry,” I give her a side hug, trying to ignore the pangs of jealousy I feel. I wish my father was here to get angry that I didn’t pass a test. That we could do simple things like that. Yet, even when he was alive, he didn’t make much of an effort with normal things, because the crown came first. I remember reading a saying in a book once about becoming a queen or king. They say you give everything up for the crown, for the people you are chosen to rule. Maybe that was just the case with my father, he gave everything up in the end, even me.
“What happened yesterday after the hospital? You never said,” I ask as we keep walking towards the front doors of the school.
“Nothing, he was just being overdramatic,” she says, smiling tightly at me. I open the door, deciding not to call her out on lying to me. I really need to do some stalking of Hallie to find out what her father does. I literally have no idea from the clues she has given me. Something is going on though, and I need to know what.
“Hey princess, can I have a word?” Elias says, leaning against a pillar, putting a cigarette out under his boot. Does he ever stop smoking?
“Have fun,” Hallie winks, and walks off as I chuckle.
“What’s up?” I ask him after I walk over. He looks down at me, his blue eyes sparkling and drawing me in.
“A date, we are going on a date,” he announces.
“That doesn’t sound like you’re asking me,” I raise an eyebrow. I don’t like to be commanded to do anything.
“I’m not asking, you had one with Korbin, so I’m feeling left out,” he says playfully, stepping closer, smoothing his hands down my arms.
“That’s a shame, isn’t it?” I tease, “if you ask, nicely, I might go on a date with you,” I say, making him laugh.
“Isola Dragice, will you go on a date with me?” he asks, somehow making the awkward sentence sexy. Dammit.
“Where did you have in mind?” I ask.
Ice skating? Not what I expected,” I say as we walk around the corner and stop in front of the ice skating building. It has ice boots glowing green next to a sign that says “Skate for Ice.” A nice classic sign that I’m sure took someone hours to think up.
“You are an ice dragon, I’m pretty sure you like ice,” he whispers next to my ear, his lips lightly grazing them.
“Okay, I’m an ice dragon that’s never been ice skating,” I admit, making him laugh. He tugs me towards the doors of the building. We walk in, get our boots after Elias pays, and go to sit on a bench to put them on. There aren’t many people on the ice, or on the steps around it. It’s a small ice ring, with plastic protectors and rails all the way around. The place looks like it could use some new paint, and overall is not in the best condition, but I bet it doesn’t get a lot of visitors in this small town.
“Do you know how to skate?” I ask him, doing up the laces, and pulling them tight. I stand up slowly, wobbling a little even when I’m not on the ice. This is not going to go well.
“Maybe, I think so. I don’t know, my memories are a little hazy,” he asks, getting confused because he doesn’t remember what is real, and what is not. This is Melody’s fake memories messing with him.
“Let’s just go out, and see if you can,” I ask, and he stands up, not wobbling at all and reaches for my hand.
“Don’t pull me over if you fall, princess,” he requests and I know if I fall, he is coming down with me. This was his idea, not mine.
“I promise I will,” I say, grinning. I look away as we get to the ice, and let go of Elias to hold onto the rail. I slip straight away, grabbing the rail for dear life to make sure I don’t fall over and hurt my ass.
“Princess, need a hand?” Elias says behind me and I turn to see him skating around in circles. Show off. Of course he would be good at this.
“Nope,” I bite out, determined to do this myself. I can make ice, so surely I can skate on it? Right?
“Ahh!” I scream as I fall over after letting go of the bars, smacking my right side on the freezing cold ice.
“I got you, my stubborn pain in the ass,” Elias says, picking me up and putting me on my feet like I weigh nothing. He holds me close to him, both of us not moving.
“I’m not stubborn,” I point out, needing to say it.
“Yeah, princess, you are,” he says, and then moves back a little, letting me grab his arms with my hands.
“Okay, come forward two steps, and then just glide. And repeat. It’s easy, and I won’t let go,” he tells me, and I narrow my eyes at him.
“I’m not a kid,” I say.
“Oh, I know,” he says, his tone deeper and gruffer than before.
“Sorry, I just don’t like not being able to do something,” I tell him, taking two steps forward like he suggested and then letting the boots glide me along.
“Again,” Elias says when I slow to a stop. I repeat the action, until I’m doing it without thinking, and we are skating around the ice together.
“Sometimes, you can’t do everything alone. You need to accept help, in whatever forms it comes in,” he tells me, and I know he is right. It’s like going back to Dragca, I will need help. There is no way I will be able to win the throne back on my own. No, I have to start asking for help when I need it. Elias is right, but I’m not going to tell him that. His ego is big enough already.
“Even from the sexy biker man I’m on a date with?” I ask, and he pulls me to his chest, making me almost lose my footing as he holds me close to him.
“Even me,” he whispers, and then kisses me.
Chapter 24
Isola
Are you sure you don’t want to come with us?” Korbin asks me, as him
and Dagan pull their coats on. I lean against the wall, shaking my head.
“Nope, you need to do a food shop. I’m not going with you after last time,” I shoot a pointed look at Dagan, who laughs.
“It wasn’t that bad,” he grumbles, walking out the door.
“It was! Watch out for the big pile of food this time!” I shout after him. Korbin chuckles and follows him out.
“Do you want anything special?” Elias asks as he comes out the kitchen, and gets his coat.
“Chocolate, lots of chocolate.”
“I should have known that answer,” he grins, “what are you going to do today then?”
“I’m going to sit and read this book that came out today I’ve been waiting forever for!” I say excitedly and he laughs, kissing my cheek before walking out and shutting the door. I grab my kindle from my room, and run down the stairs, sitting on the sofa as I open a new book. I love the feeling when you start reading the first line of a new book and you know you are going to be hooked from just that one line. You also know you won’t be putting it down for a long time. I settle down on the sofa just as my phone starts ringing.
“You have to be kidding me,” I groan. I put the kindle down and run into the kitchen, finding my mobile on the side. I just miss the call, but there’s five messages from Hallie.
Hey! I decided to go to the party. Hot guy is going!
Okay, the party is boring.
I skim through the next couple of messages about who is hooking up with who at the party and about some girl that was sick on a guy to the last message.