by Jayne Hawke
A flicker of hope formed within me. It could have been that I was too harsh on Evander, and that there was a chance we could salvage something from all of this. If he was right and I could break his curse, then he would no longer be the beast. We could both taste freedom.
Connor returned in the evening. He wore a resigned frown as he leaned against the doorway.
“I have a change of clothes here for you. We’ll wash the ones you have. Evander will see you for dinner in an hour.” Connor set down a bag of what I assumed was clothing.
He looked at me with sadness in his eyes and waited.
“Ok,” I said simply.
His eyes narrowed as he looked for a trick. There was none. I was ready to speak to Evander.
The door closed once more, but it didn’t bring quite the same weight with it as it had before. I walked into the luxurious bathroom and ran myself a bath with more rose-scented bubbles than water.
My muscles remained tight and ready for a fight, despite the hot water. I didn’t expect Evander to strike me, not now, but I needed to understand. I needed to see if there really was some hope to be had.
FORTY-NINE
I should have known better than to expect something sensible such as jeans and a t-shirt to be waiting for me in that clothing bag. No, there was a beautiful, dark golden dress. The thin straps removed any chance of my wearing a bra beneath it. I held it up and admired the elegant tailoring that turned the simple dress into something eye catching. The skirt had been lightly pleated to give it more movement.
When I looked in the mirror, I found the dress unsurprisingly fit perfectly. It hugged my curves and flowed down over my hips, stopping just above my knees. Laughing, I turned slowly in a circle and enjoyed the way the skirt flowed outwards making me feel like a little girl.
Connor knocked before he stepped inside. He gave me a small nod of approval before he stepped back, and I walked out into the hallway. The golden pumps that had come with the dress were remarkably comfortable and well-balanced, meaning I could fight in them should the need arise. My throat tightened at the thought. I didn’t want to hurt him, not really.
My heart was skittering in my chest as we approached the dining room where Evander was waiting for me. This dinner would decide our fates. Connor opened the door and gestured for me to walk inside. It was just me and Evander.
“He spent all afternoon preparing this meal for you,” Connor said with a soft growl.
I stepped inside and found Evander in a beautiful ink-black suit which looked positively sinful on him, politely on his feet and almost succeeding in looking casual.. He looked at me and a warm smile blossomed on his face.
“I have prepared three courses,” he said as he pulled the seat next to his out.
I had hoped to have more space between us, but a thrill ran through me regardless. It felt so right being near him.
“The soup is an old family recipe,” Evander said as he lifted the covers off our bowls.
I wasn’t sure what to say. The pale green soup smelled fresh and light with a touch of something I couldn’t place.
“Thank you,” I said stiffly.
They didn’t train us how to deal with situations like this at the Sisters of the Hunt.
The soup was exquisite. It was light and refreshing with tastes that I hadn’t experienced before. Evander was truly an incredible cook. I hoped I’d be able to enjoy more of his creations in the future.
“Did you read Jekyll and Hyde?” Evander asked.
“I did. The message was quite clear. We all have some darkness within us.”
“You’re not an exception, Iona. You think me a monster, but I have never taken an innocent life. Every person I have killed I have had hard evidence of being a bastard who made this world worse. Can you honestly say the same?”
“I only hunt those who prey on the innocent,” I said, a flash of something that wasn’t quite defensiveness rising to the surface for the briefest of moments.
“And you have evidence of their crimes? Did you ever think about what their families think when you murder them in cold blood?” Evander said as he placed a plate full of beautifully cooked duck and roasted vegetables in front of me.
No. I hadn’t thought of the families. They were just monsters, creatures not worth seeing as people.
“Am I correct in thinking that you just kill whoever your head sister tells you to? Without question or proof of their deeds?” Evander pushed.
“We are guardians and protectors,” I said.
“You say that, and yet I see no sign of it. Who is to say that you’re not being used as mercenaries, killing those who are inconvenient to someone with enough money?”
The thought chilled me.
I bit into a piece of duck, and it melted in my mouth. The lavender crust Evander had cooked it with complemented the duck beautifully, making it a memorable and moan-worthy meal.
“Are you trying to say that I’m the monster here?” I said coolly.
“I am saying that you were unlucky. You were raised in a situation that didn’t give you the complete picture, and that has coloured your views of me. Give me a chance. Have I ever hurt you?”
I sighed softly. He wasn’t wrong, and that made my stomach twist and my chest squeeze tight. His arguments were valid. And I hated it.
“No, you’ve never hurt me,” I said softly.
“I love you, Iona Stormchild. You are a beautiful, incredible, strong woman, and I hope to spend many happy years with you. If you’ll just give me a chance.”
I froze. He was looking at me with such sincerity that I knew he was being honest, and I was conflicted as to what to say or feel about that.
I took another bite of duck and tried to process everything. There was a real chance of happiness here, of freedom. All I had to do was allow myself to fall into the arms of this beautiful man and hope that I wasn’t wrong.
“You have time, don’t feel as though I need an answer from you here and now,” Evander said gently.
“What’s it like? Being the dragon,” I said.
He slowly placed his knife and fork down.
“It is... exhilarating and exhausting. The dragon is much like what I understand a shifter to feel like. The draconic instincts are very present, and they are difficult to control. I feel a great need to defend my territory, London, from outsiders. And to hunt. I don’t indulge in either. As I have made very clear, that is not who or what I am. There is a bliss in flying, though. Feeling the cold air rushing over my scales and seeing the city from far above.”
I had wondered sometimes if, perhaps, I should have been some form of bird shifter. Flying had appealed to me many times as I sat locked away somewhere in the Sisters’ house. I envied him that ability, even if it was against his will.
We finished the rest of our meal with comfortable small talk about the wonderful meal and the classics. Evander talked with such enthusiasm about every book he had read, even those he hadn’t enjoyed. His face lit up with happiness to be discussing stories and words. It was difficult to maintain some sense of distance between us.
Once the plates had been put away, the lights seemed to dim of their own accord and soft orchestral music began playing. Evander held out his hand.
“Will you do me the honour of dancing with me?”
I couldn’t say no. I craved the security of his embrace while I tried to come to terms with everything. This could all be mine, including the beautiful man that had declared his love for me.
Taking his hand, I allowed him to lead me to the large open space and begin dancing. He moved with practised grace and elegance. It was so easy to let everything slip from my mind and lose myself in his warm, genuine smile. His eyes shone with happiness as he looked down at me. I could believe in that moment that we were meant to be, two parts of a whole.
The music swept us away as happiness slowly overtook the caution and I saw him as the man I had fallen for. Gone was the terror of the dragon. There was only the kindhea
rted man with a deep love of books.
Once the dance was over, I pulled back. He was still the dragon, and there was still a very real chance that this was all a game. I needed time, and space, to get my head straight and understand what was going on here.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered as I turned and walked away.
FIFTY
Evander was waiting for me at breakfast the next day. The deep sadness in his eyes formed a painful ache in my chest. I wanted nothing more than to go to him and hold him close.
“The Hades god touched are currently closing in and forming a noose around my neck. It is their desire to remove all fae from the world. They have been fighting with us for years, but something has changed. I do not have the information I need yet, but I’m sure they’re forming a plan to destroy me and take my territory as their own. That would be a huge blow to all fae.” Evander sighed and looked away. “I know that you don’t always like my kind, but they will slaughter us. At best, we will be slaves or locked back on fae. I need to look after my people, to keep them safe. Once the Hades god touched threat has been removed, then I will grant you your freedom. If you choose to return and try to kill me, I will have no choice but to defend myself.”
He looked at me.
“Please don’t make me hurt you, Iona,” he whispered.
I swallowed hard. Everything I’d been taught over the years was being stripped away from me. He sounded so genuine, and I didn’t think the depth of sadness that hung off him like a mourning veil could be faked.
There was always a chance that he was using me, toying with me.
Connor watched us with his arms behind his back and a stiffness to him that made it quite clear he wouldn’t let anything happen to his best friend. I took my time picking at the foods that appealed to me while I thought everything through. He had made no attempts to hurt me. Every touch had been soft and tender. The books he had given me were plentiful, and the stories all matched between them.
I took my large plate full of food and returned to my suite, unable to stay around Evander any longer. My hands kept reaching for him, to feel his skin and strength beneath my fingertips. My head told me I was being a fool, but there was a hole inside of me that I knew only he could fill.
The thoughts and arguments whirled around my head forming a blur of white noise. He was old enough to have a soulmate, and my fae blood would make me a potential candidate for it. If I was his soulmate, then we could grant each other freedom. He would no longer be trapped in the cycle of the dragon forced to wear the scales and burden that brought with it. I would be a lord’s wife and have the freedom that granted. I’d never want for anything. I could explore the world and enjoy the finest things in life.
Of course, I would maintain my position as a guardian and protector. No one would take that from me. The more I thought about it, the more I began to believe him.
My afternoon was devoted to really understanding the fae side of the dragon stories. In every instance, I saw them as the knights they claimed to be. A hot tear rolled down my cheek as I read the story of the death of the first dragon. He had been written as a kind and gentle fae who lived to keep his people safe. People like me had tortured and killed him.
“They all died brutal and bloody deaths,” Connor said.
I hadn’t heard the door open.
“None thought to question the stories and propaganda. Nathaniel was a stubborn old sidhe, but he did everything in his power to keep those around him safe and well. He died for that determination. He stayed behind and gave the rest of the dragons a chance to escape and fight another day. Evander had tried to be the one to stay, but I and Eoin had dragged him away. We need him. The fae need him. Ryn is a strong and just leader, but Evander is just as necessary.”
There was such passion in Connor’s words. He looked at me with a coldness and betrayal that made me look away as my mouth went dry.
“I don’t blame you, not really. You were raised in a cult. You never had a chance to learn about the world, or the truth. Now you have the information, the decision is firmly on your shoulders. Will you stand by Evander and break his curse, or will you flee to your sisters and rip apart the fae world?”
My breathing slowed, and I knew what I needed to do.
FIFTY-ONE
It had taken me a few minutes to pack my things. Evander had insisted that I take my copy of Jekyll & Hyde. His fingers lingered on mine, and for the briefest moment I felt it. The bond between us. His eyes sparked, and a flicker of a smile passed over his lips.
“I’ll be back before midnight,” I said with more confidence than I felt.
This was the most dangerous thing I’d ever done, but it was necessary.
Connor took me down to the ground floor, and we drove in silence through the city back to the building I had called home. I couldn’t stay still. My foot was itching to tap, my mind was running through every possibility. There was so much that could wrong, but I had no choice. Not really.
“We’ll see you later,” Connor said warmly.
I gave a stiff nod and got out of the car, swallowing hard as I did so. For the first time in my life, I was nervous to walk into my home. This was far bigger than having slipped out to run across the rooftops. I was about to go against everything I’d been taught.
The house was far too quiet. There was no whispering or talk, no thuds or grunts from sparring. It felt as though the building were holding its breath, waiting for something. I walked silently through the familiar halls until I heard voices in the main meeting space.
Opening the door, I saw Mr. Anastas and a white-haired man with a two-pronged sceptre in his hand. I froze. They were Hades god touched. They’d been using me and the sisters to try and kill Evander. This entire thing had been a set up from the start.
Rage bubbled up within me. How dare they use us as disposable tools. We were nothing to the god touched, part-breed fae mongrels were openly despised by their kind, and yet there they were. Had Sister Analise known? Was she involved in whatever dark and twisted plan this was?
“Together, we will purge this city and create a haven for those who truly deserve this world,” the white-haired Hades god touched said.
My hands shook slightly from the pure blind fury running through my veins. I couldn’t take my eyes off the Hades god touched as they stood at the front of the room like kings commanding their army. These were my sisters, and I would not allow them to take them.
“Miss Stormchild, wonderful timing. We were just preparing to go and kill the dragon. Lord Evander.”
A rumble of joy and happiness spread through the group, through my sisters.
“He is no monster,” I snarled.
“We warned you this might happen. The dragons are dangerous, they wield magic with a finesse which shouldn’t be allowed to exist in our city,” the white-haired man said as he spread his eyes wide open.
A few of my sisters looked at me with pity.
“You are the monster. Did you tell my sisters how you plan to remove the fae from the world? How we’re nothing but disposable mongrels to you?” I demanded.
“The poor girl has been tricked and bespelled. Look at what this lord does with such ease,” the white-haired man said.
Emma and Bronwen made moves towards me. Their hands were slightly outstretched as though to restrain me. Those bastards had turned my sisters on me.
“Today is the day we take back the city and begin the journey to make it what it should be!” the white-haired man roared.
The roar was echoed back to him by sisters. A chill ran through me. They were better than this.
I was not going to stand by and watch my sisters slaughter my soulmate.
FIFTY-TWO
I fought for all I was worth. I was the best of them, but I never had a chance. Emma’s fist collided with my jaw while Sienna and Nicole bound my hands behind my back.
“It’s for your own good,” Nicole said gently.
I was dragged bodily into my room.
They tossed me upon my bed and locked the door behind them when they left. War cries reverberated around the house. They were going on the greatest hunt of their lives. They believed they were going to be given a place in the city, the thing most of them craved above all else.
Slowing my breathing, I pushed past the sadness and sensation of my heart slowly shattering in my chest. They were fools to think a rope and a locked door could keep me in. I twisted and brought my hands around to be in front of me. From there, it was easy to undo the sloppy knot Bronwen had tied.
My jaw and ribs ached, but that was a concern for another time. I needed to get to Evander and warn him. I wasn’t going to allow them to harm a single hair on his head.
I broke through the new lock on the hatch in our room and wriggled out onto the roof. My sisters were climbing into sleek white cars down on the street. I was running out of time.
My feet carried me across the rooftops while I looked for a vehicle I could steal. There wasn’t a chance that I’d be able to beat them to Evander’s office on foot. A modern motorbike caught my attention. It had been leaned against a wall of an alley away from the road and prying eyes. I made my way down the red brick wall and hotwired the bike with ease. Sister Analise had taken some time teaching us how to acquire transportation should we need it.
The bike roared to life, and I swept out onto the road. A symphony of curses and beeping horns followed me as I wove my way between the traffic, hopping up onto the sidewalk at some points. An eerie calm had settled over me. This was going to be the fight to end all fights. There was a chance I would die, but he was worth it.
Dragon or not, he was mine.
I abandoned the bike across the street from Evander’s offices and ran across the road before I burst into the lobby.
“Get Connor. Now,” I snarled at the receptionist.