Chapter Three

“Are we interrupting something?” Cadmus spoke from the doorway, making both of us turn. He and Magnus were in the doorway, both shirtless and in jeans instead of cotton pants. Just as I said no, Blaze said yes and pressed himself into me more causing me to gasp and my scent to flare in the room again. I shivered as all 3 males' eyes darkened and the sexual tension in the room skyrocketed. I hit Blaze in the bare chest and pushed on him so he’d climb off of me. I climbed off the bed and took a deep breath to steady myself.

“You four will be the death of me. You weren’t interrupting anything. Just Blaze initiating a dangerous game and an uncomfortable conversation with Silas.” I explained with a shrug. Cadmus came towards me and ran his hand over my cheek, cupping it and tilting my face up to look at him.

“Are you alright dear one? Why was the conversation with Silas difficult?” His eyes were warm and intent on my face as I blushed and sent a glare to Blaze as he chuckled.

“He could feel my arousal so he called. I had to downplay it and say I was alone and having some ‘me’ time in my room.” I blushed harder as Cadmus grinned down at me, a deep chuckle leaving his rumbly chest.

“Blaze, stop pushing boundaries. Kara has told you numerous times she’s not comfortable doing anything while still tied to Silas. Respect that.” Magnus reprimanded as he shook his head at Blaze who just rolled his eyes and flopped back down in my bed.

“Are you ready for dinner dear one? I figured we could have an early dinner as I promised my mother I would come by later and help her with some things around the house.” Cadmus asked with a hopeful smile, the dimple in his cheek showing. I nodded and grabbed my robe, putting it on and putting my hair up into a quick twist. Making sure my phone and the ring box was in my pockets.

“I’m all good to go.” I smiled at him before running my hand over Blaze’s cheek and giving it a pinch with a smirk and then giving Magnus a quick hug before going back to Cadmus and lacing my fingers through his as I grinned up at him. He grinned at me and gave my hand a squeeze as we left my room and walked through the halls till we came to a private sitting area at the top of a spire.

When I found it while exploring it quickly became my favourite place to go, it was completely open to the outside, with only pillars holding up the ceiling. The stones were colourful and soft, well worn by the elements and the seating was so comfy and relaxed. There was a large fireplace that had glass beads that burned with a high heat and a blue flame. I loved having dinner up here with Cadmus, or just spending time with him here.

I sat down on the couch and looked over at Cadmus with a smile as he lit the fire pit and came to sit beside me, his hand resting on my thigh. I smiled and sat quietly as a few dragon staff workers placed food and drinks on the table edge around the fire pit. I smiled at them and thanked them before they left the room and poured myself a glass of wine. Once they were gone I took the ring box from my pocket and handed it to Cadmus.

He looked shocked before a happy grin spread across his face as he took the box. He opened it and took it out, grinning at me as he ran his fingers over the emerald before holding it out to me. I chuckled and put it on his finger, grinning up at him, loving his happy little proud smile. He wrapped his arms around me in a tight hug and pulled me into his lap so I was sitting sideways. He placed a kiss on my cheek and then just held me to him, a happy smile on his face.

“Thank you dear one, it’s beautiful.” I smiled at him and ran my hand over his jaw, the stubble scratching along my palm.

“I’m glad you like it, Cadmus. I suppose Magnus was correct in saying we’d make an attractive colour pairing. I guess that's why a lot of my dresses are green with gold accents?” I teased as I settled into his arms, sipping my wine as he pulled a tray of food towards us and fed me a bit.

“The dresses may or may not have something to do with our upcoming union, yes. Most often it’s tradition for the ruling pair to match their colours together to show the commitment of the political marriage. Traditionally it’s only worn that way until the marriage happens and then both are able to return to wearing whatever they so choose. Often the political marriages were never intimate ones so the colours didn’t stay combined afterwards. After our union, you will be able to go back to wearing whatever you please.”

“I don’t know, I kind of like gold and emerald together.” I mused with a light blush to my cheeks. I looked up at Cadmus through my lashes. He grinned and ran his thumb over my cheek, kissing the skin just to the side of my mouth.

“I’m glad to hear that dear one. I really am.” he chuckled and held the plate out for me to eat. For a while, we just sat and chatted about nothing other than how our day went. Being with Cadmus was easy and comforting. He was always a nice steady presence and he never pressured or presumed for more.  We sat until the sky was dark and the food was gone, the chill in the air more pronounced.

As a shifter, I ran hot, but nowhere near as hot as a dragon, especially since I haven’t shifted yet. I curled into Cadmus’s hold and relaxed into his warmth, his arms securely around me as we both sipped the last of our wine. I sighed and rested against his chest, listening to his heartbeat, curling into him and running my hand over his chest.

“Didn’t you say you had to go to your mom's?” I asked, looking up at him with a soft smile. He nodded and cupped my cheek, pressing a kiss to the tip of my nose before we both stood up.

“I do, yes. You’ll be fine to get back to your room on your own?” I smiled and nodded, moving back and blushing as he stripped out of his jeans and wished me a good night before he jumped off the ledge and shifted into a dragon mid-fall and flew off into the night, his gold scales muted but magnificent in the moonlight. I smiled till he was gone from sight and then I made my way down the spire towards my room.

When I got there I went right to the massive gemstone shower and scrubbed my skin and hair with the amazing petrichor soap, shampoo and conditioner. It was an amazing smell and I noticed that all the brothers really enjoyed the scent. After my shower, I dried off and tied my damp hair into a long braid and pulled on a simple gold slip. I turned off the light in the bathroom and went back to my bed, chuckling as I saw Magnus lounging on my bed, hands behind his head. I smiled and climbed into bed, lying on my side as I looked at him.

“Come to join me for the night for a while?” I asked with a smile.

“I was hoping to, yes. I haven’t seen much of you at all today.” he chuckled as he rolled onto his side beside me, both of us laying on a pillow looking at each other.

“Bit of a hectic day I suppose. I like when we have these quiet, relaxed moments together.” I admitted as I pulled my blanket over me, his scent mixing with mine and creating a very intoxicating aroma. Being warm in bed with Magnus beside me, the lights off and the breeze coming from the open doorway was making me extremely tired, especially since being here I had been rising with the sun given the way the place was built. Couldn't really block out the sun when an entire wall was open to the outside. As Magnus talked I felt myself fall farther and farther into sleep until that's all there was, a happy smile on my face.