~Jayan~And when Olyon reappears from Velthra, both healers are dead.One of the healers still has his eyes frozen wide open in acute horror as if before he died, he saw shit that broke him. The other looks like he was slashed to shreds and pieces.It all happened so fast that I'm still processing it. Mosley looks equally stunned, but Asad snarls, "What the fuck are you doing? We needed them to help Bethany, you psychotic bastard!"Olyon kicks aside one of the corpses, his face murderous as he stalks toward Asad."No, what are you doing? Where's your overdeveloped sense of paranoia when we need it? She told me to let no one heal her. It wasn't a polite suggestion, Mort. She must have a reason to avoid the healers here, so I don't fucking trust them. You shouldn't have, either.""I wasn't trusting them. If they made a wrong move, I would have killed them just as quickly," Asad seethes. "But now look at her. She's not breathing, Olyon, she has no godsdamned pulse! My magic refuses to wo
~Jayan~"Then ask," Asad snaps in reply to whatever she said before I walked in. "Fucking ask me if it was all a show, Bethany. You know I can't lie."As I approach, her gaze darts to me, but she shakes her head stubbornly."I don't care if it was a lie. This isn't just about the bet. I already told you back in Fesset-""What, that you're trying to protect us?" I growl, recalling her confession about her soul pact and claiming that she was rejecting us to keep us safe. "I want you, Bethany, not your motherfucking protection. I'm a grown-ass dragon, and I can handle myself. So what if the anti-Noble movement says we shouldn't be together? If that's all you're worried about-"She cuts me off with a harsh scoff. "All I'm worried about? You think the anti-Noble movement is the worst thing out there? Not even fucking close."
~Jayan~Asad is instantly beside Bethany, looking as possessive and pissed as I feel.The tension in the room is thick enough to taste since everyone is on edge after the Liminal order's announcements."Were you just flirting with that Noble, Thaloria?" Asad demands.Bethany shrugs one shoulder nonchalantly, but the expression on her face as she lifts her glass back to her perfect lips is full of warning. "I can flirt with anyone I want.""Like hell you can," I grit.She takes a sip, and I bite back a groan as I watch the muscles of her throat work.Mosley starts to say something, but Bethany downs the rest of her drink and cuts him off, skirting around all three of us."If you're done with your little drama, I'll get going now. Apparently, I've just been told that all the unmated male Nob
~Bethany~"Zad," one of the other Nobles hisses. “Let’s not get on these entitled assholes' bad sides. Come on.”Zadrick casts me one last scowl before he and his lapdogs move on. The moment they do, I ditch the four princes and head to the relatively uncrowded bar.The few Nobles mingling here seem to be having a great time, though some eyeball me.When I notice a handsome, dark-skinned Selkie leaning against the bar, checking me out with a drink in his hand, I approach him.I've never tried to flirt before.Sweeping my gaze over his tall form, I try to imitate Zuri's carefree, flirtatious smile. I'm pretty sure it looks deranged instead, but I’m working with what I’ve got."Hi."Yes, hi. That's the best I have in this department.So bleak
~Bethany~I look away from the Liminal order and find that Asad and Jayan have returned to consuming me with their eyes. Once again, it's inconvenient how much I enjoy that they obviously like what they see.I've never had much reason to care about the way I look. Survival always came first.I didn't even see my own reflection until I was thirteen years old and caught a glimpse of what I looked like in a dirty pond… right before someone tried to drown me in it.All this to say, it's nice to feel pretty.But I'm still determined to get over these gorgeous assholes, so I step backward to get out from between them. But cool hands gently grasp my bare shoulders from behind.“Watch where you’re going, Bethany,” Mosley says, his quiet voice almost lost to the music that has resumed.I step away from the silver-haired elemental who is in a sharp, perfectly tailored suit that would make any fashion photographer cry tears of joy.What a shame that someone so beautiful is an asshole.The last t
~Bethany~The gentleness in the Vel Morin’s voice kills me because deep down, I want that. I want to pull him closer for a kiss and forget about everything I've been through and everything I know will happen to me.I just want to fucking lose myself in the dream world that I know only he can weave for me.But it doesn't matter what I want. I made a promise, so whether or not Olyon's interest in me is genuine…I can't be selfish.Not when so many people are relying on me.It takes monumental effort, but I keep my poker face intact. "If you value your testicles, step away from me."His mouth twists up into a wistful yet flirtatious smile. "Now, Sweetheart. We both know you wouldn't dare hurt your chances of having mini-you’s running around the house one day."Before his words can sink in, Olyon steps back and extends his arm in an offer to escort me.The night has barely begun, and I’m already struggling with how to act around them. No, I can do better than this, so I walk past him witho