6. Chapter Six
Chapter Six
Eldrake
I closed the door to my room with a soft thud and immediately smacked my palm to my forehead.
Gods, I’m an idiot.
I tried to play it cool. Probably just scared the shit out of her. What was I thinking, leaning in like that? Whispering in her ear? I cringed at the memory.
Smooth, Drake. Real smooth.
I’d never been exceptionally gifted when it came to women.
Some found my rank or bloodline appealing, but it was always superficial.
Eva didn’t know about any of that, though.
She didn’t know who I was or why I was there, which made the interaction feel…
different. More… authentic. And apparently, that meant I didn’t know how to act like a normal human being. Or, half-human being, at least.
Sighing, I turned my attention to the room she’d put me in.
It was clean and well-kept, though ancient enough that every creak in the floorboards seemed to whisper its age.
I felt bad about calling her inn “ramshackle” earlier.
It was clear she cared about this place—every corner of the room spoke of love and attention to detail.
My fingers brushed against the delicate petals of the dogwood flower on the armoire, its presence a small but meaningful touch.
She put that there. I thought of her wide, amber eyes gazing up at me earlier, the way they seemed to shine even when she was trying to maintain composure.
Even with walls between us, I could feel her rift, pulsing and powerful.
I inhaled, catching the faint scent of her lingering in the air. Light and sweet, like lavender and honeysuckle, subtle but impossible to ignore. My pulse quickened, and I felt a rush of blood rush south.
I shook my head sharply. Nope. Not going there.
I was here for a mission, not… that. Whatever that was. I sat on the edge of the bed, trying to meditate with my hands on my knees and exhaling slowly.
Stay focused. Focused, Eldrake.
I’d barely sat down when a knock at my door pulled me out of my spiraling thoughts. In a few quick strides, I reached the door and cracked it open, only to find… no one?
“Down here,” came a voice.
I glanced down to see Felix standing a good two feet below me, his usual unamused expression in place.
“Oh. Sorry,” I muttered, stepping aside. “Come in.”
With a little hop, Felix perched himself on the edge of the bed, crossing one ankle over the other like he owned the place. He regarded me with a pointed look, saying nothing—letting the silence do all the work.
“...Yes?” I finally prompted, narrowing my eyes.
“Care to explain what the hell that was?” he asked, his voice thick with disapproval.
I felt a flicker of heat rush to my cheeks.
Gods above, the Captain of the Rebellion does not blush.
Felix didn’t miss a beat. “Because last I checked, our great Captain of the Rebellion had no time for—what was it again?— ‘cheap seduction tactics, so far beneath me, I’d never stoop so low, rah, rah, cue the flexing.’ ”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Are you done?” I deadpanned.
“Never,” he said sweetly, tilting his head, curls bouncing.
“First of all, watch it, Doctor .”
“And secondly?” he prompted.
“Secondly,” I said, “through my skilled observation, I realized she may be too attached to this place to leave without… a little extra persuasion.” It was a lie, of course. The truth was, whatever plan I’d had didn’t survive long after seeing her. But Felix didn’t need to know that.
He snorted, unconvinced. “You do know my sister’s been interested in you for years, right?”
“Yes, Felix. I’m aware. And I’m not interested in Fen,” I replied firmly, tugging my damp tunic over my head and tossing it aside. The cool air hit my skin, and my scaled shoulders flexed in relief.
“Tragic,” he sighed, all false melancholy. “She’ll write a ballad.”
“Besides, I’m a professional. I wouldn’t court someone in my squad.”
His smirk twitched wider, eyes glittering. “Ah, but Eva’s not technically in your squad.”
I groaned. “Get out.”
He slid off the bed, chuckling as though he’d just won a private game. “Good to know where the line is, Captain. I’ll keep score.”
Even as he left, I couldn’t shake the echo of his words. I’d buried so many feelings over the years I thought I’d forgotten how to have one. But here she was—kicking the lid off the damn box.