Chapter 24 #2
Eric, John, and I make our way backstage to the big area where everyone gathers at the end of the parade.
I’m talking to performers, congratulating them on their show, when all of a sudden I see the dragon storming toward me, still in half form, with his wings out and steam pouring out of his nose.
Now how did I know this was going to happen?
He wasn’t afraid to hide his hatred of me earlier.
“So you’re the Earth bitch who got my cousin kicked off this gig,” he growls, stepping right into my personal space.
Unlike Dylan, who was pitch black, Tirrian is more like an oil slick black.
He has a shimmer to his skin that flickers from green and gold to pink and blue.
He’s holographic depending on what angle you view him from.
Pink scales continuously shift back and forth across his skin in an agitated manner.
He’s much larger and more intimidating than Dylan was as well.
The guy is basically one Targaryen family member away from going full Game of Thrones dragon on me.
I feel my beast take over in defense of the unexpected threat, and I start to shift, growing rapidly, but this time it’s not just my bottom half, everything moves, and I get pushed into the background.
“Holy fuck. Tirrian, step back, you idiot, before she eats you in one bite,” Caspian shouts, putting himself between us and the puny dragon who looks like he might be tasty.
Dragon just like old one. Should have eaten him. Will eat this one.
No, no, no, I beg my beast as I hear her inner ramblings about eating Tirrian. Please don’t eat the dragon.
Caspian steps forward, the brave man, and we tower above him.
We must be at least as big as Tirrian’s dragon form was, which was huge.
He takes one of my tentacles in his arms and starts stroking it, murmuring soothing tones, and my beast forgets all about the stupid dragon and starts purring like a cat to her mate.
His soothing sounds lull her into a sort of sleepy state, allowing me to push her back out of the way and force our shift.
I’m naked when I make it back into human form. Xavier steps out of the crowd of performers who gathered around and waves a hand, quickly clothing me, but not before the dragon gets a good eyeful.
He sneers. “You’re just a pathetic, mate stealing Skarrian who has no powers and needs to rely on what your mate shared with you. You’re no better than a human. You should just go back to where you came from.”
I can feel my beast begin to shift in her slumber. This is so not going to end well.
“That is enough,” William bellows as he and his brothers join us.
“Tirrian, your father assured us there would be no more problems. Don’t pick up where your cousin left off, or you may find yourself in a very difficult place.
Your father will not be happy if you cause an international incident when you don’t have the full story.
I suggest you go cool off before you do irreversible damage or irreversible damage is done to you.
” William’s tone allows no room for argument, and a couple of the performers from his act drag him off, leaving me with Caspian who is looking at me with wonder.
“You have a full form, and she’s beautiful.” He pulls me into his arms and hugs me tight as I try to get my bearings. “I can’t wait until we can swim together. My beast was trying to push his way out, but that would have done us no good. Hopefully she won’t actually want to kill me when they meet.”
He pulls back, and I shake my head. “No, she was pretty thrilled with your attention. But maybe we should ask Xavier to be on hand when they first meet just in case,” I suggest and turn to the warlock who has been not so subtly listening.
“Of course I will. Are you okay?” he asks and nods in the direction Tirrian went.
I shrug. “I guess so. It was just words, and none of it was true. I’m sure there are hurt feelings about Dylan. Maybe I just need to sit down and explain what happened to him.”
“Yeah, I think for now it would be best for you to avoid him.” William’s frown is fully in place.
Yay. Another person I have to avoid.
“I think it may be time for a circus meeting. We haven’t needed one for a while, but with everything that has been going on, I think it would be wise.
I will not tolerate all the unacceptable behavior that has been happening.
” John types some things into the tablet he’s carrying.
I’m assuming he’s sending a circus wide message.
“Well, I’m not staying on the pod, so avoiding him won’t be any problem. Tonight has been a bit much, and I am ready for my bed. If Xavier wouldn’t mind taking me back to the hotel room, you and Link can join me when you finish up,” I tell Cas, and he beams.
“You want us to come too?” He sounds surprised but happy.
“Of course I do. That is if you don’t mind wearing your human form in public.
I totally want you to meet Susie. All three of you.
” I include Xavier in my request. The guys look like I handed them the keys to the Playboy Mansion.
Beyond thrilled doesn’t even describe it, and a comfortable warmth spreads through my chest. I never realized that these simple gestures would mean so much to them.
“I’ll take Lila now and come back and get the two of you when you are ready,” Xavier tells Caspian who quickly nods.
“Oh, Lila, before you go, come meet Silac. I’m sorry we sprung that on you, but we thought it would be fun to surprise you.
” He drags me over to his Naga friend who is still in half form after the parade.
I was so mesmerized by him during the act, and there was so much going on around us, I didn’t really get a good look at him before I was wrapped up in his tail, but holy fuck!
Seriously, is every performer in this circus smoking hot?
Even that rude as fuck dragon was gorgeous, not that I would ever admit it or do anything about it.
Silac’s upper body makes me want to lick all the lines and ridges, and where his scales start at his waist, I just want to run my hands over them and feel the texture.
I feel myself reaching out like I did during the act, determined to figure out if that skin is smooth and if that pattern is a tattoo or scales as well, but Caspian quickly grabs my hand.
“Silac, stop mesmerizing my mate.”
Silac holds his hands up in defense. “No, it wasn’t me, that was all her.” Caspian gives me a funny look, and I grimace, feeling guilty as fuck, even though we had already discussed my reaction to him.
“Lila, I’d like for you to meet my best friend, Silac.
Silac, this beautiful woman is my mate, Lila.
” I hold out my hand for him to shake, and he slowly reaches out to take it.
As my eyes meet his, I wobble a little, feeling faint all of a sudden.
His reptilian pupils seem to swirl, and I can’t take my eyes away from him.
It’s like when Xavier sank into my mind to look for my powers but different.
It’s almost like I can catch a hint of his thoughts.
Beautiful… sssssssexy… Casssspian… sssssso lucky…
They cut off abruptly and he pulls his hand away, frowning. “Nice to meet you, Lila,” he says and then quickly slithers away from us.
I look at Caspian in dismay. “What was that? Did you hear that? Did I do something to insult him?”
His brows are furrowed as he watches his friend disappear. “I’m not sure. What did you hear?” he asks, and I frown, following the sexy snake with my gaze.
“It was kind of like what my beast sounds like inside my head, but the voice was different. It sounded sibilant, lots of hissing.”
He turns to face me swiftly, his eyes wide with surprise. Leaning in, he gives me a kiss. “Why don’t you head to the hotel, and we will see you soon, okay?” He absently gives me another quick kiss before he hurries after his friend, his tentacles moving him hastily in the same direction.
I stare in the direction the two shifters went, but me going after them probably won’t help.
What the fuck is wrong with me today?
“Ready?” Xavier’s hand on my arm distracts me from my shitty thoughts and has me smiling at his mist-shrouded form as I turn to my warlock lover.
“Absolutely. I can’t wait to get back so you can get rid of your disguise. I miss you. Let’s go.”