Chapter 2 #2
Georgie winced. “I’m sorry, babe. What does Cormac say about this?”
“Unfortunately, my fathers have perfected the united front. But Mum promised to talk to them.”
Georgie gave a firm nod. “That sounds like Isolde.” Sympathy entered Georgie’s purple eyes. “But I bet tonight still sucked.”
“It did.” I tucked my hair behind my ears. “Everyone is so focused on me finding my mates when they should be trying to figure out why we don’t have more females.”
“Because fixing the problem is harder than pressuring you,” Georgie said.
Matching her pose, I faced her on the bed. Emotion tightened my throat, and the words came out before I could stop them. “My dragon is unstable, Georgie. I can’t control her. What if I’m just…broken?”
Georgie’s expression softened. “Babe, my magic is unstable. Always has been.” She smiled. “And yet somehow, I ended up leading House Blackwood.”
“That’s different—”
“Is it?” She tilted her head. “Halina became Princess of Krovnosta even though she’s a dhampir.
Before the Blood chose her, the vampires would have laughed if you suggested a half-human could rise to power.
But she did it.” Georgie’s purple eyes held mine.
“Being different doesn’t make you broken, Portia.
Sometimes it just means you’re meant for something no one else can see yet. ”
I swallowed hard, not trusting my voice.
“You’re probably right,” I managed finally.
“That’s what I’m always telling Callum and Graeme.”
I laughed. “Do me a favor and tell my fathers while you’re at it.”
“I will if you want me to.”
Affection swelled in my chest. No one would ever dare pressure Georgie to have children. The few times we’d discussed it, she always claimed she was too busy to think about kids. “I’ve got witches and husbands to boss around,” she said. “Who has time for playdates?”
“I’ll think about it,” I said now. “If my mother can’t convince them, you can step in.”
Georgie laughed. “Your mother can make those men do anything she wants with a snap of her fingers.”
“She definitely can,” I said, laughing with her. My smile faded as guilt rose within me. “I should probably go back downstairs and dance a few more waltzes.”
Georgie tilted her head, sympathy returning to her eyes. “I don’t think that’s where you want to go.”
“No,” I said softly. “But I’m not sure where I really want to be, either.”
A beat passed, and Georgie’s voice was gentle as she said, “Sometimes, you just have to go where the wind takes you.”
Before I could respond, Georgie flickered. A pixelated man appeared behind her, his light green eyes dancing as he rested his chin on her shoulder.
“Who’s my witchling talking to?” Turning his head, he planted a wet-sounding kiss on Georgie’s neck. “Not another man, I hope. Unless it’s a hologram of me. Then I’ll allow it.”
Scoffing, she shoved him away. “Ugh. Of course you would.”
Callum’s laughter rang in the air, followed by his distant, “I’d finally be able to take Graeme’s advice and go fuck myself.” Callum reappeared at Georgie’s shoulder, his green eyes fixing on me with obvious delight. “Portia bean! Long time, no see.”
I groaned even as I couldn’t control my grin. “That nickname doesn’t even make sense.” No matter how many times I protested, Callum refused to come up with a better moniker.
“Sure it does. You were small and round like a bean when you were a baby.” He sniffed, pretending to cry as he swiped a knuckle under his eye. “Bloody adorable.”
“Thank you,” I said dryly. “Where’s Graeme?”
Mischief gleamed in Callum’s eyes. “Making dinner. They say ice dragons can’t be trained, but they’re wrong. You just have to find the right leash.”
Georgie reached up and covered his mouth with her hand. “Don’t let Graeme hear you say that. You fluster that poor man enough as it is.”
Callum’s eyes sparkled as he tugged her hand away. “Witchling, I want him flustered.” Callum winked at her, and his eyes deepened to incubus emerald. “So does he. So do you, actually.”
“Go,” Georgie said, shoving him out of the frame. She turned a frazzled expression back to me. “I better go, too, Portia. If I don’t stop Callum from tormenting Graeme in the kitchen, I’ll end up eating burnt lasagna again. I’ll call you later, okay?”
Masking my disappointment, I offered a little wave. “Of course. Enjoy your dinner.”
“I will.” She blew a kiss. “And let me know how it goes with your dads.”
Her hologram flickered out. Silence fell, the sudden quiet a stark contrast to the laughter a moment before. Silver moonlight splashed over my bed. The itch started under my skin.
Cursing, I scrambled off the bed and went to the balcony.
Pushing open the doors, I grasped the railing and stared out at the sea.
Errant snowflakes swirled in a wild pattern, and the wind tugged at my hair with icy fingers.
Far below, lights twinkled on the castle’s broad patio.
Beyond it, the island sloped to the coast.
And beyond that…
The mainland waited.
My dragon snorted in my mind. Scales rippled down my arms.
“All right,” I whispered. Just this once.
Just one more time.
I stripped quickly, then rushed to my dresser and shoved my clothes in the top drawer. Then I darted to the balcony, twisted into smoke, and streaked toward the coast.