2. Chapter 2
two
E ven with hours passed, I can’t sit still. Knowing what my fate is, I pace around the room, zigzagging around the bed, dresser, nightstand, and past the door to the bathroom.
Our guest rooms are nice with their gold and red theme and dark wood finishes.
Far nicer than the basement where I had to stay with the others during this Mates’ Convergence.
My fingers toy with the stiff material of my dress, my heart pounding as my eyes shift to the large bed covered with red sheets.
I release a shaky exhale as a cold sweat threatens to break out on my forehead, knowing what I’ve been told. How I’ll succumb to my heat. How the heat will claw from under my skin, fighting so desperately to find my mate or just someone who can quell the flame inside me.
I’ve never seen a heat before, though. All Netherlings here have been sold before their heat arrived.
When I hear the doorknob turn, I freeze in place next to the bed, watching the clan leader step inside and shut the door behind him. Swallowing hard, I join my hands in front of me, my skin warming up with each passing minute. All of the energy and need from the dragon shifter must be kickstarting my heat a little early.
Just breathe.
I take a deep breath as he approaches me, his eyes raking over my figure. If my heat truly does start, nothing will be able to stop the chain of events that happens next. He’ll be able to tell, and he’ll see it as my begging for him. He’ll take me as his own, even if it’s only for the night.
I’d prefer to not do anything with him, but I’m not sure if that is even an option.
“Mm… You look flushed, sweet one,” he says, getting closer. He lifts a hand and brushes his forefinger along my blushing cheek, his eyes darkening. “Your heat is starting soon, isn’t it?”
The hot, heavy air in the room is suffocating, making each breath feel like a chore.
“Yes… Dominion.”
“Dominion Zorn,” he replies, his touch fading as he sits on the edge of the bed.
“Dominion of the Riversong Clan.” His tongue trails across his bottom lip as he stares at me, hunger glinting in his eyes.
He breathes in deeply and grins. “Tonight is going to be even better than expected. I may keep you to myself throughout the rest of my stay. ”
Part of me wants to go down to the basement, but another twisted part of me prefers to be here in this beautiful room, even if he’s looking at me like I’m a meal.
“I’m sorry. I need some air,” I say as I turn and move to the window, pulling the pane up a few inches to let some of the evening breeze inside. It doesn’t do much to cool down the heat coursing through me and over my skin, though. It’s like tossing an ice cube into a roaring fire.
A soft prickle brushes over my skin, soothing energy washing over me like a wave. It takes the edge off for a second, but it doesn’t last. I know it’s coming from Dominion Zorn, who is wielding his dragon energy to draw me in.
Sometimes, it’s hard for people to tell who their mate is, but I highly doubt it’s him. He has no strong hold on me, no grand effect that makes me want to succumb to him.
“I think it’s time for us to have a little fun. I’ve traveled all day to get here,” Dominion Zorn says as he shrugs off his coat. He then undoes the rest of the buttons on his shirt, exposing his pale, muscular chest.
My heart hammers as I turn to face him, backing up closer to the window. When he looks at me, all he sees is a toy to play with, and I can’t stand the thought of being treated as such.
Don’t I deserve better?
“Come here, my dear. Let me soothe that ache,” Zorn tells me as he crooks his finger at me, his eyes briefly flashing golden, showing his dragon beneath the surface. I lean forward as if my body responds to his call even as his words make my nose wrinkle in disgust.
But there’s this twisted part of me that’s dying for the relief he’s promising. My stomach twists, heat seeping low in my body. The thought of his touch fans the flames, making me take a single step toward him before I manage to force myself to stop .
“Shall I order you? Is that what you need?” Zorn asks as he gets to his feet in a snap, closing the distance between us. He towers over me, gripping my chin in his hand as his eyes penetrate mine.
I part my lips to speak, but my throat tightens. Sweat beads on my forehead, and I’m nearly brought to a pant as the sensation of his nearby power hits me. So strong. So intense. My body cries for it.
Zorn chuckles as he takes in my uncontrollable daze.
“Take off your dress,” he orders, and a gush of heat radiates from his skin.
I reach behind me, my shaky fingers fumbling with the strings of the dress.
He huffs in impatience, and one of his nails suddenly grows into a claw. He rakes it down the side of my dress, cutting it from the collar to the hem. His other hand tears the ripped material off my body, leaving me bare in only a pair of white panties.
“Look at you,” he hums in satisfaction. His hands grip my hips, and he lifts me over his shoulder. With such ease, without a single sound, he takes me to where he wants me.
He drops me down on the mattress. The red sheets ripple beneath my body. His fingers graze lower, trailing over my thighs, and he gently parts them. He slots himself between my soft thighs, leaning closer until I feel his hot breath at my neck, purposely not touching the spot where I’d have my mate mark. He’d never do such a thing. I know that he doesn’t want me by his side or in his clan. He just wants to toy with me.
A plaything.
The tension in my legs fades, and without intent, I tilt my head to the side as his heat seeps into my skin.
Even as my mind tells me to push him away because I feel nothing for him, a hot haze fills my body .
Maybe I should give in.
His hand slithers up my side, his fingertips grazing over the outer curve of my breast. He’s so achingly close to where my body wants him to be, and my legs threaten to tighten around his waist to draw him in closer.
My heart pounds so hard and fast that I fear it’ll burst right out of my chest. My fingers grip the sheets on either side of me as his lips move downward toward the swell of my breasts.
Right before his lips reach my nipple, Dominion Zorn is suddenly ripped away from me. He hits the floor next to the bed with a heavy thud, leaving me on the bed gasping and shaking.
My head snaps to the side as I meet the same dangerous eyes as before. He doesn’t say a word as his gaze snaps back at Dominion Zorn, his chest rising and falling in rage. Panic hits me when I realize that he’s in the process of shifting. Scales form on the back of his neck.
His cloak tears, and black and gold wings rip through the thick fabric, spreading so widely that they almost reach each side of the room. Dark scales flicker along his skin as his pupils turn into slits. With bared fangs, he lunges at Dominion Zorn, yanking him to his feet and tearing into his throat with his sharp teeth as he remains half shifted.
A horrified screech breaks from me as I scramble against the wooden headboard, my shaky hand flying to my mouth as I watch blood pour down Dominion Zorn’s neck until he goes limp.
Just like that, he’s gone.
“Come here, little rider.”
With teary eyes, I turn and see a man with slightly grown out, brown hair that falls against his forehead standing by the bedside. When he reaches out to me, I tense up, not knowing who he is or what he wants.
My hands won’t stop trembling as I take his. He tugs me closer without breaking eye contact and wraps me up in his arms, then carries me out of the room while allowing me to bury my face in his dark blue button-down shirt. My eyes are clenched shut as I listen to his steady heartbeat beneath my cheek. The slow thump slows mine. My quivering form relaxes slightly as he enters another room before sitting on the bed, still cradling me.
“You can open your eyes,” he says in a gentle voice.
I pop one eye open, letting it sweep around to see that I’m in another guest room, but it’s far bigger than Dominion Zorn’s. I slowly uncurl myself, peering up at the man with a look of confusion on my face.
“Who are you? Why was Dominion Zorn killed?” I ask, my throat tightening and almost preventing the words from coming out as images flash before my eyes. The ferocity. The blood. The dying gurgle in Zorn’s throat as the light left his eyes.
“I’m Warden Ethan,” he replies as he rests a hand on my back to keep me close to his chest.
I then realize that I’m still only wearing my panties. With wide eyes, I wrap my arms around myself, covering my chest with a blush.
With his clean-shaven face, forest green eyes, and shaggy hair, Ethan is very handsome, and my embarrassment rises as he chuckles.
“You’re beautiful, but I’m not going to do anything to you, angel. I’d rather you approach me of your own accord,” Ethan says, keeping his eyes on mine.
I can’t help the surprised expression that takes over my red face. It doesn’t help that he smells good. Like cedar. My body continues to burn as I gaze up at him, my skin tingling as I press against him.
I blink a few times, snapping myself out of my trance. Slowly, I peel myself out of his hold and grab a red sheet. I quickly wrap it around my body.
“Why was Dominion Zorn killed?” I ask him again .
Ethan shrugs as he rises to his feet and turns to face me. “I’m not sure of his intentions, but Ar—”
Before he can finish speaking, the door flies open and I stumble back. Ethan immediately lowers his head in respect as the Aetherion in his humanoid form walks through the door. His incredible wings are gone, but his domineering presence still seems to take up the entire room.
“Aetherion,” Ethan says.
“Leave us,” the Aetherion says.
Ethan nods and exits the room, leaving me all alone with the Aetherion.
“What’s your name, little rider?” he asks as he approaches me.
When I start to lower my head, he cups my chin and draws my eyes up to his dark ones. “Don’t bow. Answer.”
His deep voice hits me deep and low, sinking into my bones and my soul.
“R-R-Rodi,” I say, my voice shaking slightly.
He slowly tilts my head from side to side, inspecting me. “Your status?” he asks.
“Netherling… Orphan,” I reply.
The Aetherion smirks and releases me.
“You’re certainly an orphan, but you’re not a Netherling,” he assures me, making my forehead crease in confusion.
“But I am.”
His eyes narrow. He steps closer until my back hits the wall. He plants a hand next to my head, the other resting on the wall next to my hip, boxing me in.
“You doubt me?” he asks.
It isn’t really a question, though. Or is it a demand for me to rethink my words?
“I apologize, Aetherion,” I say as I lower my eyes .
“You’re not a simple Netherling.” He snorts as he lets his gaze roam. The sheet rests on the swell of my breasts, exposing a sliver of cleavage.
“What do you want with me?” I ask as my grip on the flimsy sheet tightens.
His hand next to my hip trails up my side, teasing my skin with his fingers. My skin tingles, and sparks form as my breath shakes. My body inches closer as it yearns for his fire. His dragon.
He inches a little closer, his nose brushing mine and then my neck. He inhales me, drinking me in for a few moments that make my head spin, and then he draws away.
“Stay here. Ethan will see you fed,” he says and leaves without a second glance.
I part my lips to tell him to stop and explain what in the world is going on, but the door shuts, sealing me inside the Aetherion’s room all alone, with no idea of what’s going to happen next.