Chapter 45 #2
Instead of offering that personal information up on a silver platter for her to smack down and trample, I say, "Like I said before, I wanted to thank you for helping me.
You saw me spiraling and stopped me from drowning.
But I see now I made a mistake coming here.
" I pat ZuZu's head one more time and put her back on the ground.
"Forgive my intrusion. I'll leave you to your work.
" I turn on my heel to make my way to the exit, ZuZu nipping at my heels, but stop when Hagar speaks.
"Wait," she commands and like a dutiful servant, I obey. "Hani mentioned when she bound your wounds, you seemed flirtatious. But then again, my sister tends to exaggerate." She sighs. "I was swift in judgment and for that I'm sorry."
I slowly turn around to face her, my brows raised.
"Don't look shocked." She plants her hands on her hips. "I am perfectly capable of admitting when I'm wrong." A grin stretches across her face.
"Why are you smirking at me?" I'm feeling whiplashed from every conversation I have with this woman.
"There's fire in you," she seems pleased.
"And that appeals to you?"
She takes another step closer. "It shows me you're willing to fight."
"Every damn day."
"Not fight with your fists," she shakes her head, clicking her teeth.
"Oh, I meant arguing," I double down. "I love a good argument. I especially like what typically happens after the argument."
My implication lands and her eyes are… hungry? "You are…"
I move toward her. "Handsome? Intelligent? Hilarious?"
"Odd."
"Odd?" I halt my advancement and crinkle my nose. "Damn, Hagar, you sure know how to sweet talk a man."
"I like odd."
Her confession sets my heart into a gallop. I haven't felt this type of excitement talking to a woman since my teenage years. What the hell is happening?
"Odd in what way?" I ask, once again stroking ZuZu's head when she paws at me.
"You surprise me," she says simply. "Just when I think you'll say one thing, you say something completely different."
I smirk. "I thought you had me all figured out," I whisper.
"I do." She reaffirms her belief. "But it seems you are trying to change. What I would like to know is why?"
"I suppose enduring torture has something to do with it." When she doesn't respond, I admit, "I don't know. Maybe I'm maturing. It's unsettling."
"Embrace growth. Accept change. It will only mold you into being a better man."
"You know," I grab the bucket from her and help her finish her rounds, "you speak like an old person."
She cracks a tiny smile. "Then heed my advice."
I click my teeth. "Never was any good at listening." I toss another piece of meat into a dragon pen. "So, what would it take for you to have dinner with me?"
She crouches down to pick ZuZu up. "We will be having dinner tonight at my father's house."
"You know what I mean," I flick my eyes to meet hers. If I'm not careful, I might drown in her rich chocolate gaze. "Dinner. Just the two of us."
She quirks an eyebrow. "You and me alone?"
I press a palm to my chest. "I promise to be a gentleman." ZuZu rests in Hagar's arms but wraps her tail around my finger.
Although I can see she wants to say yes, she swallows her acceptance. "I'm afraid that would be improper."
"Your chaperone can come, too, if that would make it easier."
"Chaperone?" Hagar tilts her head curiously to the side. "I'm perfectly capable of conducting myself without the watchful eyes of a chaperone."
Well, now I'm confused. "Then why would it be improper for us to share a meal together?"
"I don't think my betrothed would appreciate it."
My stomach drops and lungs constrict. "Your betrothed? You're engaged?"
"Not yet. Not officially." Sadness flashes in her eyes before it's replaced with nonchalance. "Such is the way of life. Helios might be heir to my father's throne forged of sand and bone, but my sister and I are meant for forging alliances."
"So, an arranged marriage?"
"That is the general idea," she chuckles, but it's somber.
"So, not by your choice?"
She huffs in frustration. "That is what the term arranged means, Nyx."
I grab her wrist when she turns to retreat. "Do you love him?"
"Whether I love him or not doesn't matter." She doesn't attempt to escape my touch. "The point is, I will marry him when an agreement is reached. It is my duty."
I take a bold step forward so I'm towering over her. She doesn't shrink, but her breathing shifts and I know the attraction is not one sided. "What if you were meant to be with someone else?"
Hagar's eyes dip to my lips. "Maybe in another life I could have found happiness with another." She flicks her gaze upward once more to meet my stare.
"I've learned recently life is precious," I say softly, rubbing my thumb over her pulse point to see if her heartbeat matches my own. "And I've been wasting mine chasing temporary thrills."
"If what Aurelia says is true and war is upon us," she presses herself against me. "Then it doesn't really matter what either of us wants. Duty will always come before pleasure."
"I've always been of the mindset you can mix duty and pleasure. Makes life more exciting." I ram my palm to the wall she's pinned against. She makes no attempt to move. "You don't love him," I whisper.
Her eyes narrow. "You're certain?"
"You wouldn't be looking at me the way you are if you truly loved him." By her silence, I know I'm right. But I have to know for sure. "Tell me you love him. Tell me you aren't tempted by me in the slightest, and I will let the matter die here and now."
"I am General Naziri's daughter. I have a duty – "
I lean closer, our faces within a breath of one another. Her chest rises and falls against my own and if I'm not careful, my heart will rip from my chest and run away. "Do you love him?"
Hagar swallows. "He is a – "
"Do. You. Love. Him?" I interrupt and she finally shakes her head.
"No."
"Do you want me?" I ask, pressing my forehead to hers.
She inhales deeply, digging her fingers into my shirt. She's fighting whatever is happening between us. "No," she rasps.
"Now is not the time to start lying, Hagar Naziri." I slide my hand into her hair and tug her face upward. "You value blunt honesty, so don't insult me with lies. Do you want me?"
Her breathing hitches. "You are a temptation I cannot afford."
"So, you find me tempting?" I smirk.
A wicked gleam flashes in her face. "I find you annoying."
Time to call her bluff. I release her and take two giant steps back. I wave my hand between us. "Then walk away."
Hagar doesn't move a muscle.
"You might not want to admit it, but I see the way you look at me."
She pins her palms to the wall behind her, her fingers twitching. "And how am I looking at you?"
"The same way I breathe you in and still can't get enough." Her brows fly upward. I caught her off-guard. I have a feeling I'm the first man to truly surprise her. "Tell me I'm wrong and I'll walk away."
Her lips part, but before she can say anything, a man from my left comes into view and asks, "Hagar, is everything all right?"
Hagar stiffens. Something is wrong. All flashes of desire are doused the second she twists to the newcomer. I glance in the same direction. A man with a dragon tattoo on his chest frowns at us, as if he's calculating what's transpiring between us. Realization strikes me hard and fast.
With one last exchanged glance with Hagar, my suspicions are confirmed. This is her soon-to-be-fiancé.
"Tariq," Hagar motions to me. "This is Nyx. Nyx Harland. He's the Tronovian Helios and I found in the desert a few nights ago."
"It's nice to meet you." I extend my hand to him, but he doesn't move. I clear my throat, slicing through the tension. "I was wandering around the city and got lost. I was asking Hagar how to get back to the General's house."
Tariq's suspicious brow doesn't falter.
"It's easy to get lost here," he finally says, though I know he doesn't buy the lie for a second. "Come." He waves for me to follow him. "I will show you the way back."
"That would be great." I stroke ZuZu's spine one last time and flick my gaze to meet Hagar's. "Thank you for introducing me to the hatchlings."
She tilts her chin up slightly, her neutral grumpy expression firmly back in place. "It's good to see you on your feet." Something that appears a lot like sorrow flashes in her face.
I bow my head. "I owe you my life." With that, I turn to follow Tariq through the city.
We walk in complete silence until we reach General Naziri's house. I regret the lie of being lost, because I could have easily found my way back and avoided this awkward journey. Once the front door is within sight, Tariq grabs my arm and twists me to face him.
"You do not seem to be someone who gets lost easily." The suspicion in his tone is easily justified. He's sharp. Not like some of the men in Tronovia.
I shrug. "Well, once I get my bearings, I -"
"Stay away from her," he hisses, face contorted in anger.
"What?"
"I said, stay away from my betrothed." He holds a hand up, cutting off my response. "Before you attempt to lie to my face, denying your attraction for her, understand I am extremely observant. She is to be my wife. She is to act accordingly. Respect that."
I should let the matter drop, but my ego can't stand him having the last word. "For being observant, you've read me entirely wrong."
"Oh?" He bares his teeth. "Am I mistaken that you are attracted to Hagar?"
"Oh, you were right about that," I step toward him, forcing him to look up at me. "Where you misread me is I wouldn't lie to you about it."
There's a wave of emotion rushing across his features. Anger. Jealousy. Hatred. Surprisingly, I don't see an ounce of pain or concern. "Stay away from her," is all he says before turning and disappearing down the street.
Maybe I should stay away from Hagar. Pretend we never met and get back to my life in Tronovia. Call it primal, call it instinct, but I can't let her go. Not until I know why I feel drawn to her like no one else.