Chapter 8
Myrran
Ishouldn’t be doing this.
But the thought of Jewel traveling alone at night, so tired she can barely keep her eyes open, sends my protective instincts into overdrive. I can’t relax until I know she’s home safely.
It’s not the first time I’ve done it, either, so I already know where to go.
I beat the bus to her neighborhood, my bike idling a block away as she steps off the bus and makes her way to the entrance of her apartment building.
Her long legs carry her with unselfconscious grace, even though her shoulder sags under the weight of her bag. She disappears inside.
A light on the second floor comes on a long minute later. I creep forward on my motorcycle, craning my neck to see into the window. Through the backlit curtains, I catch a glimpse of her silhouette moving around the room.
She twirls around, something in her arms—a teddy bear? No, a cat. She kisses it on the head, her fingers stroking its fur tenderly. The sight makes my chest ache with longing to feel her touch.
I shouldn’t be here. Shouldn’t be watching like this. To her, I’m a stranger. She just learned my name today.
But I stay a little longer, addicted to the sight of her. Only when she turns off the light and disappears from view can I finally convince myself that she’s safe and drive away.
But by morning, the gnawing restlessness of the alokoi bond is back.
I call out of work and return to her neighborhood before sunrise.
Her shift starts later that morning, and I watch her from a distance as she waits for the bus again, bundled against the cold.
She doesn’t see me, but that’s for the best until she gets to know me better.
At Hoardstrom’s, I browse under the security guard’s watchful eye until the giftwrapping station empties, then quickly make my purchase. This time, it’s very deliberate: a red velvet cat toy shaped like a stocking.
Jewel glances up, and her face lights up when she sees me. “Christmas shopping again? Someone’s feeling generous this year.”
I set the catnip-stuffed toy on the counter, trying not to smile too wide. “Yep. It’s for my future wife.”
“Your future wife is a cat?” Her laughter at her own joke sends warmth flooding through me.
“A cat lover like you,” I tease right back.
She grins. “How did you know I’ve always wanted a cat?”
I blink. “You don’t...have one?”
She shakes her head. “My roommate does. If you noticed cat hair on me, that’s why.” She frowns down at herself, brushing nonexistent hair from the front of her sweater.
My stomach twists with the realization that I almost slipped up. I shouldn’t know anything about her situation at home. I let my enthusiasm get the better of me. Jewel doesn’t seem suspicious, but my mouth suddenly feels dry.
“I just thought you’d make a good cat mom,” I say, grasping for anything.
“Careful,” she teases, her brown eyes sparkling. “That kind of flattery will get you everywhere.”
I chuckle, but inwardly, I’m reeling. I was seconds away from ruining everything. Thank gods she supplied the cat hair excuse.
She finishes wrapping the toy and hands it back with a playful smile. “So, is the lucky lady getting this anytime soon?”
“Maybe. But first, I’d like to take her on a date. Say, on her next day off?”
Her cheeks flush faintly, and she nods. “Tuesday.”
“Tuesday it is.” The head chef at the restaurant won’t be happy that I’m missing another shift, but he’ll understand. Dragons get a lot of leeway when they’re courting their alokoi.
I scribble down my number on a scrap of wrapping paper. As I walk away, my heart races in anticipation of the date. It’s almost time to tell her the truth—about everything.