Chapter 18
18
Amir
I glare at Andrew as he arranges the food tray for Anora. The fresh fruits I’d carefully prepared are gone, replaced by greasy, fried food. He picks up the tray, and I reach for it, but he slaps my hand away.
“You’re not going to load her up with just fruits and veggies, Amir. Get off your high horse,” he grumbles, rolling his eyes. “I’m sure she likes hot wings like everyone else.”
I groan, shoving my hands behind my back as the smell of grease irritates me. “Disgusting,” I mutter under my breath.
Andrew only smirks. “So, what’s the plan now?” he asks, raising a brow at me. “You’ve got Anora here. What’s your next step?”
I smile, taking the tray from him as I respond, “First, I’m going to do something I’ve dreamed about doing for thousands of years—I’m going to kiss her. Then I’ll put her to bed. After that, I’ll focus on my mission: finding the ten men who hurt Hazel and ensuring they never hurt anyone again. Then, I’ll figure out how to end dark magic for good.”
Andrew nods. “And Kade? Damon?”
“Kade’s dealing with Mike,” Andrew replies, grinning faintly. “Apparently, Mike’s losing it. Can’t say I blame him—Kade doesn’t let things slide, especially where women are concerned. And Damon’s still on the road, grabbing that book you wanted.”
An image of Kade handling Mike flashes in my mind. “Good,” I say, smiling. “Let her do whatever she wants to him. He deserves it.”
Andrew crosses his arms. “Sounds like you’ll be busy.”
I let out a sigh, nodding. “I want Anora to know the truth. I need her help to break her curse. I can’t do it alone.”
“Guess that means you’re finally heading to Wintermoon?” Andrew teases, grinning.
I don’t share his enthusiasm, my shoulders stiffening at the thought. “Yes, but it’s not ideal. I need Leah for her expertise with generational curses, but taking Hazel with me will cause issues with the shifter community.”
“Take them somewhere safe,” Andrew suggests with a wink. “House of Zorah.”
The realization hits me, and I nod slowly. Of course. Anora has friends there—Olivia, Gabriel’s mate. Even Angie and Jacob.
“You’re a brilliant grandson,” I tell Andrew, gripping his shoulder firmly.
He rolls his eyes. “Please don’t start with the ‘grandson’ thing again. But fine, I’ll take the compliment. Now, are you planning to let me come with you when you hunt?”
I laugh, shaking my head. “Not tonight, Andrew. I need someone I trust here. It’s too quiet—that means Aya and my sisters are scheming. I’ll deal with them soon, but for now…” I trail off, looking at the tray. “Right now, I’m going to take care of Anora.”
“Babysitting duty. Great,” Andrew says sarcastically.
Ignoring him, I teleport into the bedroom. My heart stutters at the sight waiting for me. Anora and Hazel are bonding—Hazel’s sitting in a small chair by the vanity, while Anora stands above her in a pair of black and pink striped pajamas. Her long, dark brown curls fall wildly around her shoulders, framing her face perfectly. She’s brushing Hazel’s hair gently, her touch careful.
“My mom never brushed my hair,” Hazel says softly, smiling up at Anora. “This is really nice.”
I place the food tray on the end table beside the bed, the clinking sound of the tray catching their attention. Hazel jumps out of the chair almost immediately.
Anora reaches for her hand, stopping her. “You have an amazing niece. She broke the curse that freed supernaturals,” Anora says, smiling warmly.
Hazel blushes, her gaze darting toward me. She fidgets nervously, her scent telling me she’s ready to leave.
“She is amazing,” I agree, keeping my eyes on Hazel.
“I’m going to bed now,” Hazel says quickly, stepping toward the door. “Thank you for the dance, Uncle.”
I smile and nod. “We’ll make up for it later.”
After Hazel leaves, Anora is suddenly by my side, her wide eyes staring at me in disbelief. “Hazel broke the curse, and she’s been on this incredible journey for years. And your sister… I’ve learned some things about her,” she says cautiously.
“Aya?” I murmur, my chest constricting.
“Yes. I had… a dream about her,” Anora says.
My brow furrows. Why would Fate show her that? “You’ve dreamed of my sister?” I ask .
She shrugs, her eyes shifting toward the tray. Her gaze lingers on the food, and she licks her lips. “Well, technically, no. It’s hard to explain.”
“Anora, those aren’t dreams. You?—”
“Time travel, right,” she interrupts, grabbing the tray. She climbs into bed and begins eating almost immediately.
The scent of her fills the room—sweet and tropical, like papaya, apples, and berries. She grabs a piece of fried chicken, glancing at the mixed fruit next to it. Fresh strawberries, watermelon, pineapple, and grapes sit untouched.
“Interesting sides for fried chicken,” she jokes, smiling before taking another bite.
I watch as the fabric of her pajamas clings to her curves—the tank top snug against her chest, and the lace-trimmed shorts show off the length of her legs. Her wild curls frame her face, her skin illuminated softly. My hands ache to brush my fingers through her hair, to pull her close.
“I thought you could use a healthier meal,” I respond, sitting beside her on the bed. “Now, tell me about what you saw.”
Anora looks up at me, wiping grease from her lips with the back of her hand. She swallows hard before responding. “The dream…” she starts hesitantly. “I saw dragons, Amir. Burning everything.” Her voice shakes slightly. “I could feel the heat, smell the burning flesh.”
My stomach drops, and I force myself to stay calm as she continues.
“I heard the screams,” she adds, shuddering at the memory. She draws in a deep breath before pushing forward. “I dropped to my knees, crying, screaming at the destruction. Then this woman appeared. She pointed to the ruins of the battlefield. I couldn’t see her face—she was wearing a cloak. But she said ‘Aya Bailey.’ Then I woke up.” Her voice cracks slightly as she meets my gaze, searching for answers. “I don’t know what any of it means.” She looks down at her food and I can tell from her scent that she’s lost her appetite.
Her words about the dragons, about Aya, stir memories I’ve tried to bury. But looking at her now, seeing her strength even in the face of such darkness, I realize she’s exactly what I need - not just as a mate, but as an equal who can face the shadows of my past without flinching. The realization hits me like a physical force, and suddenly I can’t resist anymore.
I watch her as she bites into the watermelon, the juice trickling down her chin. My control snaps. Before I even realize it, my hands are on her hips, dragging her into my lap, and she squeals in surprise, the sound sending heat through my veins.
“I enjoy watching you sleep, Anora,” I whisper against her cheek before placing a soft kiss there. Her skin burns against my lips, and her sweet scent clouds my thoughts.
“When are you going to claim me?” she murmurs, her voice soft but challenging. “I know how some of this works.”
I kiss her forehead gently, my fingers already tangling in her wild, thick curls. The softness ignites something primal inside me, the need to touch, to hold, to claim her clawing at my chest.
“Courting you is important,” I breathe. “It strengthens our bond.”
She frowns, her lips pulling down in what’s probably the most adorable expression I’ve ever seen. “Court me?” she asks, huffing softly, her frustration evident. “I mean, I guess you have a point. I wanted courtship with Mike—well, before he dumped me. It was important to me.”
“ Was? Why the past tense now?” I tease, my lips quirking up in a grin .
She narrows her eyes at me, and I can’t help but chuckle. “Because the man of my dreams is real,” she says softly, her fingers brushing over my lips. The touch is light, but it sets my blood on fire.
She leans in closer, her warm breath mingling with mine. “Kiss me?” she whispers.
I don’t wait—can’t wait. My mouth crashes into hers, hunger and raw emotion pouring into the kiss. Our mouths move against each other’s like we’ve done this a thousand times before, but it feels brand new and electric. Her fingers slide up around my neck and twist into my locs, tugging hard enough to make me groan.
Her taste is intoxicating, sweet and addictive, and I part her lips, letting my tongue tangle with hers, stroking and exploring. My heart hammers in my chest, pounding so loud it’s all I can hear. My beasts are going wild, clawing for control, aching to claim her, to make her ours.
The dragon roars inside me, demanding to mark her, to show the world she belongs to us. The vampire thirsts for more than just her kiss, craving the sweetness of her blood. These instincts war within me - the need to claim warring with the desire to protect, to cherish. She deserves more than just raw passion; she deserves to be worshipped, courted properly. But gods, holding back is pure torture.
I press her back against the bed, climbing on top of her as our kisses grow deeper, more desperate. Her hands grip my neck, her nails lightly scraping my skin, driving me closer to the edge. The soft sounds she makes, the way her body arches into mine, the feeling of her writhing beneath me—it pushes every primal instinct to the surface.
“Anora,” I rasp between kisses, my voice ragged and breaking. She gasps for air, her back arching, her body brushing against mine in ways that almost make me snap .
My hands move on their own, exploring, tracing the curves of her body. The dip of her waist, the flare of her hips, the softness of her thighs. My palms slide higher, brushing over the curve of her breast, and then I hear it—the softest whimper from her lips.
My body freezes, the sound snapping me out of my haze. I pull back instantly, panic rushing in.
She clings to me, her fingers gripping my hair. “Wait, you don’t have to stop,” she pleads, her voice breathless and full of need.
Her words and scent hit me all at once, a wave of her arousal crashing into me, nearly breaking the little self-control I have left.
“Anora,” I grind out, forcing myself to move away. “We have to stop.”
She lets out a frustrated moan, her grip loosening as she falls back onto the bed. She’s breathtaking—flushed, lips swollen, chest rising and falling as she struggles for breath.
I watch her for a moment, biting the inside of my cheek to keep from pulling her back to me. My beasts are restless, growling and pacing in my head.
“Oh, Anora,” I say softly, my voice barely above a whisper. “When the time is right, I’m going to make love to you for days.”
Her laugh pulls me back from the edge. It’s light, sweet, and enough to help me push my beasts down. I take a deep breath, regaining my composure just as she sits up, her eyes burning into mine.
“There’s something I need to take care of tonight,” I say, forcing a smile. “But I’m not leaving until you’ve eaten and I’ve tucked you in.”
“Shopping?” she asks, her eyes lighting up like I’ve just promised her the world .
“Yes,” I say with a grin. “Tomorrow, you and Hazel are coming with me. You deserve love and care, and while you’re mine, you’ll have it.”
Just as I’m about to grab the food, another wave of her scent hits me, heady and potent, making me growl low in my chest. I hold up a piece of pineapple, my voice dropping as the command slips out. “Open your mouth, Anora. Let me feed you.”
Her lips part instantly, and I place the fruit against them. She takes it slowly, her lips brushing my fingers gently. Juice escapes the corner of her mouth, and I have to grit my teeth not to lean in and lick it away.
The thought of her, everything she is, consumes me. My beasts rage inside me, begging for more, pleading to taste her completely. My resolve is fraying fast, and I don’t know how much longer I can take this slow dance of courting her.
This woman is going to wreck me entirely.
“Anora, hurry up and finish your food,” I say, my voice barely steady. She knows I’m struggling to hold it together—I can see it in the way she smirks. She’s enjoying this. She always does. She’s the queen, and I’m just here to serve her, to put up with whatever cruel game she wants to play. She knows I won’t stop her.
It’s going to be a long night.
Leaving her here feels wrong, like tearing myself in half. Every instinct screams at me to stay, to guard her through the night, to wake up with her in my arms.
But I have duties to attend to - dark things that need handling before I can give her the life she deserves. Still, watching her now, seeing the trust in her eyes despite everything she’s learned tonight, I know every sacrifice will be worth it. She’s worth everything.