Page 55 of Dragon Untamed

As if her mind short-circuited, Kaida had no idea how to form words to give him an answer. Before she knew it, she could hear her heartbeat pounding in her ears. She opened her mouth to say what was on her mind, but her mouth went completely dry.

Kaida jumped to her feet and rushed out the door. The only thing on her mind was to leave. She didn't know what to say to Esen's proposal, so she didn't want to say anything at all. The sounds of her feet echo in the house, and her heart pounded as she ran as fast as she could to block out Esen's words. She didn't hear if he was calling her name or asking her to stay. She could only hear the words "get out while you can" as she ran outside.

Go. I need to go. I need to get away from here.

The warmth in the air greeted her the moment she stepped outside. The sounds of her wings popping out of her back camenext, and then the air cracked as her wings cut through it for her to be lifted off the ground. As the wind blew on her face, Kaida could feel the relief of the pressure to answer him and fly away.

As much as Esen's words felt true, Kaida's mind went to him, explaining that he didn't know what he felt, which was why he acted the way he did. There was something there that made her want to flee. Arlo spoke the same words, but Esen's words felt like he was making them up on the spot.

Or Arlo told him everything we discussed, so he formed what he wanted to say to her by saying something similar.

That thought rang truer than the words that Esen had said. Esen wanted their bond but didn't know how to say what he felt. That had to be it. He wasn't sure what to say, so he said almost exactly what Arlo had said.

That's not good enough. He needs to tell me exactly how he feels. That is not how Arlo feels; he thinks that is what he should say.

I think you are being too hard on him.

Her dragon speaking up made Kaida lose focus and nearly drop out of the sky.What? Why would you say that?

Simple. Because you are.

How am I supposed to trust these guys? They are saying sorry because we are mates. Not because they are sorry for their actions.

How are they supposed to show you that they mean it if you run away? You gave Arlo his shot. Why not Esen's?

It was remarkably similar!

Maybe it's because he feels the same way. No one expected all of them to be our mates. This is unfamiliar territory that is hard to explore. There is going to be a learning curve!

That is a cop-out!

No. It is the truth. You are allowing what happened to cloud your judgment. They are our mates, Kaida. Whether you like it or not.

You are willing to forgive them so easily even though they wanted us dead before they knew we were mates?

Yes.

Why?

Because the invisible bond clouded their judgment, not knowing why you feel something for someone can do more than you think. Could you forgive Enzo for rejecting us?

Kaida paused for a moment. She didn't know how to answer that. Before the rejection, Enzo showed her that he cared and wanted her. Until his parents tried to force her to shift, he didn't care if she had a dragon or not. That was in private, where he could be himself. In public, he had to stand for the beliefs of their people. Dragonless meant no chance for children. A prince needed heirs to continue their line and reign. With that information, would she be able to forgive him? Would she listen to what he had to say and forgive him if he had a reason other than that for the rejection?

I loved Enzo. He was everything I ever dreamed of for a mate. The Great Dragon knew that he was perfect for me and showed that he was when we were alone.

Like Esen just did?

Kaida frowned.Did I lose it for no reason?

I think you allowed the past to affect the present.

So, what do I do?

Make him work for it just like you did to Arlo.

Kaida sighed and looked down below. There was truth in her dragon's words. She was right. She overreacted. With everything going on, her judgment was clouded.

Was it the side effects of the Dark Dimension? Did I almost reject Esen because of its influence?

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