It’s just my reluctance to take her as my mate that has me keeping her in there. I can’t show her the rest of the island if I let her return to her own world. It’s something I remain undecided on.
Even if I know that as Alpha of the Aurora Dragons, I don’t have a choice.
But then again, this whole thing with the human has caused me to neglect my duties to the clan. Sighing, I pull my gaze from the sky and say, “Perhaps we should arrange a feast for the clan.”
Brantley—who is as old as the twins—beams excitedly. “That would be awesome!” he cheers.
Chuckling lightly, I pat him on the back. “Would you mind setting it up for a week from now?”
“Of course, Alpha.” He bows his head just as he’s called up for the next round of sparring.
When he leaves, I turn back toward the castle, glancing at Lily’s bedroom window. I decide then that I’ll remove the shield from her window later tonight. At least, that way, she can see the sky and not feel so claustrophobic.
Perhaps it’s her determination to leave the island that has me changing my mind. Although it would be easier just to let her go, I find that I can’t bring myself to do that. I can’t accept her as my mate, but I can’t fathom the thought of her not being here anymore.
I guess it’s an attachment formed by our passionate night. A mistake, I do admit. But it makes it difficult to let her go. And as if there’s an unshakable bond because of that night, I feel drawn toward the castle while training goes on.
“Felix,” I call telepathically. “Please take the lead on training. There’s somewhere I need to be.”
‘Got it, Draco.’
When he heeds my instruction, I return to the castle. Hesitantly knocking on her bedroom door, I’m surprised at myself for my sudden politeness.
I’d usually just burst in as if she didn’t deserve privacy.
“Kai? Is that you?” she calls from inside.
“It’s me, Draco,” I reply, gulping nervously when a moment of silence passes.
Of course, I could just go in. But I’m trying not to be obtuse. It’s a sigh of relief I breathe when she replies.
At least I don’t have to be a brute right now.
“Come in,” she replies flatly.
Taking a deep breath, I unlock the door and remain composed. But as soon as I inhale for the first time over the threshold, I’m frozen into place.
My airways fill with a sweet scent that’s whirling in the air around me. My nostrils flare, in search of the source of that floral scent that oozes honey.
And that’s when my face turns toward Lily. Seated on the bed cross-legged, she has her arms crossed while she stares ahead of her. Like a misbehaving child, she pouts as if she’s sulking after just being scolded.
“Lily?” I call out tentatively, almost as if I’m making sure the scent is from her. That’s when she turns her head, the faint breeze of the action sending her scent through the air.
Just as I suspected, she’s the source of the tooth-aching sweet scent that fills the air.
Perhaps it’s her shampoo—though it’s doubtful. I’d smelled a floral scent in her hair before. And this right here is much sweeter.
“What?” she snaps, only snapping her head in my direction quickly before turning back to face the wall.
Blinking in disbelief, I cautiously walk into the room, afraid of what I can smell. I’ve never been afraid of anything before. But I’m scared of what this could mean.
I ignore her and walk up to the window and part the blinds. Once the moon's silver rays filter in lightly, I step back and close my eyes.
Invoking my power with my arms outstretched to the sides, I hear her speaking behind me.
“What are you doing?”
I ignore the question, reaching my arms out in front of me as I wield the dragonspirit powers. I lift the shield over the window, mentally letting it disappear completely.