Page 56 of Scalebound

“No. I wouldn’t. I was in a dark state of mind and didn't think that I could’ve told myself not to. Now it is a part of me. I am proud of their deaths. I got rid of a lot of bad men. Men that were involved in things that they shouldn’t have been involved with.” He paused, his dangerous brown eyes not looking at me. I wondered if there was some shame in his actions, whether he admitted it or not.

“All of the tattoos that I have. They all have to do with the lives that I have taken.” He pulled up his sleeves, showing each of them. I had never looked at them clearly and wondered what they could’ve been from. There was a peach, a knife, a cape, smoke, and other images that I couldn’t quite decipher. They were all morphed together into one picture that covered the entirety of his arms, neck, and back.

All this time, I knew he was a killer, but never knew why he did it. I could feel the heartache that he felt–how alone he felt. And it all made sense. Killing wasn’t just his job or hobby, it was his life and a part of who he was. My heart softened for him. I understood him better. My feelings grew fonder. I knew thatthere was more to him than just killing. That there was more to the beating heart inside of his chest.

1.Haxnau (Hah-nah-woo): Hell

2.Ezu (Eh-ooh): Heaven

Chapter thirty-eight

AURELIA

Iwoke up to my body ached and cramping. It was used to my nice plush bed at home, which unfortunately was not the case for me now.

“Princess problems,”Belle muttered to me.

“Hey!”She laughed, and I couldn’t help but giggle.

The light was starting to rise above the mountains along the land, casting glimpses of sparkles in its reflection of the water. The briny air continued to fill my senses as a breeze brushed past my face. As much as I would like more rest, I knew we had to keep on track if I were to return to the castle before the ten days were up.

I stood up to stretch my arms and saw Damian quietly still asleep. The morning rays filtered in more above the sky, and I knew we needed to leave before we were found again. If our fire didn’t give us away last night, two strangers and a dragon in broad daylight surely would.

“Belle, could you wake Damian up?”I asked.

“Nas1. Why can’t you do it?”

“Fine,”I said, unsure of how to do it. “Good morning,” I said as loud as I felt comfortable.

Nothing.

Leaning toward his face, I raised my fingers, stroking his cheek. He looked so innocent and peaceful–like someone who wasn’t an assassin.

His eyes slowly opened, meeting mine. The warmth in his dark eyes was unmistakable. “Um,” I said, my words fumbling. “We probably should go.” I shrugged my shoulders as he blinked and offered a nod of acknowledgment.

“Belle, you ready to fly us?” I asked, looking at the island out in the distance.

Before Belle was able to respond in my mind, Damian looked from her to me. Then, in his morning voice, he said, “Actually, I was thinking that you and I could go by boat? I know that you are scared of the water and I would like to show you what it is like.” I tilted my head to the side, not expecting Damian to want to spend alone time with me.

“I would love that,” I said, looking at Belle. She nodded her snout, agreeing with the plan. It wouldn’t take too much longer to take the boat, and I would also like to know what it was like on the waves.

“Now, we just have to steal a boat. Belle, you ready?” Damian asked, his arms crossing in front of his chest.

“We can’t steal!” I exclaimed.

Damian rolled his eyes, then placed his hands on his hips. “That’s why I wasn’t asking you,” he said as he returned to Belle. They were forming their own type of relationship, and it made my heart grow warm.

Belle tilted her head.“He’s got a point. It’s not a bad idea.”I put my hands over my face and moved my fingers where I could slightly see through them.

“You’re the one who wanted to steal a dragon egg,” Damian retorted, looking back at me.

I sighed heavily. “You know that’s not what we’re doing.”

“Sounds all the same to me!”

“Yay! We are losing time. Let’s go! Hurry!”Belle's heart raced with anticipation as she leapt into the air, her claws eagerly digging into the earth below, sending clumps flying in all directions.

“You guys are ganging up on me! Rude!” As much as I retaliated against their relationship, I was happy they had one. “Okay, okay, let’s go.” I decided. “But where do we find a boat?”

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