Page 72 of Don't Fae With Dragons

Impulsively, I reach over and plant a kiss on her lips, and she beams up at me. When I glance back at Max, he’s gazing at us with what looks like longing, and Mili’s eyes follow mine to stare at him.

She rolls her eyes, grinning, and says, “Well, don’t pout. Come here.” Then, with no hesitation, she leans forwards and kisses Max firmly on the lips. When she pulls back, his eyes go wide and his face turns beet-red. She winks, “You’re cute when you’re flustered, Maxey.”

At that, he scowls. Mili and I burst into laughter again, but a memory flickers through my mind.

“There was someone at the river today,” I say, brows furrowing.

Mili’s eyes widen. “What? Who?”

“It looked like a faery, but I couldn’t be sure. Whoever it was had long hair, almost white. They were wearing a dark cloak, too, if that helps.” Mili’s head cocks to the side, gears turning in her head. “Sorry, it’s not much to go on,” I frown, pursing my lips.

“Oh, Realm’s Mother,” Mili suddenly whispers. “I know –I think I know who it was.”

“What?” Max blurts out.

Mili nods, her eyes hardening. “Listen, I’m going to find Aurora. I need to confront Aurora. Will you two be okay here?”

“Mili, we can come with you–” I start.

“No,” she interrupts. “I need to go alone.”

Max and I exchange a hesitant glance, but he eventually nods. I nod, too, silently accepting Mili’s request. As much as I want to go with her, to help her ... it seems like this is tied up in her past. I understand her need to handle it alone. Besides, our presence would probably alarm Aurora, which wouldn’t help.

“Thank you,” Mili exhales quietly. “I’ll be back, okay?”

She stands up from the bed without another word, and I see Max’s eyes soften with concern as he watches her. Mili makes it halfway to the bedroom door before stopping and turning around to face us.

“Don’t worry about me too much. I’ll see you both later tonight.”

I nod, forcing what I hope comes across as a confident smile, and she rushes back over to plant a kiss on my forehead. My heart warms at the gesture, and lights completely aflame as I watch her go and do the same to Max.

He breaks out in a wide grin before he can stop himself, and I turn to Mili with a strange sentimentality in my heart.I really care for her, I think. I suppose I knew it before, but little moments like these never fail to remind me.

“I–” she stops herself. “I care about you both. Be safe while I’m gone.”

“Likewise, little faery,” Max says, voice strained with compassion and worry.

If Mili hears the tension in his voice, she doesn’t let it stop her. She turns to the door without a word and rushes out without looking back.

CHAPTER 44: CORY

Ismell Mili before I see her, sensing the frantic energy coursing through her veins from her heightened scent. My eyes narrow with focus as I turn to spot her half-running through the field to find me.

She nearly crashes into me, panting slightly from the sprint, and I quickly lift my arms to her own and ask, “What happened?”

“I have to find Aurora,” she blurts out. “I think she’s the one that broke the dam.”

My eyes harden as I ask, “Are you sure?”

Mili nods. “Yes, but I don’t know where she is. Do you know how to locate someone?”

Godsdamnit.That’s one of the spells I’m least versed in; since I spent so much time in the volcano, my parents never insisted I study it. I shake my head, trying not to show my sudden irritation with myself, but Mili doesn’t seem to notice.

“That’s alright. I’m sure Chrysthinia does.” I nod, humming, and start to set off along the path to Chrysthinia’s. Mili grabs my arm in hers and stops me, saying, “Wait, Cory. I’m going alone.”

“Ha!” I guffaw. “You’re funny. Come along now.”

Mili hisses and steps in front of me. I stare down at her, arching an eyebrow, and try to suppress the rush of sexual tension that courses through me from our sudden standoff.

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