Page 65 of Kidnapped Plus-Size Mate

“It’s almost as if I can see through the brush strokes,” she admits. “I can’t explain it. I can just see it.”

“Your intuition and sharp vision…” I lament with a proud nod. “Impressive.”

“It isn’t much,” she says sheepishly as she shrugs. “It’s not like I can transform into a majestic dragon.”

“Oh, Cami…” I sigh as I pull her back into my side. “You’re more majestic than you give yourself credit for. I knew it long before we discovered that you’re a witch.”

“Really?” She turns soft, vulnerable eyes on me.

She’s never needed validation—I saw firsthand how strong and capable she was when she stood her ground against me. But my inner dragon is stirred to recognize that she’s only seeking this validation because it’s me.

I’m not just anyone, whose words do not weigh on Camilla’s reality. Anything I say would mean the world to her, and strengthen her natural powers. Just like her existence strengthens my dragon.

“More than you know,” I admit, pressing a kiss at the top of her head, her floral scent soothing my being as it drifts into my airways. It’s a scent I could never grow tired of sensing. “Maybe we’ll come back one day when no one remembers us.”

“Hm…” she sighs, leaning even closer. “I think we should go home.”

My heart skips a beat when Camilla refers to the island as “home.” With excitement building in the pit of my belly, I nod fervently, eagerly, as I take her hand in mine.

But there’s a look of disappointment that lingers in her eyes, and she pouts when she says, “I thought you’d ask me for my number.”

I chuckle lowly, realizing that just like me, Camilla had taken a walk down memory lane, down the path that led to our meeting.

“I don’t need your number, Cami…” I whisper in her ear. “... I need so much more than that…”

My raspy confession at her ear causes a gasp to escape her lips as her body tenses around the arousal I’ve just ignited. She blushes profusely when I take her hand in mine, and I know I have her right where I need her, anticipating what’s to come when we return to the island.

We’re so in tune with each other, I have to do my best to hide my true intentions to keep up the surprise I have planned for her.

***

Approaching the island, I slow down and feel pride well in my dragon chest when Abuela finally drops her armor and gasps in awe.

“I’ve only traveled here through the illusionary portal,” she tells Camilla. “It’s more beautiful than in real life.”

“I’m glad you’re here with me, Abuela,” Camilla reaches out and takes her grandmother’s hand while we enter the dome and I glide down to the front of the castle. Seeing Camilla’s sincere smile of admiration when I set her on her feet is the most fulfilling smile I could have asked to see on her face.

I know it’s because her grandmother is with us now, and nothing could have made her happier.

I’m only hoping that tonight, I can make her the happiest when I tell her how I truly feel and profess something I’ve been holding back for a while.

Shifting into human form, Abuela remains oblivious and uncaring to the transition while Camilla still marvels at me with an appreciative twinkle in her eyes. Her grandmother scans the cobblestone wall of the castle, shielding her face with one hand until her gaze reaches the arched roof that aims for the sky.

“Impresionante…” Abuela offers a curt nod before she marches toward the entrance of the castle, leading the way for us to follow. The roles are reversed, but I’m just glad that she feels comfortable enough to proceed into the castle, showing no signs of hostility toward the land of the dragon shifters.

“She’s impressed,” I sigh as I take Camilla’s hand and smile broadly from ear to ear.

Camilla giggles lightly, the sound filling my eardrums with pleasant tones of sweetness that put to rest any qualms or inhibitions I had before.

“Of course, she is,” she concedes as we head toward the castle, crossing the bridge that arches over the thin stream. “Abuelaonly acts fierce, but she’s really just a softie at heart.”

“Hm… The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, does it?” I quip.

That earns me a playful punch to my shoulder that hardly stings. “Hey!” Camilla mockingly derides before laughing again. “But no, it doesn’t. I guess I’m just like her.”

“Well, I hope you’re ready to keep up that bold pretense. You’re in for a treat,” I say as I open the door and step aside. Abuela heads in, leaving Camilla on the verge of crossing the threshold, but stopping to frown at me.

“Why?” she asks.

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