Page 43 of Dragon's Code

“You’re right, it is. But he doesn’t want you. I’m assuming that fate doesn’t always get it right. Or maybe those fated to be together decide to not be together.”

Jasmine chuckles and shakes her head. “You don’t really understand what fate means, do you? If you find your fate, you’re meant to be. You don’t just decide not to be together. You’ll be drawn to them, you’ll go into heat around them, you’ll get sick if you go without touching them. It’s fate, you stupid human.”

I consider her words. I suppose fated to be together means something. How the dragons have hacked into fate itself to find their mates, I’ll never understand that, but I’m not afraid. Fate would never tie him to someone like this. It’s just not possible. “Fine, then touch him.” I step aside, but stay close.

Jasmine grins like she’s won. She steps forward and puts her hand on his chest in an intimate way. The blue stones on her bracelet light up like it’s fucking touching power.

I stare at the lit up blue stones. How is this possible? If she’s his mate, his fate, then why on earth would he ever give me his heartstone? And more than that, why wouldn’t he ask for it back?

Kash smacks her hand away from him. “This is bullshit, Jasmine. How are you doing this?”

“Doing what? It’s fate.”

“No, it fucking isn’t. My heartstone would never light up for you. You’ve rigged yours or something.”

“Rigged it? How in the world would I do that?”

He takes steps back from her. “It can’t be possible. I’ve known most of my life who my mate is.”

That stops her and the chatter behind us. It stops me too. “What are you talking about?” Jasmine says.

“When I was ten my heartstone lit up with a girl I met in Central Park.”

He met me in Central Park. We were just kids. Is he saying that I’m his mate? If he’s known this entire time…then clearly he doesn’t want me either.

ChapterEleven

KASHTON

“Then how do you explain why my heartstone lights up when we touch?”

“I can’t, but I don’t like you. The idea of spending the rest of my life with you makes me sick.” I growl low, just loud enough for her to hear it. There’s no way in hell this bitch could ever be my mate. There’s no heat when we touch, no desire, no ache. If anything, my dragon would rather rip her in half than breed with her. And with as precious as female dragons are, I don’t take that feeling lightly.

I’m fucking pissed off. What the fuck did she do to make her heartstone light up? Why would it do that? I wasn’t lying. I met Athena and it was clear to me that we were destined to be in each other’s life. I refuse to be her mate, because she deserves a better life than I can give her, but I know that fate wouldn’t betray me with a sniveling spy like Jasmine.

I glance over at Athena to see how she’s taking all of this, but she’s gone.

“Fuck, where did she go?”

Jerrick holds his hand up. “Jonathan followed her. She’s not alone.”

I feel a little relieved that at least I know she’s protected, but I don’t want to be here with this lying woman. I don’t know what she’s trying to prove.

“Tell me what’s really happening, Jasmine,” I say almost desperately.

I need to know what’s going on. There’s no way in hell that she’s my mate. Fate wouldn’t be so cruel. Fate wouldn’t lie to me. Fate wouldn’t choose so badly on purpose, would it? Am I being punished?

“I’m your mate. I thought you were just wanting to sow your wild oats or something before you settled down with your mate. I didn’t know you were pining for a fucking human instead.”

My dragon and I both growl. It’s loud and menacing this time. “Do not talk about her that way. She’s my mate. You don’t get to treat her badly. You don’t even get to speak of her.”

Her eyes widen in fear at the maliciousness in my tone. “Kashton, I’m a dragon. You know how rare female dragons are, why wouldn’t you want me?”

“Because I can’t even stand you. I’m telling you, I’m not your mate. That guy you blew off is.”

Her mouth thins and her eyes narrow. “No. He was one of my father’s servants. He’s a fucking human. He’s not my mate. You are. My heartstone lights up for you. I light up for you.”

I roll my eyes. “Give me a break. You might be attracted to me, but you don’t like me. You don’t give a shit about me. Jasmine, what is going on?”

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