Page 36 of Dragon Unhinged

Mate!The sound echoes in my head, as loud as fireworks, and I instinctively cover my ears, before I realize that it won’t do any good.

At least I know Declan is here.

Ellie parks in front of the stairs leading up to the main door, taking up the best space on the horseshoe shaped drive, and she leans over to give me a quick hug. “See you in class tomorrow?”

“For sure.” I grin, trying to focus on her, not on the voice in my head that still feels entirely too loud.

The dragon clearly doesn’t want to wait to see me, and I don’t blame him.

I’ll see you tonight. Hush and let me say goodbye to my friend.

I have no idea if I’m projecting anything to him or if he can even hear me, but it’s worth a shot.

At least Ellie doesn’t seem to notice. Or if she does, she keeps it to herself.

My father’s waiting expectantly in the foyer when I walk in, carrying my duffle bag over my shoulder.

“Get upstairs and clean up. The Lees are coming over for dinner, and I expect you to make a better impression tonight. I don’t want to hear anything contrary from you all evening.” He crosses his arms over his chest, over the charcoal grey suit he’s wearing even though it’s Sunday afternoon.

I’m not even entirely sure he sleeps in something other than a suit, with as often as I see him in them.

“Of course. Anything to help the family.” I force a smile, not really caring if the look comes off as remotely sincere. He’s forcing me into something I want no part of, and if he’s insisting on a second dinner, it can only mean one thing.

Peter Lee wasn’t discouraged from my impertinence the last time. He might even like me. Or maybe his parents don’t care if Peter likes me. I know my father doesn’t care about my feelings.

All of it makes my stomach churn, and I head straight for the stairs. If I’m going to throw up, I’d prefer to just do it in my room. I don’t want my father to think anything is getting to me. There’s a ticking going on in my head like a clock. If my fathermakes me marry Peter Lee, my window to get Declan and the other shifters out of here is closing and faster than I anticipated.

“Wear something worthy of being my daughter, Brianna.” He purses his lips as he looks me up and down, undoubtedly judging my jeans, my t-shirt, the crystal around my neck. “I don’t know where you got such a gaudy piece of jewelry, but I don’t want to see it again. Honestly, I don’t know how you’ve gone so far off the expected path I’ve tried to lay out for you since birth.”

That path is not meant for me. I don’t want it and if you can’t see that, I can’t help you.I bite back the thought, still fighting a wave of nausea as I take a couple steps up toward the second floor. “It’s just a necklace, Papa. But if you don’t want to see it, I’ll make sure you won’t.”

It’s as close to a promise as I’m willing to make, but it seems to appease him. He nods once, as dismissively as he would to a member of the household staff.

There’s no way I’m not wearing the necklace tonight, but at least I should be able to hide it in the bodice of any number of the high-necked dresses of my father approved of wardrobe.

As long as I’m wearing a string of pearls, look the part, and more importantly play the part of the doting, perfect daughter, he won’t be looking for other flaws.

I hurry up the stairs, each jostle of my bag against my back and bounce of my steps making my stomach feel like a dinghy on the open ocean, swirling and churning like waves.

Maybe I’ll throw up and have an excuse not to join in on the festivities tonight. I’d honestly rather spend the evening hugging the toilet, rather than seeing Peter Lee again, listening to him spew political rhetoric against shifters and other supernaturals.

But if I throw up, I’m not going to want to risk exposing Declan to a stomach bug. He may keep claiming he doesn’t get sick, but I doubt even the strongest of constitutions could fend off every illness in the conditions they’re being kept in. If he can’theal easily from his wounds, why should I trust that he could heal from an illness?

I don’t run right to the bathroom, even though I consider it. Instead, I curl up onto my bed and try to reach out again to my dragon.

Declan? Can you hear me?

Mate.This time, his voice is closer to a warm, hearty purr, that settles into my bones and makes everything else melt away.You’re home.

I won’t really be home until I’m in your arms again.

Just knowing he’s there, knowing that I can feel him in my mind, feel him in my soul as acutely as I feel him when he’s inside me, calms the riot in my stomach. No matter what he faced this weekend, no matter how much we’re going to have to face down to both be free, I’m happy to face it, as long as he’s on my side.

When can you come down, then?

I can feel the warmth, the humor in his words, and I want nothing more than to sneak down there right now.

Not until after dinner. My father’s forcing me to entertain his guests tonight. Apparently, I didn’t embarrass the family enough the first time these guests came over.

---