Page 112 of Her Feral Beasts

I gulp, because what the hell am I supposed to do with a dragon? I instinctively know I have to be careful because it’s no man I’m dealing with, and Wild Goddess knows what could set him off. I’ve never seen him without his headphones and, this close to me, the whole effect is jarring.

But he sets the little teal bag on the chest of drawers next to me and says, “We endured pain, Regina. We endured suffering to meet you, at this time, in this place. And you think that I would let you slip away from me at the last moment? You think that I would allow you to turn me away? You have no right, Regina.None.Not when our union was determined before you were born, when the universe was still young and I breathed the light of the first stars.” His words brush over my skin as his power pulses around us both, and the very room seems to shudder. “Not when I see in you something magnificent and bright and brilliant. Just like I saw that first time. The man I am cannot see it because he will not allow himself more pain. But he did not fall in his final hour and neither will you. Command me. I am your general of war. Let me lead us into blood and fire and then we will make love on the ashes of our enemies.”

Holy shit. Something inside of me rears its bestial head.

“I know what you’re saying,” I say slowly. “I think I do, at least. But… I…” I’m actually at a loss for words. The fact that a dragon wants to help me is very unexpected.

But when I say nothing, he huffs and straightens. “Because you are mine, you will wear my gifts.”

He pulls open the bag on the dresser and brings out a small teal jewellery box. When he opens it, my breath catches in my throat.

I watch him gently lift the very expensive diamond and sapphire necklace, open the clasp, and reverently drape it across my neck. I vibrate under his touch, adrenaline and desire rippling through me. He closes the clasp and slides it around so it sits properly, affectionately brushing a knuckle down my neck.

I never imagined, in my wildest dreams, that Xander was capable of a touch like this.

He stares at my neck for a moment, cocking his head again in thought before grabbing a second box from the bag. I remain still against the wall, frozen in time and space because I don’t know what the hell is happening. But Xander continues, presenting me with a delicate bracelet of linked sapphires and pulling my wrist up so we can both see him loop it around and clasp it shut.

“Blue to match your eyes,” he murmurs, his large fingers trailing over my skin. My stomach flops on itself.

He brings out a final box, this time a tiny square one, and inside are two sapphire drops. I suck in a breath as he removes the cheap crystal stud from my left ear and hooks the new one in. He does the same with my right.

The dragon steps back as if admiring his work, like he’s an artist who’s painted something meaningful and precious. Those eyes shine like opals, all the colours in them shining… just for me.

“When you go, Regina, I will be there with you. You will look at my jewellery and think of me.” He turns to Henry. “Small creature, care for my regina.”

My hand flies to my neck and I clutch the necklace that hangs there, heavy and reassuring.

Xander’s dragon has given his regina the only appropriate gift it could think of, and I have no idea what the man underneath would think about that.

He’d probably only resent me further.

But I can’t bear to take these gifts off. It’s the most expensive thing anyone has ever given me, and right now, the most meaningful. I glance over at Savage’s teddy bear and the pink handbag sitting in their shadowy corner—like I couldn’t bear to hide them completely.

But today, if everything goes according to plan, my beasts will never give me any gifts ever again.

Then, in the traditional way, Xander walks backwards a few steps, then turns around and heads for the door.

“Wait.” I don’t even recognise my own voice, but it makes Xander turn smoothly back around. “There is one thing you can help me with.”

Chapter49

Aurelia

Lyle arrives in a black suit and tie with four armed guards behind him and I shiver at the sight.

Vaguely, I register that it’s the first time I’ve seen him in all black.

How fitting.

“Miss Aquinas.” He states by way of greeting. His eyes flick down my body and I see him take in my new jewellery, piece by piece. He’s far too observant. I suppose I might even miss being observed so closely by him once this is over.

I might have been furious on Saturday, but… anger seems pointless now. My reckoning has come.

“Will it do?” My voice is quiet and I’m not even sure why I felt the need to ask.

“Let’s go.”

Cold Lyle is unpleasant, on this day of all days, and it’s even worse when he puts the metal handcuffs on me himself. His hands are cold as he avoids touching me as much as possible. Henry gives a paced, low chirp in my ear that reminds me to slow down my breathing. And then the deputy headmaster is a foot away from me once again as I’m escorted out to the front of the school.

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