Page 63 of Destiny of the Dragons

Jace sucked in a breath. “I didn’t throw you away. You left me.” He looked at Smoke. “Both of you.”

“After you joined a clan without asking us,” Mia said, her temples pounding. This was a nightmare.

“I didn’t come here to be dragged through this again. I did it for both of you, and instead of being happy, you threw it in my face. Now, look at you.” Jace stood up and glared at her. “Engaged to a sociopath. Clearly this is so much better than being with me.”

“I need him to get the spellbook back,” Mia said through gritted teeth. Her heartbeat too heavy in her chest, and there wasn’t enough air in the room.

“Your family’s spellbook?” Smoke frowned. “I thought it was stolen years ago.”

“I know,” Mia snapped. “Both of you just keep acting like I’m stupid and I have no idea what I’m doing. Neither of you ever bothered to actually ask me what I want, what my plans are.”

Jace rolled his eyes. “Fine, Mia. What your big plans to get out of your family? What’s bigger than joining at dragon clan?”

“Jace,” Smoke said, his voice hard. “Just stop.”

Mia thought they would at least understand. She hadn’t expected…this. Smoke sitting in the corner like a wounded animal, Jace lashing out.

Everything inside her turned to ash. She hadn’t realized she was holding out the hope that they would work through this, if they just saw each other again…but no.

There was nothing left between them.

Mia shook her head, looking at both of them. “I don’t know why I thought this time would be any different. My mistake.”

“What?” Jace snapped. “You thought you could chew me out and I’d be pleased? Because we used to fuck?”

Smoke punched Jace in the face with a snarl.

Jace stood up, a strangely satisfied look on his face before wiping the blood off his mouth.

“Get out, both of you.” Mia pointed at the door.

Jace shook his head, and left, slamming the door.

Smoke kept his back to her, staring at the door. “I’m sorry, Mia.”

“It’s too little, too late.” Everything inside her was numb. She had to get him out before she started crying.

“I can talk to him.”

“No. Clearly this was nothing.”

“It wasn’t nothing,” Smoke said, his shoulders hunched. “It was everything.”

“And it’s over,” Mia said, everything in her voice final. “You didn’t want Jace’s leftovers, so get out.”

“You were never—“

“Out,” she shouted. She couldn’t do this anymore. She wouldn’t survive it.

Smoke left without another word.

Mia went into her room, and curled up into a ball. She waited for the tears to come but they stayed inside her, frozen.

The warehouse on the outside blended in with the neighborhood. Smoke returned, and tried desperately to cut off what was left of his emotions.

He failed.

Again.

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