Page 27 of A Witch and Her Dragon
My dragon likes it.
Shit.
“You’re lying,” she says.
My skin prickles.
She has no idea how much I’m lying about. She doesn’t even know I’m not human. But I don’t say a word. I just clench my jaw and try not to breathe too deeply lest her smell overwhelm my senses.
“First those boys in the tower, now Tristan. What’s actually going on?” Her voice is a bit quieter now, coaxing, likeshe thinks she can pull the truth out of me if only her words lilt just right.
And she could if not for the chain around my neck. It was already hot back in the dining hall, but it’s growing hotter as it works to force my dragon into submission. But it’s never had to work this hard.
A door opens down the hall, and a moment later, a student passes by us, mumbling, “Pardon me,” as she goes. Alina takes a step toward me to make room. I step away. But it’s a narrow hall, and my back is already brushing the stone wall. There’s nowhere else for me to go.
The student disappears down another hallway, but Alina remains where she’s at, arms still crossed, gaze unblinking as she glares at me.
“Raelan,” she says.
My cock twitches when she says my name, and I’m grateful the corridor is only dimly lit.
Fuck.
“Don’t, Your Highness,” I bite out. She has no idea what her proximity is doing to me. I’m breaking out in a sweat just trying to fight the pain and desire warring through my body. If she takes another step closer—
“Don’t what?” She arches a brow. “And I’ve told you a hundred times to call me Alina.”
“Don’t—” I swallow hard. “Come any closer.”
My chest rises and falls rapidly, my heart racing, creating a sound like waves in my ears. I think I might pass out. I can’t keep doing this. I can’t—
A strange look comes over Alina’s eyes, like a mixtureof want and fear.
Then she does something incredibly stupid.
She takes one more step toward me, presses onto her toes, and brushes her lips against mine.
And I fucking lose it.
Chapter 14
Alina
ALL I CAN HEAR ARE Lyra’s words ringing in my ears.
Would you mind if I try him for myself?she asked in class, and without meaning to, I almost threw her across the room with a burst of air magic. Then, in the library,He watches you like he wants to eat you.
The thought that Raelan Ashvale might want to eat me makes heat pulse between my thighs.
I’m not sure I’ve ever been so confused about someone—aboutanything—in my life. He barely speaks to me, seems to avoid touching me or being alone with me whenever possible, and gives me curt one-word answers when I ask him questions, yet he scared my male acquaintances away and dragged me from the dining hall because he thinks Tristan is athreat? He makes no sense. And maybeImake no sense. Maybe he’s just as confused about me as I am about him.
But I have to know. I can’t spend the rest of this schoolyear wondering if his glances mean something or if I’m just imagining the heat in his stare. And after that tarot reading in my divination class the other day, I haven’t been able to get this silly idea out of my head.
The idea that I need to see if there’s something actually here, something brewing between us, or if I’ve just deceived myself all along.
The hallway is dark and quiet. No one is here to see us. A voice inside tells me,It’s now or never.
So in a moment of foolish recklessness, I close the distance between us and press my lips to his.
