Page 28 of Tempest Blazing
"But what if—"
"No." His voice was firm but not harsh. "What if isn't the question. The question is: do you trust him?"
Do I trust Thalon? The answer came immediately, without thought. "Yes."
"Then trust his choice." Draven leaned forward slightly, his eyes holding mine. He reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair behind my ear, his fingers lingering against my cheek. "You think he doesn't know who you are? What you're capable of?" His mouth quirked up in a small smile. "Trust me, he knows exactly what he's getting."
The tension in my shoulders began to ease, like a knot slowly unraveling. When was the last time someone had spoken about me like that? Like I was something valuable instead of something broken?
"You won't fail," he continued, his voice carrying absolute certainty. "But if you're worried about preparation, I could help."
I blinked. "Help how?"
"Managing stress, reading emotional cues, staying centered under pressure." His expression grew thoughtful. "Being an incubus means I've spent years learning to read people—their fears, their motivations, what makes them crack. And security work taught me how to stay calm when everything's falling apart." He shrugged, as if offering to share that kind of expertise was no big deal. "Dragon bonding isn't just about knowledge—it's about emotional control. We could practice that together."
"You'd do that?"
"Why wouldn't I?"
"Because we're both competing for the same spots," I said, voicing the practical concern that should have occurred to me immediately. "Helping me could hurt your own chances."
Something shifted in his expression—not annoyance, exactly, but something deeper. More complex.
"Tess," he said, and there was something almost gentle in the way he said it. "Do you really think I see you as competition?"
The question caught me off guard. "I... what do you mean?"
"You're bonded to a dragon. You have a connection that most of us can only dream of achieving." He leaned back, but his eyes never left mine. "I'm not competing with you. I'm hoping to prove myself worthy of joining you."
Joining me? The words, so casually spoken, sent a ripple of something hot and unexpected through me. The idea that someone like him—confident, capable, dangerous—wanted to stand beside me rather than against me made something flutter deep in my chest.
Oh. The distinction hit me with unexpected force. Not competition—partnership. Not rivals—potential allies.
"Besides," he added, his voice dropping to that low, warm tone that always made my pulse quicken, "I like the idea of spending more time with you. Even if it's just studying."
"I'd like that," I said, and meant it. The knot of anxiety in my chest had loosened considerably just from talking to him. "Really. Thank you."
"I'm sorry," I said suddenly, the words tumbling out before I could stop them. "About my assumptions. When I found out you were an incubus, I..." I gestured vaguely at the hoodie, the casual dinner, the complete absence of seduction. "I had all these ideasabout what tonight would be like. What you'd expect. I was so ready to defend myself against advances that never came."
His expression softened, something almost vulnerable flickering across his features. His jaw tightened almost imperceptibly, and for just a moment, I saw a flicker of old hurt in his eyes before he looked away.
"You're not the first person to assume that," he said quietly. "Most people hear 'incubus' and think I'm just waiting for an opportunity to..." He shrugged, but I could see the weight of it there. "It gets exhausting, always being seen as a predator."
"But you're not," I said, and the certainty in my voice surprised us both. "You're just... you. Making me feel comfortable and beautiful without any agenda behind it." I pulled the hoodie sleeves over my hands, using the soft fabric as a comfort anchor. "I don't think I realized how much I needed that. Just to feel normal for a few hours."
Draven's smile was warm, genuine—not the practiced charm I'd seen him use with others, but something softer. More real. "Good. We can start as soon as you want. Work on some breathing techniques, maybe some visualization exercises."
"That sounds perfect." I pulled my feet up under me, settling deeper into the couch cushions. The fire had burned lower, casting dancing shadows across his face, and for a moment I just watched him. The sharp line of his jaw. The way his hair caught the firelight. The steady, reassuring presence he carried like a shield.
When did I start feeling so safe around him?
Chapter 12
Tess
The morning air carried the scent of dragon fire and nervous sweat as I made my way to the training grounds. Friday meant Dragon Compatibility trials—the final assessment before next week's Dragon Rider trials.
My mind churned with worry—the nagging suspicion that something about these trials felt off, like a discordant note in an otherwise familiar melody. I shoved it down ruthlessly. One concern at a time. I couldn't afford to let any fractures split my focus.
