Page 79 of Prince of Storms
“Interest in me,” I said, looking out over the property again, the sound of the car gone, having disappeared into the countryside.
Ty laughed.
I whirled on him, fury building like a hurricane. “What’s so funny?” I snarled.
“At leastoneof you got the smarts,” he said, shaking his head. “But it certainly wasn’t you.”
“I am not in the mood for this right now,” I growled. “Speak your piece.”
“Oh, I am,Torrent,” Ty said, not backing down. “Threaten me all you want, but you’re an idiot.”
“How?”
“You don’t think she has an interest in you?”
“Not enough to get her to stay, no. I’m not blind. I know there’s some, but … she left, Ty. Or did you miss that part?”
“I saw it well enough. Heard it, too, with that engine. It purrs.” Ty took a breath, then let it out, calming himself. “Tor, you buffoon, my oldest, closest friend. She didn’t leave because she was scared to care for you.”
“Explain why else, then?”
“She left because she was scared ofhow much she cares for you.”
I stared at him.
“Yeah. Exactly. You’ve got it all twisted up, my friend. Think about it. You know I’m right. She’s running because she’s falling hard and fast for you and doesn’t know what to do about it. I imagine, since she lost her mother recently, she’s probably afraid of the idea of caring for new people.”
“I understand that,” I said, thinking of my parents. Theirs hadn’t been a sudden loss. But it hurt nonetheless. The difference was that Iknewit was time for me to find my soulmate, that there was someone out there whom I would spend my life with and be happy. All I had to do was find her.
Mia had not been granted such knowledge, so she’d operated in pain, alone, not wanting to let anyone close. Likely fearing their reaction.
“So, what are you going to do?” Ty challenged.
“Do? What can I do? She left.”
“EEeeeeeennnhhhhh!” Ty cried, making the sound of a buzzer. “Incorrect. Try again.”
“Speak your mind, Typhoon,” I said grumpily.
“You go after her. You show her that you care for her, that you want her back, Tor. Make her see how serious you are and that you’ll never, ever let her down.”
“She’s my mate. I would never do that.”
Ty rubbed his face with one hand. “Thinkfor a second here. Just think. What is Mia?”
“My mate.”
“Yes, but beyond that.Whatis she?”
“A woman?”
“Whatkindof women?” Ty pressed.
“Uh. A beautiful one?”
“She’shuman,” Ty answered. “Not dragon. You told her she’s your mate and what that is. But she doesn’t know it, doesn’t feel it instinctually like another dragon would. So you have toshowher. Prove to her that you aren’t giving up. That you will do whatever it takes to be with her, have her, love her, protect her. All that stuff.”
“How do I do that?”
