Page 42 of Castor
“That’s awesome and everything, but what about me? I don’t have wings.”
“Really?” Castor cocked his head. “I’ve only seen you in your hybrid form, but what about your full dragon one?”
“I can’t transform that way,” I said, a bit embarrassed. “I’ve never been able to. Tatsuya says it’s because my mother was human. I’m not a full-blooded dragon.”
“I didn’t know that.” Castor looked up as the waiter returned with our wine, and then he ordered us some food. I didn’t mind him ordering for me. I hadn’t known what I wanted anyway. My mind was elsewhere. Alone again, his green eyes returned to me. “You’re a half blood like me.”
For some reason, that made me smile. Made me feel less alone. “Yeah. I guess I am.”
“So you and Tatsuya have different mothers?”
I nodded. “My father had ten wives, and each of them bore him children. My mother was the only human. She died giving birth to me.”
“I’m sorry.” Castor reached across the table and placed his hand over mine.
I stared at his hand, loving the feel of it on mine a bit too much. I had to keep reminding myself that being with Castor was only temporary. Four months was all I had left. The sobering thought caused me to gently pull away and take a sip of my wine.
“Is multiple spouses common for dragons?” Castor asked.
“Yeah. It’s common for royalty anyway, so the royal bloodline goes on. Tatsuya has seven wives. My sister, Ryoko, has four husbands. Or is it five? I can’t remember. I’ve always been more monogamous though. Like, I fuck around with multiple guys, but when it comes to relationships, I don’t like the idea of sharing.”
“Neither do I,” Castor said before flicking his lip ring with his tongue. “I’m selfish that way.”
My gut knotted up.
I needed to tell him about my upcoming marriage to Warrin before we got any more involved. Before either of us caught feelings. But I couldn’t find the words.
A selfish part of me wanted to keep it secret for as long as possible. Because the moment I told him, it would become reality, and this thing between us would end.
I wanted to live the lie for just a while longer.
Chapter Nine
Castor
Alastair stepped out of the bedroom, shirt off and sword at his hip. A large dagger was holstered on the other side of his belt. The moonlight shining through the balcony door made his pale blond hair glow in shades of silver.
“Everyone ready?” he asked.
Bellamy and Raiden had come back to the room minutes before, both fully armed and shirtless. Our wings ripped through any clothing, so we couldn’t wear anything on our torsos when we intended to fly, unless the back was cut out of the shirt like the ones Daman often wore.
Kyo’s eyes dropped to my bare chest, and my cock stirred at the hungry look I saw in them. “Should I transform?”
“No,” Alastair answered. “And we shouldn’t show up with our weapons drawn either. We need them just in case we’re met with hostility, but the goal is not to fight. Baxter and his group will be alarmed enough when we arrive. We don’t want them seeing us as any more of a threat and attacking before we can speak.”
“Got it.” Kyo clenched and unclenched his hands. Was he nervous? “I’ll be ready if I need to though.”
“What’s the plan?” Bellamy asked, sweeping a hand through his golden locks. His bangs fell right back into place. Tanned skin stretched over tight muscle and rippling abs. He was a walking Adonis. Actually, probably more beautiful than Adonis, the dickwad.
“When we reach the island, stay behind me and let me do all the talking.” Alastair stepped out onto the balcony and peered up at the stars. Black wings sprung from the creases in his shoulder blades, the feathers shimmering with hints of purple.
“How many Nephilim are on the island?” I asked, resting a hand on Kyo’s lower back and guiding him onto the balcony.
“Over a thousand. Not all are warriors from what Lazarus told me. Some are families with human women and children.” Alastair looked back at me. “Which means they will be fierce in their protection of that family. Of their home. If we’re too late and they’ve already pledged themselves to Asa, a fight is inevitable. I pray it doesn’t come to that.”
He took off into the air and hovered above the hotel roof. Bellamy released his wings, the royal blue in his feathers mirroring that of a raven. Raiden’s black wings had shades of orange.
I slid my arms around Kyo’s waist and placed my mouth at his ear. “Do you trust me, little dragon?”
