Page 47 of Payne's Envy

My throat burned as I sniffed. “He said he doesn’t wish to remember.”

“That has nothing to do with you,” she said.

Her words were meant to reassure me, but they didn’t help.

I pulled away. “That’s the thing. For hours, I’ve listened as you and Dad told me how Payne feels. You said Payne made me like him,yethe didn’t know that he did. How am I’m supposed to believe he wanted me as his mate? He has always been running away from me. You’re telling me everything I want to hear, but your words are pointless now!”

I wanted to hear those things from Payne.

Melinda placed her hand on her chest. “I see now why you’re so distressed. The truth seems like a lie coming from the mouths of others. I could give you memories of that day.”

“No,” I said. “I’ll wait.”

“So, you wish to hear about it from Payne? You shouldn’t hide from him. The heat will only wear you both down if you keep resisting.”

As if emphasizing her point, the dragon roared again. Immediately, I materialized another pair of dry panties. Thank heavens for our power.

“We’ve managed this long,” I mumbled.

“You think your brothers can exhaust Payne so that he gives up wanting to see you tonight? Think again. It’s peak mating season for dragons. He won’t stop, especially when he’s been frozen in time for a century.”

I felt my forehead crinkle. “What?”

She grabbed my hand and covered it with both of hers. “His body was ready for his first shift when he gifted that same ability to you. You weren’t.”

“I don’t understand.”

“His body refused to go into its next stage because you weren’t ready. You saw the flames on his dragon form, yes?” When I nodded, she continued, “You’ll never be in danger from his flames or from how hot his body runs. If his emotions are heightened after a battle, and he can’t simmer down, you can withstand his touch. No matter his form, he’s yours to hold, Joy.”

My eyes widened. “Oh, God. That’s why the flames didn’t hurt me when Harvest used the blowtorch on me.”

“See? He helped you without being there.”

“No, you don’t understand. When Harvest noticed, he took a blood sample.”

Her smile waned. “Oh, no.”

Oh, no, indeed.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Deathraka

That male named Ryan was infuriating. I’d literally torn him to shreds. I bit off his head, ripped off his arms, but they kept growing back. Each time he was made whole, he had a grin that pissed me off.

“Again!” he shouted.

An odd look was in his eyes as he faced me. His chest puffed out as he panted and laughed. It almost seemed like he was proud. That couldn’t be right. He couldn’t be proud that I kept killing him, right?

Making matters worse? Every time he cackled, my chest tightened, and I had the oddest sensation of wanting to smile. That only pissed me off more. There was nothing amusing about being kept from my mate. There was no enjoyment hearing about who I used to be. I didn’t want to hear any more from Ryan. Not if I caused my mate such pain. It was clear I was unworthy of her back then. I’d do everything to make sure I was better than who I used to be.

Joy was in that castle. I sensed her and her need. I slammed my tail against the tower I perched on.

Ryan was on a lower pillar. He spat blood, wiped his mouth with his wrist, and said, “How long will you stay in that form?”

It had been too long since I’d seen Joy. I became restless.The flapping of the dragons' wings drowned out the sound of my tail thwacking.Yearning filled my chest when I saw the pair ducking and diving for each other. I couldn’t chase my mate in the air like they did. Her lithe form had no wings, but she would make me work hard to claim her. We’d make strong offspring.

Ryan placed his hands on his hips, shaking his head. “This is exactly how you behaved as a child.Exactly. When you were mad, you’d run and hide in the woods. When I found you, you know what you did? Gave me the silent treatment.”

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