22. Kadia

Kaida woke to a flower blooming above her head. It had layered vibrant purple petals that reminded her of her dragon’s scales. Its fragrance was bright but not overwhelming. She looked around to find herself in the bed alone, and no one was standing in the doorway.

Arlo is certainly showing off now that we’ve had our first date.

Two days had gone by since Arlo had taken her to the restaurant. He hadn’t been home much since then due to having to scope out the island for potential leaks of the Dark Dimension. Beckett informed him of what Kaida discussed with him, and since then, all four of the princes had been ensuring that the opening had been indeed closed by her dragon. According to Beckett, there had been no more signs of the opening or the mist that spilled on the island.

That hasn’t stopped the sky from slowly growing darker.

Kaida groaned as she rolled out of the bed but was careful not to move in a way that could potentially hurt the plant. While looking at the vine it grew off of, Kaida noticed it came from the doorway. Arlo managed to get the vine from his room to venture its way down the hall and into hers. The room was mostly blue from Beckett’s taste, so purple stood out against the wall. Kaida smirked as she put on a pair of pants.

I wonder how much Beckett will like purple flowers growing all over the wall.

For all she knew, Arlo cleared it with Beckett. Until she talked to him, though, she would assume that Arlo went out of his way to make her smile.

Smells of bacon and sausage filled her nose and lured her down to the kitchen. When she turned the corner, she was shocked to find the black hair on the back of Arlo’s head in the kitchen. Considering that she hadn’t seen him and didn’t know the patrol schedule that the guys worked out, she still expected it to be Beckett in the house with her.

You know, because they can’t leave me alone in the house in case the asshole from hell decided to stick around the house all day.

"Hey, Stranger," Kaida called out to Arlo.

Arlo turned around, wearing a bright smile, "Hey, sweetheart. I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I cooked up both."

The smells of the bacon, sausage, maple syrup, and pancake batter had her mouth-watering. Kaida’s stomach growled fiercely like it did the night of their date. Arlo chuckled and turned back toward the stove. There were mounds of food across the kitchen island and one plate that wasn’t dirty. Kaida assumed that the clean plate was hers, picked it up, and began to scoop up the available food onto her plate.

"Everyone else scoping the island?"

Arlo nodded. "Even though we don’t see much of the Dark Dimension, as in the black mist, we see cases of the townspeople going berserk. Thankfully, because of our patrols, we have intervened before they get too bad."

Kaida took a bit of the bacon and nearly drooled onto the table. It was perfectly crisp, the saltiness was just right, and the taste was delectable. Kaida nearly moaned at the taste but was able to contain herself. She was so immersed in the taste of the bacon that she almost missed Arlo still talking to her.

"Esen and I had to shift into our dragons and drag two people away from each other just to get to the point that it won’t be tolerated."

Kaida looked up from the bacon in between her fingers and stared at Arlo’s back as he was still cooking.

"Did you say that you had to pull two people apart?"

"Yeah, it’s getting ridiculous out there. I don’t even know what’s gotten into these people. There are no indicators that the mist touched these people. Adrien has been running some kind of spell to detect it, but it’s showing up nothing. I don’t get it."

Kaida took another bite of the bacon but managed to keep her focus on Arlo, "People are just at each other’s throats?"

"Pretty much," Kaida saw a pancake fly into the air in front of Arlo and then back down onto the pan.

"No one has done anything more than that?"

"So far, no. Just a lot of shouting and accusations of being more trouble than they are. It’s mostly stupid shit from what I can see."

Arlo turned around and put a stack of pancakes onto her plate. Kaida didn’t notice that there were no more bacon pieces until he put the pancakes down on the spot where she had placed it all.

"Stupid shit?"

Arlo poured maple syrup onto her pancakes and kept his eyes on hers. His piercing blue eyes were captivating, and Kaida found it hard to look away. It wasn’t until she smelled only maple syrup that she looked down and noticed that she had more than enough on her pancakes.

"I think I’m good, Arlo."

"Shit," he pulled the container of syrup back so it would stop dripping out its contents, "Sorry. I thought I said to tell me when."

"Nope. Back to the stupid shit that people are getting mad over?"

"Oh. Things like getting too close to them on the street or looking at them the wrong way. It’s things that most people can let go of, yet no one seems to be able to let anything slide. I breathed in someone’s direction, and they tried to take a swing at me. Luckily, I knew what was going on, and I didn’t lose it on him."

Kaida’s eyebrows nearly reached her hairline. "Someone attacked you?"

"Swung at me. I wouldn’t necessarily call that attacking me."

"How did you just...not defend yourself?"

Arlo chuckled again, "I used my magic to tie his hands behind his back. It certainly proved to be the best way to keep him from himself."

Maybe he can tie us up with his magic?

Wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.

Kaida noticed Arlo’s nostrils flaring, and his pupils nearly turned to slits. Inside their bond, Kaida could feel lust flood through her, and she shifted uncomfortably in her seat. She didn’t want to respond because she wasn’t sure what exactly was happening. Instead, she cut a portion of the pancakes into the form of a triangle and shoved it in her mouth. It was just as delicious as the bacon. The pancakes were fluffy and sweet. She could taste a subtle hint of vanilla in the batter. Paired with the saltiness of the bacon taste in her mouth, Kaida couldn’t stifle the moan. Arlo sucked in a breath and then turned back toward the stove.

What happened? What did I do?

He could smell your arousal from the idea of him tying you up, and then you moan. He is doing his best to restrain himself right now.

Kaida paid attention to the bond and could feel what her dragon explained inside of it. Kaida licked her lips and did her best to pay attention to the food and not make another noise. If Arlo turned his back on her, clearly, he did not want to push the boundary just yet.

At least, that is what I think I am feeling through the bond.

Arlo cleaned up while Kaida finished her meal. They continued to discuss all of the things that he ran into while on patrol. It was exactly what he said. The Dark Dimension somehow touched all these people even though it did not pass the peninsula. That was something she would need to talk to Adrien about.

"I already asked Adrien. She didn’t know what could have happened. If you destroyed the opening and no one breathed it in but you, how it got to everyone on the island is crazy."

"Maybe it is from the mainland. Like...maybe it’s being blown over this way," Kaida suggested.

Arlo shrugged, "I don’t know. I guess that makes the most sense. If there is an opening that way, maybe it’s coming here. How? Unsure. It’s not like we have seen more of the mist you and Beckett encountered."

Kaida wasn’t sure what to say, so she ate the last few pieces of pancakes she had left, frowned that there were no more, and put her dishes into the sink. Arlo washed them in silence, and Kaida sat back down in her seat. Beckett mentioned that he didn’t want her to patrol like the rest of them but did encourage her to get out and about while he was away. Kaida wondered what the girls were up to and thought about going to see them. When she remembered that they all had jobs and probably couldn’t hang out, Kaida stared out the window instead.

"Do you have anything going on today?" Arlo asked her while turning off the water.

Kaida looked at him and frowned. "Nope. Beckett said he didn’t want me on patrol, and I am pretty sure the girls are working. I am trying to figure out something to do so I don’t go crazy with boredom."

Arlo smirked. "Would you like to hang out with me then?"

His black hair fell over his blue eyes, making him look more intriguing. Kaida bit her lip and thought about the possibilities of what Arlo could suggest for them to do. Tying her up came to mind, and she immediately had to banish the thought.

Let’s not go there just yet.

"Do you have something in mind?"

Arlo’s smirk quickly turned into a grin. Kaida could feel that he had many things in mind. Things might get heated up in here if they were anything like her ideas. He walked around the island and then held out his hand to her. When she put her hand in his, she could feel the static that she’d felt during their walk home from their date. The sensation was welcome, and a shiver went down her spine that spread through her body. Kaida hid from Arlo that she liked the feeling so he wouldn’t rush her to the bedroom. If he had a second date in mind, Kaida wanted to see what his mind could concoct to sweep her off her feet.

Arlo led her outside and down toward the town. Their path would lead them right to the heart of all the shops, and Kaida had no problem with this plan. The memories of the last time she went shopping came to the forefront of her mind. Her heart squeezed at the memory of being with Enzo, and she kept her face hidden from Arlo so he couldn’t see the pain she felt from it. The bond she once shared with Enzo ached, and Kaida did her best to push the memory back into the box she kept.

I am with Beckett and being courted by Arlo. Enzo didn’t want me. I just need to forget he existed.

The familiar building of Azulia’s shop came into view, and it helped Kaida push the memory aside. She found herself jogging to the shop and burst through the door. Azulia was standing behind the counter, ringing up a customer’s order. Her pinkish eyes lit up at the sight of Kaida, and she flashed a big smile. When she held up a finger to tell Kaida she’d be with her in a minute, Kaida walked around the shop to look at all the clothes Azulia had made. Arlo walked in a minute later, scanned the room, and then walked behind Kaida.

"Find anything you like?" Arlo asked her as Kaida touched the different fabrics.

Kaida shook her head, "Not yet. Nothing is calling out to me."

"Probably because I have spoiled you by just creating clothes for you instead of letting you pick them out off the racks."

Azulia’s voice was suddenly next to her, and Kaida jumped. Azulia smiled and opened her arms for Kaida to hug her. Kaida wasted no time stepping into them.

"You sound like it’s a bad thing that you spoiled me," Kaida said as she stepped out of the hug.

Arlo playfully scoffed, and both girls turned to him and glared. He put his hands up in surrender with a lopsided smile.

"What brings you in today? I love the purple scarf. It adds the right pop of color on you."

Kaida wore a simple, black, V-neck shirt, a black pair of pants, and black ankle boots. The purple scarf matched the color on the outside of the purple streaks in her hair. The outfit made Kaida think she looked fiercer than she felt.

"Arlo and I were passing through, and I just thought I’d stop by. I don’t come down here enough. I need to, though."

"I’ll say. Things have been slightly off since the dimension spilled onto the island."

"Yeah." Kaida frowned. "Do you know what is going on?"

"Nope. None of us do. It’s not making any kind of sense to Adrien either. She told me last night that this is nothing like anything she knew about the dimension. Adrien is still confused about how it was even opened in the first place."

"Great. I was hoping for your answer not to be that."

"Sorry. If you want, I can make some new clothes for you to make up for it?"

The doors of the shop sprung open, and a woman came stomping inside. Her hair was vibrant red, and her eyes looked like they were on fire. The scent of smoke and burnt wood followed the woman as she stomped her way in front of Azulia. Kaida noticed a ripped-up red dress in the woman’s claws and immediately smelled trouble.

"Are you the fairy that decided to sell my daughter this awful gown?"

Azulia looked down at the tatters that were once a dress and narrowed her eyes at the woman. "If you are talking about the gown that I hand-crafted alongside your daughter, who approved every measurement and design, yes."

Smoke came from the woman’s nose as she snorted at Azulia. "I demand a refund."

"Sorry, Karen, but the contract you and your daughter signed states that no refunds are given on custom gowns. It is very difficult to resell them because they are fitted specifically to that person."

The woman threw the dress at Azulia as steam practically came from her ears. "I SIGNED NO SUCH THING!"

Azulia remained calm, pulled the dress off her head, and smiled at the woman, "I’m sorry, Karen, but you did. I can show you if you wish. I have all my contracts in my office."

Kaida noticed the woman’s claws elongate on her hands. She found herself taking a step-in front of Azulia to ensure the woman did not slice into her friend.

"Excuse me, ma’am, but there is no reason for you to shout at Azulia. I’m sure things can be handled in a much nicer tone. Not to mention, no claws will be needed."

The woman glared at Kaida; the fire in her eyes matched the look that Blaze had given her before. "My name is not Karen, you stupid bitch. And I will do whatever I please. This fairy did not make this dress to my standards, and I demand my money back."

Kaida growled. "I don’t think you heard me. Do not speak that way to Azulia."

Kaida could feel anger bubble inside her. Her focus zeroed in on this woman, and everything else fell away. The woman’s hand twitched, and Kaida threw up a shield before the claws could scratch Kaida’s face. Kaida imagined the shield flying forward and knocking this woman out of the store. A purple flash appeared in a blink, and her shield flew forward. The woman was pushed right out the door, and her back landed on the stone street.

The woman got to her feet, and Kaida could see the ripples of the shift flickering around her body. The echoing of Kaida’s stomps was the only sound inside the shop. When Kaida was outside the shop, the woman’s fiery red dragon roared in every direction. The red dragon’s head whipped around and growled at Kaida. Unfazed, Kaida called on her dragon and was shifted in the next two blinks.

Kaida’s dragon towered the red dragon in height. The roar of her dragon shook the neighboring buildings and had the red dragon take a step back. The street was barely wide enough to accommodate the two dragons, but there was just enough room for Kaida to circle around. Seeing the red dragon cower brought a sizzle of satisfaction to Kaida’s dragon’s heart. Her dragon snapped her jaws, and the red dragon took another step back.

"Enough! Rachael, get out of here!" Arlo’s voice cut through the tension. "Azulia’s contract specifically states that there are no refunds for custom dresses. You also attempted physical assault on Prince Beckett’s mate. Walk away now before I allow Kaida to defend herself properly."

Rachael’s dragon stared down at Arlo, snorted some smoke from her snout, and stomped away. Arlo’s attention went to Kaida. Her dragon huffed at his stare. It wasn’t a look of admiration. Arlo looked confused...or concerned. Kaida pushed for her dragon to shift back, and there was some pushback. Her dragon growled when her eyes landed on some other townspeople. Many of them looked as if they wanted to shift and attack. There was something holding them back, like an invisible force. Kaida pushed again, and her dragon resisted for a moment before allowing the magic to take over.

Once Kaida was standing on two feet, Kaida swallowed hard and bit her lip. Why did I react like that?