Chapter 17 - Stryker

Camilla clings to me as if her life depends on the warmth of my embrace, and I hold her as tightly as I possibly can.

In the dark throes of my subconscious mind, all I could think about was her as my inner dragon navigated through the pain in my body. It felt as if my inner dragon had set out on a journey where the destination was finding healing for the injuries I’d been subjected to at Rakon’s hands. Like an explorer, I found that healing nestled in the thought of my mate, which turned out to be the guiding light to help me come back home.

Flinching from the dull ache that lingers in my ribcage, Camilla hears me and gasps as she pulls back. Remorse flashes in her shimmering gold eyes, along with recognition when her gaze flits to the sheet that covers my body.

“I’m so sorry!” she whimpers, but I grab her wrist and pull her close again, shaking my head as I get to an upright seated position.

“Uh-uh,” I return as I pull her onto the bed to sit beside me. “Don’t apologize, Camilla. I’m healing. Look.” I throw the sheet off and begin ripping off the gauze that covers the injuries I’ve endured. Though the soft cotton is stained with my blood, once removed, my skin is almost as good as new, save for the metal stitches that binded my skin.

“That was quick…” Camilla gasps, reaching out a hand to trace my skin. The warmth of her touch startles me, but I tug on her wrist when she wants to retract her hand.

“Sorry. It just feels very new, that’s all.”

“Hm…” she hums as her fingertips whisper across my skin. “Your skin feels softer now…”

I lift my eyes just in time to catch her staring at me, her lips parted on an exhale while the honey-golden depths turn heady with desire. Slowly, I lean in, but Camilla seems to catch herself and reel in any sinful thoughts as she clears her throat and climbs off the bed.

Stifling my amusement, I hang my head to hide the uncontrollable smirk that lifts my lips while she pulls up a chair. When she takes a seat, I fold an arm behind my head and lean into the pillow.

“Perks of being a dragon shifter,” I chuckle lowly, gesturing at my healing ribcage. “Healing is not as gruesome as a human’s.”

“I thought you were gonna die…” she laments, keeping her eyes pinned to the floor.

“I can’t die, Camilla,” I explain. “I’m immortal.”

She slowly nods, nervously lifting her face to meet my eyes. “Olivia told me about that…” her voice falters off.

“What else did she tell you?” I ask before she drops her head again, forcing her to keep staring at me.

Camilla sighs. “This isn’t the right time for all of that, Stryker.”

“No,” I shake my head, turning over to face her fully. “It’s the perfect time. I might have all the time in the world, but I can’t waste any more time being in the dark. I need to know how you feel.”

A long pause stretches out like deafening silence as Camilla stares at me, her eyes glossed over with tears.

“I don’t hate you…” she finally admits, sending a sliver of relief up my spine as if my energy centers have been given life. “I just wish…” she gulps. “... I wish you didn’t trick me, that’s all.”

I nod as I take in her admission, turning to face the ceiling as if I’d find respite from the immensity of my guilt and shame.

“I wasn’t trying to trick you, Camilla,” I say earnestly. “Why do you think I was throwing hints at you, huh? Remember the painting by Domingo in the museum?”

“Y-yes…” she murmurs with a frown.

“I was going to tell you I was a dragon before I brought you to the island. I was trying to bring your attention to the painting to bring up the topic of dragons.”

“But…” she gulps then. “... What if I didn’t agree to all of this?”

I turn to her, pausing for a moment to consider her question. Back when I was doing my stakeouts before I was meant to meet her, and even after I received the go-ahead with my turn in the human mating process, I was so confident that she’d fall in love with me, that I didn’t stop to consider that she wouldn’t agree to any of it.

“I—I didn’t think you’d reject me once you—”

“Fell in love with you…” she interjects, turning her face to the side as a blush grows on her cheeks. “What if I didn’t?”

“Are you?” I ask too quickly, biting my tongue with regret. “Wait. You don’t need to answer that,” I say just as quickly, turning my face away with a wince.

Stryder already gave me enough advice to know better than to question something as deep as falling in love. According to my twin, I should just let it happen organically while giving her time and space to come to terms with what all of this means for her.

I’m literally pulling out the rug from under her, and shifting the trajectory of her life as she knew it.

I’d been giving her space when I stayed away.

What happened last night was out of my control. I was only checking up on her, and I would have left if I didn’t think she was struggling. What happened next wasn’t a part of my plan. It was something that did happen naturally.

Camilla clears her throat and changes the subject when she asks, “About the painting… What else were you gonna tell me about it?”

The dense air seems to lighten, and the awkward tension is lifted by the change, of course.

I turn back to her and smirk mischievously, seeing an opportunity to speak to her the way we once did comfortably in the mortal world.

“Have you figured out that the setting of the painting exists?” I ask.

Camilla nods hesitantly. “It’s this island, isn’t it?”

“Yes,” I chuckle. “It was a painting of the Aurora Island that was completed almost a thousand years ago. It was my sister who painted it while she attended dragon school when we were growing up.”

“Dragon school?” Camilla perks up.

I nod. “We had to learn how to be amongst humans so we could fit in when we needed to visit the mortal world. They taught us table manners and how to appear more human by constantly blinking.”

“Wait… that’s not something you do naturally?” Camilla chuckles, to which I shake my head.

“Wow…” she continues. “It seems I have a lot to learn about dragons.”

Another moment of silence stretches, but this time, it isn’t as daunting or awkward as before.

When Camilla’s lighthearted giggle subsides, I ask, “Can I ask you one question, though?”

“That’s a question on its own,” she giggles again. “But yes, go ahead.”

“Do you still wanna go home?”

Camilla shrugs diffidently. “I would be lying if I said I’m not intrigued by everything I get to learn on the island. About dragon shifters…” Camilla breaks off with a smile, and mentally, I’m doing cartwheels to celebrate my victory.

“But there’s only one problem,” she continues glumly. “I can’t leave my grandmother to fend for herself.”

My internal celebratory dance is cut short. I didn’t stop to consider that one important detail. It doesn’t mean that there’s no way to compromise. Draco can live a fulfilling life with his mate, the Lady Dragon Lily; she’s the only human on the island who has both parents and a sister in the mortal world.

Then there’s Felix’s father-in-law…

If Camilla does accept our fate, all hope isn’t lost.

I open my mouth, about to put her worries to rest by telling her about another mortal human who lives on the island—Felix’s mate, Sierra, who moved her father to the island a few months ago. But we’re interrupted by a knock on the door when Doctor Amell comes in.

“Good evening, Stryker,” the doctor greets, glancing at Camilla with a warm smile. “How are you feeling?”

I look down at myself and realize that I probably could have left the hospital a long time ago. Usually, none of us have an overnight stay in here, thanks to our quick healing abilities.

I’d just been enjoying speaking to Camilla with no inhibitions, thankful that she was giving me a chance this time.

“Apart from the dull ache in my ribs, I think I’ll survive,” I joke.

Smiling to myself, I let my mind run freely while Doctor Amell checks my vitals.

There’s hope for a better future. There’s also hope that I won’t live out the rest of my life alone. For almost a millennia, I’ve been all by myself, save for the company of my family and friends amongst the dragon clans. Before the human mating process, we didn’t have hope of expanding and seeing children run freely on the fields. Now, with human mates, not only do we get to produce dragonspirit children and expand the clan, but we also have a shot at real happiness with our counterparts.

I’ve seen it with my brothers. I can’t wait for the rest of my life in bliss.

“You’re right, Stryker,” Doctor Amell chuckles. “It seems you will live.”

“Was there any doubt?” I snort as I climb off the bed, then notice Doctor Amell flicking a glance at Camilla.

Another flicker of hope ignites. Camilla must have been worried about me while I was unconscious.

Nodding curtly at the doctor to acknowledge the gesture and dismiss her from the room at the same time, I keel over and feign a sordid wince.

“Are you okay?!” Camilla shrieks as she rushes to my side.

“It’s not as easy as I thought it would be to stand up,” I groan to amplify the act.

Camilla lifts my arm and flings it over her shoulders, throwing me a determined smile. “Let me help you back to the castle.”

“You know your way around here by now?” I challenge with a raised brow.

Camilla giggles. “Not yet. But you can show me the way.”

***

“How are you feeling, Brother?” Draco asks as he stands at my bedroom door with his arms folded as if I’m about to receive a solid scolding.

Groaning, I look down at my linked hands as I fumble them, getting a bout of deja vu to that time I had to face him after fighting Rakon—more than nine hundred years ago.

Gods…

Even thinking about it now feels absurd. Rakon waited that long to exact his revenge on me.

Talk about holding grudges…

“I’m fine, Alpha. I—”

“Yo! What’s with the formalities?” He frowns as he steps into the room and unfolds his arms.

I shrug nonchalantly and turn to the window. “Isn’t that why you’re here? To officially cast me to hell for leading danger to the island?”

“What happened the other day isn’t your fault, Stryker,” he relents as he joins me. “I’m not here to cast you anywhere. Just wanted to check up on you.”

I steal a glance at my oldest brother, noting how different he appears. Unlike before Lily became his mate, he’s calmer now. Less broody and intimidating.

“And what of the meeting with the Council?” I ask.

“The Council is scheduled to meet tomorrow night. We’ll all be in attendance.”

I grimace. If every member of the Council will be in attendance, my other brothers will be coming too. They’ve been pulled away from their personal lives, traveling the world with their families. The guilt weighs heavily on me, and Draco seems to acknowledge this as he places a reassuring hand on my shoulder.

“Hey, it’s not your fault,” he assures.

“I just wish things went as planned…” I lament with a sigh.

Draco chuckles lightly in response. “Things have a way of working themselves out eventually, don’t they?”

I shrug nonchalantly. “I suppose. It’s just the wait that’s frustrating.”

My brother raises a skeptical brow. “Why do I get the feeling that you’re referring to your mate?”

“Because I am…” I grimace. Ever since the day I came back from my brief stay in hospital, I’d been giving Camilla more space to decide what she wanted. She helped me to my bedroom, and I’d kept to the confines of my four walls without visiting her in the guest bedroom of my quarters. I don’t want to force her any longer.

The ball is in her court now. At least she isn’t fighting me to go back home.

“You have all the time in the world, Brother,” Draco returns. “But one thing is for sure… You’ll make no progress if you keep to this room any longer.”

I turn to stare contemplatively at Draco, recognizing how right he is. Perhaps I’d been waiting for a sign, but I’m the one who should be making the first move. Nodding with determination, my spirits feel lifted when Draco reiterates the advice I already received from Stryder.

A human woman needs a grand gesture of romance to fall head over heels in love with a man. That was the plan in the mortal world until Rakon came and thwarted those plans. Still, if it’s Camilla’s love I’m vying for, it will get me nowhere by being stuck in my bedroom like a recluse who isn’t confident in his charming abilities.

Shaking off my inhibitions, I straighten out my spine and stand tall outside her bedroom door, lifting a hand to knock before entering.

If there’s one thing she might appreciate, it’s me showing her that I respect her.

“Come in!” she calls out, her voice faint and distant as it gets lost in the large expanse of the room.

With my lips toying into a smile, I open the door and step inside, only to have my breath taken away by her ethereal beauty.

She’s naturally gorgeous and breathtaking in the simplest setting, her wild curls dancing around her face as she sits curled up on the chaise lounge in the corner. Wearing an oversized t-shirt and silk shorts, I could never have imagined that she would be so effortlessly beautiful after she floored me with that black dress she wore on our date in the mortal world.

She’s outdone herself without even trying, awakening my inner dragon while my jaw drops.

She smiles warmly, about to unfurl from the lounger when I shake my head to stop her and simultaneously shake off some sinful thoughts roaming my mind.

“Please, don’t get up,” I urge as I step inside. “I just wanted to check up on you.”

Camilla’s smile turns sneaky. “Wondering if I’m gonna fight with you?” She giggles, setting down her book and crossing her arms.

“Uhm… Maybe…?” I chuckle nervously, taking a cautious step forward.

“I’m not gonna fight you, Stryker,” she relents with a sigh as she rises to her feet and turns toward the balcony, her arms still folded. “Beautiful night, isn’t it?”

When she glances over her shoulder with her lips lifted warmly, it’s my cue to follow her onto the balcony where the moon shines its radiant glow and hugs her to amplify the gentle aura she already exudes naturally. Her very being spurs my steps to cross the bedroom as if she calls out to my inner dragon. Something has shifted in her, and I can finally breathe easily.

Passing the sofa, I catch a glimpse of the book she’s reading, and a frown passes my face.

If Camilla wanted to learn more about dragon shifters, why is she reading the only book from the library that doesn’t even mention my species?

With her back to me, Camilla leans over the rails and sighs softly. There’s a sudden urge to reach out and tuck her untamed curls behind her ear. Not because they’re unruly—I actually think it’s cute how wild those dark curls are—but because I want to see her face.

Holding back any sudden movements that might startle her, I join her on the terrace and lean my forearms on the wooden rails.

“Beautiful night, indeed,” I concede, glancing at her when I say, “Stunning.”

She catches me ogling and blushes lightly, dropping her gaze and tucking her hair behind her ear. For me. For my viewing pleasure. Mentally, I’m kicking my feet and punching the air victoriously, like I’ve just won at life.

This is how it should have been… I think as I turn back to the canvas of life painted with glittery stars. Just Camilla and me, and the blissful tranquility of the Aurora skies while we basked in the nature of our mate bond.

“I noticed you’re reading The Grimoire ,” I comment through the comfortable silence between us.

“Y-yeah…” Camilla concedes tentatively. “It caught my attention in the library the other day.”

“You know… If you’re looking to learn about dragon shifters, you won’t find anything in that one.”

“Hm…” she hums nonchalantly. “So, I’m guessing you read the book yourself.”

“A book about witches?” I snort. “Nah, I steered clear of that one.”

“Why?” she presses with a frown when she turns to me. “Do you not like witches?”

I shrug diffidently. “I’ve met a few witches throughout my life, but I was never interested in them,” I admit. “Besides…” I continue, snatching a shot at gaining another brownie point in Camilla’s books by modestly shifting my gaze back to the sky. “... I didn’t need to waste my time on other species of preternatural beings. I’m fated to a human. What more could I ask for?”

The question lingers in the silence that stretches. A silence that feels like a rubber band that’s being pulled, and released when both Camilla and I turn to each other at the same time.

“Stry—”

“Cami—”

We burst out laughing in unison.

“You go first,” I offer, but Camilla shakes her head.

“No… What were you gonna say?” she asks, prompting me to face her and clear my throat.

When our eyes meet, my inner dragon is soothed, lending me the courage to progress with what I’m about to say. “I’m truly sorry for everything that’s happened, Camilla. It shouldn’t have been this way. I wanted to do so much more to appease you before I told you what I am.”

A flicker of deep regret passes through the shimmering depths of amber. When she gulps with uncertainty, I take it as my cue to continue.

“But the way things played out wasn’t my intention. And if you’d told me that you never wanted to see me again, I would have accepted it.”

Camilla nods warily, turning her face to the night sky. “Would you have given up so easily?” she asks.

I shake my head sincerely. “No. But I would have respected your choice if I didn’t think you were in danger out there. It’s my duty as your fated mate to ensure your safety above all else.”

The long silence that follows leads me back to the rails to seek solace in the moonlit sky. For a moment, I feared I’d said something wrong.

But Camilla needed me to look away when she admitted, “I’m not angry at you anymore, Stryker. I think I understand what all of this means.”

“Then you know that I wish I could have done things differently, right?”

“I don’t know…” she smiles wistfully. “... I think that tonight is perfect just as it is.”

“Not yet.” I shake my head, drawing Camilla’s attention to me when she frowns. I take a bold step forward, even with my heart pounding in my chest, as I reach out and cup her cheek. When she doesn’t make a protest and instead closes her eyes and her bottom lip whispers open, I close the final distance between us and press my lips to hers.

The kiss is slow, unhurried, in an attempt to reacquaint our lips with the passion we’ve tasted before. When the subtle notes of her cherry lip balm slip through my lips and beckon me to deepen the kiss, I pause and pull away to savor the tenderness of the moment.

Gazing into her eyes and letting her taste flow through me in graceful waves of charged pulses, I ask, “What were you gonna tell me just now?” in a husky whisper as I cradle her cheek, the pad of my thumb smoothing over her flushed skin.

“I—I forgot…” she murmurs, her eyes heavy and her moist lips parted as if the kiss that lingers clouds her mind and turns it to mush. Only her arms are mobile as she slides her palms over my chest, resting her hands on my shoulders.

“Was it important?” I ask, like a tease to draw out her reaction.

Her eyes turn dark, threatening me if I say another word. “Shut up and kiss me again.”

That command is all I needed to hear to be sure that she’s accepted our fated mate bond.

As if I had any reason to doubt her acceptance. Every tingling nerve fiber of mine is a testament to the bond that neither of us can deny.