Chapter 7 - Felix

"Diego is being kept in the dungeon. I think we need to talk to the Council," I suggest to Draco when we're at the dining table.

After my attempt to speak to Sierra was met with resistance, I decided to head down to take care of the things I had control over because it seemed I didn't have control of what happened between us. She's made it very clear that this isn't a clean slate.

I know that she must hate me. But I can't let her go. If it was anyone else, I would have taken them back home if they agreed to be my mate. This is Sierra, after all. The only woman I've ever loved. I can't let her go a second time. I was foolish before and don't plan to make the same mistakes twice.

Draco contemplates the suggestion and then clears his throat. "Did anyone witness the abduction?"

Aragon enters the dining room with his pregnant mate, Yazmine. "No," he replies to Draco's question. "I was careful not to take him in the presence of his men. But that just means he's missing now."

Draco grunts under his breath before turning to me. "Do you think he'll take more money?"

I shrug. "I don't know. He's a liability we can't afford if we're meant to keep our existence a secret. I knew he couldn't be trusted when he lied to his daughter and told her his life was in danger."

"The Council never threatened his life," Draco mulls with a frown.

"Yes," I nod. "But his daughter never agreed to be a dragon's mate. She knew nothing about it until yesterday when he kidnapped her. She would have never agreed."

"So I take it you're being met with resistance, then?" Aragon chuckles as he leads his mate to her seat. "It's not easy charming a human woman, is it?"

Yazmine slaps his arm playfully. "Of course not. That's why I gave you hell."

"Is she being difficult, Brother?" Draco asks as his lips curl into a smirk. "You just have to sweep her off her feet."

"It's not as simple as that," I contend with an exasperated sigh. Of course, they're not going to cut me any slack—not since I was the one who'd given that very same piece of advice.

Aragon scoffs. "You made it sound pretty simple when it wasn't your turn."

"Yeah…" Draco adds. "You have to be kind and caring. Isn't that what you said?"

"You won't understand," I sigh, hanging my head in shame. I hate that I've kept this a secret for so long—I kept Sierra a secret. How was I to know that we'd follow through with a human mating process that would lead us here? Because of her, I know how to charm my way into a human woman's heart. Even though I didn't have to try very hard. Sierra was the one who always brought that romantic side out of me.

I doubt that's going to work right now. Not with all the pain I must have caused her.

"Now that the shoe fits, I suppose it's time to wear it," Aragon continues to taunt me.

Unable to sit around and take their playful jests, I get out of my seat and march to the front door. Behind me, I can hear more footsteps signaling that the rest of the gang has joined breakfast.

I've lost my appetite.

I need fresh air.

"Felix!" Kairo calls from behind, catching up with me just as I step outside. I would have shut the door in her face if she was one of my brothers.

But it's Kairo, and I could disrespect a female like that.

"What do you want, Kai?" I groan; my irritation is still evident in my voice. Just because I wouldn't disrespect her doesn't mean I won't let her know she's caught me at the wrong time.

"Geez, Felix," Kairo frowns with concern. "Is everything okay?"

I shrug nonchalantly, not knowing what to say to her. "I guess." There's no point in lying—Kairo will see right through me.

"You know…" she shakes her head slowly, planting her hands on her hips as if I'm about to get a scolding. "... Out of all my brothers, I was least expecting you to be the one having trouble with this."

"Oh, you have no idea," I chuckle nervously. "I think I might have bit off more than I can chew."

"So quickly?"

I nod sheepishly, pursing my lips when an idea comes to mind. I reach out a hand and place it on Kairo's shoulder. "Could you do me a favor, Sis?"

"Uh-huh."

"Take care of her… Sierra, I mean."

"Pretty name," Kairo smiles.

"Yes," I concede with a nod, my own lips lifting slightly. "Pretty name for a pretty lady." I sigh. "Befriend her the way you did with Lily. I know you'll get along well with her," I chuckle lightly. "She's so much like you."

My sister tilts her head to one side speculatively. "You discovered that in one night?"

"I—" I clear my throat and step back, feeling uncomfortable. "I can read people. It's quite obvious."

Kairo seems to buy this and nods fervently. "Don't worry, Felix. We'll become the best of friends!" She grins from ear to ear. "I'll get her to like you while I'm at it."

"Thanks, Kai," I titter.

"Don't mention it, Brother." She steps forward and touches my cheek lightly in a gesture of reassurance. Just like Mother. Just like Sierra. The women with gentle natures.

"Sometimes we all need a helping hand."

Leaving Sierra's care in my sister's hands brings me comfort. Thanking her again, I leave for a morning walk. Once I'm in the clearing, I decide to go for a lap around the island.

I shift into dragon form, slowly rising toward the clouds and passing the castle on my way up. Behind those stone walls, Sierra is inside, probably fuming at me.

I don't blame her, but her reluctance to accept this new slate has me wondering if her father was wrong. Perhaps she had moved on with her life; he just didn't know about it.

Why else would she reject me? Perhaps she never loved me at all.

Oh, no…

I'm doing it again. I spent most of my time in dragon form last night, soaring around the coast and letting my mind get the best of me. Filled with rampant thoughts, my mind in dragon form is worse than when I'm human.

Even the dragonspirit is remorseful about the past. He, too, had fallen deeply in love with the girl, and that inner voice always chided me about leaving. It's the closest thing to a fated mate a dragon could ever experience.

I'm sure of it.

That's why, after only two laps around the outskirts of the island, I feel pulled back to the castle. As if my heart is incomplete, a dire need to be close to Sierra takes over.

I've never felt something so strong. Not even before, when Sierra and I lived together in the apartment in Charlottesville. Perhaps it's stronger now because I'm fueled by her rejection and need to find some way to flip things around so she'd want me again.

"If that's even possible," I scoff to myself as I make my way up with the lift. As soon as the doors slide open and I step into the hallway, my brothers' taunts come back to mind.

If this is a clean slate, then I've got it all wrong. I should sweep her off her feet without relying on the past we shared. It's a distorted past, anyway. I need to do much more than just exist.

I need to have her fall in love with me all over again.

I head down the hallway of my quarters, passing my bedroom and going toward the one where Sierra is being held. The door left ajar indicates that Kairo has already taken it upon herself to befriend my mate.

Nice. This will pave the way for me to swoop in and sweep her off her feet. Not right now, but soon.

For now, I quietly hang outside the door, eavesdropping on their conversation. I can probably gather some tips about how to impress Sierra again.

"I don't really hate the idea of being here…" Sierra tells Kairo. "But I can't be locked up like I'm a prisoner."

Point one—let her out of the damned bedroom. She's not going to run away. I don't know what I was thinking.

Kairo sighs. "I'll speak to Felix about that. There's no need for you to be locked in this room."

"Yeah, I'd like to see the rest of the island."

Point two—plan a tour around the island. If she's curious, that's already a foot in the door to charming her. I can work with that.

"Oh, you'll love it!" Kairo says excitedly. "There's a spot on Mount Aurora that you'll love. It's next to the waterfall, so all you hear is the gushing of water."

Sierra gasps. "You have to take me there!"

Point three—just as I always knew, my sister and Sierra are so much alike, with their love for nature and the stillness it provides. Oftentimes, I'd catch Kairo on the mountaintop with her eyes closed as she soaked up the peace. In those moments, I'd be reminded of Sierra and how her morning routine consisted of meditations to start her day. I'd always imagine bringing her to the island, where she'd be able to bask in the true essence of peace.

Now, that wish is being fulfilled, thanks to fate and my sister.

"Of course," Kairo assures her. "It's gonna be our meditation spot."

Smiling smugly, I sauntered back to my bedroom, feeling quite chuffed with myself. I think I'm on the right track, on my way to sweeping Sierra off her feet and reminding her why she fell in love with me in the first place.