Chapter 13

13

J en

“Ready?” Steel asks me. He barely looks at me before turning and walking to the door. We’ve done this a couple of times now, and it’s become a bit of a routine.

“Yep.” I force myself to sound upbeat. I’m about to meet candidate number four, and each of them has been worse than the last.

The second guy was younger and quite good-looking. Jasper loved himself far more than August ever could, which is saying something. I couldn’t wait to leave. It was an absolute disaster. The guy didn’t even pick up on my vibes. He just went on and on about himself and all about how wonderful he was. He assumed I was going to pick him. That it was already a done deal. On a positive note, he only wanted three children as opposed to five or six. I’m still reeling from that one. He also wanted to start a family immediately. I really need to talk with the general about that.

The shifter I met yesterday barely said two words to me. Our meeting lasted all of twenty minutes at the most. It was clear that it would be more of a business arrangement than an actual marriage. Axel handed me a contract and then shook my hand, telling me to send a list of questions or queries to his PA and that he would get to them as soon as possible. I’m not completely convinced that something along those lines wouldn’t be the best thing, except within the contract – I flipped through the document – it states that my darling husband would be permitted to have as many affairs as he wishes while I would need to remain faithful to him. Also, that he would only have sex with me to make me pregnant. None of it sat right with me. I’m happy with a business arrangement for a marriage, but it would need to go both ways and would need to be fair. Not that I want to stray and sleep around. That isn’t me! But that he can and I can’t is a deal breaker for me, for sure.

“Let’s go, then,” Steel says, making me realize that I’ve been standing there like a dork, staring into space.

“Sorry.” I clear my throat. “Of course.”

Steel opens the door, and I walk out. He doesn’t take my arm. I’m getting better at walking in heels.

We head out in silence. We haven’t spoken much over the last few days. It’s safe to say that things are strained between us, which is fine. I think I prefer it when he isn’t talking to me since he doesn’t have much to say that’s very nice.

We go through the motions until we reach the stairs that lead to reception.

“We’re going this way,” Steel says, going in the opposite direction. I have to take two quick steps to catch up to him.

“Why? What’s changed?” We keep walking.

“You’re seeing the duke next.”

“The duke? Does he stay in the palace?” I ask, frowning and having to work to keep up with Steel’s long strides.

“No, he has his own castle.”

“Oh! So, why the new route?”

Steel opens a door, waiting for me, and we go outside.

“The duke’s castle isn’t accessible by road, only by air,” he tells me as we continue walking.

“Oh…interesting.” Perhaps we’re taking a helicopter. I mean, that’s what rich people do, isn’t it?

We take a few turns and arrive in the large cobblestone courtyard, where poor Rex got beaten into a bloody pulp. For a few moments, I’m rooted to the spot as the recent events flood my mind.

“Are you coming?” Steel asks from over his shoulder. I realize that I have been standing there and staring at the spot where it happened.

“How is Rex?” I ask.

“If you’re talking about the male who took lashes for you, I haven’t seen him, but I’m sure he’s fine.”

“If you haven’t seen him, how can you say that?” I lift my brows. I pray it’s true. That’s he’s forgiven me.

“He’s a shifter. We have rapid healing abilities. He would have been fine by the next day.” Steel shrugs. “It’s his ego that would have taken a knock. That and his career. Physically, he will be fine. Long-term, he’ll be just dandy, better off than he was.”

I frown. “How do you figure he’ll be better off?”

“He won’t be so damned na?ve. He’ll think twice when a beautiful female tries to pull the wool over his eyes.”

Always so full of compliments. What a great guy!

“It wasn’t like that. I didn’t mean for him to get into trouble,” I throw back, my voice clipped. Then I carry on walking. I don’t want to have this conversation. I don’t want to hear about how terrible I am. What a liar and a cheat I am. How despicable I am for selling myself. I get the distinct impression that something happened to Steel that made him this way. He was hurt or betrayed, and now he’s an asshole because of it. There’s no way around that fact. It doesn’t excuse his shitty behavior.

“Where are you going, Miss Harris?” he calls after me.

I turn and note that Steel has his shirt off; his tie, too. He’s also taken his shoes and socks off. The guy is quick. I’ll give him that.

“What are you doing? Where are the vehicles? What is this?” My voice gets panicked when he undoes his belt and pulls down the zipper on his suit pants. “Can you stop undressing, please?”

“No, I need to take my clothes off. All of them. I’ll put them into this bag, which I need you to carry.” He points to a backpack at his feet.

“Carry where? How? What’s going on here?”

Steel gives me the smallest of smiles, and my knees melt and try to give in. I’m ready to fall into a puddle at his feet, and I don’t even like him. I like his chest and his arms…those forearms, especially. I can’t decide if I prefer them more than his biceps. His abs are a thing of beauty, too.

Steel clears his throat. “The duke lives in a castle that is only accessible by air. That means I have to fly us there.”

“Fly?” I squeak. “As in…?”

He nods; the corner of his mouth twitches like he is trying to hold back a smile. “I’m going to shift into my dragon form. You can turn around…or not, I don’t care either way. I will be getting naked in the next few seconds.”

“Um…I don’t think that—”

Steel lifts his brows, giving me a quizzical look, then he pulls his pants down. Annnd yup, he’s naked, alright. I can see his giant cock. Granted, it isn’t as giant when it’s…in its natural state. It’s still freaking huge, though. His thighs are thick and roped with muscle, just like the rest of him. He has a tattoo on his right thigh. It’s of a scorpion. It’s big, taking up most of his thigh, and yet it’s delicate. Both aggressive and beautiful. An excellent depiction.

My eyes track back up…and up.

Steel is looking at me. He folds his arms. “Are you done looking, Miss Harris? Is it okay if I shift now?”

I want to roll my eyes and groan in both irritation and frustration, but I do neither of those things.

“I didn’t tell you that you couldn’t shift. You didn’t have to wait. I’ve seen naked men before, and you’re all the same.” Not! I’ve only ever seen my ex naked, and he didn’t look like this. “It’s just that I like your scorpion tattoo.” I had my eyes all over him, so this explanation doesn’t really hold water, but I go with it, anyway. “Whoever did it is talented. If I’m not mistaken, that’s a deathstalker. It’s highly venomous and—”

“How do you know about scorpions?” He looks down at his leg. “It is a deathstalker.” He nods. “How could you possibly know that?”

“Well, the color and the spots… It’s just that Caleb loves scorpions.” I warm up inside just thinking about my little brother. About his excitement and joy whenever he talks about scorpions and snakes. “He has a book on them. I’ve read it to him a hun—” I remember that Steel doesn’t believe that Caleb even exists, so I stop talking. “Never mind, you should shift now; we don’t want to keep the duke waiting. He sounds important.” I couldn’t care about the duke. If he’s anything like the others, I’m in for a long afternoon.

For a second, it looks like Steel wants to argue with me, but he doesn’t. Instead, he looks straight at me while silver scales start to pop out all over his body. His limbs start to stretch before my eyes. They elongate, becoming more flexible as his muscular body transforms. His face shifts, broadening, and the tips of his canines extend beyond his lips into sharp teeth that don’t seem to fit into his now huge maw. The bones in his hands realign, giving him an extra digit on each hand. Wings extend from his back, blocking out the sun.

I gape in awe and fear at the man-turned-beast before me. As the final transformation takes place, Steel’s eyes meet mine, almost human, but with a beastlike quality. They’re not quite as dark now that he is in his dragon form. Aside from all the anger, they hold a sadness I’ve only seen a glimpse of once before, but there’s something more now, too. Something wild and untamed. This creature in front of me is no longer a man but a predator. A beast. I shiver, but not entirely from fear.

He’s almost more beautiful in this form. I can’t decide. His dragon looks kinder, somehow. There are bursts of red in the shimmering silver scales, exactly where there was red from his tattoos.

Steel. His name suits him. He looks like he’s made from the metal.

Steel rumbles, nudging the backpack with his nose. Wafts of smoke lift into the air.

“Is this a bad time to tell you that I’m a little afraid of heights?” I wince.

Dragon Steel chuffs a few times like he might be laughing, but I know that isn’t the case since the man isn’t capable. Then he grunts. I think he’s telling me to hurry up. I sling the pack onto my shoulders.

“No, really! I was forcefully carried by a dragon once before, and I hated every second,” I tell him, immediately regretting it. I shouldn’t have said that. I was indirectly referring to the kidnapping, which no one is allowed to know about. “What now?” I quickly add, looking into Steel’s quizzical stare.

He flaps his wings, lifting into the air. It defies gravity how such a huge creature can lift so gracefully into the air like it’s nothing. Once again, I’m in awe. So much so that my mouth falls open for a few seconds. I quickly close it. I’ve seen dragons. Of course I have, but Steel the dragon is just as impressive as Steel the man. He has this aura of power. He keeps saying that he is a nobody, but I struggle to believe that. He doesn’t carry himself like a nobody. Besides, “nobody” is a horrible way to describe anyone, let alone themselves. I’m thinking in terms of the phrase he used, not in terms of a phrase that I would be comfortable using.

Steel is quick, too. One moment, he’s hovering before me, and the next, he’s picking me up.

I scream as soon as my feet leave the ground. I can’t help it.

I knew this was going to happen, that I would be lifted up in the air, but I scream, anyway.

He’s moving quickly. Too quickly. As we get higher, I yell, “I changed my mind. Put me down. No! I’d rather not.”

Steel keeps ascending. Of course, he ignores me flat and is moving faster and faster.

I scream louder.

He growls. More smoke wafts. He doesn’t like my vocalization of how much I freaking hate this. I don’t care. He sucks! This sucks! It feels like I am about to die.

The ground is far below us. Sky’s Edge was bad enough. This is insane. If he lets me go, I’ll go splat. I hold on to his massive claws, trying hard to breathe and trying even harder not to look down.

I’m safe. I’m safe. He’s got me.

I survived the last flight. I can survive this one, too. I think of Hunter and how intense her fear of heights was. Much worse than mine. Now she’s a dragon rider. Holy freaking moly! If she can do it, I can, too.

Just as I’m about to close my eyes, several dragons flank us, and we fly together in a formation. I suppose it’s like driving in a convoy but for dragons. I breathe in deeply, hold my breath, and then slowly exhale. I go through the breathing exercise my mom taught me, and it helps.

The flight lasts far longer than I would have liked. I think happy thoughts and continue to concentrate on my breathing. I count as I inhale, hold, and exhale. At least now I know why Steel insisted that I wear pants today instead of a dress. Why he told me to wear my hair up instead of loose like I have been for these introductions.

Finally, there is a castle in the distance. It is built into the top of a high mountain overlooking the ocean. Nope, it most definitely wouldn’t be accessible by foot or by car. It’s not as big as the palace, but no less spectacular. Holy freaking crap!

The castle has three turrets of differing heights. Each one is adorned with a flag. The structure looks to be fashioned from the rock itself, blending in with the cliff wall. Hundreds of windows glint in the afternoon sun. Dozens of balconies and terraces jut from the vast building. We seem to be aiming for the largest of them. It doesn’t have any railings, which makes sense, since these are dragons. They can’t fall to their death.

Steel lands carefully on the large balcony, setting me down gently. The rest of the dragons land as well, claws scraping as they do. The tension in my body begins to ease, but my heart still pounds in my chest. I’m not sure I can do that again. I look around me. Looks like I’m not going to have much choice. We’re high up. It’s insane that someone can live all the way up here.

I sigh, happy to be back on solid ground – relatively speaking. Even if it is only for a few hours.

Steel starts to shift into his human form. Bones crack, and muscles rope. It doesn’t take more than a few seconds for skin to replace scales and legs to replace claws. For his wings to retract and fold away. The rest of the dragons follow suit.

I keep my eyes on his when I hand him his bag, looking over at the massive glass doors that lead to what looks like a modern interior while he dresses. I’m not going to inflate his ego even more by looking at him any more than I have already. I need to stop my ogling of this man. I don’t look at the others, who don’t seem to make any move to get dressed. Happy days! You would think after my time on the island, I would be used to naked people by now, but I’m not. It is still weird.

The doors open, and a tall man walks out. He’s smiling broadly. “You must be Jennifer.” He has short blond and blue eyes that glint with what I can only describe as mischief.

“I’m Jen,” I say, walking toward him.

He puts his hand out, and we shake. His grip is warm. His hands are surprisingly soft.

“A handshake seems silly.” He laughs, pulling me into a hug. It doesn’t last more than a few seconds before he lets me go. “I’m Duke Huntington, but my friends call me Hunt. It would seem like all the rumors are true; you are a beauty.” He looks me up and down. “In fact, I would go so far as to say that you have been underrated as being merely beautiful. You are ravishing.”

There is a soft snort from behind me. I recognize it as Steel’s, instantly.

“What was that? Were you saying something, guard?” The duke’s demeanor changes. His eyes narrow and he stands taller as he looks over at Steel, who is now fully dressed and facing us.

“I cleared my throat, Your Grace.” He inclines his head slightly while maintaining eye contact with the duke. “My apologies for the intrusion.” There is no glint of mischief. No softness whatsoever. He radiates strength and brooding tension.

For a second, the duke looks like he wants to argue but then thinks better of it. “Very well. Shall we go inside? I hope you don’t mind us meeting at the castle. I had some business to attend to here. Otherwise, my country manor house is quite lovely, too. It’s more homely than this. You’ll have to see it sometime.”

“Sounds wonderful. I have to say that this is impressive.”

“Thank you. It’s been in the family for generations. But enough about my stuffy castle. I want to know more about you. Your life, your family, do you have any hobbies? All of it.”

“Okay…sure.” I giggle. I’m not sure where it comes from. I’m not the type to giggle. I guess I’m nervous. I’m also a little shocked that he isn’t blabbering on about himself. So far, the duke seems really nice, but he isn’t my type. Too good-looking, too chiseled, and too well dressed. Too… I’m not sure what. Maybe I’ll change my mind when I get to know him better.

“Are you hungry? Or shall we start with a drink on the patio?” he asks.

“A drink on the patio sounds great.”

“Good. Come this way.”

“Move, or I’ll be forced to—” Steel snarls from behind us.

I turn and note that the duke’s guards are blocking Steel at the entrance.

“You can wait outside, guard,” the duke says, his eyes narrowed.

“He’s with me,” I say.

“I assure you that you are quite safe with me, Jen.” He winks at me. Yep, the duke is too smooth. He looks and acts like a player. I need to give him the benefit of the doubt. I need to give him a chance.

“It’s fine,” I tell Steel. “I think I’m good.” I nod a few times.

“It’s not fine, Miss Harris. I have my orders. I have my orders, Your Grace. They came directly from the general himself. I will face punishment if I go against those very specific orders, namely, to keep Miss Harris in my sight at all times. I’m sure you understand,” he talks over the guards who are still blocking his way. He towers over them.

Hunt – I’m not sure if I’m allowed to call him that – rolls his eyes. He groans like it’s the biggest effort. Then he pulls a cell phone from his pocket and dials. He puts the device on speakerphone, rolling his eyes again.

“Huntington, how are you? Is the human late?” Ice says in a no-nonsense tone.

“She’s standing right in front of me.”

“What did I tell you? She’s—”

“I have you on speakerphone,” the duke quickly interjects. “I just want to clear up a small misunderstanding. I’ve asked your guard to stay outside, but he insists on following at our heels like an untrained puppy dog.”

Steel’s jaw tightens for half a second, and his nostrils flare ever so slightly.

“I want to get to know Jennifer…Jen.” He winks at me, glaring at Steel. “I can’t very well do that without breathing room. I told your guard that the female is perfectly safe with me, but he doesn’t seem to believe me, which, quite frankly, I find offensive.”

“With all due respect, I do believe you, Your Grace, but I’m simply following my given orders,” Steel says calmly.

“The duke is my cousin,” the general says in a booming voice. “We grew up together. He is a good male. He can absolutely be trusted with Miss Harris. You are to remain outside while they get acquainted.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” Steel says, giving me a look I can’t decipher. I can tell he doesn’t like it. His whole frame is tense. His eyes are dark, his jaw is tight. Then his gaze moves forward. “I will be right here. I wish you both a pleasant afternoon,” he says in a low voice.

“Thanks, cuz. See you on Thursday for our rematch.” The duke grins.

“Indeed.” Ice chuckles, and the line goes dead.

“Poker.” He winks at me again. “I beat my cousin every time we play, but he keeps coming back for more. Let’s go, Jen,” the duke says. “What would you like to drink?”

“Actually, I wouldn’t mind an herbal tea.”

He stops, giving me the side eye. “Are you sure I can’t convince you to have a glass of champagne? Just the one.” He holds up a finger and makes pouty lips. Is it crazy that I prefer Steel’s look of disdain? That I prefer brooding to chipper?

I think about the trip home. It might be good if my senses are slightly dulled by a glass of bubbly. “Why not? I must warn you I don’t drink very much, Your Highness.”

He stops dead. “You must call me Hunt. I insist. I won’t make you drink anything else; I promise.”

I nod once. “Trust me, you don’t want to see me tipsy, Hunt.”

He gives me what my romance books would describe as a smoldering look. I think plenty of women would find it attractive. He is, but…I still think I prefer dark and brooding.

I’m broken.

Steel broke me. From here on out, I’m going to prefer brooding assholes who can’t so much as smile and who treat me like crap. Nice! I can’t wait for the rest of my life. Can’t! Wait!

“I’m sure you’d be quite delightful even when a touch drunk.” He laughs.

I smile. “I get very honest and a little too touchy-feely. I haven’t had much to drink in months. Truth be told, I’ve never been much of a drinker.” I’ve always had too much responsibility, even when Trevor was still around. Drinking and responsibility don’t go hand in hand. After dropping out of college six months in, all the fun stopped. My life…stopped.

We walk onto a patio with a beautiful view of the ocean, which sparkles in the sun. “Wow.” I take it all in.

“It’s quite something, isn’t it?”

I nod. Hunt is looking at me and not at the view. He hands me a flute of pink champagne after pouring it from a bottle on a tray, placed on a nearby table. “Now,” he says, “tell me all about you. Don’t leave a single thing out.”

“I’m really boring.”

“I doubt that very much. I’m all ears.” He touches the side of my arm briefly, his eyes on mine. His attention is wholly on me. My heart should be going pitter-pat, but it isn’t. All I can think about is Steel having to wait on the balcony outside. I wish he was here…with me.