Chapter Thirty-Six

Iwatched Amara dress after our shower. The smooth curves of her body looked the same, but the girl across the room was not. The more time that went by without her medication was more time for her power to grow.

It was fascinatingly scary.

Not knowing what would come to her was beautiful and frightening.

She could hurt someone that way, but she could also rule.

Amara pulled her blonde hair from the back of her overlarge t-shirt and looked back at me. "I can feel you watching me," she whispered.

"You're amazing," I said honestly. "Everything about you is amazing."

A blush traveled along her porcelain skin. "I'm kind of a risk to be around. I stopped the water tonight, but what if I put a hole in the roof tomorrow."

I walked over to her. "So, what? A roof can be replaced, but our kingdom can't. If you can help to fight the sirens, I won't be bothered about any damage done to me or this cabin. Tear it down, Little Mouse."

She shook her head playfully, her gaze shifting around the room. I felt her attempt at hiding her fear. Had she seen him already? I didn't doubt it.

He'd take any chance he could get to slide under her skin.

"Why don't we test some of your skills," I asked, offering her my hand. "Outside, if it makes you feel better."

She looked down at her long T-shirt. "Let me put on some shorts."

She slipped into a pair of black shorts, and slides. It wasn't the ideal outfit for taking down sirens, but it was enough to take her mind off of Evian and his army of freaks.

The chilly September wind blew against the outside window, so I grabbed her one of my hoodies and helped her into it. My body was still racing from being inside of her.

The guards outside all straightened when we stepped off the front steps. One of the newer guards turned to face me. "Do you need anything Dorran? Were we talking too loudly?"

"No, we're going to do a little practicing. I'll call if I need you."

He turned back toward the front, leaving Amara and me to face the mountainside. She looked up at me with sheepish eyes. "Dragons first."

I laughed. "I've already shown you, my dragon. Your turn. Dig deep. Let's see what you can do."

She grimaced, reluctantly put her palms outward, and closed her eyes.

Seconds ticked by with nothing but the growing wind.

Amara dropped her hands. "It doesn't work unless I'm emotional, and I don't want to be sad or mad right now."

"What about horny?"

"I think you took care of that one already, too." She looked around slowly. "He was there in the shower."

My spine stiffened.

She turned to look up at me, her blue eyes vibrant in the moonlight. "He looked scared."

"Because of the water?"

She nodded. "Yeah. I think when the time comes, I may have more tricks up my sleeve than I imagined."

I tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. "Do you feel different?"

"Yes and no. I think I feel different because I do have new things happening, but there is a part deep down that still holds my insecurities. The ones I grew up with. The ones Helena forced on me."

"That's fair. You've had them most of your life. What insecurities are those, Amara? If can't be physical, can it?"

"Not really," she whispered, folding her arms across her chest. "More of the fear of being alone. Knowing Helena didn't love me always made me feel like a burden. Now that I'm out of her house, and here, I still feel like all of this is my fault. I feel like I'm causing this potential war and there is a chance he'll hurt your kingdom. Because of me."

The personal Hell going on inside of her was saddening. It made me want to cradle her like a child to my chest and reassure her that she would never be a burden.

"Amara," I said softly. "You know that I've had the same feelings before. I've never been like my parents. I hated the idea of any relationship that revolved around building a kingdom. I've always wanted to be loved and to give it. Those insecurities have gone now because I've realized how selfish my parents truly are. You are not a burden to this kingdom or me. This isn't the first time that war has struck us, and it won't be the last. Don't undermine yourself. Helena's lack of love for you was selfish. That's her problem, not yours."

Amara smiled and wrapped her arms around my waist, pressing her tear-coated cheek against my chest. Her soft body was tiny in my arms, but something about her felt stronger.

Seconds drew by when the feeling of hovering above the ground lifted me. Amara's eyes opened big, and she glanced down. We were embraced in one another's arms, floating above the ground.

"I'm doing that?" she asked softly.

"Yeah, you are."

Amara swallowed and pulled back to grab my hand, keeping herself above the ground, she grinned ear to ear. I watched her brows pull down in concentration as she went higher, her hand slipped from mine and I landed on the ground.

Amara went even higher, spinning in slow circles, the wind blowing her hair from her shoulders. A soft giggle fell from her, and she began to sing.

It was odd at first, but then something came over me.

My body became relaxed, my wings lost interest in flight, and I wanted to walk to her. Climb to her. Do anything to get to her. Amara rolled her neck around, floating comfortably in the air like she'd done it her entire life.

Someone stopped beside me, and I realized the entire guard detail on the mountain was staring up at her in a daze. Their eyes glazed over in a trance.

It sent fear down my spine. This was a siren I'd heard briefly about in my life. The allure, the temptation, and the ability to bring in crowds.

Knocking myself out of my daze, I glanced toward the other side of the cabin, seeing Evian staring up at her in awe. There wasn't irritation or lust on his face, but amazement.

She was different somehow, and he knew it.

His gaze shifted toward mine slowly, and he stepped back into the shadows, disappearing into the darkness.

Amara's body jolted, and she fell toward the mountain. I caught her in my arms, noticing the fear on her face. She glanced around me, wrapping her hand around her mouth, she stared at the guards all waking from their slumber.

"What was that?" she whispered.

"That was the siren in you, Little Mouse."

"I'm not sure I like it," she said.

"I think it may come in handy."

"Not against the sirens," she said. "They can do the same thing."

"No," I said, gesturing for the guards to find their post. "It's going to come in handy while getting our army to fight. One song from you and they'll do anything you ask of them."

"Fight the sirens until we win?"

"Exactly," I whispered, walking her up the front steps and into the house. "You're going to gather us an army all right, and not just dragons. I think we need to make a trip tomorrow before the sirens attach our kingdom."

I placed her down on the floor. "A trip to where?"

"A pack," I said. "A pack of werewolves that owe me a favor, and if they don't want to live up to it, I think we'll play a little karaoke."

Amara blushed. "Sing in front of a pack of werewolves?" she asked. "I don't have the nerve. I don't even know how that happened just now. I just started doing it. Plus, wouldn't it be wrong to force them to fight, Dorran?"

I played with a piece of her hair between my fingers. "I don't see a problem with it?"

She frowned. "I don't know."

"Maybe we'll just go and see. If you don't want to do it then you don't have to."

"Thank you."

"How about a nice night outside on the balcony with the fire going? I think it'll relax you before our trip tomorrow."

Amara looked nervous. I could feel it. But after what she just did on the mountain, I wasn't sure that anyone stood a chance against her if she decided to sing.

I wasn't sure who knocked me out of it. The mate bond most likely. The other guards were goners, and I hoped the werewolves were too.

The next morning, Zerk arrived bright and early with Amara's drink. He had several books in a satchel over his shoulder.

Amara swallowed the drink quickly and stuck out her tongue.

Zerk chuckled, noticing our clothes, and he lifted a brow at me. "Where are you two going today?"

Bracing my elbows against the kitchen island, I watched as Amara made herself a cup of coffee. "Amara has a new power. Last night she sang and the entire guard detail, plus myself, went into a daze."

Zerk lifted both brows. "That's very impressive, Dorran."

"It was. I guess it didn't affect me like the others because of the bond. She didn't even mean to do it."

Zerk pulled out several books from his satchel. "So, where are you going with these newfound powers?"

"To a werewolf pack in The West Kingdom. Alpha Chandler owes me a favor, and if he backs out of it, Amara will help them make the right decision."

"Dorran," she hissed. "I'm not forcing them to fight."

Zerk chuckled under his breath. "Alpha Chandler is a real asshole. If she doesn't sing, I don't think you'll be coming back with backup."

I stood up straight. "I know. I'm hoping Amara's charm will melt that chill around his heart.

"Let's hope so," Zerk said.