9. Zero

Chapter nine

Zero

“ W ake up, Zero.” Calix giggles as he yanks back the blinds, the sunlight streaming in through the window. “I have an idea.”

I groan dramatically and throw an arm over my eyes to shield my face. “What fresh torture is this? You, my mate, are supposed to be a damn vampire. Sleep in.”

Calix climbs onto the bed and yanks the sheet off my body. “Never. Not where there is so much beauty out in the world.”

I can’t fight the smile that spreads across my face. This beautiful, amazing creature in front of me is so happy, despite everything he’s been through. Hell, maybe it’s because of everything he’s been through and how he’s now free.

My inner dragon growls. ‘Okay, okay,’ I say to my dragon. ‘Some of it is also probably thanks to our magical bond.’ I still can’t believe our mating bond has started taking root even though we haven’t been intimate yet. Gods, we haven’t even kissed. And I want Calix with a desperate need, but I also want to prove to him I’m not like those vampires who only used him for his pretty body.

I’m here for the entire package: his looks, fierce personality, and caring nature. His sense of excitement and his brilliant imagination.

When I don’t move, Calix continues to complain, unconsciously climbing on top of me and bouncing. I instantly get hard. In his excitement, he doesn’t seem to notice.

“So, I have an idea,” he starts. “It might sound ridiculous, but I can’t stop thinking about it.”

I tickle his sides and grin. “Tell me, little mate.”

“Do you still like to take photos like you did when we were little? Almost every time I thought about you, I’d imagine you with your camera in hand, and that sweet smile on your face.”

“Sweet?” I bark out a laugh. “You think my smile is sweet? I’ve heard about how charming and sexy I am, but never sweet.” I’m happy Calix knows all about the people I slept with over the years. At first, I was hesitant to let him know, but I was determined to tell him before he learned through other means. Calix accepted it easily, laughing and saying he always knew others wouldn’t be able to resist my charms.

He then proceeded to tell me he didn’t share. If the possessive way he growled that line didn’t get me hard, I honestly don’t know what else could. The things I want to do to my little mate… I chuckle. And he thinks I’m sweet.

“They’re idiots. You are most definitely sweet. Charming? Yes. Flirty? Always. But you’ve always been such a sweet and caring soul,” he says, determination in his tone.

I blink and my lips part with shock. Heat creeps onto my cheeks. No one has ever defended me the way he has. I remember the way he chatted with my teammates as they told stories of our missions. Even when they jokingly said things, not understanding my motives, Calix easily defended me, somehow knowing why I did the things I did while out in the field.

Calix climbs off me and rushes over to my closet. “You never answered the question. Do you still like to take photos?” He holds out a cable-knit sweater and scrunches his left eye as if imagining me in it.

“Yes. It’s one of the few things that calms me down,” I admit. “Sometimes, I would even pretend you were there with me.”

Calix’s grin is wide, ocean-blue eyes sparkling.

“Good. Do you remember when we were little, and we used to pretend we were spies?”

I chuckle. “Yes. Of course. I think I remember everything we used to do. We’d walk around town, and I would photograph every single little thing. Some of those photos were absolutely horrible.” I laugh. “So many random photos of leaves and rocks.”

Calix chuckles as he stands by the bed. He’s bouncing on his toes, excited.

“And every time you went with me, you would carry that worn-out little leather journal, and jot down notes about the townsfolk, weaving stories of all the murder and mayhem they were supposedly up to.”

Calix bursts into laughter. “Gods, that notebook. It was so ratty. I don’t even think it was real leather.”

His smile is infectious; something about Calix, in general, is healing to my soul.

“How do you feel about us doing something similar? Bundling up against the cold weather and going out on the town and playing spies?”

“You wanna pretend we’re spies?” Fuck, why does the idea of being playful with Calix like this sound so appealing?

“Well, you hardly have to pretend with you being some fancy rogue hunter and all now. But I don’t know.” He shrugs. “I thought we could go to the town square and get some lunch. Maybe you can bring your camera, and I can bring my notebook. We can spend the day having fun, and people-seeing while we continue getting to know each other again. Maybe we can call it our first official date?”

My heart fucking melts. The idea is so thoughtful and sweet. It’s so… us. “I’d like that. A lot.”

***

Calix pauses next to me and pulls out a tiny brown notebook, seemingly out of nowhere. The thing is new and I get the feeling he bought it just for this little impromptu date. He winks, then peers straight ahead. I follow his gaze and chuckle. Almost hidden in a nook between the shops are Blaze, Autumn’s brother, and his little demon mate, Cass.

They look lovingly into each other’s eyes, and I can’t help myself. I pull out my camera and take a photo of the tender look they share. Maybe I can print this and give it to them as a surprise anniversary gift.

Calix is still jotting notes in his notebook, and I get the feeling he might be writing down a plot bunny. I inhale the fresh ocean air of Heart’s Hollow. The charming town is a hidden treasure nestled by the Pacific Ocean and surrounded by forest. The magical wards that keep this town hidden will hopefully be expanded soon.

A sense of excitement overcomes me, and I make a mental note to visit Autumn. I hope he can convince the coven to work on the wards sooner rather than later. The thought draws me up short. It’s only been a few days since Calix has been returned to me, and the selfish side of me doesn’t want him to leave. Would it be weird to ask your fated mate to move in with you so soon after reuniting? Surely, being freaking soulmates doesn’t mean we have to apply human norms to our relationship. Right?

Ideas, thoughts, and daydreams swirl around me as we walk downtown. Snow drifts down lazily around us. It’s cold out, but the ground is still warm enough that the snow melts as soon as it hits it. Since I’m an amethyst dragon with a literal fire inside of me, and Calix is a vampire, the cold doesn’t affect us. Even so, we dress the part. Calix looks so sexy in his peacoat, boots, and thick scarf.

A few two-seater tables are set up outside of our local coffee shop. One of the tables is occupied by a group of witches and a few shifters—all college-age, if I had to guess. One of the shifters makes fur ripple across his arm, and his claws elongate before he shifts back, once again looking fully human. The group cheers, congratulating him on his strength and ability to control a partial shift.

Every time I see something similar in a safe haven town, my heart warms. It’s wonderful to witness all these paranormals coexisting peacefully.

“Should we get a coffee to warm up?” Calix asks, waving at the coffee shop’s front door.

“You probably aren’t even that cold.” I laugh. “You just want a coffee, don’t you?

Calix’s blue eyes sparkle. “Guilty. Come on. My treat.”

I still can’t believe Nico and Calix had a whole secret bank account hidden from their captor. And to think Calix was making money from the stories he wrote? So cool.

Once we have our drinks, we settle at a table under the awning.

“What are you thinking about?” Calix asks.

“Rook and Autumn are going to freak out when they find out about your pen name.”

Calix sits up. “They read my books?” There’s the cutest little uplift to his voice, like he’s shocked, but also pleasantly surprised. I nod, and his whole face lights up. Then, suddenly, he pulls his notebook out of his pocket and starts jotting down some more notes.

I love that his creative flow seems to be flourishing around me. An image of Calix’s notebooks and papers scattered around his writing nook in my bedroom comes to mind. I can totally picture him typing away on a laptop in the little nest of pillows I made for him. My dragon rumbles his approval. Apparently, the domestic daydream is something we both want.

“Move in with me,” I blurt. As soon as the words are out, I mentally facepalm. Gods. I don’t want to take back the words, but I also don’t want to scare him away.

Calix smiles behind the rim of his paper coffee cup and he casually takes a sip.

Brat.

“I talked to Autumn this morning before you woke up. I asked about seeing if we could still try to expand the magical borders, so it reaches my place.”

My heart sinks. I always knew that was his plan, but I’d hoped…

“But I asked if he would be willing to let someone new have it. I know there are other vampires out there like me. Humans or witches turned against their will. I want to help them, if it’s possible.”

“Wait, you talked to Autumn this morning?” I can’t fight my grin. “Does this mean you want to move into my place?”

“Of course, I want to move in with you, silly dragon. We’re mates. This might be new, and we are still learning everything about each other, but we are also still the same people deep down. I’m still the Calix you met on the playground, and you’re still my Rune. Even if dragons and vampires are supposed to be natural enemies.”

My heart soars and I scoot my chair closer to his. “Look at us. A real-life Romeo and Juliet . But if we’re supposed to be enemies, why do I want to kiss you so bad?”