I swallowed hard as I knew what he meant. He would give me his essence and I would age slowly. He came closer and was on his haunches right in front of me. He cupped my face gently. “And I would give it to you right now if that is what you wanted, because a life without you...” He shook his head and didn’t finish his sentence. “I’m sorry about that kiss. I didn’t know…” He didn’t finish his sentence.
Didn’t know what?
“I’ll be whatever you need me to be, whether it is a brother figure, a friend—whatever you need. I will never ever hurt you like that day on the mountain again. I would rather kill myself than betray your trust.”
A stray tear rolled over my cheek as his words finally hit me. This was his apology for treating me like crap all those years. He pulled me into his chest. “Don’t cry, please. You’ve cried enough.” A small grunt left his lips. “I would give anything to hear your thoughts again. I fucked up and I don’t know how to fix it. I don’t know how to mend it.”
“I could never hear yours, except those times you wanted me to hear it.”
I could hear the smile in his voice as he spoke. “Yeah, I was a big fucking idiot. I’ll fix it, Elena. I promise. Somehow I’ll get it back.”
He hugged me tighter.
I wanted to trust this so much. He’d poured his heart out to me and a part of me still waited for him to wake up and tell me that he didn’t want me. But a part of me was wondering about the Viden’s first words in the Book of Shadows. Everyone thought it was ours, and if Blake really felt the way he did, then maybe they were not too crazy to think it. Just maybe it could be because Blake was the last person—dragon—on this earth that would say anything like that to any girl.
WE STAYED ON that mountain for a long time, just talking about everything.
He told me a lot about what had happened during the time I was stuck in Etan.
He gave the Council the slip so many times. They wanted to have meetings with him badly, but he refused to meet them because he was searching for me.
I now felt bad about the way I’d treated him when he’d found me in the hospital. He’d wanted to see me so badly and I didn’t want anything to do with him.
Still, he’d given me what I needed, space far away from him, even though it must’ve been hard for him.
How that made him feel, well I could just ask and he would tell me in detail.
Lucian came up again. It was a topic he really struggled with too, but he’d been dark back then. He’d wanted me dead, not Lucian.
I huffed. “Have you ever imagined how hard it would’ve been on him if he was still alive?” I asked as I laid my head on his stomach, soaking up the sun’s rays.
He pushed himself up and looked down at me through squinted eyes. “Hard on him?”
“Yeah,” I said and pushed myself up too. I’d never really thought about it. Lucian had said that he was glad to be dead because it would’ve been the hardest thing for him, knowing that I would choose Blake at the end.
Blake’s chin rested on the back of my shoulder. “You would’ve left Lucian to be with me?”
I sucked in lips. “I might, I don’t know.”
He smiled. “And here I was scared that I didn’t stand a chance if he was still alive.”
“Oh believe me, Lucian told me about this side of you and how he would never have stood a chance.”
He chuckled. “I really miss him, you know?”
“I do too.”
Our gaze locked and I felt lost again. But he broke it just as his watched beeped. My head cleared at once.
“Wait, what time is it?”
Blake laughed. “You worried about school? I seriously need to share my opinions about princess perks.”
“I’m not that kind of a princess, Blake.” I sighed. “In fact I really suck at being one.”
He kissed the tip of my nose softly, which made me feel all sorts of things I thought were lost. “You? Never.”
I blushed.
“But if you want to go back, I’m a bit hungry myself. We’ll get back just in time for dinner.”
“Dinner!” I yelled and got up. “We were here that long?”
“Calm down, they know you are with me.” He grinned, but it disappeared fast. “Shit, they know you are with me.”
“That’s bad.”
“To them, yes, as they can only assume what it is I wanted to do.”
I blushed scarlet as he walked back to the trees to change. He turned around and lifted up his hands in defense, walking backwards. “Which is far from it, but yes, they might have a slight problem.”
He disappeared behind the nearest tree.
“We going to be in trouble?” I asked, sounding worried again.
He laughed.
“Blake, this isn’t funny. The last time Master Longwei said, if I stepped out of line again, I would regret having ever found Paegeia.”
“You are its princess, Elena. He should be worried that you are going to chuck him out.”
“I would never.”
The trees rumbled as Blake changed and a tree fell over. I shook my head.
“You really need to make peace with my nakedness. I’m tired of destroying things, especially the trees,” his deep voice said. “And I’ll take the blame if it comes to that, which I’m most certainly sure it will.”
“You’re not alleviating any of my fears.”
He chuckled, crawled out again, and came to a standstill right next to me, so I could get back up.
I hated this. He was so freaking large and I really struggled to get on his back.
I tried a different route, the shoulder part of his wing, and laughed as he pushed me up with his snout. It was more graceful than the first, and when I got my feet secure on his back, I grabbed one of his horns. I stationed myself back against the big horn close to his neck. I grabbed two sprouts again, and after I put my goggles on, I felt ready to go. I was actually more than ready. I was anxious.
“You ready?”
“Yes, just go.”
He started to flap his wings again and we ascended.
Now that we were out of the meadow, the sun was busy setting. Shit. It was all I could think of the entire time and was glad when the coliseum came into view again.
He landed gracefully again outside the coliseum and I slid off his wing.
“So what, you going to fly to his office and explain or do I have to send him out here?”
Blake gurgled, which I knew was a laugh.
“Just go, have dinner, I’ll see you soon.”
“Oh, I almost destroyed the cafeteria once, so a table outside,” I teased again.
“Ha-ha, go before I change my mind.”
“Okay, fine. See you later.”
“You bet.”
A warm fuzzy feeling appeared in my gut with his last statement. The way he made me feel. No wonder Becky refused to believe what I believed—well, didn’t want to believe anymore. He made me feel as if I was the most important thing in his entire existence.
I ran up the stairs and couldn’t stop grinning like an idiot. This afternoon was amazing and overwhelming all at the same time. Blake had told me everything he’d gone through ever since I’d arrived. I had to admit, I hadn’t foreseen how it was going to end as it revealed the truth of how much he despised me, but then he’d told me what it was I’d done, that he’d fallen for me before the Dent actually happened, it made me feel as if I was a dragon again, as if I had the ability to fly myself.
I entered the cafeteria and a few pairs of eyes were on me. I found Tabitha’s at once and she gave me a scolding look with slightly flaring nostrils. Her eyes grew when she saw mine, which told her more or less that I knew the truth and that I was actually pissed off with her interrogation from yesterday. If he’d broken up with her a long time ago, then why had she done that? Making me feel crap for something she couldn’t have anymore was the answer.
I looked away and folded my arms as I walked over to Becky’s table.
“Where the hell have you been?” Becky asked. She had a huge grin on her face and George couldn’t stop laughing. Dean had a grin on his face too, and Sammy, well she just looked relieved.
“You gave us a heart attack, Elena,” Sammy said as I plunged down on the pillow next to her. “Where the hell were you?”
“You know what your brother is like, Sammy. He doesn’t feel the need for some of the classes and I think Aviant is one of those classes.”
“The professors were crazy with worry.”
“They should be,” George said.
“It wasn’t like that, okay?” I started to laugh. “Your brother finally became the saint.”
“I still struggle with that one from time to time, but he has changed, Elena. Thank you.” She hugged me softly and rested her head on my shoulder for a few seconds.
“So,” Becky said, “I’m still waiting to hear where you were.”
I smiled and just looked at her.
The school system beeped and Master Longwei’s voice filled the entire cafeteria. “Can Elena Watkins please come to the office?”
The entire cafeteria responded in one way or another to that.
I just shook my head and got up.
“Good luck,” Becky sang.
The walk to Master Longwei’s office was long. He was going to go ape, and all sorts of images flew through my mind. One was sending me away, as he had threatened the first time we stepped out of line. But then…I doubt Blake would let him.
My feet felt heavy with each step I took. When I finally reached his office, I tried to listen to what was going on inside. Nothing. It was silent.
I knocked on the door.
“Enter,” he said and I went in.
“You wanted to see me?” My voice broke slightly and I cleared it softly as I saw the scowling look on his face.
“Sit,” he said, showing the open chair next to Blake, who was lying on his back bone in his chair with a huge grin on his face.
I took a huge breath and sat down.
“Where were you Elena?”
“I told you it’s not her fault. It’s mine,” Blake answered.
“I heard your excuse. I need to hear hers.”
“We just talked.” I sounded angry. I was angry.
“Talked. It was during a class, Elena. There are afternoons for when you can just talk.” He sounded sarcastic with that last part.
I shook my head.
“Nothing happened,” Blake said again.
“I don’t get you. When we didn’t speak to one another, you literally forced me on him, but when it comes out of our own free will, we get in trouble.”
“It’s how you did it, Elena. During Aviant.”
“It’s a flying class. Teaching us how to stay on top of our dragons, seriously….”
“Enough!” Master Longwei roared.
I kept my mouth shut and just let him have his moment.
“If you weren’t the only one that could pass the Creepers and you weren’t her dragon, the punishment would’ve been more severe. I don’t even feel that detention will be enough for this. But for starters, you are going to spend two weeks in detention.”
Blake smiled.
“Away from one another.”
His smiled vanished. “Seriously?”
“You want to make that three weeks, Mr. Leaf?”
“Fine, whatever.”
“And your father is going to hear about this.”
Blake just stared at him and then shook his head.
“I’ll think hard on the other part of your punishment. You are free to go.”
I got up from my chair and walked out the office with huge strides.
I heard the door close as I started running down the steps. Blake was behind me. I could feel and smell his presence.
“You got this?” I mocked him in a serious tone.
“It’s just a scolding and detention Elena. Not a beating.”
“Still, I only once saw him that upset. We are walking on thin ice, Blake.”
He started to laugh. “Believe me, that was nothing.”
“It’s not funny,” I said over my shoulder.
He moved faster till he was next to me and pulled me in for a sideways hug.
“It’s just words, and that is where it will stay. That is my promise.”
I finally smiled. “Okay, so just words.”
“And plenty of threats.” He grinned.
That made me laugh.
We walked back to the cafeteria and stopped at the door.
“See you soon.”
“In which form?”
“You going to break that stupid promise?” he asked as he retreated.
I sighed.
“In my dragon form then.”
“So, outside.”
“Yeah, outside.”
I walked into the cafeteria and went straight to the buffet line.
“So the two lost souls have finally made it back?” Chef asked. “You had plenty of people worrying about you, Elena.”
“I’m so sorry. I…” I blew out a huge breath.
“Just as long as you didn’t do anything stupid.”
“No!” I said a bit loud. “Swear, it was just talking.”
“Good, it’s about time. You two needed a good chat. So where is he?”
“Outside.”
Chef laughed. “I heard something today. He’s seriously refusing to walk in his human form?”
“Something like that.”
“For how long? I’d hate to see my cafeteria in pieces again, Elena.”
“He promised he won’t tear it down.”
“Okay,” Chef grinned. “See the riddle?”
“Nope, I missed your food and just want this for a short while, if you don’t mind.”
“Not at all. Enjoy.”
He turned around as I grabbed a tray—two trays, with two plates. I was positive a dragon wouldn’t be able to dish up for itself.
I dished something of everything up for him, and some stew with rice for myself. I didn’t even notice Tabitha standing at the end of the line.
My entire body inflated as I saw her. “What do you want, Tabitha?”
“What do I want? You made me a promise, Elena.”
“And he made it perfectly clear…”
“Blake doesn’t know what he wants. He is under your spell.”
I sighed. “He said it wasn’t one, okay?”
“So you’re just going to believe him? You know how many times he lied to me?”
“It’s not just my choice anymore. I can’t force him to be with you if he doesn’t want to. And if you think that I would, then you have no idea who I am, which you don’t.” I took both trays and made my way to the door that led outside.
“You made a promise.” She yelled so that the entire cafeteria heard us.
I walked back to her, wielded my shield and just stared at her.
“He broke up with you, Tabitha. If you really love him, then give him space to make up his mind about what he wants. If it’s a spell… well spells wear off eventually. I will keep my promise if he changes his mind. But I’m not going to tell him what he needs to do because of something he clearly doesn’t want. It’s not just my decision anymore. I’m done fighting with him. And I’m done feeling guilty about something he clearly doesn’t want anymore, Tabitha. To be honest, I have other shit on my mind to worry about, and you didn’t even keep you’re your side of the deal. If he changes his mind and he wants to be with you, I will step aside.”
She just stared at me with flared nostrils. I was done with her shallowness.
I turned around, let my shield disappear and left.
I found him lying underneath a tree close to one of the tables and plopped both trays on the table.
Blake had a smirk on his mug.
“You heard that.”
“Told you shields can be penetrable.”
I grunt softly.
“She is not
going to let this go easily.”
“I’ll speak to her.”
“Don’t. Her issue is with me, Blake, not you.”
“Elena, I don’t…”
“I know, okay? Still doesn’t make me feel less shitty, but I hope she gets the message soon, otherwise I promise you, you are going to be a dragon for a very long time.”
“I’m only in my dragon form to make you feel less shitty, Elena. I don’t care about her.”
Becky, George and Sammy reached us with their coffee and desert bowls. “What the hell did Ice Queen want?”
“The stupid promise I made her.”
“So, he is in his dragon form.” She nudged her head toward Blake’s dragon figure.
“Yeah, I don’t think she is getting that message.”
Becky smiled. “So what is the punishment?”
I grunt. “Two weeks detention, and that is just half of it. He will think about the other half.”
Becky laughed.
“It’s so unfair.”
“It’s only detention, Elena. Not a beating.”
“That is what I said.” Blake suddenly developed a two-cent comment ability.
“Oh yeah? I wonder what he would say if I told him about our sleeping arrangements, Becky.”
George spit out some of his coffee and Blake gurgled. Becky’s eyes were huge. “You know about that?”
“What sleeping arrangements?” Sammy wanted to know.
“I know about that.” I narrowed my eyes at Becky.
“Okay, two weeks detention sucks,” she changed her mind.
It changed my mood instantly.
“What sleeping arrangements?”
Becky stared at me with a slightly skew jaw. “You see.”
“Becky will explain that one to you later.”
“You’re screwed,” Blake teased George.
“Shut up.”
“What sleeping arrangements?” Sammy demanded after George’s comment.
“Becky will explain later.” George got up. “I have to go.”
“Be a darling and take that tray of food with you to our room, please,” Blake asked as he rolled out from underneath the tree and got up.