Total pages in book: 120
Estimated words: 111252 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 556(@200wpm)___ 445(@250wpm)___ 371(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 111252 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 556(@200wpm)___ 445(@250wpm)___ 371(@300wpm)
When he returned to the bedroom, Kai had turned down the lights and poured them fresh cups of tea at the table, which he sat frowning at. That didn’t seem to be a good sign. Was the greasy human food not sitting well with him?
“Your stomach bothering you?” Xiang inquired after shutting the door.
Kai shook his head, but didn’t look up at him. At a guess, the dragon had something to tell him.
Sitting on the opposite side of the table, Xiang folded his hands in his lap and waited. His lover would not speak his mind any faster with prodding. If he’d learned anything during their time together in the hoard, Kai had to work up to things at his own pace and figure things out on his own.
“I have spoken to Xiao Dan and Yichen about this matter, and they have explained that I need to speak plainly with you. To not be subtle or rely on hints,” Kai began.
Xiang pressed his lips together, cursing Shixiong and Didi. Okay, so maybe picking up on subtle cues was not his strong point, but he would never have considered Kai’s style as being subtle.
“I also spoke with Junjie this morning. He caught me when I was intending to leave.”
That wiped away the lingering embarrassment and kicked his heart into racing. “What do you mean leave?” Xiang snapped.
“I had intended to leave you and this clan. My tie to the fae has made it clear that I’m a danger to you and your family. I don’t want that for you.”
“That is fucking bullshit! I—” Kai held up one hand, cutting Xiang off midroar. He froze, breath stuck in his throat, balanced on his knees while waiting for Kai to continue. The dragon was going to fix this or throw more fuel on the fire.
“Junjie explained it was disrespectful of me to not value your wishes and skills. My need to protect you from danger could not overshadow your wants and desires. You wish for me to stay. You also have the strength and skills to protect yourself. Even if I am not happy about this threat to you and your desire to fight the fae, I have to respect it.”
Xiang instantly deflated, sitting back on his heels. Obviously, he owed Junjie big for talking some sense into Kai while Xiang had been asleep.
“I don’t wish for you to be hurt, ever. Especially because of me.” The words left Kai in barely more than a whisper.
Catching one of Kai’s hands in both of his, Xiang lifted it to his lips and pressed a sweet kiss to his knuckles. “I understand. I hate seeing you hurt. You’ve returned from the fae twice now near death, and it has torn me apart. I know that bitch was ordering you to kill me and you fought her.”
“I would rather die than harm you.”
Xiang swallowed hard and pointed one finger at the dragon. “And there will be none of that. You are not allowed to die. Do you hear me? There are too many things we need to do together. You still need to get the stone out of my stomach.”
Kai shifted, digging into his pocket. When he held up his free hand, there was a black weiqi stone balance between his thumb and his forefinger. “I retrieved it while you slept. I wanted something to remember you by.”
“No! You can’t leave. I won’t allow it. You…you…” His voice died off as the reality of the words coming out of his mouth sank into his brain. Kai was one of the great ancient dragons of the world. He was practically immortal, living for thousands of years. His powers were immense. Who the hell was he to tell Kai what to do? The dragon could go anywhere he wanted in the world in the blink of an eye.
All the food he’d eaten with Kai was now a lead weight in his stomach, and a chill was sweeping across his skin. An ache echoed through his heart with every beat, and his throat tightened. He wanted to crawl away from this conversation and back into bed, where Kai’s words couldn’t reach him.
Just as his hand was about to fall away from Kai’s, the dragon caught it and squeezed it almost painfully. Those soft silvery eyes flashed bright gold, while the pupils turned to black slits for a heartbeat. It was as if something had made Kai lose control of his human form.
“You are my mate.”
The world stopped. Xiang’s breath was caught in his lungs a second time and his brain turned to electric snow.
What?
“You are my mate,” Kai repeated, and Xiang was grateful. He’d nearly convinced himself he’d heard him wrong. “I don’t know things like love. I don’t want to use that word without understanding it, because I know humans put so much weight and value into that emotion. But I know you are my mate. You belong to me and no one else. You are more precious to me than all the items within my hoard.”