Flicker the storm dragon.., p.8
Flicker (The Storm Dragons' Mate Book 2), page 8
“Which is why we have so much to talk about,” Gage said motioning towards the living room, “and part of that is Bexley shifting—”
“Which is something to be celebrated.” Leopold offered me a smile, holding my gaze with warmth. “Congratulations, Bexley. I’m sorry it was under those circumstances, but we’ve been trying for years to find a way to allow your magic to break out—”
“Careful!” Celine hissed.
“It’s not painful anymore,” I promised, realizing what the fear in her gaze was about. “We can talk about anything. My memories feel hazy, and not all of them have returned, but it’s not painful. I can talk about being found that night in the alleyway, being a dragon, being mates with the three of them… None of it hurts to think about.”
“Oh, thank the fates.” Celine collapsed into a chair.
I had totally just slipped the mate thing in there, and no one seemed to think it was odd, so I was going to assume they already knew?
Relief filled Leopold’s gaze. “That’s all we ever wanted. I’m sorry that we kept secrets from you—we never wanted to cause you pain, and seeing you so scared and in so much agony that night… Well, we did our best to avoid that at all costs.”
“You’re wonderful, both of you,” I said seriously, feeling a surge of appreciation for how they’d handled the situation. If I had been found by anyone not as caring or careful, I imagine it could have been traumatic. The pain had been nothing to scoff at.
“What isn’t wonderful…” Gage drew out, seemingly on edge with everything we needed to discuss, “is that everyone saw her shift. Everyone knows that she’s a female dragon.”
“But not what type,” Jagger added.
“She needs to stay inside during storms,” Leopold agreed. “At least until we move forward with our plan.”
“Plan?” Breaker asked, his brow dipping. If they had a plan, it was making a bit more sense on why they had made a point of coming all the way here—besides checking on me.
“Which is truly why we’re here,” Leopold stated. “I wanted to talk about the prospect of the four of you coming to our estate this weekend so we can handle, in an official capacity, all of the news that is no doubt circulating through Trabea.”
“We want to give the other clans the courtesy of officially knowing that you are alive and safe, Bex. We’ll not only announce your identity, which will signify the return of the fourth ruling dragon clan, but also that the three of you share one mate.”
They’d caught that then.
“Something I am so excited about!” Celine let out a happy hum. “Think about the wedding!”
“The…wedding,” I whispered, less as a question and more a realization.
“Later.” She winked.
“Are we sure this is a good idea?” Gage rumbled. “Announcing her so publicly?”
I didn’t know what to make of their lack of a reaction to the wedding thing, all of them far more focused on the announcement portion. That was probably something we would need to talk about together, right?
“Yes. It will show unity and that even if the threat that hurt her family is still at large, she is under the protection of all three clans,” Celine explained.
“As long as it wasn’t one of our families,” Jagger said easily, “something we’ve discussed extensively. We presume that isn’t the case since no one stepped forward to claim their land.”
“Agreed.” Leopold folded his arms. “The only potential problem with that is it’ll make it clear what type of dragon she is.”
“Everyone knows what type I was? Even when I was younger?” I asked curiously. I suppose that made sense—I’d always known Gage was a storm dragon.
“Oh, yes.” Celine squeezed my hand. “There is so much I want to tell you, but because of the delicate nature of the topic and where we are, I want to wait until we’re home to talk about your past. I have many memories to share with you as well as details on your clan and family. Is it okay if we wait?”
I nodded in excitement. I wanted to know everything there was to know, but I also understood that right now probably wasn’t the best time to talk about it. I wanted to believe that this area was secure and that we would sense anyone close enough to listen, but better safe than sorry.
“That is going to put a massive target on her back,” Breaker confessed, looking torn.
“She already has one,” Leopold argued. “This way she’ll have three clans behind her, as well as her own family name. Without that, she’s a mystery. Enough of one to draw new attention, potentially including the people who targeted her family before. While they wouldn’t definitively know the truth, it won’t be hard for people to figure it out on their own. If we don’t make the official announcement it will put her in more danger.”
“I think I know what happened that night,” I admitted out loud. “I don’t know who, but I had a dream of when I was given my memory removal potion, and before that, the woman who did it—Rebecca—she said a name. I can’t remember it, but I know I heard it in the dream, so eventually I will. She said I need to avoid that person at all costs.”
The Bronzehearts exchanged a meaningful look before Leopold said, “Good, that’s a place to start. If you and the boys are okay with it, we’d like to hold an official event as soon as possible. I would say this weekend, unless you’d like to come home sooner than that. We don’t want accusations to start flying—the faster we handle this, the better. Luckily, Ioan’s family is only well connected in the city, but I have no doubt news will reach the other two clans fairly quickly.”
Both Jagger and Breaker nodded in agreement.
“I don’t want to miss school,” I admitted softly, conflicted on the idea of going back before the weekend. “But if you think it’s necessary, we could try to leave after class tomorrow and come back by Tuesday? Would that work?”
“You may need to miss a day of class if we do it during the week,” Celine said apologetically, “but let me make some calls and see what we can do. Gage, please keep in contact with us.”
“You’re leaving already?” I asked, feeling a surge of disappointment. I wanted them to stay.
“I know.” Celine squeezed my hand. “But if we’re going to have both clans come to our estate after so long, we need to make some calls. I promise we’ll talk a lot more when you come home, we just needed to know you were okay and see it for ourselves. I also wanted to see your dorm, which I have to admit is far better than I expected.”
“I think these three had something to do with that,” Leopold mused.
All three of my mates were suspiciously quiet, making me tilt my head in thought as I looked around. It really was tailor-made for me.
After showing Celine around as the boys talked to Leopold, we took the elevator down with them and said goodbye. I felt emotional, wanting to follow them as they walked down the forest path, talking in relaxed and easy tones. I hadn’t realized just how much I’d missed them until this moment.
“I promise we will see them soon,” Gage said, running a hand over my waist. I sighed and nodded, but my attention was snagged suddenly by movement nearby.
When a small pink bunny hopped out from the bush, its fur the same shade as Rachel’s hair, my eyebrows shot up. I moved forward and knelt down as it approached with a small note in its mouth.
“Rachel?” I asked softly. She dropped the note in my hand and ran, making my eyes widen. I could practically smell the fear coming off of her, making me wonder what had given her such a scare, and opened the note in hopes it would give me some clue.
Bex—
I tried to stop by for a visit, but there were so many dragons, my bunny forced me to shift because she was scared. I went back to my dorm and wrote this because I had a feeling it would happen if I tried to get close again.
I want you to know that I would love to still be partners. I know you have a lot going on, but if you want to work on our school project we can do it in the dining hall. I’ll be there in about an hour!
Hope to see you soon.
—Rachel
“Yes! I’ll be there!” I called out as I stood, hoping she was close enough to hear. Gage chuckled, and when I turned around, I found all three of them staring at me in confusion and a little amusement.
“Rachel brought me a note. She wants to work on our project, but her bunny forced her to shift because she was scared,” I explained. “We’re going to meet in the dining hall—you guys are welcome to come with us.”
“Oh, we’re coming with, little treasure,” Jagger assured.
“Not leaving you alone,” Breaker agreed as Gage kissed the top of my head.
Good. I always wanted my mates by my side.
Chapter Nine
Bexley
The walk to the dining hall was somewhat quiet, at least for me, as my thoughts went over everything the Bronzehearts had suggested.
Was I ready to be reintroduced to everyone? What backlash would they face for harboring me all these years? More so, what would Jagger and Breaker’s parents think of me? What had they thought of me before? I wanted to ask my mates what their parents were like, but I was frustrated that I couldn’t remember for myself.
“Alright, in you go, cupcake.” Gage nodded towards the dining hall door.
I came to a stop, offering the three of them a confused look. “You aren’t coming in with me?”
“Figured your friend would be a bit less nervous without us right there. We’re going to be right outside, and the doors are open so we can keep an eye on everything,” Breaker said. I smiled softly at how thoughtful they were.
It was true that Rachel was nervous around them, and while I wanted to explain to her that there was no reason to be, that my mates were complete sweethearts, I was starting to understand that the fear was rooted deeply within the psyche of prey shifters, conforming to instinct rather than logic.
“This probably won’t take long, but if you get tired of waiting out here, please join us,” I said, already hating the idea of being away from them even if I knew I would have fun hanging out with Rachel.
“Of course.” Jagger nodded, his gaze moving to the space between us as I took a step back. Offering a small, awkward wave that had all of them smiling, I turned towards the entrance of the dining hall, thankful it was mostly empty, making it easy to find my friend.
“Rachel!” I called as I made my way towards her, her blue eyes shooting to mine as she offered a small wave. I noticed that despite looking a bit timid and shy, she seemed excited to see me. Her pink hair was pulled into a messy, oversized bun, and she was wearing a large comfortable academy sweater.
I really freakin’ needed to get something like that. Did they have a store for it? Or was it specially made? When I went home, I would ask Celine and try to get my hands on one. The woman had many talents, but procuring clothing seemed like a superpower the fates had blessed her with.
“I’m sorry about the weird bunny form of communication,” Rachel huffed, tapping the seat next to her and pulling it out. “My bunny was terrified with all the dragons around—I’m not sure who was visiting, but six dragons was two too many.”
“I completely understand.” I didn’t fully, but I was okay with whatever she was comfortable with. I didn’t have a lot of experience with having girlfriends, but I didn’t want her to be scared of my mates, or me, just because of the creatures we shifted into.
Sitting down, I put down my notebook and noticed that she had a ton of supplies on the table. I had to admit, I was impressed. Rachel struck me as someone who was always prepared…and then prepared some more.
“I’m just glad you still want to work together,” I confessed. “I was nervous with having shifted and stuff that you wouldn’t want to work with me anymore. People have been acting differently around me.” I may have been blowing it out of proportion because I was hypersensitive to the negative attention, but even now I felt like people were staring at me, and not in a particularly nice way.
Her eyes went wide. “Of course I want to work with you, Bex. I was worried that you wouldn’t want to work with me. But I know that’s silly because you wanted to work with me before you even shifted.”
“Because we’re friends,” I assured her. “Just because I’m a dragon and you’re a bunny, it doesn’t change anything.
“I love that.” She nodded adamantly before her expression dipped into a frown. “I wish everyone thought like that.”
“Oh!” I lowered my voice, her words triggering a thought. “So Professor Clanguard and Fletcher are your…”
“Yes,” she squeaked out immediately, putting her hands on her cheeks as they flushed bright pink. “But don’t tell anyone. I’m guessing your mates already know though.”
I nodded and she huffed as if frustrated by people knowing, but not actually upset, if that made sense. “It’s all so confusing, the entire situation. Fletcher says he wants to be with me but says that he doesn’t want me around his family until he’s in charge, which just feels like hiding me. I may be a bunny, a prey shifter for sure, but even to me it feels disrespectful. And then Thomas—sorry, Professor Clanguard—says we can’t be together because of school, but with how he acts, you would never think that.”
I took a minute to think over her words, loving that she was opening up and talking to me about everything. I hadn’t expected it, and while I may not have had the best advice, it made me feel like our friendship was growing.
“How does he act?” I asked. I couldn’t get a read on Professor Clanguard at all, truth be told. Sometimes he seemed extremely intimidating, and other times he seemed young, nearly our age.
“So freakin’ possessive.” Rachel shook her head and sighed. “Seriously, he makes me wear his academy sweaters around everywhere, and whenever I’m talking to a guy in a class he teaches—which isn’t often, if at all—but when it does happen, he switches everyone’s seats. It’s super obvious.”
“If it bothers you, you should tell him,” I insisted. I tried to imagine myself in her position, and I had to admit that I’d probably like my mates being that possessive, but that didn’t mean everyone wanted that.
“It doesn’t.” She deflated. “That’s the problem. It’s just confusing.”
I considered what she was saying before nodding in understanding. “I get that. Maybe you should tell them that they’re confusing you?”
“Maybe…” She sighed and then offered me a tight smile. “If I’m confused, you must be going through a lot—realizing you’re a dragon must be crazy.”
“It was a lot.” I exhaled. “I’m still not fully adjusted.”
I wanted to tell her more about the situation, to show her that I trusted her as much as she trusted me, I just knew that right now was not the moment to do that. Especially because while the dining hall was somewhat empty, there were still people around.
“I have so many questions about that,” Rachel admitted.
“Let’s have a girls night and I can explain better then?” I suggested, looking around the room.
“Absolutely,” she said, catching onto my meaning. “Which means it’s probably time to work on this project.”
“A 3D model of the universe, right?”
“Exactly. I love crafting, so I brought as many supplies as I could manage.”
“They’re so pretty,” I said, examining all her craft supplies with interest. I had only ever been into knitting, but her supplies were so…sparkly. Markers. Stickers. Colored Paper. Glitter. I could easily see how fun it would be to create all different types of art with it.
“If you ever come over, back to my real house, I’ll show you everything I have,” she promised. “My mom and sisters love crafting too—we have a room for it.”
That was so freakin’ cool. I was tempted to ask her where she lived in Trabea and what clan territory it was in, but I figured that could wait.
It turned out that Rachel really did have everything we needed. Deciding to make a vertical structure for the model, we used wire to keep it upright and craft paper to represent the planes of existence. By the end of our craft session, we had created a fairly large structure, one that I hoped would impress our professor.
I offered Rachel an amused look.
“What?” she asked curiously.
“You know we’re going to get a good grade, right?” I nudged her with my elbow, lowering my voice. “I mean, that’s your freakin’ mate.”
Her cheeks pinkened again. “I’m pretending he’s not for this project—for any of the classes he teaches for me.” And I had absolutely no idea how she was doing that.
“Right…” I teased.
Suddenly, the sound of a chair clattering to the ground drew my attention to the far corner of the room. Immediately I was up, a flare of defensiveness and anger hitting me square in the chest.
“Where is it?” a tall, dark-haired woman demanded. She stood over a small male laid out on the floor, his eyes wide and breathing panicked. I couldn’t tell what type of shifter he was, but at the concerned sound Rachel made, I had a feeling he was a prey animal. Or maybe it was the predatory energy coming off the woman that was scaring him.
To be fair, she was literally double both our heights.
“I have to work on it tonight—ow!”
The woman stepped right down on his hand, her combat boots crunching down on his fingers, and I found myself walking across the room before I could sort out why. The air grew charged as my mates entered the room, clearly realizing something was going on, and Rachel called my name hesitantly, concern coating her tone. I didn’t turn back. I could see the malice radiating off this woman, and I could also tell she was enjoying hurting the guy. That she would continue to hurt him if someone didn’t step in.
“You know what happens if you don’t—”
“Stop.”
My voice was far colder than I’d ever heard it before. The woman paused, her boot suspended in mid-air above the boy’s chest as she looked up at me, giving him a split second to roll out of the way. Everyone around the woman looked extremely nervous, but I didn’t feel that way at all. I felt angry at how she’d been treating him. Maybe it was better I’d been in the Bronzeheart estate for the past eight years, because if this was what shifter society was about, I wanted absolutely no part in it.
