— REN —
During the serpents' fire performance, I could smell her. Her scent completely changed—all because some pathetic snake was looking her way.
And, when said pathetic snake decided to take her away to somewhere private, I had to make sure nothing bad happened to her. It's only natural, since she's my fated mate, and I have a duty to protect her.
…So how did I just end up cucking myself?
When I heard the noises she made and the words that passed between them, my stomach twisted in anger—but I didn't stop them.
I had to listen to my mate make out with some random fucking pretty boy, and I didn't bother to interrupt.
Why didn't I stop them?!
I'm beating myself up over it right now, but at the same time, I know in my heart there's nothing I should have done. It's selfish of me to desire her for myself when I haven't taken the necessary steps forward yet.
I didn't stop them because what right do I have to do so? Zoryn only just realized her identity as a woman today, and her awakening of heat and pheromones is no doubt confusing. She has probably never explored herself or sensuality in such a way before—fuck, that's pissing me off. That damned reptile probably just took her first kiss!
I take a few deep breaths, then try to reason with myself.
She kissed me a few times while I was helping her through her heat earlier, so I guess, technically, I was still first.
…But it isn't the same. She probably can't even remember what I did to help her with the heat this morning. This kiss she shared with Sylas is the one she'll think of when asked. The romantic, heated kiss in a hidden corner of the Grand Festival, away from prying eyes.
What irritates me most, though, is how smug this bastard was about it. He probably felt her mark and noticed my presence—he just didn't care.
Then, he dared to mention me directly… just to torment me.
"Your dragon will taste jealousy tonight."
"He's learning what it feels like to lose."
Sylas said that shit, knowing I was listening, knowing it would make me look pathetic in Zoryn's eyes.
I should wring his neck. Honestly, I've killed people for less.
…No, she probably wouldn't like that. Her father is a man of high morals; there's no way he would have raised a child to be so jaded as to shrug off a little murder.
Okay, I won't wring his neck—but I'm still going to confront him.
I shrug off my broodiness and drift through the shadows to catch up with the serpent before he gets back to the amphitheater. It only takes a moment before I'm standing behind him.
"I was wondering if you'd be brave enough to show your face," Sylas says, slowing his relaxed stride into a stop. He turns to look at me, his lips curving into a condescending smirk. "What can I do for you, revered dragon lord?"
The way he says my title is sarcastic, and it makes my blood boil, but I swallow the frustration. Acting emotionally now will only make me look weaker in front of him.
"Why did you do that?" I ask coldly, narrowing my eyes.
"Do what?" He asks, playing dumb. The mischievous glint in his eye tells me he knows the truth.
"You touched her," my jaw flexes, "…kissed her."
He nods, unabashed, his snake-like eyes holding mine unwaveringly. "I most certainly did."
"You can sense her mark," I say, furrowing my brows accusingly.
"Of course," Sylas nods. He lets a tense silence hang between us.
I growl, "So why?"
"Isn't it obvious? She wanted me to," he shrugs, the movement fluid and graceful despite its simplicity.
Ugh, he's so beautiful it makes me sick. I don't even get the chance to respond before he's talking again.
"Not only did she want me to, but you stood there…" he chuckles, "sitting in the shadows like a coward, listening to her come apart beneath my hands."
I flinch, sick at the visual. I whisper, "She isn't yours."
Sylas tilts his head inquisitively, as if genuinely curious, and asks, "Isn't she?"
My hands curl into fists as I fight my body's instinct to let my claws free. "She's my fated mate."
"So why is the mark on her body temporary?" Sylas "That's the part you seem to be forgetting."
That lands like a blade between my ribs, a wave of nausea and anger churning in my stomach. Sylas moves forward, close enough that I instinctively stiffen, but I refuse to move back.
"Tell me, Zarenien," Sylas murmurs, "Did you simply hope no one else would dare touch what you are too afraid to claim and keep properly?"
My pupils narrow into slits as I study him, my mind hot with rage. "Stay away from her," I growl, voice trembling with barely restrained fury… and pain. This hurts a lot more than I want to admit, especially to myself.
Sylas reaches up and taps the center of my chest lightly. "I'm not the one you should be warning," he says. "Your hesitation is."
I suck in a breath, and Sylas steps back. "If you want her," the serpent finishes as he turns to leave, "you'll have to fight for her. I'm not the only one with eyes for her, either, as I'm sure you've noticed."
I don't have words. Confronting him was obviously a mistake when I'm the one at fault for all of this in the first place, but maybe it's for the best.
He served harsh words that I needed to hear to steel my resolve. My hesitation is my worst enemy, and I need to get over it—and fast. I can already imagine how excited her little entourage will be when she returns to them in a few minutes. All soft-eyed and affectionate.
Gross.
But if those are the people she likes, then I need to learn how to fit in among them. It's figuring out how to do it that is the problem… it feels too awkward just to walk up and ask to spend time with her. It's evident that it doesn't work, given her response to the wolf and lion.
I lose track of time, so lost in thought that I don't even notice when someone approaches me.
"Ren?"
I'm suddenly dragged back to earth—by the exact person I have been thinking so hard about. When I glance to the side, I meet her gaze; it's Zoryn.
"Hey," I greet, far more awkwardly than I'd like. My nose wrinkles instinctively at the smell of Sylas still lingering on her skin.
She studies me with a complicated expression, then shrugs. "You're still out here?"
"…Yeah," I answer, unsure whether to elaborate or not. Maybe, if I'm lucky, she didn't notice that I was nearby while she was—
"I didn't take you for a voyeur," Zoryn teases, a smirk gracing her soft lips. "Did you like what you heard?"
Oh, okay. Well, there goes that idea.
"It was an accident, and no, I really didn't like it," I answer honestly. "I apologize for invading your privacy."
Her eyes widen slightly, "I didn't expect you to be so honest—or say sorry. Honestly, it's not a big deal."
I worry for a moment that she's just saying that to be polite, but I can tell she's serious by her demeanor. I let out a relieved breath, some of my stress gone. I can't afford to have her hate me; that would literally kill me.
"You might as well join in next time," Zoryn chuckles. "Don't be so shy."
My lips part slightly, and I try to find something to say, but I'm completely fucking stunned. Huh? What? Is this seriously the same woman who beat the shit out of a guy earlier, who didn't even know she was a woman until this morning?
Why is she flirting? How come she's good at it? Am I biased because she's my mate?
Fuck, I need to say something, but the first words that come out are not the ones I should say:
"I'd like to have you alone for our first time."
Fuck, fuck, fuck—I literally just talked with myself about this. Being possessive so early is BAD! Why can't I think properly? I'm usually a lot more composed!
Zoryn raises a brow, but I can see that the tips of her ears turned a little pink. "That… that doesn't sound bad," she says quietly, averting her eyes slightly. Before I can answer, she clears her throat and continues, "Want to watch the rest of the show with me? Or are you too pissed at Sylas that you won't be able to sit through it?"
…
Frankly, I am way too pissed at that piece of shit to watch—but if it comes down to being able to spend time with Zoryn (which she just invited me to do of her own volition) and suffering through some jealousy, versus being alone, I would have to choose the former.
"Yeah, I'll come," I reply.
She smiles slightly in response, "Great. Let's go."