It took Celeste a minute to notice everyone staring at her in shock. She started to laugh, causing the beer in her mug to spill.
“I’m just joking, jeez,” she smiled. “The emotions in here feels like how the Dark Forest looks. Here, have a drink.”
Celeste got a round for all of them before walking over to a table to sit. Hunter was the first person to slide next to her. A little too close for comfort in Celeste’s mind. She looked down at his smiling face.
“You’re in my bubble,” Celeste said with a neutral face. “I’m going to need you to back up before I start making things a little toasty.”
“Toasty, huh? Interesting choice of word,” Hunter smiled. “Do you have to shift to do that?”
Celeste could see he was truly genuine about that question and decided to ignore him while turning back to Isaiah and Percy. “Look, Blaze probably took them through the portal so it might be too late to stop Zira from doing something stupid. I told you the first time you both were here, Percy. Going through that portal would only bring chaos and you wouldn't listen.”
“That’s why we’re here,” Percy said. “We’re trying to fix it.”
Celeste shrugged her shoulders. "Not my problem."
"Please," Percy said softly.
A smile slowly tugged at Celeste’s lips before she smiled fully at him. "You know I'm a sucker for begging," she said, leaning against the wall, interlocking her hands behind her head all the while staring at Isaiah, “especially if you do. Seems like you need some practice.”
“Fat chance,” Isaiah growled.
Celeste shrugged her shoulders. “Hmmph, worth a try.”
“What do you want, Celeste,” Percy asked, getting her attention.
Again, a slow smile crossed her face. “Why,” she asked. “You couldn’t give me what I wanted in the first place. She’s here…with Blaze. He threw me out the moment she passed through those doors.”
“No one could throw you out of anywhere,” Percy retorted.
“True,” Celeste laughed, “but I couldn’t stand to be there and watch him flirt with her like she was a dragon. I am a dragon. One of the two remaining dragons in this entire world and the moment she arrives I’m forgotten. Like I’m already extinct.”
Celeste guzzled down the beer in the blink of an eye before chucking it across the room, hitting an unsuspected person in the head.
“Nice arm,” Hunter complimented her and she brushed it off.
“Look, I would love to help but if they went through the portal it’s too late.” Celeste picked up the mug that was delivered promptly to the table. “Let’s cheer. To the Devourer…”
The bar goes wild as the guests return to their dealings. “...in hopes that whatever journey she goes on will be enough to snuff her out for good.”
This time Devon growled through Isaiah and pushed forward. “That is the last time you disrespect my mate in front of me.”
Celeste licked her lips and seemed more excited than scared as she stood up and stepped forward. The full six feet four height towered over Isaiah but he didn’t back away.
“What are you gonna do,” Celeste said with her eyes glowing a bright purple, “wolf out?”
“Thanks for the suggestion,” Isaiah growled, feeling Devon ready to come forward. “I just might.”
“This is gonna be good,” Hunter geeked. “Granted, a dragon would demolish a wolf, but I sooo have your back, Alpha.”
Mary nudged Hunter in the side and shook her head. Percy stepped up to both of them, having had enough of their grandstanding, and touched their arms. The sudden anger soon turned into something sweet. They looked at Percy and watched his shimmering eyes move between them. He was using his power on them.
*****
This feels like heaven. Zira couldn’t help but relish this moment of peace and comfortability. She could feel herself being embraced by the warmth and she snuggled deeper into it. The warmth suddenly flashed hot before calming back down to the warm feeling as before. A moment later, she felt lips softly caress hers and she smiled into them. She opened her eyes expecting to see Isaiah like before, but instead, she was staring into shimmering orange/red eyes. She gasped and pushed Blaze away. He grabbed her hand and pulled her in close before she had a chance to get away.
“Hey,” he said, watching her struggle in his hold. “You turned into my lips.”
Zira growled at him. “Let me go, Blaze.”
They stared at each other for a minute. Blaze simply smiled before releasing her wrist and lying back against the bed. Zira quickly jumped out of bed, fixing the clothes he provided for her. It was a simple white summer dress with a braided tan tassel in the middle. She moved quite a distance from Blaze, keeping him in her sight.
“I was simply waiting for you to wake up. I didn’t expect you to snuggle against me,” he smiled that stupid cheeky smile. “Though most find my body irresistible.”
“Don’t make me gag. Where’s my son and my brother,” Zira asked, wanting to change the subject quickly.
Blaze, who was only wearing an open robe, showed no shame in lying bare in front of her. Zira ignored him, knowing that showing even a small indication would only excite him.
“Is that the thanks I get for allowing you and your friends to dine and sleep here? I would think you would be more appreciative.”
Zira scoffed at him. “They’re not my friends and it’s not like you’re not getting anything out of this.”
Zira thought the moment she saw Blaze they were saved but Clary, on the other hand, was prepared. She promised Blaze something that made him welcome her with open arms. Zira didn’t know exactly what it was but she knew it had to be important for Blaze to agree.
“What did she promise you?”
Blaze gracefully leaped out of the bed and closed the distance in a split second. Zira backed up against the wall. She placed her hand against his chest to keep him at a distance. Her touch burned against his skin but too much to hurt. She could feel the power vibrating inside of him. This was a first for her. How can I feel this, she wondered.
“Do I sense some jealousy in your tone,” he asked with a smirk.
“Blaze, we’ve talked about personal boundaries,” Zira said, pushing him away from her. Instead of moving, Blaze grabbed her hand and kissed it.
“I cannot help it, dii Foheirahen(my fire). I am but a moth to your flame.”
“Where is Celeste, hmm,” Zira asked, changing the subject. “She wouldn’t like your behavior at the moment.”
Blaze laughed softly. “Where she usually is at this time of night.”
“Then go find her to flirt with.”
“You know she would rather play for your team than mine, besides, I know you’re mated,” Blaze said, trailing his finger down the side of her face as Zira leaned away until he touched the side of her neck.
Zira felt a shiver run through her and her thoughts went immediately to Isaiah. Was he near, she wondered when it came to her. The dream she had. Zira looked at Blaze in shock before pushing him out of the way to run to a mirror. She turned her head to the side and there it was. Not the normal mark a mate leaves, but Zira could see two red marks resembling bites on her neck.
“Nina, what does this mean?”
“It means about damn time. Funny that the only time he has the balls to do it was in a dream,” Nina said, curling up in a ball.
“It looks different,” Zira said, running her hand over it and feeling the immediate tingles. For a moment, it felt as if she could sense him. “Can you feel that, Nina? It was weak but I could almost feel him. Like he’s near. Isaiah.”
“I do, but that would be strange. It wasn’t like the marking was real. It was a dream, right?”
Before Zira could answer, a sharp pain stabbed her in the chest. This feeling was unfamiliar but it felt as if someone was squeezing her heart. In an instance, Blaze was by her side.
“Dii Foheirahen, are you OK?”
“I’m fine,” Zira said, pushing him away and walking out of the room to get some air. As soon as the pain came, it suddenly went away.
“Could this be from Isaiah? Was he-”
“They wouldn’t,” Nina interrupted her. “They know I would kill them both.”
Zira didn’t want to believe it, but this type of pain could only come from her mate’s infidelity. Anger filled her as she wondered who the hell Isaiah was with.