Chapter 72 CHAPTER 72
The ride back to his house was more tense than the first time, there was no hard length behind me and he kept holding my body with one hand and literally forced Styx to run slowly.
I know the steed hates that with her entire being but it's the only thing keeping the Principal calm.
When we finally got to his place, he got down first and then he carried me down himself.
Our eyes met and I couldn't help the blush that spread across my face and neck.
He didn't drop me on the ground, instead, he carried me inside the now familiar living room and he proceeded to disappear upstairs after settling me on the couch.
My memory of this place has always been good and now, this whack doctor was trying to ruin it.
Without the Principal's body close to mine, the pain returned and I winced as I tried to adjust my body.
The opening was gaping, the scales were placed directly on my bone, just like my skin so when it pulled out, my bones were just open for my eyes.
The part where he'd cut some flesh was already closing back but I doubt the scale would suddenly replace that quickly.
The footsteps on the stairs made me look up and I saw him coming down, carrying a box, shirtless.
I inhaled deeply, my unhurt hand going to my neck, an itch was permanently there whenever this man was around me.
“You are going to have to forgive my subpar healing abilities,” he said as he dropped the box beside me and began taking out strange objects.
My eyes strayed from the medicines to him.
His dark skin, his eyelashes as they blinked, focused on the procedure he was preparing for, his lips, the way he licked them in concentration.
I was heating up again, and this time I couldn't blame anyone's heat, this was just the proximity making me forget my senses.
“Can you move back a bit?” I said, clearing my throat.
“Why? What's wrong?” He asked, concerned but I shook my head.
How do I tell him I'm trying to be a faithful girlfriend?
My heart squeezed at the thought of saying that, he'll never talk to me again.
I will die if that happens, I can feel that in my bones.
“No, I just… need air.”
He jumped up on his feet and went to open the curtains and then came right back and resumed the position he was in before.
One knee down, the other in between my legs and his ripped arms flexing as he took the paper bandage and placed it on my leg.
“Put your hand in here,” he said, his voice different from the harsh tone I was used to.
Was I getting turned on by the man's innocent kindness?
What on earth is wrong with me?
“This is going to sting a bit,” he informed me as he adjusted my hand and pulled up a vial, nothing like the one the doctor had given me.
He poured it liberally over the open wound and I let out a scream.
“I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, it's just for a moment, it'll stop hurting soon, I promise,” he apologised over and over again, tying the bandage securely while I kept whispering from the immense pain.
“It hurts,” I whined, teary and tired.
“I know darling, it'll stop soon. That bastard is gonna get my fist in his face soon, I know it!”
Gosh, my heart can't just catch a break.
What's with the flip-flops at the nickname? He's just being nice Alira!
“I think I want to sleep,” I sighed.
“Not until you're done eating so you can take your drugs.”
“I'm not drinking that crap,” I grumbled.
“I understand your reservation about it dear but he is sent from the King. My hands are a bit tied on this one.”
“So if he wants to kill me, you're just going to let him?”
“No!” He growled, his veins popping out. “I mean,” he sighed, “there's no way he'll risk that. The king I mean, I've given him a heads up on your progress and he's interested. He's always looking for strong soldiers to help in the war.”
Oh wait…
“I'm going to fight?”
He laughed.
“Of course you're gonna fight, you're in the military academy, have you forgotten?”
“I know but… I just… It's not been in my line of vision.”
“It's one of the most important things anyone can do for the kingdom. You'll be well rewarded.”
“Yeah, with death. It's like everywhere is littered with promises of pain and death on this planet. It's either I'm in danger of being killed by fellow classmates or the mountain or I'll be sold into slavery or I'll fall off the damn dragon that can't just calmly say no, I don't want this weak ass bitch and if they do choose me, I'll have to head to the war front and still die?”
I was breathing heavily when I finished my rant and I looked up to see him smiling at me.
“What's so funny?” I growled out.
“You're unbelievably cute,” he said and kissed my forehead.
What the heck?
“No I'm not!”
“I'll get you something to eat, Cutie,” he reiterated, getting up and walking off, leaving me flabbergasted.
But he was right, the sting reduced gradually and so did the pain overall.
Leaving my body so much space to want what it had no business wanting.
But his scent still clung to my skin, his presence a permanent imprint in my mind. It was like he was still right there, kneeling before me, taking care of me.
I looked down at the way he'd carefully wrapped my hand.
He came out of the kitchen with food, and I adjusted, ready to eat.
I may have looked at his naked chest a little too long.
“Eat up, I'm going to take a shower and then I'll take you upstairs so you can rest.”
“You want me to sleep here?”
“Yes? Is something wrong with that?”
This is your chance, Alira, tell him Zade won't like it.
“I just don't want people thinking of us in strange ways, that's all.”
“Did anybody say anything to you the other times you slept here?”
“You won't understand,” I bent my head, willing my lips to just move in the right direction.
“Hey,” he called, pulling my face up with his hand, “I'll be a fool to not notice that something is happening between us. I see it and I'm trying not to overwhelm you. But I want you to know that I don't care if anyone finds out. Being the Principal's girl isn't the end of Drakkonia. Besides, dragons mate for life, I don't see why anyone would believe they have a say in who I end up with. You're the only one who can tell me no.”
“What…”
Is he… saying what I think he's saying?
What the hell is happening? Why are they both unleashing their feelings at the same time?
Am I going crazy?
“You're welcome to say no in fact, I won't let you go. Your soul is bound to mine. It's something I've known since the moment I saw you, I've just been living in denial. But as I pounded on that door a moment ago, my foolishness dissipated. I'm going to wait for as long as you need, Alira but I'm only waiting for you, I don't care about anyone's opinion. Eat up, I'll be back.”
And then he walked away, leaving me feeling emotionally naked.