Chapter 187 What Is He?
Chapter 187 What Is He?
Dominic’s POV
Xavier and Kieran had finally managed to convince Bella to leave the room. Actually, convince was probably the wrong word. More like wear her down until she stopped arguing.
She’d insisted she could go by herself. We’d immediately shot that idea down. There was absolutely no chance we were letting her wander around Kingsveil alone right now. Not while she was dealing with the curse. Not while the pain kept hitting without warning. And definitely not while Mr. Lizard Boy was still stomping around the academy looking for revenge after getting floated halfway to the ceiling.
The second the suite door closed behind them, I dropped back against the couch and rubbed my hands over my face.
Today had been exhausting. Actually, the last several days had been exhausting. The curse. The marks. The pain. None of it was supposed to be happening yet. We still had three months. Three whole months. Instead, everything seemed determined to move ahead of schedule. I hated it.
More than that, I hated seeing Bella deal with it. She was trying to act tough. Trying to act like everything was fine. Trying to pretend she wasn’t scared. Unfortunately, I’d known her my entire life. I knew exactly when she was lying.
“You’re glaring at the wall again.”
I rolled my eyes. Of course Kane would point that out. “I’m thinking.”
“That’s a funny way to describe glaring at furniture.”
A snort escaped me.
My lycan chuckled. “You know, most people relax when they have free time.”
“Most people don’t have a sister that keeps picking fights with dragons.”
I leaned my head back. “Seriously though. Why is a grown ass boy trying to pick fights with a tiny female?”
Kane immediately laughed. “Because your tiny female floated him into the air and dropped him.”
I waved him off. The dragon had started it. He walked up to her on day one and insisted she moved from ‘his’ chair. He kept teasing her. Messing with her hair. Anything he could do to annoy her. Yeah that boy has major problems.
What I did know was that every time those two were within ten feet of each other, somebody ended up irritated. Usually both of them.
The sound of my phone ringing interrupted my thoughts. I reached toward the end table and picked it up. Mom.
My eyebrows lifted. That was odd. She’d literally talked to all of us not that long ago. I answered anyway. “Yes, Mom. Is everything alright?”
“Everything is fine, Dom.” Relief immediately settled in her voice. “How are you feeling? Are you in any more pain than you were earlier?”
I shook my head before realizing she couldn’t see me. Then again, she was my mother. Sometimes I swore she could. “No. I’m alright.” The words left my mouth automatically. Then I hesitated. A sigh escaped me. “But…”
Her concern returned instantly. “But what?”
“It’s Bella. She’s hurting pretty bad.” I rubbed the back of my neck. “The marks are getting darker too.”
Silence met my words. Not because she was ignoring me. Because she was listening. Really listening.
“They aren’t fading anymore.” My gaze drifted toward the door. “Earlier they disappeared pretty fast.” I swallowed hard. “Now they’re still there.”
A long breath escaped her. The sound carried through the phone. “Where’s your sister?”
I frowned. “Why?”
“I tried calling her. And she didn’t answer.”
I immediately relaxed. “Oh.” A grin tugged at my lips. “She’s fine. Xavier and Kieran took her out to find food.”
Mom sighed a breath of relief. “Food?”
“She missed dinner.” The words came out quieter. “She was hurting too much to eat earlier.”
Another pause followed. I could practically hear her worrying from here. “Do you want me to have something delivered to the suite?”
The offer didn’t surprise me. Mom had always been like that. No matter how old we got.
“No.” I shook my head. “I think they’ll find something.” At least I hoped they would. Bella needed to eat. Especially with everything going on.
“Alright.”
A few seconds passed. Then her tone changed. Slightly. Like she’d remembered something. “Dom. Maybe you can help me with something.”
I immediately sat up straighter. “What?”
“Mr. Lizard Boy.” She just stated his name. That’s it.
I blinked my eyes. Then groaned. “Oh goddess.”
A laugh escaped her. Apparently she already knew exactly where my thoughts had gone.
“He’s a total ass.” The words flew out before I could stop them. “A complete jerk.”
Mom chuckled. “Dominic.”
“An arrogant prick.” The list continued. “A pain in the ass. A professional irritant.”
Her laughter grew louder. I crossed my arms across my chest. “I could keep going.”
“I know.” The amusement in her voice was impossible to miss. “So he’s actually that bad?”
“Worse.” I didn’t even hesitate. “Way worse.”
The image of him smirking at Bella immediately surfaced. My irritation returned. “Trust me.”
Another laugh escaped her. “That’s interesting.”
“No.” I corrected immediately. “What’s interesting is how Bella hasn’t punched him.”
Mom hummed thoughtfully. “That is unusual. She usually gets along with everyone.”
I pointed toward the phone. Even though she couldn’t see it. “That’s what I’ve been saying.”
The two of them clashed constantly. It was actually impressive. Mom was quiet for a moment. Then she spoke again. “Anyway, that’s not what I was asking.”
My eyebrows lifted. “It wasn’t?”
“No.” Another amused laugh escaped her. “I wanted to know what he is.”
I frowned. “What?”
“Mr. Lizard Boy.”
Suddenly everything clicked. “Oh.” That question.
“Is he a wolf?” She asked. “A fae.”
“No.”
“A witch?”
“No.” I couldn’t help laughing. Mom sounded genuinely curious.
“Then what is he?”
The grin on my face widened. Honestly, the answer explained a lot. The ego. The attitude. The territorial behavior. The constant need to be right.
“He’s a dragon.”
“Oh.” The single word came out far more interested than I liked.
My eyes narrowed. “Mom. Why do I feel like you’re suddenly very interested in Mr. Lizard Boy?”
The laughter that followed did absolutely nothing to reassure me.
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