Total pages in book: 120
Estimated words: 111252 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 556(@200wpm)___ 445(@250wpm)___ 371(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 111252 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 556(@200wpm)___ 445(@250wpm)___ 371(@300wpm)
“No, Kai. Seriously, just talk to him,” Yichen pressed.
That couldn’t be right. Xiang deserved to be showered with all the finest things in the world. He needed to be cared for and protected. There was nothing in all the world more precious to him than Xiang, and he needed to show him.
“Yichen is correct. If you give Xiang gifts, he might think they’re an apology for kidnapping him or a dragon custom. It is better if you tell him directly how you feel,” Xiao Dan explained. He paused and gave a little wince. “I wouldn’t trust Xiang to read subtle signs and fully understand your intent.”
“Yep. Xiang is a great fighter, but he doesn’t possess great people skills. You need to say it plainly to him.”
Was that the problem? Xiang didn’t understand naturally that they belonged together?
Kai nodded. “Got it. I will tell him he is my mate from now on and he may not kiss anyone else or have sex with them.”
A sound like a choked laugh escaped Yichen, and he dropped his face into his hands, his shoulders shaking. Xiao Dan elbowed Yichen and flashed Kai a tense smile before speaking. “Maybe you could give it a softer touch. Tell him how you feel and how important he is to you. That you want to spend more time getting to know him.”
“I want to spend all my time with him.” He paused and frowned again. “But I can’t. He needs to live here with his clan.” And eventually, Kai would need to return to his hoard. He would, of course, keep his hoard close to Xiang if the vampire returned his feelings.
“I’m confused,” Yichen announced.
“So am I,” Xiao Dan chimed in. He cocked his head to the side. “Aren’t you planning to stay with us? Particularly if you view Xiang as your mate. You would leave him here while you lived somewhere else?”
“I don’t wish to leave his side ever, but I don’t want to force my presence upon him or his clan. I don’t belong to this clan.”
He’d never been a member of any clan or sect.
“Kai,” Yichen said as he held his gaze. “If you are Xiang’s mate, you are part of our clan. It’s like you married in. Rei is my mate, and he’s an elf. He’s a member of the Zhang clan now.”
“Same with Moon,” Xiao Dan added.
“Oh.”
For the first time since he’d started this spilling-tea session with Xiao Dan and Yichen, a bright spark of hope exploded in his chest. It steadily grew, warming him. If Xiang returned his feelings, if he wished to be Kai’s mate, they could stay together. They could continue sleeping together in the same bed and sharing all their meals together. So many minutes of his day would continue to be filled with Xiang’s smiling face.
But more than that, he would have a clan. A family. Vampires and an elf would surround him. There would be more laughter and interesting conversations. And Ming Yu’s wonderful cooking! To be able to relish the flavors of home as he remembered them was a dream come true.
He wanted to tell them he accepted this offer to be part of their clan—assuming Xiang wanted him to remain close—but the warmth that had spread across his chest turned into a sharp pain. Pressing his hand to his heart, Kai frowned and searched for the source of this discomfort. He was a dragon. It wasn’t like he could get sick or even suffer a heart attack.
The sharp stabbing struck again, and this time, a distinct pull accompanied it.
“No!” he gasped. He stumbled to his feet, knocking over the stool with a loud clatter.
“Kai? What’s wrong?” Xiao Dan demanded.
His head snapped up and a cold sweat broke out across his skin. He had to leave now. The urge to change into his dragon form was overwhelming, but he couldn’t do it here. The house would be destroyed and the Zhang clan hurt if not killed by the intruding rays of sunlight.
He couldn’t leave. He’d promised Xiang he would protect his clan. That he’d keep Yichen out of trouble.
But staying wasn’t an option.
“Tell Xiang I’m sorry I failed to keep my promise,” he bit out between teeth clenched against another slash of pain. He staggered as quickly as he could manage to the front door with both Xiao Dan and Yichen on his heels.
“What’s going on?” Yichen called out, his question edged with the harsh bite of worry.
Kai grabbed the cool metal handle and pressed his damp forehead to the wood. His breathing was fractured pants, unable to drag enough air into his lungs through the pain. “The queen…she summons me.”
With the last of his strength, he jerked the door open and slipped out into the sunlight. He took one step onto the pavement and launched himself into the air, his body twisting and contorting into his long, sleek dragon form. For a moment, the pain receded and there was just the delicious caress of the wind along his scales.