Frostbite (The Dragonian, #3) - Adrienne Woods Page 0,41
I don’t think he has a choice.”
“You always have a choice.”
We found a lake with beautiful trees whose branches touched the water. A wooden bench stood right on the edge and looked onto a waterfall.
“Isn’t this gorgeous?”
“I dreamt about this place.”
“What!” Cara laughed.
“I dreamt about it, every detail. How is this possible, it doesn’t make sense?”
“Everything is possible if you have love in your life, Sugar.”
“It’s not like that.”
“What doesn’t make sense?” She wanted to know the answer to a previous question.
“It’s like I’ve known Paegeia my whole life and yet I was born on the other side.”
“Mmmm, the heart wants what the heart wants. The way I see it, our homes are imprinted in our hearts and minds, every fiber carries its blueprint. Your soul longed for Paegeia even without you knowing about its existence.”
“Those are the most beautiful words I’ve ever heard.”
“What can I say, I’ve got a magic touch when it comes to words, and I’m lethal all at the same time.”
“The yin-yang.”
“Exactly.”
It was quiet for a while as I lay on the edge of the lake just staring at the waterfall. Night vision was amazing. You could see every detail, even when it was pitch black.
“You’re still scared?”
“Not so much.”
“Then let’s give this girl a piece of our mind tomorrow. Show her she should never have asked to claim us. We don’t need a Dragonian, Elena.”
“Agreed.”
LAKE CAME WITH me to the Coliseum. Nerves were tucking inside my body but it was because I needed to hear Cara’s voice, to know that she was still up for taking the lead. I decided to be present. They say two heads are better than one, today we would prove that theory.
“You’re extremely quiet today. You still scared?”
“No, not scared. I just don’t like any of this.”
“Now you know how all of us feel.”
“You guys really don’t want a Dragonian?”
He frowned as he walked beside me. “It’s not really about not wanting a Dragonian. The Chromatics need one. I guess it’s got to do with the type of person that wants to claim you. See Lucian was worthy of claiming me, but he wasn’t strong enough. Arianna,” he rolled his eyes. “I guess I don’t have to elaborate on that.”
I laughed. “That’s exactly how I feel about Nicole.”
“Then don’t give in, Elena.”
“I’m not planning on it.”
He smiled. “That’s the spirit.”
We reached the Coliseum and he opened one of the gates as if they didn’t weigh anything.
“Will Mia be here?”
“Mia will be prepping Nicole, but I can bet she wanted to be here, Elena.”
We walked into a room and I could hear the crowds outside. “I don’t have to run around like an idiot outside, do I?”
He laughed. “No, less is better. It’s more intimidating.”
“Thank heavens for that.”
He chuckled. “What, no ‘for the love of blueberries’?”
“Ha ha,” I rolled my eyes.
“It’s time. You should get ready.”
I went into another small room and started to undress. I didn’t know when I’d get used to ever being naked in front of Blake or any other person. I pulled the robe over my head and it covered everything up to my ankles. I took a deep breath. Cara, I hope you are ready for this.
I found Blake sitting on the stone bench which was molded into the wall, with his eyes closed. I stepped forward, and his eyes opened and he looked at me with a soft smile. I sat down next to him and rested my head against the wall.
The crowd started to cheer loudly. “It’s time. You should get your ass out there.”
I blew out a breath hard and got up. “Any last minute advice?”
“Yeah, don’t get claimed.”
“Yes, sir.”
He chuckled as I pressed the button and the gate in front of me rose. I stepped out into the ring and immediately spotted Becky, Sammy, Dean and George in the crowd; they weren’t hard to miss as George and Dean held a huge banner saying: Give her hell, Elena. It made me smile.
When Thunderstruck started to play I looked back at Blake. “Seriously,” I mouthed and he shook his head.
I lifted up both my arms and jumped with everything I had. Cara came out and I could feel my robe tear into pieces. The crowd went crazy as we flew around the ring.
“Are you ready for this, Sugar?”
“I’m ready, just don’t kill her.”
“Me, never. I’m just going to give her what she deserves.”
“And what is that?”
“To wish she was never born.”
I laughed.
Nicole came out wearing something similar to Becky the day she’d claimed