Lord of Destiny (The Dragon Demigods #6) - Charlene Hartnady Page 0,25

will make or break a couple.”

“I don’t mean to pry, but it seems like he wants to try again. Like he’s not giving up in a hurry.”

I sigh. “He’s being an idiot. I’m afraid that when West fixates on something, it’s hard to get him to drop it, even if he’s wrong. We broke up just over six months ago, but our relationship was over long before that. We were going through some stuff. He was going through…” I push out a breath. “We left our weyr a good year ago. Even then,” I shake my head, “the cracks were there. He won’t admit it. It was the little things,” I say, more to myself, thinking back. “It’s always the little things, at first.”

“I’m sorry. It looks like you’ve had a rough time of it.” Stephan holds up a hand, “I don’t mean to pry. I was just wondering about the two of you. I mean,” he breaks out in the cutest of smiles, “since we’re going to be sleeping together, I thought I would check in.”

I laugh softly, clutching onto my mug. When our gazes lock, his eyes have that heated look again, and his laughter dries up. Then I’m pulling my lip between my teeth, and I think we’re in trouble. Maybe Maddox was right. Right now, I might just be willing to get through a vision or two if there was an orgasm attached. “I’d better get to bed,” I say instead. This whole thing could get messy. “First, though, I wanted to apologize. I didn’t mean to get you involved earlier. I was so pissed off. I acted like a complete child by doing the exact opposite of what West wanted. He was acting like such an overbearing dick. Then Maddox insisting he take the downstairs room was more of the same.”

“Rebellious streak much?” He thankfully looks amused.

“Our weyr have always been conservative when it comes to certain things. Males run the households. They make the decisions. That’s how I was raised. We had more freedom as kids and growing up, but it became more apparent as we became teenagers, and certainly when we reached adulthood. Women have no say in anything just because they’re…women. Now, I’m afraid, I’m touchy about being bossed around.” Particularly about who I can see and who I can’t see. It is all hitting too close to home.

I can see he’s shocked at my revelation. Maybe I’m saying too much. I don’t see how this information will hurt us. Besides, I think I trust him. I can see it in his eyes. I felt it when I read him.

“After hearing that, I wouldn’t call it touchy. I would call it justified. No wonder it bugs you when they try to make decisions for you. I can’t believe your females accept that.”

“They rebel from time to time. We’re the first, that I know of, to have outright…left. We didn’t accept it. It’s the weyr leader…he’s a nasty piece of work.” Now I’ve said too much. “It doesn’t matter. I just wanted you to understand. I wasn’t trying to involve you or get you into shit with West. I just needed to stand on my own two feet. The guys have been great up until now.”

“They were great until it counted,” Stephan says.

“I guess.” I feel a pang.

“I’m not afraid of West,” Stephan says, his eyes are blazing.

“I know that, but…I don’t want trouble or fighting…please. I know it doesn’t seem like it, but West isn’t a bad guy, deep down.”

“There won’t be trouble.” He gets this look. “West hasn’t said much about himself. I wondered what his ability was. Who is his father?”

I knew this question would come up at some point. I’m tempted to tell Stephan everything. It would be better if they knew. It’s a touchy subject where West is concerned. “I can’t.” I shake my head. “It’s not my place to say. You’ll need to ask him yourself.”

“No problem.” He runs his hand through his hair, squeezing the back of his neck. “I get it. We’re also protective of one another.”

“We’re not together, but he’s still important to me. As a group, we only have each other. We’re all like family.”

“Believe me, I totally get it,” he says, looking sheepish. “Forget I asked.”

“Anyway, I didn’t mean to get you involved in my shit. I wanted to apologize and explain why I did what I did.”

“Apology accepted. I understand.”

“Thanks, and thanks for helping us like this. Not many people would