Chapter 17:

Vivian's POV:

"Why the FUCK would Dexter release things like that?!" I shouted the moment my fingers managed to unlock the front door to our house. It slammed against the wall but it did nothing to satisfy the anger and pain coursing through my body.

A horrid pain came from not only my ankle but the area on my thigh where that horrid creature had bitten me. Ivy and Nyx followed right behind me as I tossed the car keys onto the table near the door and continued to the living room.

"I've been getting them in my visions lately, ugly fuckers aren't they? After you gave me that tip that Valentino had been experimenting with a few hundred years ago, I tried to get as much information as possible... do you want your eggs scrambled, honey?" Nyx sighed and it was the end of her speech that had me turning around with a frown.

She'd been talking to Oriness as she sat wide-eyed at the large table separated from the kitchen by a half-wall. How long had the girl been there? I have no clue because it isn't important right now.

"Scrambled? Can I try that egg thing with the yolk inside it?" Oriness asked with excitement as I began to unbutton my pants. The blood making the fabric stick to my skin made it a bit difficult to get off but it happened sooner or later.

"Do you need me to help with that?" Ivy asked me as she knelt in front of me, her elegant fingers gently touching just outside the area of the holes that went around my entire thigh.

The lack of color in her pretty face told me that running on no sleep while having used magic was taking effect. Tossing the ruined pants on the wooden floor, I wondered if there would be a day of peace for Ivy.

"It's nothing a little alcohol won't fix," I placed my hand under her shoulder, gently forcing my friend to stand up on wobbly feet.

"Now, let me get you upstairs so you can get some sleep," Wrapping an arm around the blonde woman who didn't hesitate to put all her weight on me, I looked up at Nyx.

There were eggs, bacon, and pancakes being cooked on the stove but it was the 7 steaming mugs that were on the counter that distracted me.

Then, a loud knock on the front door. Coming from the only other people with permission to pass through Ivy's barrier. After Nyx and I had gone back to the airport, Ivy and Leomaris had already been talking to the human authorities with Cole on the phone. As soon as my old friend was finished with her part, I ignored the dragons' requests for us to stay and drove us home.

From there, Ivy filled me in on what happened.

Dexter had waited in the shadows for her... and broke his mind in the process of treating her like prey.

"I'll get it!" Oriness jumped up as they knocked again and it became clear no one else was going to open the door.

"I'm going to make sure Ivy gets some sleep and then I'll be back downstairs after I fix myself up... tell our guests the same thing," I mumbled as my arm wrapped right below Ivy's hips to avoid the bruises I'd seen earlier.

Without waiting for anyone to respond, I tried to move as fast as possible without disturbing Ivy. I'm perfectly fine with having no pants on in front of Cole or his men but... they are men. You never know what annoying things they'll say just because you don't give a fuck.

As soon as we got to Ivy's room I gently sat her on her bed before carefully taking off the clothes she'd worn for the morning.

"I'm perfectly fine, Vivian... I don't need you to take care of me all the time. Go close up those wounds, they make me want to throw up," The sleepy witch sighed, an ancient sadness swam in those green-blue eyes that I just couldn't leave her. Not that I ever would've.

"Hush it, I'm going to get the bath started so that I can get you cleaned up," I made a quick motion toward the bathroom, not wanting her to feel bad about me doing any of this.

Just as I was about to stand up straight, the scent of magic in the air had me frown before looking at the witch. That blonde hair was damp while all the dirt and blood that had on been on her was wiped clean. She smelled like soap too but none of that could hide the horrible bruises painted on her left side and nearly her entire back.

"You idiot, stop using magic!" I hissed at her, swatting gently at her arm but still noticing the slight flinch despite holding back.

Within seconds, Ivy's eyes were shut as she breathed softly, letting me know just how tired she is.

With a sigh, I quietly exited Ivy's room and went straight toward my own. That familiar scent of the forest was the only sign I had of who had gone into my bedroom. So I mentally prepared myself before opening the door.

Cole sat on the end of my bed, slightly bent with both elbows on his knees. The heavy expression in those green eyes is the only thing that kept me from walking near him.

Does he know? That I'm the daughter of the monster trying to take his kingdom?

Instead of breaking the tension in the air with words, I went toward the glass cabinet near my private bathroom. As my fingers unlocked the thin doors that kept all my alcohol bottles safe, I couldn't help but think of what was about to happen.

There wasn't any killing intent coming from Cole but... you never know. The man is far older than I am, there are a lot of neat little tricks the world doesn't know about.

Just as my fingers wrapped around the neck of one of the dark liquor bottles, a larger hand neatly decorated with veins was quick to cover it. Slowly, I looked up toward those green eyes that held up a wall. He wouldn't allow me to easily read him.

"Sit down..." That usually deep voice sounded different, still strong and yet filled with power.

There was no disobeying him without personally finding out the consequences. So, I gave Cole a wary narrowing of my eyes before cautiously sitting down on the other end of my bed. Not once did I look away from him as he stood, picking up a white box that I hadn't noticed on the floor. A first-aid kit with cute little wings painted on it. For some reason, the only image that popped up in my head was the little witch back at his club.

Silence once filled the room as he bent down in front of me, refusing to look me in the eyes while examining where I'd been bitten. It was hard to pay attention to the things that Cole was spraying on it but as it bubbled up in reaction to the poison, I couldn't but lock my jaw.

It was when he'd wiped the wounds clean, rubbed healing paste against them, and then wrapped my thigh that I know it was inevitable to avoid the conversation.

"Vivian... I'm only going to ask this once and I hope you do what you've been doing since we met. I need you to say what's on your mind. Speak honestly," Cole's words held a warning in them, if I lied... everything would be over.

He might take my life, though the thought felt relieving... except for a few things. Not only would I be leaving the girls vulnerable but... I might never see this man again. It would be understandable if Cole decides to take advantage of my position with Valentino.

"Are you my enemy?" The man I started to get used to was now looking at me with the eyes of the man I'd heard of in the stories. It's hard to call him Cole. Especially when the distance between us is so far that I feel as though I should be calling him Elzrurron.

Even I already know that using me against Valentino is the best thing he can do to end this war early. Yet... I can still feel my eyes slowly grow watery.

"No... no, I'm not an enemy," As we looked each other in the eyes, the hurt emotions gathered in me.

Is it because he's suspicious of me? Or is it the fear of him finding out where I come from and knowing he'll end up hating me for it? Either way, the feelings were so strong with the uncertainty that I'd instinctively pulled my leg away from his touch. Just the thought of Cole treating me like everyone else has when they find out who I am... kills me inside.

Because even though the world believes otherwise, I am not the monster they all think I am.

Right? I've done my best to fight Valentino every step of the way, I'd interfered with his plans while trying to also stay alive. Everything I've lost... just the thought of losing Cole sounds so unfair.

I deserve so much more than what the world has-

The large warm hand that caressed my cheek had me flinching from my thoughts seconds before Cole's mouth pressed against my own.

Those soft lips began to place gentle kisses all over my face, making me realize that I was crying as the intimate touches became wet.

Though I'd told him the truth about not being the enemy, not telling Cole felt wrong too. Here he moving as though trying to silently apologize for coldly creating a rift between us for the last few moments.

With both hands on Cole's chest, I pushed him away while leaning backward, trying to get him away. The gentleness this man shows me during the times I don't realize I need it... it's going to make me addicted.

Still, all my actions did was have the hand on my cheek and spread his fingers to my neck, keeping me in place. Cole wrapped his other arm around me while continuing to gently peck kisses on my face.

"Cole, I-"

"Shh, shh... don't say anything. You were truthful with me so I'll be honest with you," He only pulled away to gently lift me from my ass and just beneath my knees. It felt like all it took was a blink and Cole had flipped the thick covers over before putting me in the middle of the bed.

It was that large frame of climbing onto the space beside me to lay down and wrap itself around me that didn't allow escape. My face was pressed against his chest as the natural heat coming from Cole's body began to comfort all worry. Gods, why does this man smell so good?

Still, I waited for what he wanted to say, wondering if he would speak now that it's been quiet for a bit.

Putting a hand on my face while leaving an arm over my body, Cole made me look up at him.

"I'm scared..."

I couldn't help but widen my eyes in worry.

Cole? King of dragons, scared? Is it the war with Valentino? Despite everything happening, I didn't think the war was so bad on his end.

"Whatever secret it is you're keeping... finding out about it, scares me to death. It feels like whatever it is, can change the tides between us with any wrong move made," He whispered, using his thumb to softly rub my cheek.

He's afraid of the same thing I've been worried about since... well since I slowly started becoming aware of this thing between us. I'm not sure when that even started. But... knowing that Cole has anxiety over the same thing confirmed one thing for me.

I don't want to let him go. The way this large man is just holding me tightly while being careful of my injured leg, made me want more.

How he'd kept me from speaking, not wanting to know the mysteries that kept him wondering how I'm connected to Valentino.

"I only needed to know that your intentions have never been to harm me or my people," Cole put his forehead against my own, trying to get me to read his eyes. All I could remember was what had happened just a few moments ago. How he'd closed himself off from me. It hurt me and it was hard to go against the habit of not wanting to put myself out there after feeling like this.

He hadn't meant it yet forgetting how I'd felt was difficult when it isn't an emotion I feel often.

"I wouldn't ever purposely do anything to hurt you or your people. I... I just want to be free..." I whispered to him, blinking a few times in an attempt to get rid of these feelings overwhelming me.

"Had you not been free when we first met?" He asked with furrowed brows, clearly confused as the track record I had when we met wasn't the greatest.

Opening my mouth to explain the situation, I didn't realize how hard it was to talk about it. Not until images of how I'd been so weak when they'd tossed me into the ground clogged the words in my throat. Not able to communicate with him without breaking down, I just shook my head before burying myself back between his neck and shoulder.

I'm shackled to not only the past but a father who won't let me live peacefully.

So instead, I took comfort in the arms that held me out of affection and not out of possession.

Who knows how long this momentary happiness will last?

So, it'll be best to just soak it all up now.