Chapter 84

Kamari

I walked with Calea along the shore of the sea. The forest beside us filtered sunlight through the thick canopy. Being out like this does something to my soul; it rewires and makes it feel like a breath of fresh air. I was surprised that Calea wanted to stay longer, but I was more than happy to do it, especially since I could teach far more about our Dragon Pride. There were things I was still learning, and I had been with them for a while.

The air here was filled with an earthy scent and blooming flowers; some would describe it as a perfect day. "Well, you already know something about the way Pride works. I have told you before about the Hierarchy."

"Yes, I remember that. As of right now, Nye is the lead of the Pride, and as you say, he should be respected by his members because of his strength. Am I right?"

I nod, "Aneth and Koa also have their places. Currently, Aneth is ranked at the bottom, and Koa is second to Nye." It's funny how I was trying to relearn this myself, but saying it out loud helped. Sometimes, you need a little recap. "Oh, that I did not know. Is that why Aneth, Koa, and Nye fight so much?"

"You have to be strong to lead; if you're not, you're dethroned." I squish my toes in the sand, loving the feel of my body bonding with the earth. My mind starts to wonder, thinking of Aneth, and I remember seeing Calea speak with him, "So, what did Aneth say when you spoke with him?"

Calea smiles as she glances at me, "He was the one who suggested I stay."

I halt and turn to her, "What?" My face contorts in shock. Calea shakes her head, "Yes, I hope he has lightened up on me a little." Calea tilts her head, searching my eyes, "Or were you expecting a different answer?" I look down at the ground, the apparent answer plastered on my face. "Kamari, why don't you talk to him?" I rub my arm, "I don't have the greatest track record for keeping my hands to myself…"

Calea sighs, "You are just speaking with him, Kamari, or are you worried about Nye?"

"Both."

But in the end, I sucked it up and made the big girl decision to talk to Aneth. I wouldn't say I liked the feeling of distance with any of them, and I'm starting to feel that way with Aneth. When I found him this time, I was surprised to see he was in his dragon form, sleeping like a curled cat. His breath sways the trees. Good Goddess, it was so cute! I sit in front of him, admiring his natural form. Aneth looked more regal and elegant in dragon form. Not like Nye, who's downright scary. 

He inhales, his eyes shoot open, his big serpent-like eyes making me gush. "Hi, big guy," my head playfully tilts, "Did I disturb your nap?"

Aneth exhales, then turns his head away from me and continues to sleep. I gasp, "Hey! I know you're not sleeping." I stand up and try to push him: "Get up! You big massive fire-breathing jerk!" Suddenly, I felt a slight push him, "Ah!" I land softly on the ground and see the tip of his tail behind me. I narrow my eyes at him: "Really?" I sit and lean back on my heels. 

I sigh. "I just wanted to talk to you. I miss you." I admit that I was unusually vulnerable. Aneth rolls over on his back and stretches out like a cat. I see my chance, crawl up on his stomach, and sit. "You're not getting rid of me."

His body shifts, and I'm sinking. Ash falls away around me, and for a moment I feel like I'm falling, I wave the cloud of ash away, and when I look down I see his golden eyes staring up at me. 

"You are annoying, little one." He says with a half smile, his voice thick like honey. I lean into him, "Am I annoying when I'm on top of you?" My hands slide down his chest 

Aneth chuckles, and it sends shivers down my spine. "Hm, I thought you were here to talk to me?" I lean up but keep my hands on him. "Yes. You've been so distant…" Aneth stares at me and is silent for a moment. "I regret it." 

I feel my heart spike, not knowing what he means. "Regret what?"

Aneth's hands slid up my waist. The warmth of his hands made my inner Shade purr. "I should have fought to keep you, Kamari. You have no idea how badly I wanted to create life with you."

I swallow the lump in my throat, my heart aching at Aneth's words. I had whelps with Koa and Nye but not Aneth; that bothered me for some reason. I cup his face, "Can I ask what you and Nye were discussing?" 

His grip tightens on my hips, "Nye wasn't fond of me not putting up a fight. It is not our way of life to give up."

"You didn't give up; you did what you thought was right, Aneth. You can't blame Yourself for that; most of it was out of your control." Aneth sits up halfway, his face dangerously close to mine, "But I did, and you have no idea how intoxicating your scent is to me right now." The gravel in his voice sparks the worst in me, and I can't help but slide my hands up the back of his neck. His heart pounds against my chest. I've also been a sucker since the beginning for not being able to keep my hands to myself. But they were all my mates! Of course, I can't. But it's more than likely I'm already pregnant; they seem never to miss. "Aneth, you can go against Nye again; it's what he wanted you to do in the first place." 

He purses his lips, "Did you suddenly forget what happened when I was lead of the Pride?" I shake my head, "No. But you're back to normal, Aneth; that could have happened to any of you–"

"That barrier won't hold for long, Kamari."

The quick subject change throws me off, "Yes, I know, but I had to do something. Part of my soul is in the land." Aneth locks eyes with me, "Mael seems to have stayed behind for a good reason." I had forgotten Mael didn't come with us. A pang of guilt sets in. I should have invited him, but I couldn't find him. I had a hard time wrapping my head around the idea of Mael being one of my mates now. He had been a friend for such a long time. Yes, I had kissed him, but getting into the mindset seemed to be a little harder for me. My heart has always belonged to Nye, Aneth, and Koa. Mael popped up out of nowhere, and yet he didn't at the same time. He had been there before my three mates but thought it wise not to intervene. Stupid.

"Yes, but I'm working on other plans. I'm just trying to think of the best way to implement them. Alliances seem to be our best bet. Even magic has its limits." I suddenly feel his hands slide down to my thighs; his eyes hazed as he gazes at my lower half. "Maybe I should soak in the secluded pool like I used to; maybe the scent wouldn't bother you as much," I don't know why, but I start to feel the heat rise in my cheeks. His nails prick my skin and coaxes my thighs apart, which elicits a small gasp from me. "Aneth." His breathing was heavy, and I could feel the tension in his body. His hands move higher and caress the area of my hip bones with his thumbs. I think it's better to walk away, but when I try to stand up, Aneth lets out a deep growl, holding me where I am.

"Aneth, this isn't a good idea." I try to talk him out of it, but goddess knows my desire for him is rushing through my veins like a rouge river. "Aneth–"

"Let me taste you." The roughness of his voice screams primal. But I'm thrown off by what he wants to do. "Uh-" I didn't know how to react, primarily because of my state. "You might want to hold off on that…"

Aneth eyes lock with mine," No." The firmness of his words locks me in place, and he pulls my hips closer, "Do you forget I'm not human, little one?" I shake my head and say the softest No in my life. "Lay on your back." Aneth's words were commands now. And I found them incredibly sexy; my heart hammers against my chest. He hooks his arms around my legs and pulls me; this was crazy! Out here, they became unhinged, but so did I. And the look in his golden, as he dipped down between my thighs lit up the most primal side of me. I did not expect to be so sensitive, but when I felt him, my body nearly arched off the ground, and I could feel his soft, growling vibrating through my abdomen. 

Yeah, I'm going to Kadea's hell.