She heard footfalls behind her. “Cordia. Wait. I wanted to talk to you.”
Arghhh! She lifted her eyes to the sky for a moment, contemplating ignoring the female. For a moment there, she had been so sure that she had slipped away unnoticed.
Surora arrived a few seconds later, slightly out of breath. “I’m glad I caught you,” she said.
“Let’s walk and talk,” Cordia countered, picking up the pace again. “It’s been a long day and I’m tired.” Sitting across from Stone had been taxing. She couldn’t take anymore. Once she got to her nest, she’d be home-free.
Cordia snuck a peek over her shoulder. Oh, thank the gods! He wasn’t following her. She let out a sigh of relief but kept on walking just in case.
“You’re worried he’s following, aren’t you?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she mumbled, hoping that Surora would drop it. It wasn’t a conversation she wanted to have with the female. With anyone, for that matter.
“You know exactly what I’m referring to,” Surora shot back. “The male, Stone. I don’t need developed senses to tell that there is a whole lot going on between the two of you.”
“There is nothing going on.”
“That’s why you asked to swap partners.”
“How do you know it had anything to do with me? Any of the four of us could have requested the swap, yet you automatically assume it was me.” She touched her chest.
“It was definitely you, Cordia. Why deny it?”
Cordia kept walking. She finally arrived at her nest, taking another look around them. “I don’t wish to talk about it. It’s not important.”
“It is if you asked to swap partners. Don’t try to deny it was you. Penelope and Bonnie were both shocked. You didn’t so much as flinch. You knew it was going to happen. I think you like the dragon. It’s the first time I’ve seen you give a male more than a cursory glance. Yet, you are distancing yourself from him.”
“I distance myself from all males. Not that our males have much interest in me.”
“You close yourself off from our males.”
Cordia frowned. “It’s more than that and you know it.”
“You are right, to a degree. Back to the dragon. You look at him in a way I’ve never seen you look at anyone before.”
“Stay out of it. It’s none of your business. Now if you’ll excuse—”
“You haven’t told him, have you?” Surora lifted her brows.
“We had sex. That was it. There is nothing to tell him.”
“I understand why you’re afraid to—”
“You don’t understand anything!” Cordia retaliated ‒ and more fiercely than she’d intended. Surora was only trying to help. She meant well.
The female flinched. “You’re right. I don’t understand, but I can imagine. I know I’m interfering and that it’s none of my business, but you should talk to him. If you like him ‒ I mean really like him ‒ then you should, at least, be honest. You never know—”
“I do know! It wouldn’t help anything.” She shook her head. “I don’t want to talk about it anymore. As I said, I’m tired and—”
“And you need to get ready for our dinner?” The other female’s eyes lit up. “Do you have an outfit?”
They had all been invited to a formal sit-down dinner, as this was their last evening together. Cordia shook her head. She could think of nothing worse. To sit and mingle while trying hard to avoid Stone. “I’m not going,” she suddenly decided.
Surora’s mouth fell open. “It’s compulsory. You have to go.”
“I don’t feel up to it.” She shook her head again.
“You should come this evening and you should talk to Stone. Your eyes get all…weird when he is close. Did you know that?”
“There is nothing for him and me to talk about.” She ignored the comment about her eyes lighting up. “Things are the way they are. I have no place in my life for Stone or any male. It doesn’t matter what I want. Or need. It is a simple fact. I will excuse myself tonight. I know that Gazelle will understand.”
“It must be awful! I thought being infertile was bad. That it was a terrible fate, but I was wrong, wasn’t I? The alternative is worse.”
“Yes, I’m afraid it’s true.”
Surora reached out and clasped her hand. She gave it a squeeze.
“Thank you,” Cordia said, nodding once. “I appreciate…that you wanted to help.”
“If you change your mind about this evening, I have a dress you could wear. I would be happy to sit next to you.”
“I won’t change my mind.” She shook her head.
“I know. I thought I would try anyway.”
Stone arrived ten minutes late. He was nervous. Sweaty palms and all. Nervous she wouldn’t be there and even more nervous that she would. His heart sank as he walked through the door. He walked inside, looking around the room. Stone did a second sweep of the room. Cordia liked being on time. She took things seriously. Why wasn’t she there then?
It was him.
He had pushed too hard.
Stalked her.
Fuck!
Helga’s face lit up as she looked his way. She wore a bright red gown with a plunging neckline. She smiled at him. Double cluster fuck! How did he get out of this one? Just then, his pocket began to vibrate. Saved by the bell.
Stone pulled his phone out of his pocket and answered, spinning away from the female to make himself very clear. “Hello,” he said without even looking to see who had been calling. He didn’t care. Anyone was better than trying to get Helga off his back. The female was infuriating with her advances. Any more forward and it could be deemed…stalking.
Fuck!
Was he Helga in reverse? Maybe. No! Fuck…maybe. “Hey, are you there? Can you hear me? Is the signal bad, bud?” It was Sand. Stone wasn’t sure how long the male had been talking to him.
“Yes. I can hear you,” he quickly blurted.
“Oh good! How are you doing? I’m not interrupting, am I? I can hear you’re not alone. Are you still in talks?”
“No. Nothing like that. We’re having dinner for our final night…or about to…and I’m…good, you?” He pushed a breath out.
“Fucking amazing,” his friend gushed. “I’ve never been happier. Well, I’m also worried…very fucking worried, but I’m mainly stoked as hell.”
“Good. Glad to hear it You might need to explain about the worried part though. Is everything okay?” Stone frowned.
“Mace is pregnant, buddy. She’s with child…my children. I’m going to be a father. Fuck! I’ve never been happier. She’s over the moon. So fucking happy.” He chuckled. “We both are.”
His eyes widened. “That’s brilliant news, bro!” Stone shouted, attracting everyone’s attention. He smiled, making his way out of the room. “Why the worry then? Enjoy it! It’s such fantastic news. How’s Mace? She must be thrilled.”
“That’s just it.” Sand went from upbeat to down in an instant. “She’s been really sick. Throwing up once or twice a day.”
“That’s normal, isn’t it?”
“Yes, I know.” Sand pushed out a solid breath. “It all makes me quite nervous now that she is with child. I don’t like seeing her hurting in any kind of way. I can tell I’m going to be one of those raging males who’s over-protective. She’s not going to like it.”
He chuckled. “No, she won’t.”
“She’s also had some pains in her belly which is also supposed to be normal in early pregnancy. Things are stretching inside her…I don’t know all the medical lingo. I need to read some of the pregnancy books she has lying around, so I know what to expect.” Stone could hear that the male was beaming. “I don’t want to keep you. I just wanted to tell you the good news, since you’ve been there every step of the way.”
“Congrats, Sand! Please send Macy my love.”
His friend growled.
“I didn’t mean it like that, asshole.” Stone choked out
“Sorry! I know,” Sand said. “Back to the part where I’m possessive as fuck.”
“You should dig out that present I got you guys. Is it still in the back of your closet?”
“No!” Sand practically shouted. “Not going there yet.”
“What? Why?” Stone frowned. “You guys are going to need—”
“Bad luck! It’s still early days.” His friend sounded so nervous it was almost comical. Poor male!
“Early days, my ass. Your female and children will be just fine.”
“I would prefer not to take any chances. You’ll see what I mean, bro. One of these days, you’ll be in my shoes. You’ll be worried about a female. Your female. So worried you can’t think of anything else.”
“We’ll have to see,” Stone mumbled.
“It’ll happen for you. Wait and see. Anyway, take care. We’ll see you soon.”
“Yep…see you soon.” He ended the call. Thing was, Stone was worried now. There was something wrong with Cordia. Something important. Something she wasn’t telling him.
“Dinner will be served in a few minutes,” Gazelle announced almost as he walked back into the hall. “We should make our way to the tables shortly,” she added.
Stone’s heart sank. One quick scan of the room told him that Cordia still hadn’t arrived yet. Chances were good she wasn’t going to come at all. For a while there, he had hoped she was running late, but it was becoming clearer by the second that such a simple explanation was not likely.
All he wanted to do was to put down the glass of wine he had been nursing for the last hour and head to her apartment. Pursuing Cordia after being accused of stalking her would be too much like…stalking her. Despite the worry that coursed through him, he was beginning to doubt himself. Maybe she really did think he was stalking her. Maybe he had read into things too much. Perhaps the jealousy had been based on sex and nothing more. Cordia had been aloof all afternoon. She had not been afraid to hold his gaze, or to debate certain sticking points when it came to interspecies relationships. She had seemed cold and distant. Fuck, but it all made him want her more.
Maybe he was a stalker.
Maybe she was right to have swapped partners and to be staying away.
“She told me she isn’t coming.” Surora interrupted his thoughts. “I’m sorry, I can’t help but notice how you keep glancing at the door. I know you like her. I don’t know what’s up between the two of you but,” she waved her hand, “never mind…I don’t want to get mixed up in the whole thing.”
“You know whatever it is that’s bugging her?” He heard the animation in his voice.
Surora shook her head. “I…um…it…I…I can’t tell you anything. Not that there’s anything to tell,” she quickly added.
“So, there is something!” Thank fuck! Stone grinned. Couldn’t help himself. It meant he wasn’t losing his mind. He wasn’t wrong about Cordia. There was something holding her back.
“I didn’t say that.”
“You didn’t have to.”
“No, I quite clearly said that there was nothing to tell,” Surora shot back.
“Which is code for there is something to tell.” He bobbed his brows.
“No, it doesn’t mean that at all.” Surora sounded panicked, which was great. It meant he was on the right track.
“Of course it does. Thanks! I appreciate the heads-up.”
“I didn’t give you a heads-up. Don’t say that!” She widened her eyes.
“You did too. You’re a gem.”
“Now I understand why you drive Cordia crazy,” she huffed, eyes narrowed on him.
“It’s my good looks, helped along by this custom-made tux.” He smoothed a hand down the lapel of his jacket.
Surora made a noise of frustration. “I don’t mean that kind of crazy. I meant the bad kind.”
“Of course you meant it like that.” He winked. “Thank you.” He put the glass down. “Now if you’ll excuse me…I feel a terrible headache coming on. I think I’ll go and lie down.”
Her mouth fell open. “You’re going to see her, aren’t you?” she whispered. “You do not have anything wrong with you.”
“Sure I do. My head hurts something fierce.” He put his fingers to his temples for a few moments and then smiled at Surora. “Now, if you’ll excuse me…?”
Surora rolled her eyes. “Please don’t tell her I said anything. She’ll rip my wings off. Maybe even my legs as well.”
“I won’t tell her.” Was it wrong that his heart beat faster hearing how capable of violence she was?
“So, you admit you’re going to see her?” She put her hands on her hips, looking both put out and amused.
“Shhhhh.” He held a finger to his lips. “Don’t say anything to anyone.”
“I won’t if you won’t.”
“Fine.” He grinned.
“Dragon…” she continued, and he turned back to her. “There is something she’s not telling you and it’s important. All-important.”
“I know. Thank you again.” He nodded once as he headed out, filled with resolve.
Chapter 13
Cordia stared at the square device mounted on the wall. The one where humans play-acted. In this particular production, several males and one female were robbing some sort of facility. They were intent on stealing a large diamond. Cordia couldn’t understand why anyone would go to so much effort for what was essentially a rock. Sure, it was pretty, but worth all that? No way!
It was mildly entertaining at best. She yawned, pushing the button to change to a different acting scenario. Arghhhh! It was people pretending to be in love with each other. They were kissing. Then the male was pulling her shirt off. Cordia pushed the button again. Why would people want to watch other people play-act at mounting? It was stupid. It made absolutely no sense.
The next program was boring too. She could shut the device off, but then she’d be in complete silence. All alone. She should be used to it by now. Cordia didn’t want to attend the dinner, but she also didn’t want to be stuck between these four walls. She couldn’t go home either.
Cordia wondered how Vicky was doing, and on a whim, she picked up her phone and dialed her friend. The Feral were no longer off the grid like they had been a year ago. They still had plenty to learn but were making great inroads to catch up with society. They had cellphone towers and were connected to the internet.
Finally, Vicky’s voice came on the line, telling Cordia that she wasn’t available and to try again later.
Cordia tried again immediately. The same message sounded. She tossed her phone on the bed next to her and slumped back down on the pillows. She hated all this self-pity. It didn’t help anything. Maybe she should shift and head out for a flight. Her feathers rubbed beneath her skin. Cordia felt restless and irritable. She couldn’t bear lying there for a second longer. Her phone buzzed with an incoming message.
I’m in heat. With Talon. Very busy and very excited. Chat in a few days.
P.S. Everything is going to be okay. I just know it.
No! She was too late. Vicky would be with clutch soon. She might end up with the sickness. Her feathers rubbed harder. Decision made, she climbed off the bed and pulled off the clothes she was wearing, dropping them on the floor at her feet. Then she stepped outside, sucking in a deep breath and preparing to shift. Her eyes were already on the sky above. The stars twinkled. Yes, a good, hard flight was exactly what she needed to get rid of some of this wayward energy.
“Now that’s just the kind of greeting I was hoping for.” Stone sauntered towards her. He wore a tuxedo. Cordia swallowed hard. She’d read about them when looking for evening-wear attire. Although she preferred him in less. Who was she kidding? In nothing at all. He looked amazing in the suit. It fit him perfectly. From how the pants tapered, to the way the jacket fit across his broad chest. The black fabric brought out the deep purple of his eyes.
By feather, she was forgetting herself. “What are you doing here?” She tried to sound hard and cold, but it came out as a whisper. This male did things to her. Her heart beat out of her chest. She panicked at how the sight of him made her feel better. Safe. Made things a little easier to deal with. Her past, her future. Not just her. Vicky too. Her feelings didn’t change things. They were the way they were.
“I came to talk to you.” He looked resolute.
She narrowed her eyes. “You’re supposed to stay away. You’re not allowed—”
“That’s all a bunch of bullshit and you know it.” He folded his arms. “I’m not stalking you, or forcing you to have sex with me, or any of that other crap.”
“Why can’t you listen to me, Stone? The reason I went to Gazelle was because you weren’t listening in the first place. I don’t want anything more to do with you. The sex was great, but it’s over.” Part of her wanted him to turn around and to go. The bigger part wanted him to stay. Fear bubbled up. It was never going to work between them. This needed to stop. He would never understand.
“I don’t get that, Cordia,” Stone countered. “You do have feelings for me. I know it, so don’t try to deny it. We’re too good together.”
“It’s just sex.”
“That’s bull.”
“All I know is that I’m leaving tomorrow and that there can never be anything between us, so there is no point in discussing anything or letting you mount me again.”
“You’re afraid that if we spend more time together, you’ll fall for me more than you have already.” He leaned against the wall and rubbed his chin, the stubble catching.
Her mouth quite literally fell open. “You’re so arrogant. Please leave me alone. I’m not going to be nice about it anymore. I’m going to—”
“Going to what?” He began advancing. “Report me? Get me into trouble with the vampires? My kings?”
“Yes.” She nodded hard.
“Here’s the thing ‒ I don’t care! They can slap my wrists. Throw me in a cage. They can do whatever they want to me. I won’t give up until you tell me that you don’t feel anything for me. That you don’t think there’s anything happening here.” He waved a hand between them. “I want you to say the words. I want to hear you deny it.”
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