Amber's Fire, Book 3 Of Blood In The Dragon

we need to talk 47

Chapter 47

Ripley POV

I knew I had to go back to the kingdom. I’d been avoiding it for years, avoiding her. Amber was twelve now… still far too young. No matter what that bond said, no matter what I felt the second I stepped onto those grounds, I knew where the line was, and I wasn’t crossing it. Didn’t stop me from living my life, though. I had my fun. Dated around. Cristy had even asked to come with me this time, but that would’ve been a mistake. She already liked to blur lines that didn’t exist. I wasn’t giving her any reason to think she’d ever be Luna. She wasn’t. She knew that… or at least, she was supposed to. So I came alone. The moment I reached the doors of the castle, something in my chest tightened. Nerves. Anticipation. Maybe both. I wasn’t sure what I expected, anger, tension, suspicion… But when the door opened and King Drago stood there, steady and unreadable, some of that weight lifted.

“Alpha Ripley,” he greeted.

“King Drago.”

Then I stepped inside. And everything changed. Because the second we walked into the kitchen… I saw her. Amber. And just like that, every bit of tension I had disappeared. She looked older, of course she did, but her eyes… her energy… It was the same. That same light, that same quiet strength. The same girl I met seven years ago. We locked eyes. Drago stepped forward, breaking the silence.

“Amber, this is Alpha Ripley.”

“I remember him,” she said softly, still staring at me.

My lips twitched slightly. “I was wondering if you would.”

And I meant it. She’d been five when we met. Kids forget things like that. But not her. Not Amber. We sat down to eat, and for some reason, one I couldn’t explain, I took the seat right beside her.

Big mistake. The second our elbows brushed, a sharp spark shot through me. Real. Undeniable. The bond. I pulled away instantly, shifting just enough so it wouldn’t happen again. No way was I letting her feel that. Not yet. Not like this. Not when she didn’t even know what it meant. I kept my distance the rest of the meal, focusing on conversation with Drago and Levonna, keeping things normal… controlled. But there was only so long I could avoid the truth. So I mind-linked Drago.

“King Drago, I have something to tell you.”

His eyes shifted toward me slightly, giving nothing away, but I knew he was listening.

“I’ve known… since she was five. That she’s my mate. That’s why I left.” A pause. “I still feel the bond. But you don’t have to worry, I won’t act on it. I respect you. I respect your Queen. And I respect her.” I glanced at Amber.

She was laughing softly at something her mother said, completely unaware. “I came to make sure she’s still the same. That nothing’s changed.”,Drago and Levonna both looked at her, then back at me.

“She hasn’t,” I finished. “She’s still that same sweet girl.”

Amber suddenly looked over at me, catching us watching.

“Is there something on my face?”

Levonna gave her a look, but I couldn’t help the small smile that slipped through.

“No,” I said calmly. “Just making sure.”

“Making sure of what?” she asked, narrowing her eyes slightly.

There was a pause. A long one.,Then I leaned back in my chair, still watching her.

“That you’re still… you. Still the same sweet girl I met seven years ago. Do you remember what I said to your parents?”

For a split second, I wasn’t sure she would. Then…

“Yeah, I remember,” she said. “You told them there are worse people out there who would hurt me for my power and my dragon.”

My brows lifted slightly. She remembered everything..“But I’ll tell you this,” she continued, her voice stronger now. “I’ll hurt them before they even get the chance to hurt me. I won’t let that happen. Is that why you’re here? Just to check if I’m still me? That’s… kind of weird.”

I huffed a quiet laugh under my breath. Before I could answer, Drago’s voice cut through my mind. ‘Don’t tell her. She’s still too young. It’s against the laws.’

I gave the smallest nod. “I won’t,” I replied. “When she’s older… it’ll be her choice. I won’t take that from her.”

Agreement settled between us. Then I turned back to Amber, keeping my expression easy.

“So,” I said, shifting the subject, “how’s your power training going? I could teach you a few things, help you improve.”

Her eyes lit up just slightly at that.

“But not today,” I added. “Your father will let me know when the time is right.”

I pushed my chair back, standing. “Queen Levonna, lunch was wonderful. Thank you.”

Then I looked at Amber.,“It was a pleasure meeting you again.”

I dipped my head respectfully before turning to Drago.

“We should talk.”He stood immediately.

And together, we walked toward his office, leaving behind the one person I had to stay away from… even when every instinct I had was telling me not to.