Dragon Soul

Chapter 3-1

3

I'd never been so nervous for a date, but as I straightened my tie by the mirror in the hall of Devon's flat, I was almost sweating.

There was something about Zara that was tying me all up in knots. And then there was the fact that this was a stupid idea to begin with. She was a dragon. She'd leave me the moment her real mate showed up. And he surely would. That was how these things worked. Then they'd have a few ceremonies and bing-bong-bang, she'd be in the same predicament as Ayra was now. Obsessing over an egg at the bottom of a lake.

While I knew there was a little more to Ayra and Devon's situation than that, it did seem like the simplest explanation for it. It was so alien to me after all. I was a vampire that had stayed a vampire. Not one who could suddenly shift into a giant blue lizard that really liked fish.

I should probably keep that description of dragons to myself while I was at dinner with Zara. If I didn't, then I could guarantee there wouldn't be a second date. And of all the things in this world, a second date didn’t sound too bad.

“Ayra? How’s my tie looking?”

My friend peeked from the kitchen and laughed. “You look like you tried to strangle yourself.” With a spring in her step, she crossed the spotless living room and fixed the sapphire tie I choose. “You went with blue, huh?”

I shrugged, pretending I hadn’t picked it out on purpose. From what Ayra told me, all water dragons had a soft spot for blue. Even her favourite colour was blue, except for the ghastly wallpaper Sian decorated her house with.

“You sly dog, you’re going for it, huh?” Ayra smiled, patting my chest. “There, much better.”

“Thanks for not letting me make a fool out of myself,” I grinned, glancing in the mirror and pushing my hair up a little. This wax was supposed to be super strong but it was already letting me down like one of my shady friends who always bailed on me.

“Not a problem. Besides, you don’t need a silly tie to make a fool out of yourself,” she teased, checking the watch around her wrist. Another little quirk she picked up from Tate. “You’re going to be late, hurry, hurry. You don’t want to keep Zara waiting.”

“I do not, no. Bye, Ayra. Thanks for letting me swing by!”

“Anytime, I don’t get to see you nearly as often as I’m used to.”

I chuckled and kissed her cheek. “You don’t see anyone nearly as often as you used to, crazy egg lady.”

“Oi!”

Before Ayra could swat me, I bolted out the door and threw her a kiss. She glared at me, but I could tell she was hiding a smile. She was happy, much happier than I’d ever seen her. The kind of happy only fated mates could be. The way Zara probably would be when she met her one. Why was I going again?