Aspen (The Dragon Kings #2)(27)

She nodded and leaned up and kissed him again, this time with only desire and love, no fear.





Aspen woke the next morning and found herself sprawled out across Sid’s chest. She grinned. That was exactly where she belonged. She slid her hand up his t-shirt and rested it on his abs. He was so unbelievably hot. She couldn’t quite believe it sometimes when she looked at him. She stared at his face. His eyes opened, and he watched her.

She leaned up and gave him a quick peck on the lips.

“Yep. You’re stuck here. No going back to your parents’ place even when it is safe.”

“Not sure they’ll go for that, but you can try.”

“Hey, I have something for you.” He leaned over the side of his bed and pulled out a small wrapped box.

“What’s this?”

“Happy birthday. Yesterday got kind of ruined.”

Aspen propped herself up on her elbows and unwrapped the box. Inside sat a black ring. It was the shape of a dragon, where the tail met the head, but the dragon’s jaws were wide open and nestled in his teeth was a brilliant sapphire stone.

“Sid, it’s gorgeous.” The detail work on the ring was amazing.

The door to the bedroom flew open, and Aspen jerked around, dropping the ring. Pearl stood there with murder in her eyes.

“You have ten seconds to explain to me what the hell is going on.”

Aspen sat up, ready for a fight. “What do you think?”

“I think you are trying get my brother killed.” Pearl’s eyes flicked to Sid’s ankle, which was sticking out from under the covers. Her face went pale. “I guess it’s a little too late for that. You little bitch, do you realize what you’ve done?”

Aspen jumped out of bed. “You have no idea what you are talking about. Besides, we have a plan to keep him alive.”

Sid climbed out of bed. “Aspen, can you leave us alone? We have some talking to do.”

Aspen crossed her arms. She wasn’t going anywhere.

“No, she should hear this. After all, you’ve signed both of your death warrants. Who else knows?” She flung back her red hair and waited for a response.

“Skye, Theo, and Dad.”

“Really, you told Dad?” Pearl rolled her eyes. “Whatever, get Skye and Theo and meet in the theater room in fifteen minutes. I can’t wait to hear this awesome plan you have to save your life.” Her words dripped with sarcasm.

She stormed out of the room, and Aspen grabbed Sid’s hand. “I’m sorry.”

“It was inevitable. Crappy timing, but still inevitable.”

Sid dug around one of his dresser drawers and pulled out a pair of basketball shorts. Aspen found a pair of sweats and a hoodie. It was freezing. She brushed her teeth and went to wake up Skye. Sid was going after Theo.

Of course Skye looked just as good with no makeup as she did with. Aspen frowned at the sheer unfairness of it all. She shook her awake.

Skye blinked at her. “What’s up?”

“Pearl is here. She knows about me and Sid.”

Her eyes widened. “Oh, I’m in so much trouble.”

“Yeah, but not as much as me. Get dressed and meet us in the theater room.”

Skye nodded.

Aspen found Sid in the kitchen.

“Theo’s not in his room.” He drummed his fingers on the counter.

“Did he stay at Ella’s?” Aspen put her arm around his waist, wanting to be close to him.

“If he did, he didn’t say anything.”

The front door slammed, and Theo skulked into the kitchen.

“What’s everyone doing up so early?”

“Pearl’s here. She found out about me and Aspen.”

Theo gave them a wicked grin. “Uh oh, someone’s in trouble.”

“You’re not off the hook. She wants to talk to all of us,” Sid said.

Theo scowled but followed them to the theater room.

Pearl stood there with a frown on her face. She didn’t say anything as they all filed into the room.

She paced and glowered at them. After what seemed like ages, she spoke.

“How long ago did this happen?”

Sid answered. “When I sealed myself to her, the marking already had her name on it.”

Pearl creased her eyebrows. “I thought she hated you.”

Aspen laughed. “I did. I got the marking when I met him as a dragon during the summer.”

“When?” Pearl looked from one to the other. Her eyebrows creased.

“It was the day I became king. I landed near her on the mountain.”

“Why did you do that?”

“Because I wanted to see a human up close. I wasn’t thinking.”

Pearl snorted. “That doesn’t explain Aspen’s marking. How long did you spend there?”

“A minute at the most.”

“Sealings don’t work like that,” Skye interjected. Aspen looked over at her. Maybe she’d finally learn something Sid seemed intent on keeping from her.

“Could it be because she’s human?” asked Pearl.

Skye shrugged. “Maybe. But nothing about how it happened with either her or Sid makes sense.”

Pearl turned her attention to Theo. “Did you know?”