The Cursed Dragon

Chapter 22: Cadimus' Room

Hello, now that I am finished dedicating all of my time to finishing and publishing my novel (Yes I wrote a novel details at the end of the chapter) I am back to posting here online again. I hope that you had a wonderful holiday season and I also hope you enjoy this chapter. Cheers!

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"To my room," answered Cadimus and he saw his mother shift at his words.

He had answered without really thinking. 

In his arms Airne stiffened noticeably.

At least if she were in his room he could keep an eye on her and when he wasn't around...well most people would know better than to go trespassing in a Cadimus' private quarters.

"Cadimus," Nurunia touched his arm. "Be careful...this binding...don't let it cloud what she is. She is not our kind."

"I know," answered Cadimus.

"Good," Nurunia straightened her shoulders rolling them back. An air of dignity curled itself around her like a mink scarf. "I'll take care of Grimma. He isn't welcome here anymore. If Abeloth brings him himself I will endure, but I will not have that scum in my house."

Cadimus felt Airne stir in his arms and looked down at her face. She looked up at him eyes big and golden and unfocused, one pupil was distinctly larger than the other.

She has a concussion, he noted.

"It's okay," he said softly, his arms inadvertently tightening around her as he made his way up the stairs. "I've got you."

She blinked up at him once, twice and then closed her eyes once more. There was still a fine trembling going through her and he didn't know what to do about that.

Cadimus hesitated at the threshold to his room.

He didn't take women into his room often. Most of his conquests took place...elsewhere. Few were worthy of being brought back home, either by his standards or those of his parents.

He breathed deep and then walked inside closing and locking the door behind him.

The silence of the room enveloped him. Cadimus took her over to the bed and lay Airne down gently on top of the covers. Her hair spilled out beneath her, a wild tangled mess.

He relaxed slightly as she did and that's when he realized her shirt was torn. A part of him had noticed before, but with the chaos of everything going on in the cellar he had put it out of his mind. Now that she was laying there in his bed he became acutely aware of it.

For a moment he couldn't tear his eyes away from the simple turquoise bra. Functional and satin look, it was subtly sexy. Her chest rose and fell with her breathing and his eyes were drawn to the curve of her perfect breast.

Airne opened her eyes and looked at him. When she saw where his eyes had lingered she  crossed her arms over her chest.

Cadimus swallowed and looked away. His body responded involuntarily and he cursed himself for it.

When he lifted his hand she flinched and he could tell she was about to bolt, ready to run or fight him. He slowly lifted over the blanket covering her from view.

"I didn't mean to look," he said quietly. She didn't deserve to have him look at her like that, without permission.

She didn't say anything in response, only curled in on herself under the covers turning to the side.

Cadimus sat next to her for a moment afraid to touch her, even covered.

She looked a little like a fallen angel: dirty and ragged and...beautiful.