“I know what you’re thinking, Cobalt, and the truth is I don’t know.”

“What?” Cobalt asked, taken aback as he walked onto the front steps with the oracle. “What do you mean?”

“You want to ask me if she is spoken for, and the truth is it’s complicated.”

“How did you know?” Cobalt knew the oracle could read minds and hearts, but he was curious to know if she could sense that he and the human had also just been making out only a moment ago.

“Just an inkling. I know you all are impatient for mates. It’s why you came here after all. And I sensed you and Sylvie had a special connection. You helped to rescue her, and you were the one to explain more about her situation.” The oracle let out a sigh. “You are one of my favorite dragons, Cobalt. Calm, considerate, and most importantly, smart. I can’t afford to have you lose your head over this.”

“I won’t,” he said quickly, though he wasn’t sure. He’d never thought someone could shake him out of his routine the way Sylvie could.

“I do have someone in mind for her, but I’m not sure it would work. Besides, it’s up to Sylvie as well.”

His heart sank. “But it’s not me.”

“Not currently, no.” The oracle sent a frustrated glance in the direction of the living room they’d just left. “Not that any of you have been listening to me when it comes to mating. Still, things have worked out.”

“True.”

“But Sylvie is a true dragon heart,” the oracle said warily. “I don’t know what the plan will be for her, and until then, I’d advise you to be careful with your heart. You’re my most level-headed dragon, and I need you at your best.”

“I won’t be distracted.”

“You can have fun, like the others. But don’t let anything rob you of focus, of the bigger picture here. We still have people to rescue, things to get done. And Sylvie is… unique in some ways. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

That was odd. How could a little thing like Sylvie hurt him?

The oracle simply watched him for a moment and then shook her head. “Anyway, I should really get back. I guess I’m saying I’m not forbidding you, but I’m not suggesting it either.” She waved her hand, and a portal appeared in front of her. “Now, if you need anything else, you know how to reach Marina, and she can make the call.”

Cobalt nodded. “Thank you for everything, oracle.”

“You’re a good man, Cobalt. A good dragon. Any woman would be lucky to have you, even if it’s not this one.”

Then she was gone, leaving him with a sinking feeling he didn’t understand.

The oracle was right, of course. Whoever turned out to be his mate would make him happy. And he would make her happy in turn.

And there was nothing to suggest that Sylvie could be his mate yet.

But somehow, against all odds, that didn’t matter. He’d had an uncomfortable feeling, like an itch on his skin, ever since he’d been separated from her. Despite the fact that she made him uncomfortable, caught him off guard, he wanted to go back to her side.

He took a few deep breaths, letting the cool winter air remove the last of his flustered blushing, and then opened the door to the living room, making everyone look up.

Sylvie was still sitting in the middle of the room where she’d been when he left, and everyone was looking a little more comfortable.

“So I assume introductions have been made?” he asked formally, seating himself on a chair at the edge of the room.

“Yes.” Lead nodded. “And we have been told to make a band.”

Cobalt smiled, knowing what Sylvie was talking about from his extensive research. “Metal. Band. Clever.”

“I’m glad someone got it,” Sylvie said. “Other than the humans.” She stretched with a yawn, and Cobalt realized that now that the adrenaline from everything was fading, she was probably exhausted.

“You probably want to turn in,” Cadmium said with a smile.

“Yes.” Brittany stood. “Casey and I can show you to your room.”

“I’d rather Cobalt showed me,” Sylvie said, and everyone seemed surprised as they looked over at him.

He straightened on his chair, hoping his infernal blush had not returned. “Um. Uh…”

“Of course,” Brittany said. “Because he’s the one who has already spent the most time with you.”

“Plus, he’s a super trustworthy guy,” Casey added, as others in the room murmured in assent, lowering the tension.

Cobalt cleared his suddenly dry throat and stood up, trying his best to look normal. “Shall we go, then?”

The last time he’d been alone with this creature, she’d overtaken him. Would she do so again now, even though they’d only be at the top of the stairs and out of sight down the hall?

Part of him knew she was after him, a predator. Part of him didn’t really mind.

He led the way up the stairs to the bedroom at the end of the hallway and opened the door.

He enjoyed watching the excitement on her face as she saw the bedroom that awaited her.

She squealed and jumped onto the bed, bouncing on it and making a few cute punching motions, and then stepped off and let out a sigh. “This is perfect. If I have to be imprisoned, this is the best prison ever.”

“You aren’t imprisoned.” He wrinkled his nose as he went to the closet and opened it to show her the clothing inside. “There is human clothing in all sizes here for your use.”

She walked past him and began rifling through the clothing as he stepped back.

“And as I said, it’s not a prison. Think of it more like… a shelter. We are only here to protect you.”

“For all I know, that’s what those wolves thought,” she muttered as she pulled out a few items of clothing and tossed them on the bed.

“No, we aren’t anything like—” His words were cut off as she pulled her shirt right over her head, revealing some kind of human undergarment over her full breasts.

He lunged for the door to the room and quickly shut it so no one could see in, then averted his eyes and turned to the corner of the room, waiting for her to change.

It was her turn to talk as he stayed quiet, cheeks burning as he tried to remove the picture of her curvy figure and bare skin.

“Mentally, I know that you and your friends aren’t like that. It’s not that I hate this place or have something to go back to. I’m just used to being able to come and go as I please. As long as I don’t have full freedom, I’m never going to be truly comfortable. It’s safe to turn around now.”

He did just as she was smoothing down the top of her pajama shirt over the shorts she was wearing that barely covered any of her smooth, brown legs.

His mouth watered at the sight of her, and he realized he really shouldn’t be in her room.

“Anyway, I’m sure I’ll get used to things,” she said, ignoring his gaping at her and hopping into her bed. He watched as she burrowed under the covers and let out a loud sigh of contentment.

A small smile curved his lips, and he felt himself slowly relax. She was safe. She was happy.

That made a part of him feel more fine.

Everything was going to be okay.

He walked to the door, assuming she wouldn’t need anything more from him, but stopped when he heard her clear her throat.

“What about my goodnight kiss?”

He stopped, still in shock, then slowly turned to face her, cheeks burning. How did this human always manage to surprise him?

She laughed and then gave him a smile. “Just kidding. Wanted to see you get all flustered. Night, Cobalt.”

So she’d simply wanted to see him react.

Well, it had worked. He gritted his teeth together as he walked out of the room, closed the door, and leaned against it.

How was he supposed to go to bed with the thought of her lips on his taunting him as he tried to sleep?

* * *

Cobalt couldn’t tell exactly where he was, but he knew exactly what was happening.

At least, sort of.

Everything was hazy, but he was purely aware of something he was seeking. Something he had to find immediately, though it was nowhere to be found.

Endless rows of bookshelves unfolded before him. He found a ladder, but as he climbed, it continuously disappeared beneath him, leading him nowhere.

He ran endlessly through the halls of this mysterious library, aware that the thing he was seeking was somewhere near him yet totally out of reach.

But he couldn’t give up. He had to—

Cobalt sat upright, heart pounding, as he looked around him and realized it was just a dream. Relief surged through him as the helplessness of a moment ago faded away, leaving him in his comfortable bedroom at the comfortable mansion he called home.

He didn’t often dream, but when he did, it was vivid, leaving him soaked with sweat and reeling from tension even as he tried to go about his day.

At least this dream hadn’t gone that far.

If he were a different kind of person, he could have analyzed the dream, tried to pull some kind of meaning from the unconscious firings of his neurons.

But he knew logically it was just his brain venting stress, nothing more than that.

He ran a hand through his hair and wondered if their new house guest was up yet and if she was causing havoc with the other dragons.

Sylvie was impulsive, exciting, and in the short time he’d known her, he already had figured out she did exactly what she wanted when she wanted to.

Up to and including kissing him.

Would she try the same with another dragon?

A bolt of panic went through him, and he shot from the bed, grabbing a robe and pulling it on over the tee shirt and pajama pants he was wearing. He was already covered, but the robe kept him safe and warm in the morning.

Besides, with Sylvie in the house, it felt a little like armor.

As he shut the door to his room and took the stairs down toward the kitchen, he knew he was probably overreacting.

After all, the only other unmated dragon in the house was Chromium, and Sylvie didn’t strike him as the type who would go after another woman’s mate. He kind of hoped she was the type who wouldn’t kiss more than one dragon, but then again, did he really know her that well?

As he entered the kitchen, he let out a sigh of relief at the scene in front of him.

Several dragons were sitting at the table with their mates, and Chromium was at the stove, cooking as usual.

Smelled like oatmeal and some kind of apple dish this morning.

Sylvie, to Cobalt’s consternation, was standing next to Chromium, peppering him with questions.

Chromium seemed oddly calm about the situation, nodding in response to Sylvie while continuing to go about his cooking.

He turned when he heard Cobalt enter.

Morning, cousin. Cobalt usually communicated with Chromium using thought. Chromium was more comfortable that way.

You’re up late, Chromium replied, raising a light eyebrow. Not usual for you.

Just dreaming.

Chromium nodded, turning back to the meal, as Sylvie continued to ask him questions, too focused on the food to notice Cobalt had even come in yet. This new girl is really something, isn’t she?

Cobalt remained silent, not knowing what to say to that.

“Mm, this is awesome!” Sylvie called out, tasting the oatmeal with a spoon she’d pulled from a drawer.

Chromium looked over his shoulder at Cobalt with a smile. I like her a lot.

An odd stirring went through Cobalt, making his chest feel tight and painful. He had no idea what the emotion was, having never felt it before.

He did know one thing. He didn’t like feeling it toward Chromium.

Sylvie noticed him then and walked over with another spoon in her hand. She handed it to him and watched him take the bite of oatmeal it contained.

“Good, right? Chromium is an awesome cook.”

“He is,” Cobalt said, hoping the odd, tight emotion he was feeling didn’t come through in his voice.

“Good to see you this morning. I was wondering when you’d come down and spice things up.” She gave him a little wink and a nudge, and he jumped, not sure he understood the interaction.

Arsenic sidled over to look in the pot, then let out a sigh. “I suppose it doesn’t smell awful. I will take some.” Chromium smiled and handed him two bowls, which Arsenic took back to his mate wordlessly.

“Say thank you!” Sylvie said, jabbing a finger in Arsenic’s direction. “He worked hard on this.”

Arsenic looked up, shocked, and to Cobalt’s surprise, the dangerous assassin was actually blushing. “I apologize, Chromium. Thank you.”

Chromium dipped his head in a nod. “No need.” Then he spoke to Cobalt in his mind. See? That’s why I like her. Grateful.

Cobalt felt as though a spike had gone through his chest. “I, uh… I think I’m going to eat while working this morning,” he said, taking a bowl from Chromium, who just looked at him wordlessly.

Are you all right?

I’m fine.

And he was, as he took the bowl of steaming oatmeal and headed for his sanctuary, the library. As much as he wanted to stay by Sylvie, he didn’t like how he was feeling at the moment, and he needed time to think.