Water Dragon (The Bride Hunt Book 2) (14 page)

“
W
hat are you doing here
?” Blaze pushed back from his desk and stood up.

“Hello,” Torrent said. “It’s good to see you too.” He could feel that he was frowning.

“Save me the dramatics.” Blaze smiled. “Why aren’t you with your new bride?”

The male had spent too much time with human females. With one human female in particular. Blaze thought that the others hadn’t noticed just because his visits had dried up before they could call him out on it. It was the first time that Torrent wondered what had happened.

Bride.

Fuck!

“The female is not my mate. It was a false rumor. A misunderstanding.” He shifted from one foot to the other. A mistake! His chest tightened just thinking it. A stupid damned mistake.

His youngest brother, Storm, would be dropping her in Walton Springs right now. Good riddance.

Blaze raised his brows. “Oh! I had heard that you sealed the deal.”

He shook his head. “Nope. I sent the female home. We were not compatible.”

“Oh! That’s a shame.” Blaze looked amused.

“We didn’t rut.” He felt the need to set the record straight. “We were not compatible as people.”

“An even bigger shame.”

“I’m here to enquire about the dark haired human. I had my sights set on her from the start. It is probably the reason it didn’t work out with Candy.”
Liar!
The words almost stuck in his throat. They felt hollow. It felt like he was betraying his female.

No!

Not his.

Candy left him. She left. It wasn’t his fault. Not at all.
That wasn’t entirely true
. The same voice that had tried to stop him earlier began to shout at him. It called him choice names. He pushed it down and drowned out the pesky droning. “I heard that your brother has not yet mated her.”

“No, but he seems to like her.” The fire king looked thoughtful.

“I want her,” he blurted. Torrent had called Ocean to his chamber as soon as Candy had left but the female did nothing for him. Absolutely nothing. She’d stood before him naked and his body hadn’t so much as stirred. He’d apologized to her and had sent her away. He’d felt like the biggest prick. No! It wasn’t his fault. It wasn’t.

It was simple, he needed a human replacement. The dark haired one. The one he had wanted in the first place. It was simple!

“I don’t know.” Blaze rubbed at the stubble on his chin, he was deep in thought.

Interesting, the male was considering it. “Surely they would be mated by now if she was the right one for him? All of the other females are mated. I sent mine back… after all this time, we should have been mated as well but we were not compatible.” He almost stumbled over his words. “It is the same with this human and Coal. They don’t belong together. You know I am right.”

Blaze nodded. “I must admit that I am concerned. You need to know that she”—the male stopped talking— “you might be right.” His whole demeanor changed. “Why the hell not? Do you agree to forfeit the next hunt if I give her to you?”

“Yes.” Torrent knew it was rash but he didn’t give a fuck. The dark haired one was just what he needed to forget Candy. All human females found him attractive. Candy was the first female to ever resist him. He felt his blood boil all over again just thinking about it. She would accept money from mere humans and wouldn’t let him near her. That wasn’t entirely true it…

Fuck!

Candy didn’t want him. She didn’t. The human had proven that time and time again.

“Are you sure?” The fire king asked.

He paused for a time. Why was he second guessing himself? Fuck that! “Yes.” His voice rang loud and true. Of course it did! The dark haired one would fall at his feet. She was the one for him. His throat constricted further and his chest felt all the tighter. He needed a female. He would feel better once he was inside of one. Anyone. He would.

Blaze nodded. “It is done.” They both touched their markings as a show of faith. Torrent pushed his hand deeper into his chest, trying to still the emotion swirling beneath the surface.

“Coal should be on his way now. I will inform him of my decision.”

“I will wait.”

“Come back in the morning.”

Torrent shook his head. “I will take the female today.”

“What is the rush? I will inform Coal and allow him to break the news to the female. You can come b—”

“I will wait.” The thought of leaving empty handed was appalling to him.

Blaze narrowed his eyes on Torrent for a long while. Torrent could feel his heart beating out of his chest. The male finally nodded.

Something inside of him released but the weight on his shoulders felt like it increased by ten fold. What was he doing?

Torrent breathed out. Things would be fine once the dark haired female was his.

“I will inform Coal and then you can take her soon after. Stay out of sight until she has been informed.” He paused. “She is a difficult female.” Blaze shook his head.

“They are all difficult.” Torrent forced a smile.

“Indeed they are. Please wait in the great hall until one of my males calls you.”

“I will do that.” Torrent gripped Blaze’s wrist. “Do not back out.”

Blaze frowned. “Go and wait in the hall.” His voice had a steely edge.

Torrent was going to stay close. He was going to do everything in his power to ensure that the fire king kept his word.

It wasn’t long before Coal arrived. The fire prince disappeared into Blaze’s work chamber.

Within ten minutes of the male’s arrival, the dark haired beauty appeared and rushed into the chamber as well. She looked upset. Good!

The female was just as he remembered. She was to his taste. Taller, more robust. There were more hips and thighs to her. At least as much breast. Her cheeks were flushed and her skin had more of a honey tinge as opposed to pure milky white. She was perfect!

He waited to become aroused by the sight of her. By her scent.

Nothing.

She lacked the exotic edge to her scent like Candy… stop! Perhaps she had arrived and disappeared into the chamber too quickly. He needed her up close and personal. Yes, that was it. She was exactly his type. To a fault. Blaze had given the female to him and he would make sure that the male made good on his promise.

This dark haired one would work for him. She would want him. He was sure of it. It wouldn’t be long before Candy was a distant memory.

Candy.

The pain that coursed through him as he pictured her sweet smile, her beautiful blue eyes, her… no! He needed to forget the human.

Shouting interrupted his chain of thought. It was coming from Blaze’s work chamber. The dark haired human was angry.

Good! It would make this easier. One night with this female and Candy would be a distant memory. He swallowed hard. Fuck!

“Save it!” she yelled. The dark haired one walked out the door. Her cheeks were flushed and her jaw was set. She looked pissed.

“Wait. Let me explain. We need to talk!” Coal followed the female. His voice was pleading. His whole demeanor was pitiful. The male looked like he was on the verge of groveling.

“Let her go,” Blaze said, as he followed behind his brother.

“No!” Coal shouted. “I’ve listened to you enough. I need to…” The male growled, he was just behind the female. Following in her footsteps like a puppy.

“Let her calm down first.” Blaze called after his brother. “Save it for behind closed doors.”

“Julie!” Coal shouted.

Torrent felt like laughing. This male was so far fucking gone that it was both amusing and nauseating to watch. “We belong together. Please let me explain.”

“There is no
we
!” The human shouted. Julie. Her name was Julie. A bit on the boring side. It wasn’t like she was named after sweet treats, named after anything for that matter. The female didn’t turn back, she kept on walking. The pitiful prince on her heels.

“Don’t say that,” Coal said. The male paused and looked around the room locking eyes with Torrent.

The male visibly blanched. He even stumbled over his own feet. Torrent could see that his mind was racing at a mile a minute. Coal roared and his hands fisted.

The female was still oblivious. She turned sharply, Coal almost walked into her. “Let me just tell you something.” She pointed a finger at the male.

This was going to be easier than he thought. Coal might be head over heels over her but she felt nothing for him. That stupid voice disagreed with him but he ignored it.

“Not now,” Coal ground out, his eyes darted to Torrent.

“Oh, I’m only permitted to talk when it suits you?” She stabbed the poor bastard with her finger. Torrent knew exactly how that felt “Well sorry for you. It doesn’t work like that.”

“Julie, listen to me—”

“No damned way am I listening to you. I’ve listened to you enough, don’t you think?” The human didn’t wait for a reply.

Coal glanced at him again. His eyes were wide and held fear the likes Torrent had never seen. What a complete pussy. For the first time since Candy had left he felt thankful that he was no longer with the female. Truly thankful.

The human, Julie, put her hands on her hips. “You are an asshole. A jerk of the highest order. I’m done listening to you. All you seem to be able to do is talk a bunch of bullshit.”

“There were a couple of things I kept from you, but they—”

“No!” The human yelled, cutting him off. Torrent felt bad for the fire prince He would be helping the male by taking this female. “There were more than just a couple of things.” The female continued. He didn’t know what they were on about and quite frankly, he didn’t give a shit.

“I have never lied to you about the things that truly mattered. I swear. Please.” He tried to touch her but she pulled away with a sharp jerk. “Let’s go back to my chamber, we can discuss it.” Once again, Coal’s eyes flashed to Torrent. He almost felt sorry for the bastard. Almost!

“There is nothing to discuss. I want to leave. I’ve already packed, although the stuff isn’t mine. Where is my backpack? I’m leaving.” Her eyes welled. For just a second he considered walking away. The female had feelings for the fire prince even if she wouldn’t admit it.

Fuck it!

He wanted the female. The water fucking king. Blaze had given her to him. Moreover, the human had just renounced her bond with Coal. She was free for another male to claim. The fire prince could step aside.

“No. Don’t say that. Please.” Coal visibly paled.

“No, Coal. There is no we or us. There never will be.” She snarled. “Do us both a favor and let me leave. We are done.”

Hallelujah! Any question as to the renouncing was washed away right then.

“I’m glad to hear it.” Torrent pushed off the wall. “I’m glad you’re packed. We are leaving right away.” He allowed his gaze to roam her abundant curves. He willed his body to react.

Nothing.

Damn.

Torrent needed to get her home.

“Who the hell are you?” The human looked Torrent up and down.

The female was about to get to know him in every way possible. He could scent that Coal had recently rutted her. He pushed that annoying voice from his head once again. “I’m the water king and you are quite lovely.”

Coal snarled. “Touch her and I’ll…”

The idiot had no dignity. None whatsoever. “You’ll what?” Torrent took a step towards them to show how serious he was. “You’ll do nothing. Your female has renounced you. Your king has already given permission for me to take her… not that I need it after that display, but…” he shrugged. “It’s good to have anyway.”

“What is he talking about?” The female moved in behind Coal. Like that would save her.

“You publicly announced that you no longer wish to be with the fire prince, that makes you available. Free for someone else to claim you.” His chest hurt. He felt more tired than he’d ever felt in his life.

“I’m not available.” The human tried to step from behind Coal but the fire prince gripped her waist and pushed her back. It was touching but useless.

“This female does not understand our ways. She does not wish to go with you.” Coal looked like he was about to burst into tears. It was hilarious how a female could bring a male to his knees. Thankfully he had managed to circumvent such a thing form happening to him and just in the nick of time.

“Her wishes are no concern to me.” Torrent spat, he shook his head. They needed to know that he meant it.

“Stop this, Torrent.” Blaze said as he entered the hallway. “Don’t do this.” He stepped in between the couple and Torrent. He tried to show how superior he was. He didn’t have even half a leg to stand on. “When I said that you could have the female, I didn’t realize what she meant to my brother. He just told me that he has feelings for her.”

Torrent laughed, there was no humor there. “Feelings. How unimportant. Their feelings do not concern me.” He said. “The female renounced Coal and I am stepping up. You”—he pointed at Julie— “are coming with me. Now.”

“No. I’m not. I want to go home.” There was a slight quiver to her voice but she also sounded angry. He ignored the emotion. It meant nothing to him. He would convince her by any means necessary.

Like you convinced Candy.
Fuck off!
He pushed down that irritating voice… yet again and pushed out another laugh. This one sounded real. Almost. “Not happening.” He ground out. “You’re coming with me and that is final.”

“Be reasonable,” Blaze implored him. He took a step towards Torrent. “There will be another hunt next month. Coal and the female are having an argument. They care for one another.” He grimaced as he said the word care. “Don’t do this.” His voice took on a harsh edge. Fuck him. No legs to stand on!

Torrent shook his head. “I tried to be reasonable but look where it got me. I don’t have a female to show for it. She left.” His heart felt like it was going to burst as he said the words. It hurt so fucking much…
no it did not
! “I will take this one in her place. This is the one I wanted from the start.” Torrent reached past Coal. Once he rutted this dark haired one… Julie… all would be well again. Equilibrium would be restored.

The idiot, Coal lunged at him but Blaze pulled him back, taking him in a headlock. “Don’t do this, Torrent!” The king shouted.