"Leave, Jasper. Now."
The words slipped from my lips so suddenly that even I startled myself.
Jasper frowned, his eyes narrowing on me. To be cast away in such a moment of burning tension—of course he would not take it kindly. His arms only tightened, dragging me deeper into the prison of his embrace.
"No," he growled with discontent. "Do you know how long it has been since I could hold you like this? And now you would cast me aside?"
At that defiance, Xander roared, the sound tearing through the night sky, while Xavier's talons dug deep into the balcony, testing for a place to land.
I pressed against Jasper's chest, desperate to break free and soothe the fury of the two dragons outside.
"I will make it up to you another time, I swear it."
Yet even as I promised, I knew the truth. Not until winter had passed—until Xavier and Xander's mating season ended—could I draw close to anyone else.
