Chapter 18 18- Never Say ‘It’s Just a Rock‘ About His Gemstones
LEXI
I don’t know whether I should stare at Blake or at the glittering bracelet in my hand.
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“Blake… I can’t take this!” I blurt out. He looks genuinely offended. Not confused, offended.
“Why not? Don’t you like it? They’re rose–cut pink diamonds and the chain is solid gold. It’s a proper treasure.” He insists with a frown. My jaw drops. Diamonds? Real ones?! I was already flustered about accepting it BEFORE I learned it was probably worth more than my entire existence. Now I’m pretty sure I’m holding something that requires its own bank security detail. I’m still making goldfish faces at him when Blake mutters under his breath.
“I knew I should have chosen something different. I just thought you might not like something too flashy. I’m an idiot.” He grumbles.
“You’re not an idiot.” I cut in immediately. And he isn’t. He is many things, intense, blunt, a little terrifying, weirdly charming, but he’s not stupid. I force myself to breathe, eyes still glued to the bracelet. The stones catch the light and scatter it across my palm in little pink sparks. This thing probably costs more than my parents‘ actual house. Nope. Can’t do it. Blake, however, seems to think this is the simplest transaction in the world.
“Then why don’t you want it?” He presses.
“Is it the colour? I can pick out something else.” He suggests. I choke on air.
“That is not what I meant. I didn’t say I don’t WANT it, I said I can’t TAKE it. Blake, this is WAY too valuable for you to just give to me!”
I argue. He shrugs like I just told him the weather was mildly inconvenient.
“I have others. The price doesn’t matter to me. I want you to take it.” He says it with such calm certainty, as if that should solve
everything. As if the issue is purely financial, not… Whatever this means to him.
“But I can’t!” I protest.
“It’s too much for you to just give away. It’s your treasure. I’ve only known you for a day. You might regret it.” I point out. Blake tilts his head, studying me like I’ve started speaking upside–down.
“So you don’t want to take it because it’s mine?” He frowns, again looking hurt.
“What? No!” I rub my forehead. Why is this conversation exhausting?
“I can’t take it because I don’t deserve a gift like this.” I try to argue. Blake rolls his eyes dramatically.
“I think you do. And it’s mine. So I can do what I want with it. And I want to give it to you.” He says it stubbornly, like he’s digging in his heels. I meet his gaze, equally stubborn.
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Chapter 18 18- Never Say ‘It’s Just a Rock‘ About His Gemstones
🙂))
“Fine. If it’s mine, then I can do what I want with it. And I’m giving it back to you.” I answer as I shove the bracelet toward him. He
pointedly does not lift his hand. Blake glares, not angry, exactly. More… Irritated amusement, like he can’t decide whether to argue or
laugh at me.
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“But I want you to wear it.” He insists. There’s something in his tone, something quiet and fierce and oddly gentle, that makes my
stomach flip. He’s not saying it to pressure me. He’s saying it like it’s important. Like the idea of me rejecting the gift genuinely bothers
him. I don’t understand why. I REALLY don’t understand why. The why is probably something I SHOULD understand before accepting it.
I’m not stupid. This means more than a bracelet to him. But those gold eyes are fixed on mine, open and earnest in a way I didn’t expect
from someone who casually threatened arson last night. And I can feel my will starting to melt. I sigh, defeated.
“Fine. I’ll wear it. But I’m not keeping it. It’s YOU bracelet. I’ll just wear it for now, but it still belongs to you. If you want it back, you
just ask, okay? I’m only borrowing it.” I say firmly. Blake’s answering grin is smug. He knows that he won this argument. But I’m the one
with the diamond bracelet, so did he really?
“Alright. You can borrow it. Keep it until I ask for it back.” He answers smugly. Yeah… He has absolutely zero intention of asking for it back. But maybe he’ll change his mind someday. I slide the bracelet onto my right wrist. The gold settles against my skin like it was made to fit me. The tiny pink diamonds shimmer with every movement. Blake watches me admire it with the self–satisfaction of a predator who just successfully tricked prey into taking a seat in its lair. And yet… There’s softness there too. Pride. Something deeper I don’t have an
explanation for.
2
“Ready for breakfast?” He asks, still sounding far too pleased with himself. I nod, still slightly dazed. We step out of my room, and I lock the door behind us. As we walk, I notice more people staring than usual. Maybe it’s Blake. Maybe it’s us together. Maybe it’s the pink diamond bracelet glinting on my wrist like a neon sign saying ‘Look, a dragon gave her treasure.‘ Okay, I doubt anyone else notices that. I am just overly aware of it. The point is, people are staring. Oh well. Let them stare. Maybe it will take a few days for people to stop being
interested?
Breakfast is peaceful enough, all things considered. The cafeteria is buzzing with voices and clinking cutlery, but at our little corner table it feels almost… Quiet. Blake has a mountain of bacon and eggs in front of him, which he demolishes with impressive efficiency. I stick to buttered toast and juice. My stomach is still getting used to the idea that we do feelings and school and mysterious dragon gifts before nine a.m. As we eat, Blake keeps going with his ongoing favourite game. What in the world is Lexi?
“How do you feel about enclosed spaces?” He asks suddenly, like this is the most normal breakfast question in the world. I pause mid-
bite.
“Uh… Normal, I guess? Not scared of them, not obsessed.” I answer. He nods, filing that away, and immediately follows up with another
question.
“Okay. And do you like the dark?” He prompts.
“It’s fine. Again, pretty normal.” I decide. I squint at him.
“Are these questions even helpful? My answers all seem to be that I just don’t care. Also I feel like all our conversation is about me.” 1 point out. Blake grins around a mouthful of bacon.
“Yes, it’s helping.” He says once he swallows.
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Chapter 18 18- Never Say ‘It’s Just a Rock‘ About His Gemstones
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“A rabbit shifter or any other kind of rodent would likely enjoy enclosed spaces, where other types would hate them. Not caring means I can rule out several types. Same thing with the dark.” He explains as he takes another bite.
“As for the conversation, I don’t mind it.” He adds. I huff, but it’s not really a complaint.
“It still feels weird…” I complain. An idea strikes me.
“Oh! How about we BOTH answer the questions? Then I can learn more about you while you learn about me.” I suggest cheerfully. Blake shrugs, like it makes no difference to him.
“I mean, I can. But why?” He questions.
“Why not?” I counter.
“It’s fun to learn about someone new. Go on, answer the questions.” I poke his arm and smile at him over my toast. If he wants to treat me like a puzzle, then I get to poke at the dragon too.
“Alright…” He says slowly.
“I don’t like to be trapped, but I am fond of defendable enclosed areas such as caves.” He starts. Of course he is.
“I don’t mind the dark, it’s good to hunt in, but I prefer the heat of the sun whenever possible.” He finishes, then glances at me.
“What do you like?” He asks.
“That’s a bit vague…” I point out.
“Do you mean food, fun, people, music, what kinds of things?” I ask. Blake shrugs again, more relaxed now.
“Everything. Anything. Basically whatever stands out.” He decides. That’s… Harder to answer than it should be.
“Well…” I lean back in my chair, thinking.
I like my family. I like to be comfortable. I like to read and study. I like to take care of people. I like children.” A grin tugs at my lips.
“Oh! And I like to hang out with you apparently.” I add cheerfully. His face brightens at that, he actually beams, and my heart does a weird, traitorous little flip.
“Your turn.” I prompt, pointing my fork at him.
“Flying.” He answers immediately, without even needing to think.
“Finding new treasures. Being warm. Fire. Riddles. Winning. And having a friend who wants to spend time with me.” He answers as he winks at me, casual but undeniably pleased. He’s noticeably less reserved than he was yesterday It’s… Nice. Also slightly confusing. He
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Chapter 18 18- Never Say ‘It’s Just a Rock‘ About His Gemstones
was all dark and brooding yesterday. It was such a sudden switch.
“What do you hate? Any pet peeves?” He asks next. This time I’M the one who doesn’t need to think.
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“Liars. Cheats. People getting hurt who don’t deserve it. People who tell me what to do all the time.” I answer. It comes out sharper than I intended, but Blake just nods thoughtfully, like I’ve given him good data.
“Your turn.” I say. He goes quiet. For long enough that I have to nudge him.
“Blake?” I prompt. He blinks, like he’s been staring through me for the last thirty seconds.
“Sorry, I was thinking about your list.” He says apologetically. Of course he was.
“Uh… I hate thieves and trespassers.” He says finally.
“Also, feeling trapped. Feeling powerless. Really wet weather. I don’t like swimming much. And I hate people who think they know
everything about me.” He says with a slight growl to his voice. I nod slowly.
“That list just screams dragon, doesn’t it?” I say, laughing.
“I’m kind of seeing how this works. But what does my list say about me? I don’t really see any pattern.” I sigh dramatically and slump a
little in my chair. Blake just shrugs.
“It says something. We just don’t know what that something is yet.” He answers confidently. He studies me with that intense, assessing
gaze of his.
“Your list, combined with the fact that you let me in your room last night, tells me you probably aren’t one of the more territorial or
aggressive types like I am.” He says it so casually, as if ‘territorial and dangerous‘ is just a personality quirk.
“Also, as nice as you are, I don’t think you’re completely passive.” He adds. I blink.
“What?” I say dumbly.
“You clarified you don’t like people getting hurt If they don’t deserve it.” He repeats with a raised brow.
“Which implies there are people you think DO deserve it.” He finishes with a small, satisfied nod.
“See? Plenty of clues.” He says smugly. I stare at him, toast forgotten. I didn’t even realise that about myself. But he’s right. When Jared was being an ass, I didn’t just run away or cry. I fought back, and I don’t regret that at all. And somehow, the fact that he sees that in
me… Doesn’t feel exposing. It feels like he’s putting another piece of the puzzle down between us, carefully, like he’s determined to solve
- me.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
