A low growl escaped from Sorin's throat as he saw his forced fiancé. "What are you doing here Jora?"
The tall elegant woman shrugged her slender shoulders. "Am I not allowed to look for the person I am going to marry?" She pouted her full ruby lips in an attempt to flirt with Sorin. He however was not fooled and let his contempt show on his face.
Evelyn felt her heart splinter into a thousand pieces when she heard those words leave Jora's lips. 'This is who Sorin is going to marry?' She thought as she gripped her chest.
A small laugh escaped her mouth as she looked up at this gorgeous, confident woman. "How could someone like me even compete with her?" She whispered.
Sorin glanced over at Evelyn and saw the pained expression on her face.
He snaked his arm around Evelyn's waist and pulled her close protectively.
"You seem to have the wrong idea Jora. I never had any intention of marrying you, and you will never wear my mark." Sorin spat.
Rage painted Jora's face as she took a step towards Evelyn. "You would choose this, this, human trash over me?!"
Jora raised her perfectly manicured nails and attempted to rake them down Evelyn's face but was not fast enough. Sorin turned his body to protect Evelyn and felt as Jora's razor sharp nails shredded through his shirt and skin.
"You have just crossed a very dangerous line."
Evelyn felt the low rumble of Sorin's beast as it rose to the surface.
"Stay behind me." He whispered in Evelyn's ear, his hot breath caressing her cheek as he turned to face Jora.
His once warm molten gold eyes had turned cold and yellow as he faced the woman who thought she would have him and his power. His human ears now had delicate points to them as he struggled to keep his beast leashed. 'She attacked our mate!' It roared in protest.
Jora stood frozen in fear as she felt the power and rage behind Sorin's hard gaze. She had never felt his dragon's power so close to the surface before. It was so heavy that it took all of her strength just to remain standing.
"If you value your life Jora then leave this place and do not return, because I will not be so forgiving next time."
The low rumble of his dragon shook the very mountains as Jora bowed and quickly ran from the library.
"You're hurt." Evelyn gasped as she saw blood seeping into Sorin's now shredded shirt.
"Don't worry about me." Sorin turned to face her, his eyes back to the warm molten gold that made her heart flutter. "I heal quickly."
"That wound still needs to be tended." Evelyn argued. "Is there a place that is nearby we can go to clean those cuts?"
Sorin smiled. This human girl is the only person who would ever feel the need to care for him over such a small wound.
He held out his hand and Evelyn accepted. "There is a washroom attached to the library we can use." Sorin lead Evelyn through the massive library to a small door on one of the walls. As the door opened Evelyn saw that indeed there was a washing up room complete with a lavatory and indoor plumbing.
"How is this even possible?" Evelyn breathed. "Even human nobles don't have the ability to run water indoors."
She heard Sorin chuckled behind her as he pulled out some cloth and towels.
"My kind has been around for a very long time, and we have learned to harness the water pressure from the underground hot springs." He explained as he gingerly pulled his shirt off.
Jora's attack was stronger than Sorin wanted to admit, which meant a blow like that could have killed Evelyn. He balled his hands into fists as tension radiated his being at the very thought of someone taking her life.
Evelyn looked at the angry cuts that slashed down Sorin's back. Tears pricked her eyes as she knew he was hurt because of her.
"Is there any healing salve and soap in here?" Evelyn inquired after she got her emotions under control.
Sorin gestured to the counter where he placed everything she might need.
"I need you to sit so I can properly clean the wounds."
Sorin complied with a grin. "Perhapse I should get the servants to place step stools in all the rooms for you?" He laughed, then winced as Evelyn started to clean him up.
"I'm sure Jora would have no problem tending to your wounds." Evelyn replied as she put a little extra pressure on the cloth she was using to clean the blood from his back. She knew she was short by beastmen standards, but by human standards her height was perfectly average.
"So my soft little human does have claws."
Evelyn blushed at the comment as continued to clean and dress the wound.
It was then that she noticed the pointed tips of Sorin's ears. She brushed his thick raven hair aside to get a better look.
"Did your ears always look like this? I could have sworn they looked more human on the trip here." Evelyn traced the outside of his ear to rest at the pointed tip.
Sorin's hand reached up to meet hers.
"It happens when my beast hovers close to the surface. I try to keep a more human appearance when I can."
Evelyn was puzzled by the statement. This was his home. Why would he feel the need to hide who he truly is?
Sorin stood and turned to Evelyn. "It is to help the human staff feel more at ease, and to blend in better in the city streets." Sorin explained.
Evelyn felt there was more he was hiding but decided not to pry.
"Shall we go pick out some books?" She smiled as she pulled Sorin back into the library.
Evelyn had never seen so many books in one place before. She walked over to shelves and skimmed through titles. Some of the books were in languages Evelyn had never seen before, others had covers so worn that the lettering was hard to make out.
Sorin smiled as he watched Evelyn wander through the rows of books. "Take as many as you like."
"Are you sure?" Evelyn's eyes sparkled with joy. When he gave a nod, she clapped her hands together and started pulling a few titles from shelves to leaf through.
While Evelyn was busy choosing her books Sorin went over to a shelf that held stacks of old journals and records of his family history.
If there was any information about dragon mate bonds than this was the best place to start.