Tilly Ann (Refined)
I spent two days trying to get Chase Dubois out of my head.
Two days trying to forget the way he'd looked at me.
Two days telling myself I didn't care which version of him showed up, as long as he stayed away.
Two days finding more reasons to loathe him. More reasons to make sure that the next time I saw him, all he would see in me was hate. Just that. No in-between. Just pure hate.
The annual Dragon Riders' Tournament was the highlight of the season. Exactly the distraction I needed.
Every noble house within five kingdoms sent their best, and Castle Winchester's training grounds had been transformed into a spectacle of banners, betting booths, and roasted meats that made my stomach growl despite my mood.
And my mood was foul.
I knew this because Electra had told me so approximately six times since breakfast.
"You're snapping at everyone, Tilly. Even the stable boys. Even Kessington."
"Kessington deserves snapping."
"Kessington simply asked if you wanted breakfast."
I didn't answer that, just focused on braiding Thunder's mane instead. The old dragon rumbled beneath my hands, his scales warm from the morning sun, his breath smelling of smoke. The perfect dragon for riders who hadn't awakened their own yet.
"Does your foul mood perhaps..." Electra moved closer to me, lowering her voice conspiratorially. "...have anything to do with Chase?"
Something went off in my head. I focused all my attention on saddling Thunder. "Chase who? I don't know anyone by that name."
Electra's face said it all. "Okay. But easy on the dragon. She's old, and she's not he who shall not be named."
---
The tournament grounds buzzed with activity. Riders in gleaming leathers walked their dragons through warm-up circles. Merchants hawked flags bearing the colors of competing houses. Children darted between legs, shrieking with delight. And everywhere—everywhere—there were girls.
Girls with their hair loose and their bodices cut low. Girls giggling behind their hands. Girls pretending to adjust their saddles while sneaking glances toward the Lycan family—special guests of honor at Castle Winchester—who were taking their seats.
Toward him.
Chase Dubois stood at the center of it all like he'd been born there. His jacket was discarded somewhere, his shirtsleeves rolled to the elbow, his dark hair wind-tangled in a way that looked deliberate. He was leaning against the fence of the main arena, laughing at something a blonde girl was saying, her hand on his arm like she'd forgotten it was there.
I didn't recognize her. Some minor noble's daughter, probably, who'd spent all morning perfecting her laugh.
I blinked and went back to saddling Thunder.
"Seriously, Princess, you are hurting the dragon! That saddle is near her pinion—it's sensitive!"
I turned Electra's voice out and focused on Chase Dubois. Stupid, flirting-with-the-blonde Chase Dubois.
I watched her fingers curl into the fabric of his sleeve. Watched him lean closer, his mouth near her ear, his smile easy and warm. Watched her blush and laugh and touch him again.
My grip on Thunder's mane tightened.
"You're going to pull her hair out." It was Kessington this time, appearing at my elbow with a tankard of ale and a smirk that made me want to hit him. "Easy, girl. I got you." He took the saddle from me.
"I was grooming her," I complained.
"Were you? I thought you were committing murder. Poor dragon." Kessington patted the beast, whispering something to soothe her. "Why are you glaring at the Lycan prince like you want to set him on fire?"
"I don't think about him at all."
Kessington snorted. "Right. That's why you've braided the same section of Thunder's mane four times and attempted her murder."
I looked down. He was right. My face went hot.
"I'm not—I don't—he's not worth—"
"You're jealous."
"I'm not."
"You're jealous," Kessington repeated, savoring the word like a fine wine. "My little sister. Jealous of a rake. I never thought I'd see the day."
"I am not jealous of Chase Dubois. I hate Chase Dubois. I want him to fall into a pit of—"
"Then why are you still watching him?"
I snapped my head around. Kessington was grinning, that insufferable brother-grin that meant he'd won and we both knew it.
"I'm watching the tournament."
"Mm-hm. And does the tournament require you to know exactly how many girls have touched his arm since breakfast?"
"I don't—"
"Seven. I counted."
I picked up a handful of grooming dust and threw it at him. He dodged, laughing, and jogged backward toward the betting booths with his hands raised in surrender.
"Don't kill him, Tilly! I've got coin on you breaking his nose again before the tournament ends!"
---
I was still fuming when the opening ceremonies began. The competitors lined up at the edge of the arena. I stood with the Winchester delegation, my gown swapped for riding leathers, my hair braided tight against my scalp. I wasn't competing—royals didn't compete against their own guests—but I could have. Should have. Anything would be better than standing here, watching him ignore me.
Then Chase demanded to ride a dragon.
It was ridiculous, really. A wolf trying to ride a fire-breathing beast. I thought Father would decline. He would surely decline. A wolf couldn't possibly ride a dragon. The end result would be dead. Stone cold dead.
To my surprise, Alpha Kale didn't object, and my father was happy to oblige. Father saw it as a gesture of goodwill—proof that the Winchesters feared nothing. Alpha Kale saw it as a chance to prove his son was more than a wheelchair. No one asked me what I thought. No one ever did.
And just like that, I found myself holding my breath as he was led to a beast called Emperor. A copper-scaled thing with a vicious temper and the wingspan of a small village.
"Are you going to stop him?" Electra said, fear in her voice.
"No," I stated as a matter of fact.
"Then I guess you are about to get your wish, Tilly Ann. Poor handsome Chase Dubois is about to be dragon food."
I felt my heart squeeze. "I'm not his father. Let his father stop him. I'm not responsible for whatever happens to Chase Dubois."
"Tilly!" Electra chastised.
"I'm serious." I held her gaze. "I'm done with Chase Dubois."