Abandon You Choose Dragon Chapter 03
I stayed out until late. No one came looking for me.
When I returned, they were all gathered in the yard around a bonfire, setting off fireworks. Beside them sat roses, wine, and grilled meat that Ash had prepared.
Chloe held a sparkler, her face lit by the glow. A few stray sparks clung to her rabbit ears.
“Ash, do you think Iris will be upset? Us having fun out here like this…”
James waved his sparkler dismissively. “Upset about what? Chloe, you’re too kind. The more you worry about her, the more entitled she gets. Just ignore her.”
Liam chimed in with a grin. “Exactly. Don’t waste your energy on her. Think about it—Ash caught your moonflower, of all people. If that’s not fate, what is? The Moon God himself is matchmaking for you two.”
Chloe’s blush deepened, her ear tips drooping shyly. “Stop saying things like that. Iris would be upset if she heard…”
Ash chuckled but didn’t deny it.
“The Elder says all three couples from the Festival will hold their ceremonies together.”
“One pair refused the contract, so it’s down to two.”
“I won’t let anyone outshine you. I’m going to make sure your ceremony is perfect.”
After all, this was the only thing he could give her.
A small compensation for her feelings—the ones he couldn’t accept.
Chloe lowered her head, her voice thin as thread. “But my gown won’t be ready in time. I’ll have to wear something plain.”
James laughed.
“Ash already thought of that. He had Iris’s dress altered to your measurements.”
Chloe looked up. “Really? But what about Iris?”
“She won’t need it.” Ash struck a match and lit Chloe’s sparkler.
Silver sparks showered down across his shoulder.
I couldn’t move.
That dress. I’d had it made by a friend in the tribe who specialized in traditional craft.
I’d used feathers from my own molting season, sewn on one by one. There was only one like it in the world.
Ash had volunteered to oversee the progress.
He’d taken my measurements himself. But when the dress arrived, it was too tight.
Now I understood why.
The March night wasn’t cold anymore, but a chill crept down my spine in waves.
“But getting your tribal mark erased—that hasn’t happened to anyone in thirty years. Iris must be devastated.”
Ash reached over and tapped Chloe’s nose with his finger.
“You almost ended up married off to a stranger, and you’re still worrying about someone else.”
His voice carried a smile—intimate, certain.
“Iris does what her father and brother tell her at home. Once she’s married, she’ll do what her husband says. Getting removed from the Clan Register isn’t a big deal.”
“Did you see her stand up to me today? She didn’t. She was calmer than I expected. She’s afraid I’ll actually leave her.”
Chloe’s voice went small and muffled. “I just think Iris is so pitiful…”
“Pitiful?” Ash looked down at her. “All she’s doing is giving up her spot in the tribe to you. Outside of here, nothing changes.”
The night breeze carried his cigarette smoke and his laughter straight to where I stood.
I gathered my emotions, packed them away neatly, and walked back in.