BlackRiver BrandtHomestead
MarliFleetwingstifledayawn,rubbedherhandsoverherface,thenthroughhertangledhair. Defeated,sunup,sheandOdsonhadreturnedtotheBrandthomesteadtoexchangeupdates.
Sheslouched,forcingasmileasHeidiBrandtsetasteamingcupofcoffeeonthetablebeforeher “Youaremynewfavorite hero,Heidi”Shereachedforthecup,wrappingherfingers,withtheirmetallicpurplenails,aroundthecup “Coffee.Domesticheroismatitsbest.”Heidilaughed.
“Don’tknockit.It’smorepowerfulthanyoumayrealize,”OdsonBlackridgegruntedwithanodasHeidihandedhimacup beforetakingherseatatthesolidharvesttablethatfilledthediningroom Heidi’shousewasquietnowafterthechaosofthelastfewdays,inthesearchforKymriandJori
“I’mgoingtohavetoreportwhat’shappenedsoon.Ican’tholdoffmuchlonger.”Marli’seyelidsthreatenedtoslamshut.She staredatthesteamrisingfromher cupasher thoughtsturnedtoher islandhome.“AssoonaswefindKymri,I’mtakingher backtoAeleftheria,thenI’mgoinghometomycozybed.Forasolidweek.”
“I still can’t believe Clive and Merwin abducted them with no hint or trail There’s no way Stenlen didn’t organize everythingfor thembefore our little rendezvous inthe street;Iseriouslydoubtthose knuckleheads are capable ofitontheir own.”
Marli snorted. She stared at her waveringreflectioninher cup as she considered the three male dragonshifters that had attackedherislandhome,thenabductedKymriandJori “Anywordfromyouragencyfriend?”SheaskedOdson “Carson?He’sworkingonacoupleofcasesrightnow,buthispeoplearestillscouringthesatellitedataforthisarea well, asmuchaspossibleanyway.BlackRiver’smagicalatmosphereisn’taspowerfulasAeleftheria’s,butit’sstrongenoughtobe aproblemforthesatellites.”
“Blaineissureavehiclewasusedtodisruptthescenttrail Neitherhe,noranyofmyotherboys,pickedupthedragonscents beyondthealleybehindtheclubwheretheywerelastseen.”Heidisippedhercoffee.Hergrownsonswerebearshiftersand dedicated BlackRiver guardians, like she and her husband were. “Youshould stop bythe refugee camp. Maybe theyknow something. Withthe camp so close, all kinds of shifters pass throughthere all the time. I’mwillingto bet that those males stoppedthereontheirwaytoBlackRiver”
“Nah,Idon’twanttodragthecampintothis.Theyhavetheirownproblems.Besides,thewholepointofitsexistenceisto avoidtribalpolitics.”
Heidiliftedabrow,staringbackattheolddragonshifter.“Nooneisavoidingdragonpoliticsrightnow,Odson.It’sspilled intoBlackRiver”
“IshouldhavetakenStenlenoutwhenIhadthechance”
“I’mgladMarlistoppedyoubeforeyoucould.You’dhavedestroyedthetown.”
“We couldn’t have known they were going to abduct Jori and Kymri. We believed their focus was on taking control of Aeleftheria”Marlirubbedherhandsoverherfaceagain “Ican’tbelieveJoriistheirking’sheir Whatafreakingmess”
“Heir?”Heidi’sotherbrowraisedashergazeshotbacktoOdson “Youdidn’tmentionthatimportantbitofinformation” Hisexpressionturnedhaunted.
“That’s what Stenlensaid whenhe delayed us outside ofBlaine’s club. As soonas Ifind their lair, I’mgoingto rip that bastardapart.”
“NotifIgettohimfirst”Marli’shandstightenedonhermug
“Youknowwe’llhelpwithanythingyouneed,solongastherippinghappensoutsideofBlackRiver,”Heidisaid.“Justcall us.”
Odsonnodded. “Thankyou, Heidi. Youand your familyhave alreadydone enoughfor us for everyone, really. I’mgoing hometoshowerandmakeafewmorecalls”
“I’llgowithyou,thenheadoutonanothersearchaftersunset.”Marligulpeddowntherestofhercoffee.
Astheyrosefromtheirseats,theirphonesbuzzed.
Marlipulledhercellfromherpocket.
Odsonsnatchedhisphonefromthetable,breathhissingthroughhisteethashereadthescreen Marli’s heart tripped as she read the message fromJori aloud. “The king is dead. Elora is alive. Bring Jonathan to the mountain.”Thecoordinatesfollowedinthenextmessage.
“Whatthehellhappened?”Heidishottoherfeet,lookingfromOdsontoMarli.“Elora’salive?Afterallthistime?That’s that’sgood I’msogladshe’sreunitedwithherson,”shebreathed,blinkingawaythetearsthatsuddenlywelledinhereyes “That’sallitsays,butI’mgoingtofindoutwhat’sgoingon.”Marlishovedherphoneintoherpocket. Odsongrowled,pullingthekeystohisMustangShelbyfromhisjeans.“We.Mysisterisalive. We’re goingtofindout.Let’s go.”
Reliefthattheywereallalivewarredwiththegutchurningknowledgethatshewasabouttogointoherenemy’sdomainwith littlemoreinformationthanthat.
Every Aeleftherian’s worst nightmare.
Heartpounding,Marlileanedasthesmallplaneeasedaroundthemountainpeak.
Throughthe windshield,the mountainpeaks were phantoms inthe mist,andthe forestbelow was a thickcarpetinvarious huesofgreenshotwithsilveredrivers,creeksandwaterfalls
Shewasn’tanxious becauseshewas adragonforcedintoaCessna she’dbecomeacclimatedtohumanair transportation overtheyears.AsanAeleftherianguardianheadingforthemawofherlong-timeenemy’slair,shewasanxioustounleashher clawsandgetscaly.
Theonethingthathercolonyhadfoughttoothandclawtoavoidwasbeingdraggedbackintothismale-controlledmountain Andshewasgoingwillingly.Mostly.
JonathanMountainside,thehumanmalethatJori hadknownas his father,pilotedthesmall plane,aligningitwiththeopen caverncontainingtherunway,embeddedinthemountain’sside.
Returninghergazetotheopenflightstrip,herpulsecalmedseeingthatKymriwaitedforthem Thebunchedmusclesinher shoulders relaxed and she drew a deep breath, easingit out throughher nose. It had occurred to her since they’d read the messagefromJorithattheycouldbeflyingstraightintoatrap.DespiteOdson’sagreement,neitherofthemweredeterred.
Jonathangaspedasthefigureswaitingforthemcameintofocusforhishumaneyesamomentlater.
HiswifestoodnexttoKymri
Heblinkedawaygatheringtearsashebroughttheplaneintothecavern.Elorahadbeenmissingfortwodecades.
Assoonastheplanestopped,hecuttheengine,shuteverythingdown,andwasshovingthedooropenbeforeeitherMarlior Odsoncouldrisefromtheirseats.
Exchangingglances,theyfollowedhimout
Marli’s gaze sweptthe massive cavernthatserved as anairstrip, large enoughto accommodate a cargo plane Or dragons preparingtolaunchanattack.Sheshivered,settingasidethatthoughtassheturnedherattentiontotheindividualsgatheredto meetthem.
Shesmiled
KymriSteelscalesmiledback
JoriMountainsidestoodbehindher,expressiongrimashewatchedhisparents’reunion.
“Thankthedragongoddess,youareunharmed.”Marligrippedherclosestfriendinafiercehug.“Jorilookslikeshit.”
“It’sbeenareallyroughfewdays,Mar”Kymrisqueezedherback
Besideher,Jonathanheldhiswife,Elora,inasimilarembrace Theywouldhavemuchtocatchupon,aftertwodecadesof forcedseparation.
“Whatthefuckhappened,Jori?”Odsongrowled. Chapter3
ElorareleasedherhusbandandapproachedOdson “It’sgoodtoseeyou,brother” Odsongrabbedherinabone-crunchinghug.“IfI’dknown…” “Iknow.”Shesmiledupathimandpattedhischeek.
“Ifyou’llallfollowme,therearerefreshmentsinthenewcouncilroom.”Astiffdragonmalesaid.
“Thankyou,Eamerson,”JoritookKymri’shand,followingthemaleawayfromtheplanetowardtheinteriorofthemountain MarlihesitatedassheobservedKymri’ssurestridesandElora’sgrasponJonathan’shand,leadinghiminside.Shewouldn’t leave the only two other Aeleftherians alone in this mountain. Not her best friend, and certainly not the queen’s long-lost ambassador.Shesparedthesmallplanealastglanceasshetrailedafterthem.
Themale,Eamerson,ledthemtoanelevatorattherearofthecavern Theyrodeitup,thenfollowedhimalongseveralstark marblecorridorstoasetofblackdoubledoors.
Cold.Austere.Rigid.
Marli’snosetwitchedatthemuskyatmosphereinsidethemountain.
Sheglancedaroundtheexpansiveroomthatopenedtoaglassed-invistaofthemistymountainsbeyondit
Eamersongesturedtowardatablesetwithseveraltraysoffoodanddrink.
“Newcouncilroom,huh?”Odsonasked,saunteringtowardthewindows. Marli’sfingertipsdriftedalongaseamintheglass,wonderingiftheyopened.
The place could use a little fresh air And a way to escape
Marli moved to the table, reachingfor the platter ofcookies, gaze roamingthe roomand the faces withinit. She ignored Eamerson,thoughshewasmindfulofhismovements.
“Yessir,”EamersonsaidtoOdson’squestion.“IunderstandyouareKingMountainside’suncle?” King?
CookiecrumbscaughtinMarli’sthroat,makinghercough.Kymrihandedheraglassofwater.
Odson glanced back at her. “I am.” He ran a hand through his hair and blew out his breath, turning toward Jori. “King Mountainside?”
BesideMarli,JonathanandEloraappeared,handslinkedandred-eyed ShestudiedthedrawnfeaturesofAeleftheria’sambassador “Thequeenwillbeverycrosswithyou,forstayingawayafter Jori’s birth.” Marli drew a breath. “But I know she’ll be overjoyed to learn you’re alive and have been rescued from Kargassa’simprisonmentalltheseyears.”
Eloranodded,thenshruggedashergazesweptoverherhusband’sface Herthroatworkedassheswallowed It’s worth it to her And to him After all this time InMarli’sexperience,lovewasfleeting,andthatkindofdedicationwasrare. MarlilookedatKymri.“So,whatOdsonsaid?Whatthefuckhappened?”
Kymribrieflyrecountedtheabduction,meetingthemountainkingandtheeventsthatledtohisdeath “Andjustlikethat,Joriisthenewking Sowhat’snext?”
Elora waved a hand toward the roomat large. “This was Kargassa’s personal space. Jori decided that turning it into a councilroom likewehaveinAeleftheria wouldbethebestuseforit. “We’veaskedoneoftheresidentcarpenterstomakeanewroundtableforthisroom” Jonathansmiled “YoualwayswereobsessedwithCamelot,Jori” “Kargassawasn’tthe‘council’type?”Odsonturnedawayfromthewindows. “Nosir.Mr.StenlenFlintailandIactedasadvisorswhenthepreviouskingsoughtanopinion.”Eamersonresponded.
“Whichwasn’toften,”Elorasaid “AndthereasonIaskedyoutocomehere.”Jori heldOdson’sgaze.“I’vedecidedtostayandtrytoleadthislairinanew direction,butI’mgoingtoneedhelp.”Heglancedathiswatch. Marli’sgazeshottoKymri’sfingersstilllinkedwithJori’s.Sheswallowed.“You’renotcominghome,areyou?”
“ThisisthebestwaytoensureAeleftheria’ssafety”Kymri’sfreehandmovedoverherlowerbelly “Andourbaby’s” Odsonsaid,“Itwon’tbeeasyturningalair ofmaledragons,intentonseekingandsubduingacolonyoffemales,inanew direction.”
“Iagree,buthewon’tbealone.Iamsteadfastinmydutytotherightfulkingofthistribe.AsisMr.Flintail,”Eamersonsaid. Marlijerked,gapingatthemale “Flintail StenlenFlintail?Thesamemaledragonthat,despitemygreatefforttoleadaway fromourhome,stillmanagedtofindandattackit?Thesamemalethatisresponsibleforthetwoofyoubeingdraggedhere,is supportingyou?Seriously?”SheturnedonJoriandKymri.
Joriranahandoverthebackofhisneck.“Yep.”
“Youcan’ttrustaroguelikethat You’reinsanetotrustanyofthesemales,”Marliexploded Onseeingthedeterminationin theirfaces,sheeasedbackandreleasedabreath.“Yeah,I’dsayyou’regoingtoneedhelp.Thequeenandhercouncilwon’t likeanyofthis.ToomanyofthesemalesalreadyknowwhereAeleftheriais.”
Joriglancedathiswatchagain,thenleanedclosetoKymri,kissinghercheek.“I’llberightback.”
Kymrisaid,“Thequeendoesn’tneedtoknowanythingjustyet Besides,it’sthankstoStenlenthatEloraandIarealive”
“Nottell themanything? Youknow Ihave to reportback. As youshould have.” Marli said to Kymri, thenturned to Elora again.“Andyou.Yourdisappearancebrokethequeen’sheart.YoushouldhaveseenherfacewhensherealizedJoriwasyour son.Thecouncilalmosthadhimdestroyed.”
“Kymri toldme whathappened,” Elora said,voice quiet “We’re still tryingtogetour bearings here Whenyousendyour report,please,justdon’ttellthemwhereweare.Not yet.Havingthreeofushereisalreadygoingtobeachallenge.Wedon’t needthecouncilinterfering.”
“You’restaying,too.”Marlirubbedherhandsoverherfaceandthroughherhair. Eloranodded
I’m so fucked
“Dragonsdammit.WhenweleftAeleftheria,myordersweretoensurethesafetyofour people,findthelocationofthelair andtobringyoubothbacksafely.ThequeenorderedKymritoeliminateJoriifheprovedtobeathreattoAeleftheria.Andas thekingofamountainlairfullofmaledragons,they’regoingtoseehimasthe biggest threat”Marlicrossedherarmsoverher chest,drummingherpurplenailsonherbiceps “They’regoingtobefrothingatthemouth” “Well,nooneiseliminatinganyoneelse,”Odsongrowled,glaringatMarli.
So. Fucked.
StenlenFlintailclenchedhisjaw,staringthedissenterintheeyes.
He was onhis waythroughthe dininghall after lunchto meetwiththe new kingwhensomeone shoved himfrombehind. Spinningaround,hegrowled,“Goon Trythatagain”Hesteppedcloser,despitetheothermale’slargerframe Stenwastall, butFrederickhadthenickname‘Goliath’forareason.
“Fuckingtraitor.” Goliath’s low voice rumbled throughSten’s chest, like boulders grindingstrips offofhis deep sense of loyalty.
Thesametwowordshe’dheardtimeandagain Stenstraightenedhisspine.“Kargassacrossedtheline.”
“Hewasour King. ”
Stendidn’tglanceattheothers,gatheringbehindGoliath. Stenlenwasn’taloneinhisviews Therewerejustasmanyothermalesthatfeltthesame Asmuchasthey’dwantedtotake controloftheAeleftheriancolony,noneofthemhadintentionsofinflictingharmjustforthesakeofit.Therewerealwaysother ways betterways todominateafemale,thatdidn’tinvolvemaimingordeath. Whichisexactlywhathadbeenatstake,andhadresultedintheking’sdownfall.
OnKargassa’sorders,Stenandhiswingmenhadtrackedanddeliveredtheking’sheir,Jori
The ceremony to ensure the heir’s fealty and allegiance had gone terribly wrong. Kargassa had lost his patience and threatenedtokillbothfemalespresent Jori’spregnantmateandhismother. Then,themountainlairsuddenlyhadanewking,albeitareluctantone.
Theirhomewasinchaos,fracturing,exposingraw,age-oldlavalinesthreateningtospew Thedragonswereindisagreement overwhoshouldreallywieldthepowerofaking
“Andnow,JoriMountainsideisourking.Rightfullyacknowledgedasheirbythepreviousking.”
How many times have I said some version of that in the last few days?
Goliathsnorted,steppingbackfromStenlen “Whoisn’tevenafuckingdragon” Untilmomentsbeforetheking’sdeath,Jorihadbeenhuman,thenhisdragonhadbeenunleashedfortheveryfirsttime Stenhadneverseenanythinglikeit,andthemountainhadbeentremblingwithresidualrumblingssince. “Youwerethere,Goliath.He’sadragon,andhe’sthebiggestmotherfuckingdragonanyofushaveeverseen.”
“I’mbig”
ItwasSten’sturntosnort “Yeah,and?”HedidglanceattheothersstandingbehindtheGoliathnow “Youplantochallenge him?”
“Whydon’t you challengehim,Sten?”Oneoftheotherguys,Randal,spokeup “YouwereKargassa’stopdragon Ifanyone hastherighttorulethistribe,it’syou.You’dbeagreatking.Everyonewouldacceptyou.”
Stenlockedeyesonhim,thenreturnedhisglaretotheGoliathinfrontofhim.“Ibelieveintherightofascension,asdomost oftheothermaleshere.I’mnotKargassa’sbloodkin.”
“IfyoutookoneoftheAeleftherianroyals,you’dhaveasolidclaim” Stenshrugged.
“Besides,Mountainsidedoesn’thavetheballstobringthosebitchesinline.He’stoomuchofapussyhimself.”Randalsaid, elicitingchucklesfromthesurroundingmales.
“Maybe We’llsee”
“Ormaybethispussyhastheballstothinkofsomethingbetterforthistribe.”JorisaidfrombehindSten.
Stenlenglancedbehindhim.
Jorileanedagainstthedoorframe,hisarmsacrosshisvintage Oasis t-shirt,legscrossedattheankles.Hepushedawayfrom thewallandstrodetowardthegroup,ignoringtheposturingbetweenGoliathandStenlen “EamersontellsmethisplaceiscalledKasaKargassa.”
Stenlenhad beenKargassa’s right-hand man protection, scouting, tactics…muscle. Eamersonhad beenhis left politics, strategies…dragonkindresources.
“And?”GoliathturnedhisattentionfromStenlentoJori
Stenremainedatease,butready,incaseGoliathlungedatthenewking.
ButJoriwalkedrightuptoGoliath,relaxed;asthoughhewereabouttoaskhimwhathisfavoritesnackwas,andsaid,“And Ithinkweshouldchangethat.”
Goliath’sheadjerked,confusioncrossedhisfaceashelookedatJori “Changeit?Towhat Why?”
Jori shrugged, slipped his hands into the pockets ofhis cargo shorts as he rocked backonthe heels ofhis combat boots. “Whateveryouguyswant.Becausethisplacebelongstoeveryonewholiveshere.Notjustoneman dragon.” “Damnedhippie,”Someonemuttered.
Jorigrinned “IfIwasbornhalfacenturyearlier,maybe”
Goliathgroaned “Kargassaleftayounglingincharge Sten,justputusoutofourmiserynowifwon’tgrabhimbythescruff andkickhimout.”
JoristeppedrightuptoGoliath,whereStenhadbeen,justmomentsbefore.
Stentensed,readytointervene
“Andyoucalled me apussy Whineallyouwant,butwhatIwillnevertolerateisaggressionordominanceoffemales Iam not mysire.”
Stenfroze,hisgazedartingtoeachofthedragonsnearby,gaugingtheirreactionstothis. Noaggression,Stentotallyagreedwith Butnodominance?
Hisguttwisted Howelseweretheseunreasonablefemalesgoingtosubmitandcoexistpeacefullywiththemales?
Theking’swomanhadalreadystrippedhimdownonproperaddresseelanguage. Dragonesseswerenottobeaddressedasbitches.Ever.
How was I to know?
AnyAeleftherianhe’dpairedupwithbeforewasonlyinterestedinonething Hisdick.
Finebyhim Hehadmoreimportantthingstodothanletanotherbit dragoness wreckhisheart He’dalreadylearnedthat thehardway.
Sten and most of these dragons had been under Kargassa’s rule for so long, they’d become oblivious to proper dragon etiquette.Apparently.
Focused on finding the Aeleftherian colony the strongest females, most worthy of powerful males like the mountain dragons,theyallignoredthefactthattherewereothertribesoutthere.
Without a show of strength, how could the Aeleftherian dragonesses ever understand how to submit?
HeglancedbetweenJoriandGoliath.
This was a mistake Abig fucking mistake
Theywereallgoingtobedoomedtoloneliness,withjusteachother’suglyfacesforeternityifhedidn’tfigureouthow to swaythenewking’sopinion.
I’m tired of being alone
IfStencouldn’tchangeJori’sstance,he’dendupdead
StenbreathedasighofreliefasJoristeppedbackfromGoliath.
“Letusknowifyouguyshaveanyideasonnamesforthisplace.I’mkindapartialtoOasisCavern,orMountainLoft.What doyouthinkofDragon-Man-Cave?Ilikethatonebest”Heturned,grinningatSten,andthrewhimawinkasheheadedback towardthedoor.
“Those are the stupidest names I’ve ever heard of for a dragon lair. I can come up with ten better than those.” Goliath scoffed.
“Idon’tknow,Ikindaliked ”
StenchuckledashefollowedJorioutofthemesshall.“Iwasonmywaytomeetyou.Youwantedtodiscussthethefts?” “Idid,butthatcanwait.Ourguestsarehere.”
“Areyousurebringinginmoreoutsidersatthistimeiswise?”Theycontinuedwalkingalongthecorridorsatabriskpace towardtheelevatorthatleduptotheking’ssuites
“Absolutely.ThesearepeopleItrustimplicitly.”TheyenteredtheelevatorandJoripunchedthebuttonforthetopfloor.
“Therearealotoftrustworthymalesrightherethatarededicatedtoyourrighttolead…” Jorilookedathim,hisexpressionunreadable.“Ihearyou.”
Stenrubbedhistemple “CanImakeasuggestion?”
“Please.”
“KingKargassa’sbodyisstillinthemorgue.Havearitualdeathceremonythatisproperforhisstatus,anditwillprovide someclosureforthosemalesthatbelievedinhim.”
“Andgiveasenseoftransition”
Stennodded “Itwill show themthatyou’re nota complete outsider yourself Thatyou’ll honor the dragonways ofdoing things.Heruledaverylongtime,Jori,andmanyofushavebeenwithhimsinceouryouth.”
Thedoorsopened;Joriledthewaytothenewcouncilroom.
Council room
Thingswerechanging Fast Maybetoofast.
Afamiliarscententicedhisnoseasheenteredthevastroom.Hisgazeswepttheoccupants,quicklyreturningtoonefacein particular
Hispulseacceleratedashisnostrilsflared Her.
The mists dissipated beyond the window, allowing the sun to suddenly stream through The light caught in her caramel coloredeyes,makingthemglowlikewarmedamberinherlovelyface,surroundedbywilddarkhair.
Theirdragonscentsbecamemutedinhumanform.Butherswasdistinctandlovely,andinvitedhimcloser. Hestrodetowardher.“Irememberyou.”
Onseeinghim,hergazesweptthelengthofhimbeforerestingonhisface Herperfectbrowsfurrowed,andherchinlifted Herlovely,fulllipstightened.
Thiswasthefirsttimehe’dbeenabletogetareallygoodlookatherandshewasbreath-taking.
Theirtwopreviousmeetingshadnotbeenoptimaltoassessher.He’dbeenpursuingherindragonformonthefirstoccasion. Andwhatachasethathadbeen!Nimbleinflight,cunninginevadinghim Onthesecondoccasion,itwasdark,andhisfocus hadbeenonkeepingOdsondistractedfromhiscrew’smissiontoabductJori.
Sincethemissionhadsuccessfullyfulfilledhisorders,heunderstoodwhyherexpressionwaslessthanwelcomingnow. Hehadlosthimselfinthebeautyofherfacewhenshesuddenlypouncedonhim,snarling,withherclawsprickinghisthroat. Heblinked
Bloodpoundedthroughhim,gatheringbelowhiships.
Oh, how fierce this little bit dragoness was! Dragoness.
Aeleftheriandragoness
Hegrinnedupather.
This one. Yes, this one is going to be my dragoness.
…If she doesn’t kill me first
“Marli,I’dappreciateitifyougotoffofmycouncilman.Ineedyoutoworkwithhim,notriphisthroatout.”Jori’spanicked voiceregisteredthroughthehazeofinstinctthattriggeredherneedtosubdueherenemybeforeheharmedherlovedones. Sheshookoffwhoevertuggedonherarm Herhumanhandsextendedtoherdazzlingpurpledragonclaws,trainedonStenlen Flintail’smuscularthroat.
Theroguegrinnedupather.Shecouldseverhisheadfromhisshoulders maybewithsomeeffort andhegrinnedather. “Marli!”Odson’sbarkclearedthelastwispsofoffensiveneed.
Assheleanedbackonherhaunches,herbottombrushedagainstherenemy’shardenedgroin Hernostrilsflared,takinginhis scentasheatrippeddownthroughhercoretomeethiserection. Hechuckled,“Youareafierceone.Ilikeyou.”
Marlishottoherfeet,hissingandbackingawayfromhim,“Don’ttouchme.” JoriofferedahandtopullStenlentohisfeet
Assoonashewasupright,heputuphishandsinaplacatinggesture,“Hey,Iwasn’ttheonedoingthetouching.”
Hergazeinvoluntarilydroppedtohisgroin.Sheraisedherstill-clawedhands. Hewastwicehersize,butthatdidn’tmeanshewouldn’tgodownswipingandslashingifprovoked.
“Marli,retractyourclaws Jori’sright,weneedyoutoworkwithhim”Kymriordered AtKymri’scommand,Marlihesitantlyobeyed.
Untilrecently,KymrihadbeenMarli’scommanderintheAeleftherianguardianfleet.
“Work with him? You’ve got to be fucking kidding me, right? Right, Kymri? There’s no way in dragons-hell that I’m experiencing this The male funk in this place is melting my brain and I’mdelusional” Marli gaped, gaze swiveling from KymritoJoritoStenlenandback
“Male funk?” Jori’s brows went up, nostrils flaring. “I thought it was just Kymri’s pregnancy that made her sensitive to smells.”
“You’renotdelusional Thisishappening”Kymrisaid,handsonhips “I’mveryhygienic,”Stenlengrowled,afiercescowlsouringhishandsomefeatures Marliflippedahand,palmout,inStenlen’sdirection,raisingherownbrowsasshestaredbackatKymri. “Nothelping,”JorisaidtoStenlen.
“EveryoneinBlackRiverhasbeendrivingthemselvesintothegroundtofindandrescueyoufromthesedragons Andnow you’re all just buddies” Marli pinched the bridge of her nose as fatigue suddenly chased away the adrenaline of finally reunitingwithherfriendandseeingforherselfthatshewassafe.
“Shehasn’tsleptmuchsinceyoudisappeared.”Odsonsaid.“Noneofushave.”
KymristrodeuptoMarli,takingherhandsinhers “I’msorrythatyou’veallexhaustedyourselves AndIamsothankfulthat youweresearchingforus.Itwasa very diresituation.Weareincrediblyluckythatthingslandedinourfavorandwecanhave thismeetingnow.”KymrisearchedMarli’sface.“This beingabletoworktogether isagoodthing.”
Exhausted,MarliheldKymri’sdirectgaze,absorbingherwords.
She’dbeenonedgesincethemomenttheyrealizedshewasmissing,uptothisverysecond Tearsblurredhervision.
Blinkingthemaway,shetiltedherheadupandnodded.
Herbestfriend,hersoulsister,wassafe.
That’s all that matters now
ShesqueezedKymri’shandsandgrowled,“You’dbetternotfuckingdothattomeagain.” Kymrishrugged.“Can’tmakeanypromises,butI’lldomybest.”
“Shallwegetonwiththismeeting?”Eloraprompted.
MarlireleasedKymri’shandssotheycouldfocusonwhattheAeleftherianAmbassadorhadtosay
“Now thatwe’rehere,thisinitialgatheringisjusttoensurethatthecoreindividualshavemetandagreetoworktogether.” Elora’sgazelandedonMarli,thenonStenlen,whostoodseveralpacesbehindher.
Heat radiated fromhis body, caressing her back, tugging at her awareness, distracting her fromconcentrating on Elora’s words
Recollectionofthefirsttimeshe’dseenhiminhishumanformsteamrolledherbrain whenshe’dspentagesluringhimand hiswingmenawayfromherislandandlosthimonahedonistbeach.
And just how nice the sight had been
Sheslammedthedoorshutonthatmemory,shiftingherposturetoreleasethesuddenrushofdesire,andresistedtheurgeto glanceathim.
Elora went on, “Jori has a relationship to build with both the male dragons of this lair and with the female dragons of Aeleftheria.”
Odsonmovedtowardthelargetable,perchingonitsedge “That’lltakedecades”
Eamersonnodded “Itwill,andStenlenmadeatimelysuggestionthatwillacceleratethebuildingoftheirtrustandrespect” “Goon,”Odsonprompted.
“AfuneralforKargassa,”Jorisaid,gazelockedonhismother.
Elora’s mouthtightened while a veinticked alongher temple She swallowed and nodded “Anexcellentstart Upholding certaintraditionsiscrucial”
Jonathanmuttered,“Hedoesn’tdeserveit.”
Marli’sheartachedforthehumanprofessor.Hisjourneytheselasttwodecadeshadn’tbeeneasy,especiallyinrecentdays, withnewrevelations
Withoutbeingbroughttothismountain,Joriwouldneverhavefoundouthismotherwasstillalive AndJonathanwouldstill beseparatedfromhisdragonesswife.
Eloralinkedher fingerswithJonathan’s.“Jori needsthis,sothatwecanavoidrepetitionsofwhathappenedtous,moving forward”
Marlilookedtoeachofthegatheredfaces,exceptforStenlen,whoremainedbehindher Shemovedsothatshecouldwatchhimfromthecornerofhereye.
Itwasagoodidea,butshedidn’tadmitthatshethoughtso.
Beyond them, the panorama of windows highlighted the beauty of the sunlight mountain vista It differed vastly fromher islandhome,butwasnearlyasbreathtaking.
Thiswasn’tjustaboutendingthewarbetweenmaleandfemaledragons.Thiswasaboutchangingthingssothattherewasno waratall.
Andthat,shewouldfightfor
She turned to Jori. “Where do we begin? I haven’t been to many dragon funerals and I’ve never had to bury a monarch before.”
“I’veburiedafewinmytime,”OdsonnoddedtoEamerson,whostoodnearbywithatablet,readytotakenotes.
Stenlen’svoicerolledthroughMarliwhenhespoke,“Iheardthere’sanarchivesomewhereinthismountain,maybethere’s somethinginthere.”Hespokewiththeslightestofaccents,thatshe’dnevernoticedbefore.
“Oh, there is,” Eamerson looked up fromthe tablet. “It’s accessible through the back of the library and comprises three descendinglevels.”
“Library?”StenlenandMarliaskedinunison
ThewordmadeMarli’sheartthump. Library.
AsecretindulgencethatsheallowedherselfanytimesheleftAeleftheria.Whatevertownorcityshelandedin,shevisited theircollectioniftherewastime
Eamerson’slipstwitched.“Yes,Stenlen.IwillprovideyouthedirectionsandwhatvolumestoaskthearchivistforwhileI recordthenotestothismeeting.”
“I’ll go along. You’ll need help to carry the books.” Marli spun toward him. She nearly laughed at Stenlen’s perplexed expression Shesnorted “Neverbeentoalibrary,haveyou?” Heshookhishead.
Figures.
“Great,whileyou’reatit,youcangiveMarliatouroftheplaceandshowherwhereherroomiswhileshe’shere.”Jorisaid as her new guide turned toward the door “And Sten, keep her outoftrouble Infact, stayawayfromthe commonareas, the guys ”
“I’llprotecther.”
“Icantakecareofmyself.”
TheyansweredJori’sconcernsatonce Which,asaguardianandinformationcollector,shecould Protect me?
ShecastStenlenasidewaysglance.
Butmaybeintheheartofmaledragonterritory,shemightnotbesocavalieraboutherabilities
And maybe her impulsiveness mighthave justputher ina trickysituation After all, she had justthreatened himwithher dragonclaws.
… but a library and an archive. Adragon archive. Whocouldresistthat?
Stenlen glanced at the crisp card with the clean script that Eamerson handed him. The directions led to a section of the mountainhe’dneverbotheredwith. Heglancedatthedragonesswalkingalongsidehim Spinestraight,headup. Hereyeshadsparkledatthementionofalibrary. Who knew?
One moment she had her metallic purple claws to his throat whichfascinated himonso manylevels and the next she eagerlyvolunteeredtodescendintothemountain’sbowelsforsomedustybooks.Withhim. Hepunchedthe‘down’buttonfortheelevator,observingherfromthecornerofhiseye.
Shestood,feetatshoulderwidth,likeanysoldieratease,fingerslooselylinkedtogether,withtheirpurplenails. Thedoorsswishedopenandhesteppedforwardatthesametimeshedid Theybothstoppedatonce.
Hewavedherforward,thenrealizedmannershadtheirperks.
Shesaunteredaheadofhim,accordinghimamagnificentviewofherass. Thatsamelovelyassthathadbeenplantedrightonhisgroinnotsolongago Bloodfloweddownward.
“Floor?”Sheturnedtowardhim,browraised.
Steppingintotheelevator,heglancedatthecardagainandhitthelistedbutton.Itwasalongwaydown.
Besidehim,shestaredatthecloseddoors
Intheconfinesofthesteelbox,herscentsurroundedhim Infusedhim Madeitimpossibleforhimtoignoreher Fromthatday,outsideofAeleftherianterritory,whenhehadtracked,hunted,andfailedtofindher,herscentwasimbedded inhismemory.
Hedrewaslow,deepbreath,savoringthesilkynotesthatdefinedheruniquequalities
Sheremindedhimofbloomingtropicalflowers,wildoceantidesandhotsandybeaches Heclearedhisthroat.“So,thatbeachyouledusto?Yougothereoften?”
Sheslowlyturnedherhead,lookingupathim.Challengeilluminatedhergoldeneyes.“Perhaps.Agirl’sgottahavesomefun. It’snotall justtrainingandcombattactics”
“Youwerethere,weren’tyou?Somewhereonthebeach?”Amongdozensanddozensofnakedbodies,partyingandenjoying thesun.
“Absolutely.IhadtomakesureIhadn’tledyoutoAeleftheria.”
Shehadn’t They’dfounditbytrackinganotherdragonessmuchlater “That’shardlyfairthen,isit?You’veseenmeinmyfullhuman.”
Sheshrugged,nonchalant.
Henoticedtheslightcurltothecornerofhermouth.
She’dseenhimnaked,andshe’dlikedit
Theknowledgejoltedthroughhim.
Theelevatordoorsswishedopenagain.Shesnatchedthecardfromhishand,takingtheleadwithEamerson’sdirections.
Thatwasfinewithhim.Itwasn’tlikehe’dbeendownherebefore,anditgavehimthechancetowatchherlovelyassasshe strode ahead ofhiminsearchofthe archive It wasn’tlongbefore he lost himselfinhis ownfantasies involvingthis little dragoness,naked,onabeach,againstawall,inhisbed…eveninthelibrary,ifshewantedit.
Hewassureshe’dbedownwiththat…
“What?”Heblinked,theimagescomingtoasuddenhalt.
“It’shere”Sheshovedaheavilycarvedoakdooropentorevealavastcavern,filledwithperfectrowsofbooksuponshelf aftershelf.
“Already?”
Shestroderightuptoawidecounterandtappedthebell.
Amaleapproachedfromsomewherenearthebackandblinkedather,browslifted,nosetwitching “She’stheking’sguest,”Stenlengrowled.
“Name?”Thelibrarianshovedathickledgerbookforward. Stensnatchedapenfromthemaleandscribbledhisname. Hisgazesliddownthepage,notingthenamesofothermaleswho’dvisitedthelibrary Frederick?Goliathhasbeenhere?
“Weneedthese,thankyou…”ShehandedEamerson’sothercardtothemale,peeringatthenameplateonthecounterbeside him,andgavehimabrightsmile.“Sam.Ijustlovelibraries.Don’tyou?”
Themale’scheeksflushed Hestaredbackwithaglintinhiseyes Stenlengrowled
Thelibrarian’sgazeshottoSten’sface,eyesround.“I’llbejustamoment.” Marliturned,frowningatSten.
“What?”Hescowledback,suddenlyremindedthathedidn’tcarewhatshe oranyoneelse thought What do I care if I displease her? Hereinedinhisrampantthoughtsanddesires,stampingdownonthoughtsofpossessingher.
Maybe we’ll fuck later, maybe we won’t. Heexaminedhowquicklyhe’dtakentowantingher Thatwasn’tlikehim Notanymore Becausethatwasdangerous
Inhisyouth,beforeKargassatookhimin,he’dhadhisheartbroken.Shattered. OnKargassa’sadvice,he’dneverallowedittomend.Hegrippedthejaggededges,keepingthemfresh.Keepinghimsharp.
Until this dragonesssaunteredpasthimwithherimperialglareandwickedpurpleclaws
Nope
Whatisitaboutherthatenticedhimtodrophisguard?
Not going to slip now.
