Page 112 of Oath of Revenge

Knox smirked slightly before replying, “Well, if you’d wait a moment, Ashur will remove the net.”

He wanted to trust the dragon and believe that they would be treated fairly, but deep down he knew there was more to this situation than meets the eye. He silently vowed to tread carefully in this unfamiliar territory.

Ashur removed the net while the dragon said, “If you’ll all follow me inside, we’ll tend to your injuries and provide food and clothing. Then I’ll take you to Scarlet.”

“No, Scarlet first. I—“

The dragon stopped on the first step to the entrance and turned to stare down at him. “You can still be prisoners, if you like. That I’m letting a pack of Growlers into my home where my wife and hatchling are in residence speaks for my optimism. Don’t push me.”

Wulfric searched his face and realization dawned. “Scarlet is near your mate, and you will protect your mate.”

“And my sister, if need be. Though she’s rarely needed my protection, if ever,” he said wryly.

Wulfric grinned. “Yes, that sounds like Scarlet.”

The front door opened to reveal a spectral man with a heavy frown, his clothes fine but outdated. “Who is this?”

“Leopol, this Growler claims to be Scarlet’s mate.”

“Wulfric, head alpha of the Growlers,” Wulfric bowed. He fucking bowed to a ghost. Some of his human memories must be stronger than others, because he didn’t even hesitate.

The ghost’s frown eased though as amusement sparkled in his eyes. “Indeed. Well, come inside. Would you like to wash in the—“

“Kitchens,” the dragon said. “They’re not allowed upstairs. Not until I sort out what in the hells is going on.”

Leopol snorted. “Fair enough. Since I’m sure Knox won’t let you out of his sight, he can take you to the servant’s bathing chamber while I fetch clothes that might fit.”

“We have packs with clothes. And Scarlet’s horse, Rain! There’s an ice monster on the litter. I do not recommend touching it,” Wulfric said as they turned down a hallway. The spectral man’s brow raised, and he floated to the front door.

“Indeed? I shall investigate.”

They walked through the castle to the kitchens, Wulfric’s head turning swiftly to take it all in. If this was what Scarlet was used to, he’d never be accepted. Why would she choose to give up all this finery to live in tents in the forest?

But her Grandma’s cottage… now that was something they could live in easily. An excellent compromise. It would just take convincing the Growler tribe to change their nomadic way of life, but he didn’t think that’d be a problem for many. They always grumble so much when they have to pack up with the changing season.

Knox led them into a small room off the kitchens, a servant woman with feathers for hair following them. The dragon sat in a chair in the corner while the woman poured a bucket of water into a sunken stone pool. When she left, Wulfric stepped down into it, hissing at the lukewarm water.

“Don’t worry. They’re heating more water as we speak.”

The other Growlers followed him, one grumbling, “This is where the dragon boils us alive and eats our bones and all.”

Another elbowed him, making him fall into water. The others snorted, trying to cut off their laughs, but the dragon just let his head back and roared. Wulfric stilled at the sound, then realized it was a laugh and relaxed. The others sank into the water. It was plenty big for the five of them, but just barely.

“I’m not going to eat you, alive or dead, bones or anything else. Thanks, but no thanks. Are you here to eat any of us?”

The dragon tilted his head and waited, hands at ease in his lap. His posture on the chair was deceptively relaxed. Wulfric didn’t buy it for a moment.

“Of course not. We’re here to negotiate a peace treaty like I told that gargoyle out front,” Wulfric retorted.

The dragon smiled and nodded as more servants came in with more warm water. “Well, let’s discuss then. No time like the present. I suggest you start at the beginning. Who are you? Why are you here? What makes you think Scarlet is your mate? And what’s this about a treaty?”

Wulfric glared and splashed water on his legs and arms before grabbing a cake of soap on the ledge. “I don’t think she is. I know she is. We completed the mate bond on the night of the full moon.”

Knox’s eyes narrowed, but before he could say anything, another servant brought a bucket of steaming water and poured it over Wulfric’s head, making him hiss.

A snort of laughter from the corner made him glare through the dripping water. “You look like a drowned rat,” said the dragon.

“I feel like one,” he grumbled, scrubbing furiously. Memories of baths similar to this one made him frown. Had he and his wife lived in the tavern or above the shop?

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