Page 47 of Red Captive

“Were there casualties, Your Majesty?” I interject.

“No, thankfully not,” Arctic says. “That doesn’t make the incident any less significant.”

The general glares at me for a second before softening his features as he looks at the king.

“Of course not. If I may, Your Majesty—” I start to say.

“You may not,” the general spits, his eyes wide. “This is between my brother and me. You already caused enough trouble today.” He faces Arctic. “It was a misunderstanding between two different species. The duke was under the impression that the human was open to physical contact…to sex, but that wasn’t the case. Or perhaps she changed her mind. I do not know. Theywere discussing it when Steel arrived. He took things the wrong way and attacked the duke. It was his attacks on several guards that caused the fire. It was all unnecessary, I assure you.”

“Is that true?” Arctic asks me, a frown on his face.

“Surely you must believe me, Your Majesty? Why would you ask Steel to confirm what happened when I just did?”

“Because I know Huntington.” Arctic looks at me. They both do. The general’s eyes are narrowed, telling me to keep my trap shut. “The male can be a complete asshole, let’s face it. He was a spoiled brat as a child and still is one now. I’m sure he had a big hand in what happened today. Let’s leave it at that, shall we?” He doesn’t wait for a response. “How are things going with Jennifer Harris? Has she attempted to escape again? I don’t like that she tried to escape. You said that she is here willingly, Ice.”

“She is, brother. Of course she is.”

“Is she here willingly, Steel?” he asks, barely looking at me.

“Yes, I believe so.” I don’t add that there are things that don’t make sense. Things I don’t like about this whole situation.

“Why did she try to escape in the first place, then? You never sent me a report like I asked you. For the record, I don’t like any of this. I told you I was okay with it…with her staying, as long as she was willing. We need females, but not if they don’t want to be here.”

My thoughts exactly.

“Castles being burned down. Misunderstandings. Escape attempts.” Arctic shakes his head. “It’s starting to sound complicated. That wasn’t the agreement, brother.”

“It really isn’t complicated, I assure you.” The general backpedals. A sheen of sweat glistens on his forehead. “I explained why Miss Harris attempted to escape, Arctic. I apologize for not filing a full report as you asked; I should have. It was an oversight. The human knows too much about ourpeople. I explained that to you as well. It is in our best interest if she stays and mates with one of our males.”

“What of her best interests?” the king asks, and I’m reminded all over again of why I like the male so much. Reminded of all my failings. Each one hits me harder than the last.

“It is in her best interests, too.” The general glances at me. “I explained it all to you, Your Majesty.”

“Miss Harris wants the money,” Arctic says. “She’s doing this for—”

“Yes, exactly,” Ice interrupts. What doesn’t Ice want me to know? That Jen’s family needs the money? That she has a baby brother and a sick mother? That he is a lying son of a bitch?

Fuck! This is all so damned confusing.

Arctic sighs. “I don’t like any of this. It should be straightforward. It needs to be straightforward, or I’m calling it off, having her sign an NDA and putting her on the next flight to the Mainland.”

“I swear to you that Miss Harris is more than willing to mate with one of our males. Perhaps I didn’t brief the candidates sufficiently. You’re right, Huntington can be a dick. It’s my fault. Know that this will work out in the end. This could be a trial run for when we start bringing in human females. The Mistveil dragons are at risk of dying out, Your Majesty. We need this female, just as we need Tributes of our own.”

“I don’t like any of it.” The heel of Arctic’s right foot starts to bounce again. It’s barely noticeable, but there.

“Of course not. There is nothing to like about our dire situation, but doing nothing isn’t the answer. You need a mate, Sire. You could mate with a human and…”

“No! We spoke about this. I’m not interested.”

“Understood. All I ask is that you keep an open mind about human Tributes. Expecting our females to mate more and more males isn’t the answer. Expecting them to bear more and morechildren isn’t the answer either. Our situation is getting worse, not better.”

“I know all of this.” Arctic’s tone is clipped.

“Can we talk in the hallway, brother? Please? I want a private word.”

“Fine. I think that would be a good idea.” Arctic looks at me. Nope, he doesn’t love my involvement in this. “There are a few things we need to discuss.” He leaves the apartment without a backward glance. He still hates me, and I don’t blame him.

I don’t exactly love myself either.

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