Page 55 of Dragon Unhinged

“I need a dragon in my employ. There are benefits to having a fire-breather, even if it means a truce between enemies.” He takes a sip from his own wine glass, letting his eyes close as the corners of his mouth curve up, as if he’s getting to taste something he hasn’t had in centuries. “After Tristian was taken away from me, it’s been more difficult for me to accomplish my end game.”

“You think I’d let you put me under your thrall, to use me like you used Tristian?” I shake my head. “I may be in a hopeless situation, but I’m not stupid.”

“Who said anything about thrall? I believe it would be so much more effective for you to do it willingly.”

“Willingly? On what planet would I willingly let you use me?”

“The one where you would no longer have to fight. The one where you could be with your mate, as much as you want. The one where you’d have a life again, one of your own making.”

“At the expense of my clan, my people, the entire world?”

“You and your mate could be the only dragons spared. The ones to carry on your lineage. I’d even let your offspring mate with other humans. Would that really be such a horrible price to pay for freedom?”

A vision fills my mind, of Brianna’s belly round with my child, another one playing at her feet, and an overwhelming feeling of love and hope threatens to overtake me.

It might have, if it weren’t for the fact that Grey made sure every single person in that vision is wearing these damned cuffs.

“You’d imprison them too. Just as you have me.” I hold up my arms, knowing the suit jacket covers the cuffs too well forthem to actually be seen, but the sentiment is clear enough all the same. “You’d keep us trapped in human form. How would that be freedom? How would that be any better than where I’m at now?”

“I can have the spells changed. You wouldn’t be completely bound to this form. But you would still be bound to me. Available when I need you. Available for my purposes.”

“To take down my brothers? To destroy other shifters, other fae, who would oppose your iron grip on the world?”

“To make sure that my transition into the rightful power I deserve is a smooth one. You needn’t make it sound quite so violent and pointless.” He smirks as he takes another sip of wine, and a waiter appears with plates of food.

It smells incredible, the first decent meal I’ve been offered in ages, but I don’t want to eat it. I don’t want to seem eager for his plans or his blatant bribes.

“Others are being offered similar deals. You may be my first choice, worthy of making this offer myself. With the weight of the Wystan clan behind you, I could even ensure the counsel believes your mate has been a dragon all along. You could be the rightful king of your clan, and you could bring them in line. We could make sure that more than just your clan survives. All you have to do is say yes.”

“You haven’t even told me what I’m saying yes to. Vague plans and empty promises don’t mean anything.” I glance down at my food trying to decide if it’s truly safe. “You had my parents killed. Why should I trust you? Why should I believe anything you say, anything you offer?”

Grey smiles and cuts into steak delicately as if he’s savoring it all, even just the simple act of using silverware. “There’s no need for you to decide right now. Talk it over with your mate. I know you likely can talk to her from a distance. I’ll wait. You can enjoy your steak while you think it over.” He holds up a perfect biteand eyes it. “I’m certainly going to enjoy my meal.” He sucks it off the fork enjoying the rare meat and savory flavors.

I stare at him for a few moments, trying to decide how much of what he says I can believe. On the one hand, just the chance to be free, the chance to be with Brianna in a space of our own, sounds amazing, and the idea of being able to keep her safe from the vampires and the inevitable war between supernaturals and humans, even if we can stop Grey, would almost be worth it.

But I can’t let the rest of my clan suffer.

I can’t let my brothers wear these chains.

I can’t let my mate miss out on the chance to shift.

I can’t let any children we may have never have the unbridled freedom of shifting, of flying, of connecting with their dragons.

With a frown, I dig into the steak and potato in front of me, choosing to focus on the food and the drink rather than the impossible choice I’ve been handed.

After a couple of bites and tortured pondering of my choices, I know I have to reach out to her.

Brianna, can you hear me?

I don’t trust Grey enough to believe that he wouldn’t have put spells on the building, or additional spells into the cuffs that only let me talk to her when I’m in my cell. He seems to know too much, have too much connection to what dragons can do, to what I can do with my mate, to make me believe he wouldn’t do something to fuck with that.

Declan? Is everything okay? Where are you?Her concern immediately flows through our connection, and I want to let out a sigh of relief.

I’m safe. At least for now. I need to ask you something though, and I want you to really think about it.

I hate that I’m burdening her with this, but it must be both our decisions. She might not know yet just how incredible it isto have a dragon of her own, but if I agree to Grey’s plan, that freedom will be dampened.

And if I don’t… she might never get the chance at all, if he decides to just kill me here and now, in my more vulnerable state.

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