Page 81 of Destiny of the Dragons

He paused. He didn’t usually ask about people’s personal lives, but… “How are you?”

“I’m wonderful.” Cassius smiled at him, and it was all teeth. “Several of my long term plans are turning out well. An old friend is coming to town.”

Cassius laughed again, booming and infectious enough several of the people around them gave some nervous chuckles.

Cross smiled. “Great, great. Now, listen. Our plan is coming along.”

“I’ve heard whispers of a powerful blood witch.” Cassius grinned, his eyes actually seeming lighter with good humor.

Cross didn’t like people as a rule, but it was nice to be able around a like minded person who appreciated the hard work it took to move so many small pieces around.

“Yes.” He couldn’t wait to get to the best part. “I’ve convinced my father to arrange a marriage between us, so we—“

“Hold up a second.” The vampire held up a hand. “You’re engaged.”

“Yes,” Cross grinned. “Soon, she will be my wife and I will control every spell she casts.”

Cassius frowned, and the temperature in the room dropped ten degrees. People angled themselves away from their table.

“You went and arranged to be married to the witch I have been stress testing for her entire life.”

Cross’s mouth went dry. Damn it, it was none of this asshole’s business. “If I’m her husband I control her magic for the rest of her life.”

“Except for the part where you said she was stronger in the past ten months than she ever had been.”

“Yes? So?” Cross growled. “Practice increases witchcraft—“

“Don’t lecture me on magic, whelp,” Cassius said, his voice like a slap. “I was practicing magic before your ancestors ever crossed to this land.”

Cross shifted in his seat. “You’re not getting it. If we’re married—“

“And she was in a Treasure with two dragons ten months ago, wasn’t she?” Cassius kept talking like Cross wasn’t explaining the entire point.

“A Treasure?” Cross frowned. Two dragons had approached him two weeks ago, but before then…he didn’t pay attention to Mia’s personal life.

“Yes,” Cassius said like he was the stupid one. “A Treasure. And then her magic takes a boost. Most witches can’t handle the dragon magic, so their magic remains unchanged if they’re bonded to dragons.”

“Mia isn’t in a Treasure.” Cross frowned. “She said she hadn’t seen dragons in months.”

Cassius cocked his head. “If she was going to get back together with them, she certainly can’t now.”

“Of course not, since that would be cheating on me.” Cross glared.

Cassius blinked. “You will not harm a single hair on her head. Do you understand?”

Cross snarled. “She knows better.”

“You know better.” Cassius leveled him with a look. “She is essential to our plans. You will break off the engagement.”

“But she—“

Cassius held up his hand again, but Cross wasn’t some stupid lap dog.

“She will be mine,” Cross said, the hatred twisting inside him. “She thinks she’s better than me—“

Cassius grabbed his throat. Cross couldn’t breathe, just clawed his fingers at Cassius’s iron grip.

Black spots formed in his vision.

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