Page 57 of Dragon Unleashed

“He threatened to tell Chano I’m a royal. Can you…” I hesitate, not really sure what I’m asking of her.

“I will issue Farrell’s invitation to the ceremony personally. He will be under strict instructions that the allegiance will disown him if he so much as considers breathing that particular truth to Chano between now and the ceremony.”

I lean my head on Naeve’s shoulder and concentrate on evening out my breaths. Thank the goddesses for my friend.

Chapter Twenty-six: Farrell

What in all the hells are they thinking? Chano’s not thinking, except with his dick. And I can’t even blame him. Who wouldn’t bond with Lorelei if she gave them a chance? I glance sideways at where Zephyr’s sitting on my chair, phone in his hands, his invitation on the screen. He stares blankly ahead, not even noticing my newest acquisition. The dragon carving is in wickedly dark ebony. It’s stunning, and right in front of his nose.

He doesn’t care about Lorelei? My ass he doesn’t. Whatever the thing he has with Professor Allegra is, she’s no substitute. Idiot says he’d never settle for one woman. But if Lore asked, he’d sell his soul for her. I know it. He’s just lucky she doesn’t see it. She’s too caught up in making moon eyes at a damn criminal. Why the Fates chose those two for each other…

“If neither you nor Naeve will stop her, then I’ll have to tell him,” I grind out. “I’ll have to tell Father.”

Zephyr’s gaze snaps to mine. “She has the right to be happy. Chano’s her fate-chosen. Iwon’tstop her.” He stands and paces toward me, a line in the middle of his brow. “I know you need totell him but please, don’t do it in person, Farrell. You know what he’s like…”

“He’s physically weaker than me. He’s learned that.” I run my hand over the scar on the back of my neck. He willneverget the chance to mark my skin again. “He won’t touch me. Not now.”

“Then he’ll take it out another way, on someone else.”

I nod grimly. “If I go in person, I can temper it. Maybe I can persuade him that their bonding isn’t the sign he thinks it is. That Lorelei isn’t a lost cause.”

Zephyr grimaces. “You told her how he is?”

“She’s too damn stubborn. Won’t hear of anything that could hurt her precious Chano, even if it would keep her safe.” Bitterness creeps into my words, and I stand to leave before I give away too much.

I duck, and the porcelain statue barely misses my head. It shatters when it hits the marble fireplace behind me. Hellfire, Mother always liked that one.

“Now, Father, hold it together.”

“You’ve failed, my boy. You’ve failed yourself and you’ve failed me.”

We’ve been over the same ground countless times tonight. His guilt trip would work if I still cared what he thought of me. I pull up a leather chair and settle in it, watching him intently, while pretending to study the wine in my glass.

Cunning slowly works its way across his features.

“You’ve failed the allegiance and…” he pauses dramatically “…you’ve failed Lorelei.”

He wouldn’t.

Suddenly my father straightens and the anger on his face smooths out. He sits opposite me at his desk and tops up both our glasses. The change is quick, too quick.

“We’ll just have to move to Plan B. I much prefer Plan B. It should always have been Plan A.” He rubs his hands with a childlike glee.

“And what exactly would that be, Father?” I hate that I have to ask.

“She’ll be tethered, to me.” The sparkle in his eyes is unmistakable now. “Such a powerful aether can’t be left floating around. She’s just what the Angel King needs to validate his claim to the throne.”

Tethered. What a life. My dragon rages under my skin, threatening to burn me up from the inside. Placing my glass carefully down on the table, I work to keep my tone measured, even. “What if there’s another way?”

“Why would you care to save her?” His voice is light, playful. He’s enjoying this.

“She’s my allegiance, old man. Don’t tell me your memory is fading? If she’s tethered, she’s of far less use.”

“Oh, sonotbecause you care for the pretty little thing?” He smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. He has me, and he knows it.

“There’s another way. Just give me until the ceremony.” He knows I don’t want this for Lorelei and he’s going to use it to his advantage.

He nods once. “A deal then.”

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