Page 18 of Song of Her Siren

Steam pouring from his snout, Radnor hovered over Triss.Mind your mother, hatchling, else you deal with me.

Aurora fanned her face with a frown. “Yuck. Dragon breath.”

Radnor arched back, golden eyes narrowing as he snarled at my niece.

I tensed when Aurora stuck out her tongue at him, gasping when Radnor puffed up his chest, a ball of flame racing up his throat. Wolfy yelped in terror, running fast for an old dog, leaving his human masters to fend for themselves. Drae jumped in front of Aurora and Triss, twin flames sprouting from his hands before I had a chance to blink. Radnor let out a roar, then threw back his head, blowing smoke and fire into the sky, blocking the falling embers with his wide wings. I grabbed Drae’s wrist, my gaze imploring.

When Drae put out his flames, I faced the drake while summoning my siren. “How dare you threaten a child! Stand down, Radnor!” I commanded, my voice ringing like a clap of thunder. That damned dragon made me so angry, I was seeing red.

Radnor snarled again, though he backed away.I only intended to scare the child, witch.His deep rumble echoed inside my skull.I’m not that much of a monster.

I wagged my finger at his chest. “Go!”

He let out an aggravated huff before turning his back on me, his tail nearly swiping the top of my head as he stomped to the other end of the garden.

Drae pulled Aurora off Triss’s back. Her eyes were wide as she sucked on her thumb.

Aurora was usually the brave, defiant niece, but Radnor’s threat had been enough to instill terror in the poor child. I gently brushed the hair out of her eyes. “Auntie would never let him harm you, darling.”

My heart ached when her eyes glossed over, and she trembled against Drae. She swiped at her eyes. “I would’ve gone back to Aunt Malvolia’s castle, just like you said.”

Drae adjusted her in his arms. “Smart girl.” He gave me a questioning look, and it took me a moment to remember my mates couldn’t mindspeak the dragons.

Radnor said he was only trying to scare her, I said to Drae through thought.

Drae shook his head, snickering.

Isa hovered over us, the shadow of her long neck and horned snout blocking out the sun.My mate would never harm a child, Goddess, she projected to me. Then she narrowed her eyes at her hatchling.Go make up with your father.

Triss let out a whimper, then skulked toward her father, her tail dragging the ground.

Drae’s fiery gaze swept the garden. He eyed Radnor for a long moment before handing Aurora to me. “My love. Do you mind if I speak to the captain of the guard?”

“Why would I mind?”

He nodded toward Radnor. “Just say the word if you need me to stay.”

I laughed. “I can handle one stubborn drake.”

Aurora squirmed out of my arms, running to Wolfy, who was hiding behind a bush. Drae kissed my cheek and jumped into the air, flying toward the tallest tower along the wall that shielded Abyssus from the Periculian Wilds. Wolfy took that moment to showcase his bravery and bark in Radnor’s direction before ducking back behind a bush.

Isa gave the dog a curious look.Do I want to know?

“Not really,” I answered.

Her laughter rang in my skull.Any problems from the sorceress queen?

I cringed at the mention of my aunt. “Other than her trying to seduce Helian?” I answered aloud, so Drae could still feel like he was part of the conversation.

I’m not surprised, Radnor projected to me from across the garden.My rider had a long line of satisfied lovers before your sister shackled him. I should’ve bit the queen in two last I saw her.

I pretended not to hear the annoying dragon as I turned up my nose.

He responded with an indignant huff as if I, a lowly white witch, had the gall to ignore him.

How fares your father?Isa asked me.

“Alive,” I answered with a grimace, “but demon possessed.”

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