Page 93 of The Dragon's Mate

Bren turned, staring at the big dragon shifteras he stepped into the aisle. “The human should be allowed to live. It is becauseof him and his generosity that Jarvis and Sika’s hatchling does well. I askthe council to show mercy upon the human.”

He returned to his seat and Bren studied Kaida.The sick look on her face was still there and he resisted the urge to take herhand. He had a feeling it wouldn’t go over well with the other dragons.

“Any others?” Walter asked.

Silence filled the cabin and after a moment,Walter stood. “We will return shortly with our decision.”

Bren watched as the council members used aside door to file out of the cabin. When the door shut behind them, Jarvisjumped up and approached Bren. He shook Bren’s hand. “Do not worry, human.They will vote to let you live.”

“They won’t.” Drago had joined them. “Donot give the human hope, Jarvis.” He took Kaida’s arm. “Come, I wish to speakto you in private.”

She wrenched her arm out of his hand and growledat him. “Touch me again and I’ll rip your balls off, Drago.”

Sika laughed, and Drago’s face flushed red.“I gave you a chance, Kaida. Remember that when you’re banished and going madin the woods.”

He stalked away and Kaida smiled shakily atBren. “Are you all right?”

“Never better,” he said. “You?”

She grimaced. “It went as well as it could.Jarvis is right, the council may allow you to live.”

“What about you? What if they banish you?”he said.

“They won’t.” Sika stood next to Jarvisand smiled confidently at them. “They won’t banish Kaida and they’ll let youlive. It’s because of both of you that our hatchling does so well.”

Bren wanted to believe the dragoness, hereally did, but from the sick look on Kaida’s face, it was apparent she didn’t sharethe same confidence.

* * *

Her dragon was on the verge of losing it.The smoke was thick in the back of her throat and she had to swallow constantlyto keep it from drifting from her nostrils.

Be still. You must calm yourself.

Her dragon hissed at her.If they touchmy mate, I will kill them.

Bren being killed wasn’t their only concern– she shared none of the confidence that Sika did that she wouldn’t be banished– but her dragon didn’t seem to care about that. All it cared about was keepingBren safe.

She studied him as he rubbed a hand throughhis hair. He looked tired and unwell and… scared to death.

She couldn’t blame him. If she was in hisshoes, she’d be terrified too. Hell, shewasterrified. Her dragonmight not care if they were banished, but the idea of being kicked out of herclanandknowing that Bren was dead… she shuddered. She’d go mad inless than an hour, she was sure of it.

Because you love him, her dragon said.He is our mate and you love him. Tell him!

Enough. Now is not the time.

Her dragon believed it was the perfecttime. It tried to push forward, tried to take control so it could –Jesus Christ– confess its love to Bren. Her heart knocking against her ribs, sweat tricklingdown her back, Kaida used every ounce of her inner strength to keep her dragonfrom taking control.

Let me free!

No, stop it! The human is alreadyfreaked out. If you tell him you love him, it will scare him even more. Thehumans do not take mates as quickly as we do.

Her dragon pouted but retreated with a softhiss. The hiss turned to a purr when Bren touched her arm. “Kaida?”

“I’m fine,” she said.

She took a deep breath, determined to puton a cheerful face for the human. It was all her fault he was in this mess,and while she might be seventy percent positive that they were both about todie, she wouldn’t show that to him.

“It went well with the elders,” sherepeated. “Everything will be fine.”

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