Page 94 of The Dragon's Mate

The look of disbelief on his face suggestedshe was doing a shit job of hiding her own fears. She made herself smile athim. “It’s the truth, Bren. You spoke well and -”

Anger flooded through her when she caughtsight of the dragoness standing so closely behind her mate. She could smell Vorian’sinterest in Bren and… was that the tiniest bit of lust?

Her dragon roared forward and she didn’t havea hope in hell of stopping it this time. She grabbed Bren’s arm, pulling himcloser to her before glaring at Vorian. The dark-haired dragoness’s hand wasstill outstretched, and Kaida bared her fangs at her.

“Dare to touch him again and I will burnyou where you stand, Vorian.” Her dragon growled out the threat, each word punctuatingthe sudden silence that had descended over the cabin.

Vorian’s fear washed over her and Kaida’sdragon snarled her victory. “The human is mine. Do you understand?”

Vorian stumbled back and nervously exhaleda puff of smoke. “Yes, Kaida. God, you don’t have to be such a bitch aboutthe human.”

“Leave,” Kaida’s dragon rumbled. Her chestwas growing hot and she knew the others could see it glowing through hershirt. She didn’t care. The human was hers and she’d kill any dragoness whotried to take him from her.

“Fine!” Vorian rolled her eyes and stalkedaway. The other dragons in the cabin – all of them had slowly been inching closerto Bren – backed away as well. The low hum of conversation began again. No doubtit was about her and her possessiveness over the human, but Kaida was too wearyto care.

What did it matter if they knew she liked thehuman? She was about to be banished anyway.

“That was… unexpected,” Jarvis said.

Sika elbowed him gently before smiling atKaida. “She is only curious about the human, Kaida. They all are. You knowhow rarely they get a close up look at humans without having to worry aboutbeing discovered.”

“He is not on display like an animal in a zoo,”Kaida snapped. Her dragon had retreated, and she spoke in her normal voice.

“It’s okay,” Bren said. “I don’t care.”

“They need to learn manners,” Kaida said.

“It’s really not that big of a deal,” Brensaid. He glanced at the other shifters behind them. “Is this your entire clan?”

“Almost,” Sika said. “Some of our male yearlingsare not here. They’re probably playing video games. Even the chance to see ahuman up close won’t tear them away from their stupid online games.”

“Sounds like they’re pretty similar tohuman teenagers.” The look on Bren’s face made Kaida’s chest ache.

“Did you – have you seen Tyler?” sheasked.

His eyes reddened and he looked away. “Wehad dinner tonight.”

She tried to swallow past the lump in herthroat. It didn’t work. “I’m sorry, Bren.”

He stepped closer and lowered his voice. “Ifyou’re not banished, promise me you’ll watch out for him.”

“I will.” She took his hand. “I’ll keephim safe, Bren. I promise. And if I’m not around – Jarvis will look out forhim. Won’t you, Jarvis?”

“Of course. Do not worry, human. Your brotherwill always be safe. You have my word,” Jarvis said.

“Thank you,” Bren said.

They stood in silence for almost a minutebefore Bren said, “So, how long does it usually take the council to -”

The side door opened and this time it wasBren’s hand that squeezed around hers as they watched the council members fileback into the room. The other dragons quickly returned to their seats.

Her dragon pacing restlessly within her,Kaida dropped Bren’s hand but tried to smile at him. It came out as a grimace.Bren was incredibly pale, but he walked with her toward the council’s table withhis head held high and his back straight. Her dragon puffed with pride at howbrave their mate was.

“We have made our decision,” Walter saidwhen they were standing before him and the other elders.

Suddenly not caring what the elders or anyoneelse in the clan thought, Kaida reached out and took Bren’s hand. He linkedtheir fingers together, his gaze trained on Walter and the others, but his thumbrubbing along the length of her thumb.

Kaida took a quick glance at Cadmus. Like theother elders, his face was serene and gave away nothing. He wouldn’t allow herto be banished or Bren to be burned, she had to believe that.

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