Page 91 of The Dragon's Mate

“It is my duty to protect the council,Walter,” Drago protested. He glanced around at the others. “It is all of ourduty.”

“We can protect ourselves,” the dragonesssitting next to Walter said. “Return to your seat, Drago.”

Smoke drifting from his nostrils, Drago satdown. Ignoring Kaida’skeepyour mouth shutlook, Bren said, “You’rebanishing Kaida?”

The dragon named Walter said, “We will voteon banishment, human.”

“She didn’t do anything wrong,” Bren said.“She saved Sika and the baby. You’re going to banish her for that?”

“Hold your tongue, human!” the grey-hairedshifter said. “You are not allowed to speak.”

“Ryul,” the blonde-haired shifter sittingat the far end of the table frowned at him, “the human will be given the opportunityto speak just as Kaida will be.”

“There is no need for the human to speak, Leia,”Ryul said hotly. “We do not -”

“Enough, Ryul,” Cadmus said. “He will beallowed to speak.”

Ryul grunted out an agreement, althoughBren could see smoke drifting from his nostrils, and sat back in his chair as Brensaid, “You can’t banish her.”

“Bren, enough.” Kaida’s hand squeezed painfullyaround his arm.

He turned toward her. “Why didn’t you tellme you were in trouble as well?”

She didn’t reply and some of his angerdeflated. How could he have been so stupid? Of course, Kaida would be introuble. Dragons were all sorts of fucked up. The fact that they had notrouble banishing one of their own even when they knew it meant certain death…maybe it was better that they were going extinct.

She released his arm as Walter said, “Kaida,you may speak.”

“Thank you,” Kaida replied. “Council, mydecision to reveal our true nature to the human was not made lightly. Sika’slabour was sudden and fast. There was no time to return to our clan and I knewwe couldn’t go to the humans’ hospital. We were close to Bren’s home and mychoices were to take Sika to his home to give birth or have her give birth onthe side of the road in the car. I believe I chose wisely.”

She glanced at Bren. “I have faith that hewill keep our secret. He is an honourable human who understands that for ourkind to live in peace with the humans, our existence must remain a secret. Iam confident he will never expose our secret.”

“We will take your words into considerationwhen voting,” Walter said. He glanced at the other shifters sitting in the chairs.“Is there any other who wishes to speak on Kaida’s behalf?”

Bren could see Sika starting to stand.Before she could, Drago rose to his feet and said, “I would like to speak, council.”

Beside Bren, Kaida stiffened and smoke curledout from her nose.

“Speak your piece, Drago,” Walter said.

“Elders, I know in the past Kaida has provendifficult with the choices she has made. As a yearling, she brought a grizzlyshifter into our clan and now she has exposed us to a fox shifter and a human.While I realize her actions are inexcusable, I do believe with time and discipline,she can be taught proper behaviour.”

“Discipline?” Bren said. “Are you kiddingme? She’s not a dog, Drago.”

Drago glared at him. “Speak again, human,and I will cut out your tongue.”

A growl rose out of Kaida’s throat and shesaid, “Take a single step toward the human, and you will regret it.”

Drago stared at her, his unease obvious. Shemet his gaze unflinchingly and, after a moment, he looked away.

“Is that all you wish to say, Drago?”Walter asked.

“No,” Drago said. “I wish to propose that Itake Kaida as my mate. I will ensure that she behaves and is not a threat toour clan.”

Sika burst out laughing and Drago’s face reddened.Ignoring Sika’s giggling, he said, “Kaida needs a firm hand, council, and I amhappy to provide it. As my mate, she will learn to put the clan above,” heglanced at Bren, “everything and everyone else.”

Jealousy was shooting through Bren’s body likehot lava. The idea of Kaida being mated to the pompous and arrogant dragonmade his blood boil. He was pretty sure if he could shoot flame from hismouth, he’d be attempting to set Drago on fire in front of everyone.

Hey, Bren? You’re about to die, remember?Maybe let go of the jealousy. Even if you could date Kaida, you’re gonna bedead.

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