Page 72 of The Ruby Dragon's Unconventional Mate

I don’t want to like him.

I know. I do. He’s sort of impossible not to like.There was something about Arthur that was just easy. He supposed that that’s how it was meant to be. That was the point. He’d seen it with Simon. The dragon simply made things easy.

Bryant focused on Arthur. “So, the rumor is that you know Simon.”

Arthur nodded. “We’re cousins. Simon is very kind, even if he does have a bit of a mean sense of humor.”

“Well, obviously he does know Simon…” Bryant muttered, and Lars chuckled.

“Maybe a little bit.”So what’s the plan? I want you to be comfortable.But he also wanted Arthur to come home with them.

He can come to the house, but I don’t want him to be alone with you, not right this minute. Is that fair?Bryant was trying so hard, and Lars could tell.He can come, but we watch him, and he can’t be alone with you for a while. Until I know for sure.

That’s very reasonable. I appreciate it and you. Thanks.

I love you. And I like him despite myself. So I will try very hard. But I need at least someone with you until I know in my bones that he’s safe. And I want to meet with Lachlan and his twin.

Lars nodded.Okay.“Arthur, can you call in Alban, please?”

“Certainly.” Arthur beamed, and then his eyes went unfocused for a second, an expression he and Bryant both knew well. Arthur was calling to his twin mentally.

Bryant clearly did the same, because Lachlan and Jarrel followed, Lachlan grinning like a fiend. “Did he apologize?”

“He did, and very prettily too.” Lars winked. “He wanted to meet Alban.”

“Ah well, good. Alban, this is my brother Bryant. Bryant, this is my Keeper of the Keys, Alban. I like him. So does Jarrel.”

Bryant smiled faintly. “Oh, Jarrel always did have a better sense of judgment than you did, Lach.”

Lachlan hooted, and Lars was so happy to see him laughing. He’d put a good face on it, but being without Bryant the last little while had really hurt his feelings. “I know. That’s why I let Simon choose my keeper this time.”

Alban chuckled and nodded his head gravely to Bryant. “It is very good to meet you, ruby dragon. I promise you that I will care for your brother and his line as well as I am able and with great honor.”

Bryant nodded to Alban in return. Lars thought he was already more relaxed than he had been only moments ago. Certainly more so than when he’d arrived. “I hope that is true.My brother has been hurt by an impostor, and he finds it easier to trust than I do, but I worry.”

“Your brother has nothing to fear from me,” Alban said. “Well, except that perhaps he won’t like some of my food. I do like to make some experimental Thai and Vietnamese dishes.”

“Oh goodness, Lachlan likes that way more than I do. I’m such a meat and potatoes dragon,” Bryant teased.

“It’s a good thing then that you have the pastry brother. I assume that you like desserts as much as Lars?” Alban asked.

“Not quite as much as Lars does at the moment, but at least as much as he does when he’s not pregnant,” Bryant shot back.

Lars rolled his eyes, although he loved that they were joking with one another. “That is not funny. I can’t help it. It’s all your fault that I’m pregnant.”

Bryant raised his eyebrows. “All my fault? Do you want me to talk about how you begged for?—”

“Stop it right now.” Lars held up a hand. “I will not have you talk about our personal life that way,” he singsonged.

“Um, then don’t blame me for all of it.”

Lars sighed. “Fine. It’s half my fault. Happy?”

Bryant tilted his head to one side. “No. I think you’re right. I’ll take all the blame since you have to do all the hard work and bear the baby.”

Lars flew into his arms. “Gods, I love you. Can we go home now?”

Bryant looked at Lachlan, who raised an eyebrow at him, eyes flashing platinum. “I suppose we can. I was going to say that I don’t want Lachlan to be alone with the new Keeper until I’m certain about him, but he would just kick my ass for that.”

---