Page 43 of Dragons' Mate
He moves closer to me, his hands stroking my arms. "It will be alright, wildcat. Just focus on us. You are ready. And we've a few ways of making extra sure we have you—"
"Please, no. Not this. Not here." A desperation filled plea trickles over the room. Tavias and I both turn to see a woman in a green dress. Tears roll down her face as two males hold her on either side, while a third strokes himself into hardness. "I don’t want to do this." She twists as much as she is able toward the priests, begging them for reprieve.
“Get your human under control, Ulio,” the priest orders the green pack leader—the one who still has his cock hanging out.
“Please,” the woman turns to the priest and throws her forehead to the floor. “I don’t want them to rut me here. Please. You can make them stop. I know you can. I’ll do it in private. Just don’t make me do it here.”
The green pack leader backhands the woman into silence.
I'm moving before I know that I'm doing so. There is a ferocious roaring in my ears and a dagger in my hand, the one with the engraving of a rose. One step and I'm away from Tavias. Two and I've got my arm cocked. Three as my dagger and my words fly.
"Do not touch her," I shout to the suddenly silent room. The knife flies right at the dragon's chest.
He twists, catching the blade before it can so much as nick his skin then turns with a slowness that carries menace in every line of his body. I can feel Tavias and the others rushing forward toward me and know I've little time left. "She is supposed to be a bride not a slave," I yell. "She said no."
Quinton's arms close around me. "Quiet, human," he says into my ear. But we all know that it's like closing the barn door after the horse has already run. The woman is on the floor, crying softly. The crowd is brimming with fury. The priest... the priest moves with a kind of slowness that makes me wonder if he isn't enjoying the power.
"Pack leader Ulio," the head priest says, turning to the green dragon leader. "If you cannot control the human, disqualify her."
Disqualify. That means death. That's what the tattoos of Orion do. Shit, what did I think was going to happen?
Ulio bows, stuffs himself back into his trousers and brings a goblet of wine from the table. He crouches beside the cowering woman and thrusts the wine into her hands. "Drink," he orders, his tone gentling. "You are alright, Skyler. Slow breaths and deep sips. This will help."
The screaming girl nods and takes the goblet with both hands, taking a deep drink. Her breath slows just a few heartbeats later, her eyes taking on a glazed look. By the time Ulio pulls the goblet from her hands, Skyler is pulling on the bodice of her dress complaining about the heat. No wonder Autumn told me to stay away. Ulio makes his apologies to the priests, assuring them that there will be no more problems from his side.
That's when the entirety of the ballroom turns to me. Quinton's breath is tights on the back of my neck and there is dread crawling through the bond between us. His arms around me are iron bands, but I know they will not be able to protect me.
"Pack leader Tavias," the head priest says, turning our way. "Your human has attacked another within the citadel and has violated our sacred rite. It is only because her clumsy attempt was so doomed from the start that the Goddess Orion has not exacted vengeance and her mark hasn't taken her life."
Shit. I'd totally forgotten about that part of the rule.
"However, it is unclear to us that the human you brought understands and submits to these trials."
"I accept full responsibility for the woman," Tavias steps forward, blocking me with his body. "It was my duty to keep her in line and I failed. I am ready for whatever punishment you and the goddess believe is just."
"You were not the one to assault Ulio's pack," the Priest points out. "You were not the one to insult us and the goddess."
"We do not punish a horse for a rider's error," Tavias says. "Clearly, the failure lies with me. It was my duty to control what bride I selected and trained. The failure is mine and mine alone. Please do me the honor of allowing me to pay for the insult in whatever way you see fit."
No.
The priest rocks back on his heels considering the situation, his attention narrowing on where Quinton's arms surround me. I try to read the priest's face, but the shadows and tattoos make it near impossible. The priest turns, counseling with two others of the order for several minutes while the ballroom waits. Then he turns back and orders a space in the very center of the ballroom to be cleared.
"Pack leader Tavias," the priest says. "Seeing as Orion chose not to end the girl's life at once, we too shall grant you a chance at redeeming your standing. Show us all that you hold the leash on this human you brought. Re-establish your full control before us, and leave us with no doubt of her submission. Then, and only then, shall we not disqualify her from the rite."
CHAPTER20
Kit
The hall watches intently as Tavias turns on his heels and strides toward me with measured steps.
I straighten my spine and nod at him. I fucked up. I know I did. I knew where we were and why and the expectations—and instead of taking one moment to think about it all, I acted without thinking. I wanted to protect someone, and instead I endangered so many more.
Whatever Tavais needs to do to me now to get us out of this mess I’ll understand. I want him to know that.
"Hurt her and I'll kill you." Quinton's warning is so quiet that only Tavias and I can hear him. No, not a warning, a promise.
Tavias gives him an emotionless look, then focuses on me. He places his large calloused hand on my cheek, his purple eyes penetrating into me. “I’m not going to hurt you, wildcat,” Tavias says, the words just loud enough to be heard by me and the pack. “But I will destroy you until you are a submissive ragdoll writhing with mindless need. I’m sorry.”
