Page 155 of Cast By Flames (Dragon's Breath)
“Not that,” Zoran said, grimacing. “I hate green beans.”
Orion narrowed his gaze. “If you don’t eat them, I’ll tell the water dragons.”
Considering the nearest ones were hundreds of miles away in the Gulf of Mexico, we all knew he couldn’t carry through with that threat. I still snickered at the thought.
Aidan’s eldest brother sighed. “Oh, very well.” He gave me a martyred look before pinching his nose. “Give them to me.”
I laughed as Orion dumped a huge spoonful into the shifter’s mouth. To his credit, he chewed them fast and swallowed. I figured it was safe to say Zoran was truly reformed after his actions on the battlefield and how he behaved with us and the children. No bad guy could pretend this well.
“Did you have to eat many things you didn’t like while exiled?” I asked.
He nodded. “Not many vegetables, but sometimes squirrels were the only meat I could obtain. They have very little. If I wished to stop my growling stomach, I had to catch several, and I’d still feel hungry afterward. They’re impressively quick and agile, so I couldn’t capture many before exhausting myself.”
Ruari, who sat across from us at the table, laughed. “I wish I could have seen you running through the woods and climbing trees to catch squirrels.”
“Be nice!” Freya smacked the back of her mate’s head. “We both know you couldn’t have survived alone in the wild for five years, much less caught a squirrel.”
“Well, that goes without saying,” Ruari agreed, wisely avoiding an argument with his mate. Like his elder brother, he’d come a long way.
Two servants set several platters of food on the table for us to share. I convinced Orion to let the adults feed themselves and to concentrate on filling his own stomach. As we ate, the Craegud and Straegud pendragons came to join us.
Syrus picked up one of the sticks with grilled beef and peppers on it. After taking a bite and chewing thoughtfully, he made a satisfied sound. “I will have to return to this place for the food if for no other reason. Everything served here is delicious.”
Kayla appeared with a tray of fresh-baked rolls. “Thanks. I’m glad you think so.”
Everyone dove for the platter, taking all the bread in seconds. I’d been waiting for them and happily ate mine. Our rations hadn’t been bad during the war, but nothing replaced fresh meals, not even with magic to preserve them.
Wren, the Craegud pendragon, moaned after sampling the roll. “I think I must kidnap you and take you back to my home.”
Aidan laughed. “You’d have to go through all the Taugud to try.”
“It would be worth it if I succeeded,” he said, humor in his eyes.
Syrus remained absorbed in the meat samplings. “I’m working on agreements with the territories between here and my own to gain safe passage. It is my hope we can return in two years. I’m certain my mate would enjoy a visit, as well as some of the others unable to join us this time.”
I started to agree with the idea, but held back since it wasn’t my place.
“We would be pleased to host you again,” Aidan said, giving me a knowing smile. He understood I had previous ties with the clan from my time on the East Coast.
“It would be wonderful to see you under better circumstances.” There. I could totally be diplomatic, and hopefully more so by the time Syrus and his shifters returned. Maybe the castle library had a book on pendragon mate etiquette.
Wren finished gulping down a mug of ale. “We would love to host you a year from now, and I’ll be happy to arrange agreements with the pure dragons for your safe travels.”
“That’s generous of you,” Aidan said, glancing at me with a question in his gaze. I nodded. “We would enjoy a visit to the west coast.”
A look of satisfaction crossed Wren’s face. “We’ll be staying for another week to recuperate from the war and negotiate treaties while so many are gathered nearby, but after that, we will be on our way back home.”
Since winter and cooler weather loomed, I’d heard they planned to take the southern route to California, where it would be warmer. The Straegud wouldn’t have that advantage, living in the northeast, so they’d likely leave as soon as their shifters were ready.
“I’m glad to hear that actually because I have an announcement to make.” Aidan stood and called for everyone in the hall’s attention. “While everyone knows I’ve been mated to Bailey for about six years, what you don’t know is we never conducted the official ritual. Sadly, we never had the opportunity. I know others have bonded recently, so I invite everyone who wishes to join for their own ceremony or celebrate with us to attend in one week.”
He had already run the idea by me, so I simply smiled when many gazes fell on me.
Falcon stood and said he and Sabryn would also like to participate. Phoebe and Ozara spoke up next since they never got to make their mating official, either. Some other couples also requested to join, including those from different clans. Romance had been in the air in recent months, it seemed.
Aidan nodded. “Good, I will look forward to seeing you there.”
Chapter 49
