Page 31 of Cast By Flames (Dragon's Breath)
He watched the east intently for several minutes until a dragon emerged over the hill in the distance, traversing the landscape on taloned feet. As he ambled closer, Aidan recognized his brother with his red scales and docked tail. Zoran must not be flying to avoid detection by the Bogaran.
Anger and hurt that he’d kept buried emerged and almost overwhelmed him. For over two centuries, the male coming in his direction had made his life a living hell. He’d hurt him physically and psychologically every chance he could. How would they get past that?
Aidan spoke to his guards.I will speak to him alone. You can find a place to land and rest until I am finished.
They flew a short distance south where they could still see him but not overhear his conversation. Aidan chose a flat spot on the ground and shifted into his human form, waiting with trembling anger for Zoran to cross from the other side.
Though it irked him to admit it, he was amazed that the Bogaran hadn’t caught his brother during these last couple of months as he waited for this meeting. He must have grown proficient at evading pure dragons to survive so many years without a toriq. Of course, he had always been cunning and sly.
It should have been the death of him.
Zoran stopped ten feet away and stood on his hind legs, revealing a normal stomach free of black markings. The guard had done his duty and ensured his brother knew the proper protocols ahead of time. Dropping back to all fours, he lit into flames for his shift.
Aidan studied his human form once it emerged. Zoran’s straight black hair was cut much shorter than before, dark circles lined his eyes, and he’d lost considerable weight. He still had a large frame and plenty of musclesbutlacked any fat. His light olive skin even had an unhealthy tinge to it.
The most notable difference, though, was the lack of an aggravated expression on his face that he’d always worn before. Today, Aidan noted exhaustion, regret, and wariness. What had happened to him during these last five years to produce such a change? And did he care?
“You appear well, brother,” he said, choosing civility for his son and Bailey’s sake.
A large part of him wanted to pound his elder sibling into the dirt and let out many years of frustration on him. Hundreds of hurtful moments crowded his mind—constantly being tricked, locked in small dark places, made to look a fool, beat upon, and so much more. It was all Aidan could do to push those memories from his mind. He was a pendragon now and needed to behave as a mature leader and example for Orion.
Zoran bowed his head. “Thank you for agreeing to meet with me, milord.”
Aidan had never thought he’d hear those words from him, never mind in a respectful tone. It was all he could do to remain stoic and keep his wits together for the meeting.
He crossed his arms. “You may thank my son. He has pressed for this meeting nearly every day since coming home and demanded thatI give you a chance. I hope you did not fool a child as part of some ruse.”
“I have done many terrible things in my life, I admit, but using a child in such a way has never been one of them,” Zoran said, keeping his gaze cast downward.
His brother was making a shocking effort to prove he could be submissive. Never before had he behaved so humbly, not even with their father. Was he truly showing contrition, or was this another ruse in a long list of them?
Aidan growled. “What about me? I was a child when you began torturing me.”
“That was different…” he began, then shook his head. “It was wrong. I know that now, and I’m deeply sorry for it. If I’d understood the importance of family back then, I wouldn’t have taken you or our other siblings for granted. Only after losing everything did I realize what I destroyed out of selfish greed.”
He was undoubtedly saying all the right words, but could he be earnest?
“What happened to make you change so much?” Aidan asked, not bothering to hide the skepticism in his voice.
Raw pain entered his brother’s eyes. “Have you ever felt true and utter loneliness?”
“I was separated from my mate and child for nearly five years. What do you think?”
It was all he could do to hide the rawness in his tone. Aidan had been a ghost of his former self during that time, and while he put on a good act now, it still affected him greatly. He didn’t know if he’d ever fully recover from such a difficult period, but it was one of the reasons why he chose to keep his family close, refusing to adhere to the tradition of previous pendragons.
Zoran lifted his repentant gaze. “There was a time when I would not have understood your attraction to the slayer, but after spending time with her, I saw what made her such a good choice for you. She is brave, strong, intelligent, and loyal. Not only that, but she is a good mother and fiercely protective of those she loves. It must have been difficult to let such a female go, especially while she carried your child.”
“I hate that you met my son before me,” Aidan admitted, though his feelings went much deeper than that. It nearly tore him apart when he’d first heard about it, but what could he have done differently? They’d been trapped in a nightmare with little control until the pieces fell into place to make a change.
Light entered his brother’s eyes. “I am most fortunate to have encountered him, though I understand your frustration. He is a precious child and full of promise. I could hardly stand to see him go, but I took solace that he’d have you.”
Aidan balled his fists. He’d expected the meeting to be straightforward and that his brother would prove to be the same as always—malicious and self-centered. Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined Zoran appearing humble and regretful.
He was the older brother Aidan had yearned for long ago. Was it an act? Even Kade had said to give him a chance, somaybe everyone was right that time and distance had made a difference. He didn’t show the slightest sign of being anything like before.
“Bailey told me you wish to fight in the war,” Aidan said.
Zoran nodded. “I cannot bear the thought of standing by and doing nothing while my brethren put their lives on the line. One thing that hasn’t changed is that I’m a strong warrior and built for battle.”
