Page 63 of Cast By Flames (Dragon's Breath)
Except when needed elsewhere, she would stay at the dome to bridge communications between dragons and humans. She would also help lead the training. Titan and Eliam were in charge of guarding her from attack in case any pure dragons couldn’t behave.
She could protect herself from one or two at a time, but if more went after her, she’d need assistance to defend herself. Having heard tales of her fighting, he recognized her as a valuable asset in the war. They couldn’t risk losing her even if she made them all uncomfortable.
“Do not stray far from Titan or Eliam while you are here,” he ordered, pushing a thread of his pendragon power on her. “There are likely some here who will take advantage if they catch you alone.”
Rayna bristled at his command, but even she couldn’t help bowing her head a little. “I’ll kill them if they try.”
Hildegard and Galadon approached in their human forms. The Faegud pendragon was a large-boned woman with brown hair braided to her waist and tanned skin. Her confident stride implied that she could kill a horde of enemies merely by glowering at them. She was smart, direct, and didn’t tolerate impudence, but she did have a wicked sense of humor.
Galadon—also known as the lone shifter—was a massive male with corded muscles that bulged from nearly every part ofhim. He towered over most people.He had short, black hair, light olive skin, and amber eyes that appeared to have flames burning within them, especially when angry or annoyed.
For reasons no one could explain, he naturally emitted a fear hormone so powerful that it made almost everyone afraid to go near him. His dragon form was even more intimidating. It made him an imposing force on the battlefield but worked against him when trying to gain friends or allies. The Faegud pendragon was the first to take a chance since she recognized he was a great asset. Before that, he had no toriq and lived alone in a small territory.
Hildegard smiled and gestured at Galadon, a healthy distance to her left since she wasn’t immune to his effect. “He will help ensure Rayna’s safety as well. If she needs someone to fly her so she can hunt, he can do that, too.”
The lone shifter growled, narrowing his eyes on the slayer. “I want nothing to do with her, and I’m certainly not going to take her to kill our kind.”
“You will do as ordered,” the Faegud pendragon snapped in a forceful tone.
Despite the obvious tension in her shoulders, Hildegard did an admirable job ordering the shifter she feared. It couldn’t have been easy to overcome her instincts when commanding Galadon. Aidan respected her courage.
Rayna sighed. “I think he just needs to get laid, and then he’ll feelsomuch better.” She moved toward the lone shifter until they were only a foot apart and spoke in a low, seductive tone, “I can help with that if you’d like. They say once you go slayer…you never go back. Ask Aidan.”
His whole body went ramrod straight, and horror twisted his features.
Hildegard laughed so hard he feared she’d choke on her tongue. Aidan had forgotten how forthright Rayna could be or how well she could get under Galadon’s skin. The poor shifter had no idea how to handle her—a female half his size and a head shorter than him who didn’t show an ounce of fear. Aidan fought a grin, enjoying the exchange.
“I do not need to get laid,” the lone shifter seethed, face reddening.
“Really?” she asked, cocking her head so that her coppery brown hair fell to the side and glinted in the sunlight. “How long has it been, big boy?”
If it hadn’t been amusing, it would have been disturbing to see how daring the slayer was while standing toe to toe with one of the most powerful shifters to walk the Earth. Aidan still found it uncomfortable when he got close to him, but he could tolerate him far better than before.
Galadon’s eyes flashed with firelight. “Do you have a death wish?”
Rayna laughed, pressing her hand to her chest.
“Finally, someone who gets me,” she said, smiling secretively at him and then walking away. She paused by Titan. “I’ve gotta pee. Can you make sure no one bothers me while I go behind those trees?” She pointed in the direction of the nearby woods.
The shifter cleared his throat. “Uh, of course.”
His expression was deeply uncomfortable as he followed her.
Aidan rubbed his face. “I’m still trying to figure her out.”
“Why did you bring her here?” Galadon asked, scowling. “She’s a menace.”
“Rayna has useful skills and more spare time than anyone else since most people are afraid of her,” Aidan said, giving the lone shifter an inquiring look. “Why do you hate her so much?”
“She vexatious and enjoys mocking me.”
Hildegard shook her head. “If I believed that, I wouldn’t make you go near her. I’d even bet a trunk of my best jewels that if you took her up on her offer, she’d follow through and give you the best sex of your life.”
“You can’t be serious,” he said, eyes widening in horror.
The female pendragon had good instincts, especially about female behavior.
Aidan rubbed his chin, considering it. “I think she’s right. Bailey says Rayna likes to flirt, but you’re the only one she’s made that offer to…and more than once now.”
