“Careful, don’t scratch it!” Isaak’s vast form loomed over me, as if I were about to shred the book into tatters.
“I’m not going to scratch it. Calm down.”
Dante came up to my side and peered over my shoulder. “Flip to the page about erogenous zones. I have questions.”
“I need more female friends.” Usha groaned, downing her glass.
I shifted from one foot to another and eyed the dragon. “Dante, I heard Fallon placed a rune on himself that keeps him from getting Cin pregnant. Do you know how to do that, too?”
The silver-haired man furrowed his brow. “A barren rune? Yes, they’re easy to conjure. Most dragons keep them on until we want to have children.”
“Is it possible for you to give me one? My Brie looked taken aback when I asked how many kids she wanted.” Usha choked on her mead and shook her head.
“Yes.” Dante said, rolling up his sleeves. “We can do it now if you’re ready.” Sparks ignited from his wrists and danced up the dragon shifter’s arms.
That looked concerning.“How long does it take?”
He averted his gaze and tilted his head. “Just lift up your shirt and it will be over quickly.”
The uncharacteristically light tone in his voice planted a seed of worry in my gut. “How quickly?”
“Just a quick zap and you’re done.” He advanced a step forward. I took one back.
“Does it hurt?” The hair on the back of my neck stood up as I noticed the corner of his mouth twitch as if he was fighting off a grin.
“A little. No more than a sting. Just don’t look at it.”
“Are you lying to me?”
Dante paused. The air became thick with tension. Balabash, Isaak, Usha watched on in silence. “No.”
“Alright.” I said. Dante’s gray eyes took on a sadistic glint and the grin he’s been hiding came out in full force. It was then I knew that I fucked up.
Without giving me time to react, the dragon shifter lifted my shirt and jabbed me in the lower gut, just above my right hip. I yelped at the initial shock, but the sharp sting soon faded. I blinked and held a hand to the rune. “Well, that wasn’t so bad.” I said. Burning pain shot from my torso down to my toes. I fell forward onto my knees, screaming.
“It might be more than a sting.” Dante muttered.
“OH YOU LIED. YOU LYING SACK OF CLOUD SCALES!”
Dante threw back his head and laughed as I rolled on the floor. “Chin up, wolf, it’s a rite of passage amongst young dragons. You should be honored.”
“THIS HONOR IS RIPPING THROUGH MY SKIN LIKE THE POISON OF A BASILISK. YOU SICK WARLOCK OF PAIN!”
“I know.” He chuckled. “It’s heinous. I’ve never gotten to do it to anyone else before.” He turned to Isaak and Balabash. “Who’s next?”
The two orcs edged toward the door in fear. Dante crouched forward, as if to pounce. “Oh, don’t be cowards.” His tone was mocking, the same threatening grin present. “It’s a lot less painful than what your woman would go through if you put her through childbirth. You can’t expect her to go through worse pain if you yourself can’t even offer her this.”
“That’s a fair point.” I heard Usha say. “Get Em Dante!”
With a grunt, I wrapped my arms around his legs and held tight. “Don’t listen to him. Run!” He tried to lunge at the fleeing men, but fell just short of snatching Isaak by his braids.
Dante sighed as the two frantically ran out the door. “You’re no fun.” He said, turning to me.
“You’re evil.” I growled.
He held out a hand to help me up, and I took it. The pain finally ebbing away. “Maybe. But I’m sure your mate will thank me for it.”
His words mollified my anger a little. If Brie wasn’t ready to start a family, then the stress of pregnancy was probably a heavy weight over her head. While that was undoubtedly one of the worst pains I’d ever felt, it was over rather quickly. I’m still going to get him back one day, though.
