Page 39 of Claimed By the Sinful Dragon
I grunted as I accepted his glass, and his point. If Uther really wanted to cause trouble, there would be no avoiding his gaze. That was the reason I’d come. The only reason.
Keep telling yourself that.
What’s that supposed to mean?I demanded.
Running away from Kaylee is no smarter than locking her in her room.
I’m not running away from— And I locked her in forhersafety.
If Gaheris wasn’t exaggerating about the rebels, and Uther’s impending reaction—which was what I was here to find out—then I couldn’t rule out someone flying over my territory, and catching sight of my vulnerable Tribute sunning herself on the grounds. She was safer hidden away while I wasn’t around, at least until I could ascertain if the risk was real. I’d have thought my dragon would agree with that, given how obsessed with her he was.
I agree with keeping her safely inside. But I am not as confident as you that a door will hold her. And as for obsessed, it wasn’tmewho had to stay in my seat like a hatchling unable to control his reaction to an attractive female.
I donotfind our Tribute attractive.
And I absolutely did not want to discuss my unfortunate…reaction. The scent of her defiance as she choked down the meal she’d deliberately ruined, and then the sight of her little pink tongue peeking out as she locked eyes with me, licking the plate… I cleared my throat and took a sip of the whiskey, savoring the expensive taste as it swirled across my palate, but unable to keep from wondering how the Tribute’s flavor wouldcompare. I suspected she would put the whiskey to shame…and I hadnointention of finding out. But I was absolutely going to spank her if she looked at me like that again.
“Do you need a moment?” Gaheris arched a brow at me. He knew me too well. I shook my head and gestured with an open hand.
“Please, go ahead. Tell me how a few wolf rebels in the east are going to pull down our empire.”
“Flippancy does not become you, old friend. Nor does it do much to mask your emotions.”
“If you’re waiting for me to run around screaming like a headless chicken, you’re going to be in for a long wait.”
He blew out an irritated sigh. “You’re outnumbered, and outpowered, Rook. Uther wasn’t convinced of your loyalty by your attendance at the summit.”
“Your point?”
“If Uther comes for you, you’ll be as good as defenseless.”
I knew it. He knew I knew it. And saying it out loud changed nothing.
“What’s the reason you invited me here, Gaheris? And let’s cut the vague bullshit, yeah?”
“The way I see it, we have two choices. Twosides.”
“Sides? You’re suggesting we choose between fighting with Uther, and, what…fighting on the side of the rebels?”
“No. I’m saying have no choicebutto choose whether to fight for Uther or the rebels—sitting on the sidelines is no longer an option.”
I growled in frustration. This was the last thing I needed.
“I could barely stomach Uther last time I flew on a battlefield with him—and by with him, I mean half a mile infrontof him. Now you want us to join his crusade?”
Gaheris drew in a slow breath, and my eyes narrowed. “Gaheris?”
“No,” he said quietly. My brows climbed.
“No?”
“No.” He met my eyes. “Tell me this world is what you wanted it to be.”
“I like my life just as it is.”
“That wasn’t the question, Rook. The way your wolves live isn’t the closely guarded secret you like to think.”
“They’re not my wolves.”
