Page 14 of Seduced By the Dragon Lord (Dragon Lords 2)

She pressed her father’s knife to her chest, feeling the tightness in her gut ease. She’d hated being separated from it, was risking much just to keep it with her, but the compulsion to swipe it had been undeniable. She reasoned not only because it could be used for defense if necessary, but because this blade was the only thing tethering her old reality to her new one. The only thing that connected her to home…to who she was…is.She felt changes sparking within her, monumental and staggering changes, like her world was shifting on a molecular level and she couldn’t get her footing. There was an intrinsic gravity to this realm that was foreign, frightening and, a part of her feared, consuming. She felt vulnerable. Defenseless. And not just becausehere be dragons.

She knew nothing of this place. These people. To ensure her survival, that would have to change. They presented themselves as friendly, but she wasn’t in a position to take anything for granted. She was a stranger to this land, and she needed to be the fox. She needed to wise up fast.

So she’d given herself a mission:Analyze my situation. Get the lay of the land. Gather intel.

With a new wave of adrenaline, she slowly creaked opened the door, cautiously peered out, and then slipped into the empty hallway.

* * *

Orik was surprised to find Tristan had returned home early and was currently in the kitchen rifling through the fridge. “Tris? What are you doing back? I wasn’t expecting you for several days.”

“I missed my wife,” replied Tristan simply, and Orik felt a twinge of envy over his stepbrother’s relationship. “Besides, Gavin is a stubborn git. I was never going to convince him to return home. By the way, I got word from Prince Gideon. He’s set up a meeting with a coven of witches who are petitioning to settle nearby.”

Orik knew his expression had turned lethal. “You’ll no’ allow it. Will you?”

Tristan shrugged. “I am open to a conversation.” Ever since a white-haired witch named Xanthia had saved Juniper’s life, Orik perceived a change in Tristan toward the fiends on a whole.

Through gritted teeth, Orik reminded him, “Xanthia might have saved June, but only because you threatened her life if she didn’t. And still she escaped when no one was watching. We canna trust them. Any of them.”

Tristan shot him a pitying look. “I know you have a bad history with witches. As does most dragons our age—”

“For good reason.”

“—but there has been no major conflict in many decades—”

“Because they’ve taken to picking off those of us who do not cluster together.”Like my parents.Simple farmers. Never hurt anyone.

“Doona forget, for many years we have been able to live in peace withonecoven in particular.” The one they bought enchanted supplies from. Orik knew them well. Had assigned an entire garrison of guards to keep tabs on them.

Orik hated wearing the standard-issue uniform with the bespelled fabric that kept the cloth from tearing to shreds whenever any of them shifted to their dragon form. Even though long ago he’d grudgingly admitted it was more convenient to transform back into his two-legged form fully dressed and armed, it still chafed to rely on magic so heavily.

“I only wish to hear what they have to say,” Tristan reasoned. “How can there ever be lasting peace if we don’t open a dialogue?”

“That sounds like something June would say.”

Tristan shrugged. “My wife is wise for her age.”

Irked over this new development, Orik changed the subject. “How is Gavin?”

“He tests my patience. Refuses to return. Refuses to take a mate. If he had his way, he would die alone on that island of his.”

“Doesn’t he reside there with his servants?”

Reaching farther into the fridge, Tristan retrieved a tray of dried meat sticks that had been lightly seasoned. “Aye. Some lovely females in the lot, too, but none that he’d consider taking for a bride.”

Orik swiped a stick. “I believe he is taking your father’s death harder than both you and I.”

“It’s selfish, if you ask me. He’s no’ the one working to keep this kingdom together. The one taking on every challenger. The least he could do is pop out a few offspring to ensure our lineage. No’ that June and I aren’t trying, but we doona even know if it’s possible for her to bear my child. There’s no precedent when it comes to humans who have evolved into dragons by way of magic.”

Orik bit off a hunk of meat and muttered as he chewed. “Speaking of humans, we may have adopted another one.” A curious one at that, with stunning hazel eyes and enticingly plump lips. He still couldn’t get her touch out of his head. Still felt the warmth of her on his skin.

Tristan straightened. “What do you mean?”

Orik explained all that had happened in his absence: the Kayadon ship, Jessie’s cumbersome yet innovative barrier, the subsequent trouble she caused. Through it all, Tristan grew more and more amused by Jessie’s antics, possibly even impressed, if Orik was reading him correctly. Then, reluctantly, Orik added, “I, uh, sort of told her we could help her get back home.”

Tristan frowned and scoured a hand down his face. “Why did you do that? You know that after I wed June, the council discussed the possibility of another situation like hers happening again. We decided it would be too dangerous to send a human back to their world. No’ after they discovered what we are. Even June agreed. Humans are just too dangerous in this stage of their evolution. They are like zealots, even with their own kind. They seek to destroy anything that is different from them, or has more power. We tick both those boxes and more.”

“I know. It was a mistake. At the time, I just wanted to calm her down and get her out of that ship. She was a right menace.”

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