Page 17 of Kiss of Embers
“That’s because you haven’t felt us yet,” the other dragon said. The black-haired dragon had called him Finn. The name seemed far too playful for such a tall, broad-shouldered male. A smile curved his lips, revealing the tips of sharp-looking fangs. “But you will, Zara.” His Scottish accent curled around my name, the musical cadence lifting the hair on my nape. Red flickered through his gray eyes. “Just as soon as we can manage it.”
More soft laughter rose from the crowd. Someone on the other side of the clearing let out a wolf whistle.
My cheeks heated, rumors of dragon mating practices running through my memory. Supposedly, the male pairs bound their female to them through ritual language only dragons could speak. Then they took hertogether, filling her in every way possible.
And Finn had just told everyone in the clearing that he and his mate intended to do the same to me. They’d declared metheirs without so much as introducing themselves—or asking what I thought about their so-called claim. In a few sentences, they’d reduced me to a sexual object instead of a thinking, breathing being with my own thoughts and goals.
More masculine laughter rippled around the clearing—all of it at my expense.
“And you’ll like it, lass,” Finn added.
My fangs punched down. I bared them as I surged forward.
“Zara!” Drute caught my arm, hauling me back before I could punch the smile off Finn’s face. As I stumbled into Drute, the black-haired dragon roared.
In a blur of movement, Finn drew a dagger. The blade flashed in the moonlight as he fixed his red-sheened gaze on Drute. “That’s the last time you touch her, gargoyle.” As if they coordinated it, he and the black-haired dragon sprang forward, murder in their eyes.
Inessa appeared in front of them, one hand outstretched. Her skin glowed more brightly, and her white skirts fluttered in a breeze that defied the still, stagnant air hanging over the clearing.
“Hold up, boys,” she said. “Woo all you want, but do it without violence.”
For a moment, both dragons looked like they might challenge the goddess. The whole clearing seemed to hold its breath. More than one man around me shifted on his feet, seemingly ready for all hell to break loose. Behind Inessa, Bolveg looked like he dearly wished to channel as far away from the jungle as possible.
Finally, the dragons looked at each other. Some kind of unspoken communication passed between them, and then the black-haired dragon turned to Inessa and inclined his head. “Verra well. We’ll behave.”
Inessa lowered her arm. She gave him an appreciative look, a dimple appearing in her cheek. “I do love a well-behaved Highlander.”
Brader stalked forward, his handsome features twisted in a scornful expression. “Their behavior proves my point,” he told Inessa. “They were ready to attack just now. Who else will they attack once the competition begins?” He flung a hand toward Finn, who still held the dagger. “Already, they flout the rules.” Brader turned his gaze to the crowd. “How will any of us compete if we’re constantly worried about a dragon slitting our throats?”
“The wolf is right!” someone called. “It’s not fair for the dragons to compete.”
“Or the female!” another shouted. “All three should be disqualified.”
“No!” I protested, panic clawing at my throat. I looked at Inessa—and Bolveg behind her. “You can’t kick me out when I’ve done nothing wrong. If you’re worried about fairness, ban the dragons from the Games.”
Inessa gave me a sympathetic look. “Oh, girl. If you think banning dragons will keep them away from you, I have vexing news.”
One of the silver-haired fae who passed Drute and me back at the camp shoved his way to Bolveg’s side. The fae bent his head and spoke in a low voice in Bolveg’s ear. “The crowd grows restless, demon. You need to make a decision now or wrap up for the night.”
Bolveg cast a nervous-looking glance around the clearing. “Yes, yes. Perhaps we should, ah, make a decision.” He shot Inessa a hopeful expression. “Goddess?”
Everyone looked at her.
She shrugged, sending a thick spiral of red hair sliding over one glowing shoulder. “You run the Rules Committee. Myretainer clearly states that I’m in charge of the fountain. The contract was very specific.” She gave a long-suffering sigh as she examined her glossy red nails. “Lawyers, am I right?”
The crowd looked at Bolveg. He frowned and then turned toward the platform, where the other demons still stood at the edge. The female, whose horns were the same pale shade as her hair, lifted worried eyes to the crowd.
“Perhaps,” she said slowly, “we should take this decision under advisement for the night. We’ll issue a final ruling at twilight tomorrow. That way, everyone can start the challenge fresh and without distraction.”
A few groans peppered the air, but several competitors nodded. The witch Drute had identified as Galen of House Baudelaire made an impatient sound before cutting across the clearing and heading up the pathway that led to the base camp. After a moment, other competitors followed him.
Bolveg swiveled back around, a look of relief on his face. “Surina makes an excellent suggestion.” He swept a gaze over me and the dragons. “My colleagues and I will discuss this situation tonight. You’ll have our ruling on the morrow. Friendly reminder that maiming or murdering a fellow contestant is punishable by decapitation. Good evening.” He nodded, then winked out of sight. On the platform, the rest of the demons followed suit.
Finn tucked his weapon away, the blade disappearing as if it never existed at all.
Inessa raised a perfectly arched red brow at him. “Best leave that dagger in your tent tomorrow, dragon.” In a blink, she was gone.
And I stood in the middle of the clearing with the dragons, Drute, and Brader. For a moment, no one spoke or moved. Then, more contestants started toward the pathway. The burlywerewolf who’d spoken of his macros cast me a dark look as he passed.