Page 20 of Kiss of Embers
The gravity of the situation settled heavily on my shoulders. Not only did Finn and I have to prevent Zara from winning, we had to take the elixir for ourselves. And somehow, we had to convince her to accept our claim even as we enjoyed the spoils of our victory at her expense.
Lachlan eased back in his chair, the now-sleeping Brodie curled in a ball with one dimpled fist resting on Lachlan’s chest. “‘Tis a difficult path fate has given you,” Lachlan said. “But if experience has taught me anything, it’s that difficult paths can end up being the best kind to travel.” He lowered his gaze to his son’s bright head. “Sometimes, fate gives us the most exasperating, impossible, beautiful journeys.” Lachlan looked up. “I’m not saying it’ll be easy. But if Zara is meant to be yours, you’ll figure it out.”
I gazed at the sleeping child, who represented the future of the dragon race. Brodie’s mother, Chloe, had played an instrumental role in breaking the Curse and killing the witch who put it into motion. If Finn and I failed to win the elixir,Brodie’s future—and the future of the entire race—would be at risk.
“A dragon has never won the Games,” Finn said. He looked at me, determination glinting in his eyes. “That changes this year. We’re going to win that elixir for the queen. And we’re going to claim our female while we do it.”
A shiver raced down my spine. It was hardly the first time Finn had provoked that sort of response in me.Intensewas too mild a word for my mate. Memories of our first meeting, when I’d caught his eye across a bustling street in Edinburgh, ran through my head. The world had been busy celebrating the end of the Second World War. I’d been knocked senseless by the gray-eyed man staring me down from the other side of the cobblestones.
I’d felt that way ever since.
I smiled now, my worries fading. “You meanI’mgoing to win the elixir.” I patted his shoulder, and I loaded my voice with condescension as I added, “You can help me claim our female.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Keep dreaming, Struan.”
Lachlan chuckled. “I’ll leave you two to your bickering.” He glanced at Brodie and then spoke in a serious tone. “A final word of advice from a man who’s done his share of groveling at the feet of a strong woman. You’re unlikely to win Zara over by charging into her life and declaring her yours. She’s an alpha werewolf. Underestimate her at your peril.”
Anticipation shivered through me. “We won’t. And we thank you again for your help.”
Lachlan nodded. “Good luck.” He ended the call.
Finn sat back in his chair, unmistakable challenge in his eyes. “You’re going to win the elixir, huh?”
“That’s right,” I said, another delicious shiver running through me. “Only one of us can win.” I leaned forward andgrabbed the apple I’d left on the table. I brushed the firm, glossy skin over my lips as I smiled at my mate. “Might as well be me.”
He ran a proprietary look down my body, sexual promise joining the challenge in his gaze. “We’ll see.”
“I’m sure we will.” I tossed the apple into the air once and caught it. Finn’s casual pose in the chair didn’t fool me for a second. He planned on beating me on and off the field of competition.
But I’d like it, so I’d end up winning even if I lost.
I tossed the apple into the air and caught it again. “Should we go see Zara? I’m thinking we need to introduce ourselves properly.”
Too quick to track, he darted forward and took a healthy bite of the fruit. Just as quickly, he grabbed the back of my neck and hauled me into a kiss. He thrust the apple into my mouth, forcing me to chew or choke. As I swallowed the fruit, he spoke against my lips.
“You always have the best ideas.”
Chapter
Seven
ZARA
Wind howled outside. If not for the strengthening spell Drute had placed around the tent, the gusts would have probably brought the canvas down around my ears.
Even so, I struggled to concentrate as I flipped through theHistory of the Firstborn Games. The book’s author, an earth witch with an unusually avid interest in the macabre, took great delight in describing prior contestants’ injuries and untimely deaths.
But the book’s content was only half the problem. The full moon approached. Even with the tent blocking its light, it tugged at me, urging me to shift and hunt. My scalp tingled, and my skin felt all wrong, like it was stretched too tightly over my bones.
Turning the page, I scanned a passage about a Games that took place around the time the Visigoths were sacking Rome.
During the second challenge, two contestants became trapped in the Sarcophagus of Redes, where they were devoured by flesh-eating gallspawn.
Shuddering, I skipped down a few paragraphs.
Because gallspawn secrete a healing agent as they feed, victims can survive for months as the gallspawn feast?—
I slammed the book shut.