Page 23 of Kiss of Embers
Drute snapped his wings out. One struck the edge of the dining table, sending the mugs of tea crashing to the floorboards. The dragons held steady as tea spread over the wood, filling the tent with the scent of chamomile and rum. Struan smiled, and his accent thickened as he spoke in a tone sharp enough to cut. “Och, gargoyle, it appears we’ve ruffled your wee feathers.”
Drute was moving before Struan finished his sentence. “Call megargoyleagain, and I’ll?—”
“Enough!” I shouted, putting on a burst of speed that had me between them before they could collide. Drute’s momentum knocked me into Struan, who caught my shoulders before I could fall. He turned me with gentle hands and put a warm, callused palm under my chin.
Deep blue eyes searched mine. “Are you all right?”
Electricity shot through me, the jolt stealing my breath. A rich, smoky scent invaded my lungs. It was both foreign and familiar, like something pleasant I’d smelled in the past and then rediscovered. Only half aware of what I was doing, I inhaled deeply.
Time slowed. More scent filled me, but it was stronger this time. Almost…intoxicating. Struan’s eyes glittered, something fierce dancing in the sapphire depths. My wolf receded.
In some corner of my mind, I knew I should be dismayed. I couldn’t shift without her. What if I needed to fight? As panic gathered, Struan feathered his thumb over my jaw. His skin was hot, almost searing.
“You’re warm,” I said stupidly.
His lips curved. “I’m a dragon.”
The boom of thunder startled me from my stupor. I took a swift step back, dislodging Struan’s grip. The world sped up again. Finn stood at Struan’s shoulder, his gray eyes fixed on me. Rain pounded the tent.
And Drute loomed nearby, his jaw tight and disapproval in his dark eyes.
I could hardly blame him. Gods, what was wrong with me? I’d gone from breaking up a fight to inhaling Struan like he was food at a buffet.
My face heated. The dragons were desperate for women. Or maybe they just wanted me to believe I was their fated mate. As Drute had pointed out, underhanded tactics were a tradition at the Firstborn Games. For all I knew, they’d charmed me to respond to them.
“It’s been a long day,” I said. “Assuming the demons allow the three of us to remain in the Games, we have a competition ahead of us tomorrow. We should all get some sleep.”
The men stayed put. Something dark and predatory moved through Finn’s eyes.
“That wolf tonight,” he said. “Ashcroft. What is he to you?”
My hackles rose at his proprietary tone. I gave him the look I’d seen my father use whenever he addressed an unruly pack member. “I don’t see how that’s any of your business.”
The predatory glint in Finn’s eyes sharpened. “Everything about you is my business, Zara Rockford.”
A shiver raced down my spine. Drute’s warning growl warred with the sound of the wind gusting outside. The dragons stayed utterly still. Watchful. It was clear they weren’t budging until I gave them the information they sought. Part of me wanted to hold my ground. But Brader’s identity was hardly a secret. And if I had an opportunity to diffuse the tension, I’d be smart to take it.“Flex your mind before you swing your fists.”
I drew an even breath. “Brader Ashcroft is the alpha of a neighboring pack. I’ve known him since I was a child.”
Finn raised his eyebrows. “And yet he campaigned to get you thrown out of the Games.”
“Not very neighborly of him,” Struan said.
Drute moved closer to my side. “It’s time for both of you to leave.”
In a blink, the air shimmered with the promise of violence.
“It’s all right, Drute,” I said softly. As he eased back, I addressed Struan and Finn. “You asked what Brader is to me. I answered your question. He’s my neighbor. Nothing more.” I gestured to the tent’s entrance behind them. “Now, this conversation is over. Good night.”
Again, neither dragon moved. They stared, their eyes glowing with the intense possessiveness they displayed in the clearing.
At last, Finn spoke in a low voice. “You don’t have to worry about the demons throwing you out of the Games, lass. Struan and I won’t let that happen. That’s what we came here to tell you.”
Drute folded his arms. He kept quiet, but his skepticism was palpable.
“I don’t need help,” I said. “I entered the Games on my own terms, and I intend to win the same way.” The other competitors already believed Struan and Finn gave me an unfair advantage. If they intervened with Bolveg on my behalf, they might make my situation worse.
Although, maybe that was their intention.