Page 3 of A Dark Prophecy's Heir
The dragon got bigger as it got closer, its massive size a sheer force in itself. Add to that the lengthy span of wings riddled with spikes, the glossy, impenetrable scales, the sharp, glinting claws, and it was perhaps one of the most glorious dragons she had seen in this lifetime. The dragon knew it too, as it twisted in the skies to show off that its weight didn’t hinder its flexibility—a warning, perhaps. Sapphire scowled.
“Oh, my,” Pearl murmured in visible admiration. “That’s one mighty dragon.”
Klaus of Oslo was often called that. He was also called Klaus the Terrible and Killer Klaus for reasons that were far too obvious. Even a casual listener could deduce what it meant, and she was far from one.
“If mighty means going on a spree to hunt and burn smaller creatures,” she muttered.
“He will be a good ally,” Emerald said, not having heard her. The willowy blonde took a step forward, then paused when Sapphire did the same. Their eyes met.
“Let me handle him first.”
Pearl raised a brow, a glint of interest flashing. Then she tugged Emerald to the back, falling in line with Ruby and letting Sapphire take charge. Sapphire ambled forward some more while Maddox stepped to the side, a move that was casual but signaled his readiness to snap in at the slightest provocation. Moon trailed after him, warily watching above but still in human form.
The dragon continued flying in circles before finally gliding down in the space between her and the castle. Amazement flitted in when the ground didn’t shake at its weight. The dragon was already transforming before her eyes: a quick blink, a shimmery flash, and in front of her was a human male form striding with a surety to his gait. The dragon scales reduced to fit his body like armor, but they didn’t hide the well-formed arm muscles and the warrior-like form. Everything about him spoke formidable, but also virility and unbendable will.
Sapphire took note of his scarred cheeks, the only flaw to his otherwise smoothly-sculpted features. She met his dark, almost-black gaze and wasn’t impressed.
“That’s quite a remarkable display of self-control for someone who effectively trapped me just a week or two ago.”
A dragon should sound rough and gritty, but his smooth voice always caught her off guard. He sounded sociable, humorous—not like the man who had almost kidnapped her brother’s mate and destroyed half of the woman’s home. She lifted her chin.
“And that was a poor display, considering you did better before when you already shifted mid-flight. Showing off, aren’t you?”
“If showing off means showing my bride that I can shift whenever and wherever it’s needed, then sure.” Those black orbs pinned her with a narrowed look. “You’re not my bride.”
“Apt observation.”
He paused. He flicked a gaze at the two men, peered at Emerald, and returned his gaze to Sapphire, expression unchanging. “You didn’t have to come here. I only needed my bride.”
“I’m the eldest female in our clan and the head of the Sutton household,” she declared.
“I know that. You helped seal my pact with your sister.”
“Help is too positive a word. Whatever you have to say to my sister, you say to me first.”
“I see.” His voice was laced with shortness, the humor gone. “Even the deepest, darkest secrets?”
“I doubt you would trust her enough to share those.”
Klaus stepped forward, closing the distance between them. The air around them shifted and she knew it was the men tensing, ready to leap to her defense. She stayed still, refusing to give them ammunition that would hurt them in the process—refusing to give this man the satisfaction of being able to rattle her.
“If she knows my secrets, she would be better equipped to protect me as my witch ally. Better equipped to do intimate things in bed, too, as my wife. Perhaps you want to hear those details as well?”
There was a taunting hint to his tone that put her back up and sent a shiver down her spine. Perhaps it was just how close he was, invading her bubble without permission. Perhaps it was because it was him, a man she utterly disliked and wouldn’t trust with her life—much more her sister’s. Her hand fisted, wanting to punch him and whisk her family away from here.
Calm down. Take control.
“No. There’s nothing to hear when I’m sure brutes like you aren’t equipped with intimacy.”
Fire leaped in his eyes, darkening them further. Before he could snap back, a figure had stepped forward and was subtly nudging her elbow. Pearl’s peal of laughter was bright, smoky, and layered with a natural sensuality.
“You guys seem to be having so much fun with all the talking and I’m bored of being neglected. Aren’t you, Em?”
Emerald ambled forward, a gentler smile directed at Klaus. “I’m not bored. You have a lovely island, Mr. Klaus of Oslo.”
In the blink of an eye, the fire in his features was smothered with a polite, brief smile as he finally noted his bride. He scanned Emerald from head to foot, flaring Sapphire’s nostrils, but no one seemed to notice. Appreciation glimmered before he inclined his head. “Please. Call me Klaus. We are about to get thoroughly acquainted, anyway.”
Emerald maintained her smile, unfazed. “All right. Klaus it is. You may call me Emerald.”