Page 47 of The Heart of the Dragon

For the first time since meeting him, I truly understood his possessiveness when it came to her. Kitra was his mate and she meant everything to him.

“Oh my God. Enough.” Rose struggled in my arms, but I refused to let her free. “Dad,” she implored. “Please. Tell them you mean them no harm.”

He stared at us for an uncomfortably long time before he sighed. “Fine. On one condition. Swear on the Goddess that you meanherno harm. And no tricks, or this isn't going to go well for you.”

He held out his arm and waited for me to comply. I tried to puzzle out if this was some kind of maneuver against us, but I could sense no intention other than his daughter's safety.

I grasped his forearm and let the magic of my promise meet and tangle with his own.

With that done, he stepped back and motioned us forward. “Might as well come inside, then. We are going to have some talking to do and I don't think we need an audience for this."

I turned back to see what audience he referred to and spied two hulking men standing fifty feet from the carriage we'd arrived in. Since both had tense postures like they were ready to intervene or join a fight, I assumed they were security of some kind.

"Dad," Rose said. "You're really acting strange. Are you going to tell me what's going on? I don't understand."

"It looks like you have the explaining to do, dearest daughter." The words were commanding, but the arm he wrapped around her was far more loving than he sounded. My dragon didn't like that the other man touched her, but as long as there was no disrespect or malintent, I would tolerate it. For now.

When the heavy oak door closed behind us with a soft thud, the warmth of the home enveloped us. The house was filled withan inviting, golden light that spilled from antique lamps and flickering candles, casting shadows on the deeply hued walls.

A myriad of enticing scents wafted through the air, mingling together. The strongest among them was the unmistakable fragrance of freshly baked apples, rich with cinnamon and nutmeg. The tantalizing smell made my stomach growl, reminding me how long it had been since my last meal.

I glanced at Rose, wondering if she'd heard the embarrassing rumble, but she seemed lost in her own thoughts as she looked questioningly at her dad.

Rose's father glanced in my direction and then leaned closer to his daughter. "Are you hungry? Your mom and I were just putting the finishing touches on dinner. We have plenty.”

"We would appreciate that," Kitra pushed her way to my side. "Just because these two brutes can't remember what manners are, I can. It's been a long day, and I think we could all take a breath."

"Perfect. Let me just go tell Mar?—"

"Oh my Goddess." An older woman screeched from the kitchen doorway. "Are we under attack?"

"Mom!" Rose yelled, stopping her mother from grabbing up the sword that hung on the nearby wall. "No one is under attack. Seriously? What is going on with you two? Are you okay?"

"Rose?" Her mother froze, looking around the rest of us until she found her daughter nestled in my arms. "But?—"

"Don't worry. I believe Rose is going to explain everything over dinner. Her companions are hungry, and I offered to accommodate them."

Rose's mother glanced around at each of us before finally turning back toward the kitchen with a frown on her face. I could feel the tension radiating from her, and the mixed scents of both fear and anger coming from her irritated my senses. I didn't normally care how I made anyone feel, but I'd done nothing to warrant this reception.

"They're not human," Kitra whispered over her shoulder and both Isaac and I exchanged glances.

"Thanks, hon. We got that."

"Go ahead and take a seat at the table. Roger, would you mind carrying the kettle?" She waved to a giant cast iron vessel on the stove that looked more like a cauldron than a pot.

"I'm suddenly getting a case of deja vu. Maybe we should skip dinner."

Kitra looked confused and Rose momentarily hid her face.

"If Martha cooks anything like her daughter, then we might have a problem."

Everyone swung around to face me, half their mouths agape, but Rose's quiet snicker caught my attention. I gave her a pointed look, reminding her I wasn't going to forget. Forgive maybe, but never forget.

"I am so sorry," Kitra said. "I think it's understandable that tensions are high, but I'm quite sure he didn't mean to insult you."

Martha nodded, but her eyes narrowed again, and I couldn’t help but question if all of us were going to make it through this dinner alive.

On a loud sigh, Rose spoke up, "It's my fault he's nervous about the stew. I kind of poisoned him with your lentil recipe."

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