Page 10 of Dragon Blood

So, he decided to retreat before he made matters worse for himself. He’d managed to maintain control over his emotions during the entirety of the long, long dinner. He needed to keep it that way. Calm and neutral. And far, far away from Red.

Princess Astred, heir to the Aeleftherian throne. Explains a lot.

His tattooed, bar brawling. red-headed pirate captain with the biggest heart of anyone he knew.

Except where he was concerned.

Their last amazing weekend together had been so perfect, he’d asked her to bond with him.

Kai immediately shut down the rest of the memory, stepping away from the murmur of the party, heart heavy.

At least now he understood her rejection.

Royal heirs didn’t commit themselves to hybrids.

A male figure stood looking out at the ocean.

Slipping beyond the torch-lit terrace to the shadowy perimeter, Kai descended the stone steps toward the beach. Waves frothed toward him on a glittering onyx ocean, back-lit by webs of stars and scattered rainbow dust.

“It’s been an age, Uncle.”

Bayn Long turned at the sound of Kai’s voice, a wide smile stretched his lips. “That it has. You’re not a youngling anymore.”

Kai laughed. “Not for a while. Aaron tells me you’re living in Toronto now?”

Bayn nodded. “Your cousin gets himself into some binds now and then, especially with that lot.” He turned, jerking his head toward Carson and Joey, deep in conversation.

“You’re with the GPSA now, too? Aaron didn’t mention it.”

Bayn laughed. “Not officially, no, but fuck, who isn’t these days? Though for good reason.”

“That serious, huh?”

“Yeah, there was a tangle with the Aeleftherians not long ago that’s still unresolved. Regina’s got her hands full.”

“You were there?”

“I was. Not as a tribal rep. Just on my own, as a favor to some old friends.” He nodded his head toward the house.

“See, that’s why I stay the fuck away from dragon affairs.”

Bayn snorted. “Like tiger clans aren’t as complex.”

“I didn’t say that. But when we pull grudges, they’re not likely to wipe out whole cities ‘cause we’re so motherfucking big.”

“Kid, you’re just as big as the rest of us, no matter you identify as a tiger. You can pick and choose what suits you, until you can’t. I was there, remember? I know exactly who and what you are.”

Kai scratched his temple. “Yeah, well, I haven’t been back to the clan territories as much lately. I keep my head down and my business to myself.”

“Generally a good policy, but with the winds stirring as they are, none of us will have that luxury. This affects all of us.”

“Care to enlighten?”

“Bayn, you got a minute? Joey wants to discuss some things about that case she mentioned.” Carson called from the edge of the dining area.

“Up to them. I’ll catch up with you later.” Bayn clapped Kai’s shoulder before turning away. “It really is good to see you again.”

Kai watched Bayn go, his gaze sliding across the clusters of guests. All of them were important in their clans and societies in some way. Bayn was no exception. A Shouwàng Zhe prince of the eastern air dragon clan, the Watchmen, which had initiated Kai as a dragon youngling when no others would take on the responsibility. Certainly not a male Aeleftherian reject. But Kai’s paternal grandmother was Bayn’s sister, and due to this family connection, an exception had been made.

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