Page 19 of Dragon Blood

Odson nodded, eyes twinkling. “You should spend some time with Kymri before she returns to Katoa Koro with Jori. It won’t be long before the baby presents itself and there is no room for anyone else.”

The watcher laughed. “I have no doubt that child will be born as independent and fierce as her mother.”

“And as much of a handful.” Odson tapped the edge of his glass to the watcher’s, lifted it in salute, then sipped as he made his way around the room. “Have some fun before things get too scaly later.”

The watcher had no choice but to join Odson, sipping from the exquisite glass to honor the celebrated couple.

As the aromatic flavor slid over the watcher’s tongue, it elicited complex emotions they preferred not to analyze.

A surge of guilt soured the experience.

Lowering the glass, the watcher’s gaze found the queen, then the heir, and drew a deep breath.

It’s for the best. My duty is to the safety and well-being of my people. No one else’s. These alliances are worthless and a waste of time.

Resolved, the watcher clasped the glass between their palms to suppress their rising tension and plastered a smile on their lips as the next guest approached to exchange small talk.

Chapter 8

Kaistudiedtheblood-redsails of the Crimson Claw fluttering overhead, jaw tight, molars grinding.

The crew, dressed in loose cotton tunics and pants, climbed the masts with ease, tended the rigging, adjusted the angles to ensure the bow was pointed toward Aeleftheria.

He drew ocean air deep into his lungs, scrubbing away the tension and inner resistance of going to visit his mother’s ancestral home for the first time.

At the queen’s own invitation.

Who could deny that?

After the ceremony, he’d just packed his bag to head home when one of the Aeleftherian guards knocked on his door, summoning him to Regina’s suite.

Apparently, his mother had formally requested permission for him to enter Aeleftherian territory and visit the island.

He swallowed the competing emotions gurgling in his gut.

Kai could not resist the power and magnetism of the queen as she studied his face with a knowing smile, which made him sweat like a teenager meeting their date’s parents for the first time.

He’d meant to politely decline the invitation. Instead, he was agreeing before his brain noticed what was happening.

Now he was committed to this prolonged torture.

More time with his estranged mother, who’d abandoned him and then suddenly reappeared.

He’d come on this journey to see his little sister married. Reunion gladly established, he should have been on a plane home to face his mountainous workload.

His gaze found Astred up on the quarterdeck, deep in conversation with First Mate Okonedo.

And now, more time with the woman of his heart who’d run out on him after he’d ripped himself wide open and asked her for forever.

The desire to be close to her warred with the need to put distance between them. An impossibility within the limitations of her beloved antiquated pirate ship. The thing she loved most in the world, living and breathing the life of a sea captain since she had relieved the Spanish privateers of their property, several centuries back.

This ship had sailed her into his life, and right back out of it again.

His jaw tightened again as he returned his attention to the glittering horizon, allowing the crew’s calls to one another to float around him.

Kai observed and admired the crew’s skill and precision in handling their ship. Their home, to dragon shifters, humans, and some other paranormal drifters alike.

Typical of Red.

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