Page 60 of Dragon Blood

“To the success of Princess Captain Astred’s secret mission,” Aaron’s teeth gleamed as his grin widened impossibly more.

“Sounds good to me,” Astred shrugged. “And to Bayn’s culinary talents.”

They touched glasses and sipped.

Unable to keep his eyes from Astred for long, Kai continually reminded himself that he loved his cousin.

Chapter 20

Astredstaredatthegolden liquid in her glass, the fingers of her free hand absently rubbing at the thin layer of scales still protecting her chest beneath the fabric of her shirt.

Everything about her mother’s rule was the exact opposite of how Astred lived her seafaring life, though that had changed a great deal in the last century.

Astred couldn’t just pick a fight, brawl, and be done with it.

She set the glass aside and picked at Bayn’s succulent steamed sea bass with her chopsticks.

Monarchs required diplomacy and tact.

I need Elora.

I need my mother.

Besides, who could she pick a fight with?

Freeing the moist meat from the delicate bones, she lifted the morsel to her lips.

The males weren’t the cause—this time.

The Consortium? Out of reach—for now.

The traitor.

Dragging her attention back to the present moment, she popped the food into her mouth.

Flavor enraptured her tongue as she savored the melting fish.

She swallowed and sighed, meeting Bayn’s intent expression.

“Perfection,” she smiled.

The tension in his shoulders eased as he lifted the first bites to his own mouth.

They all tucked in, talking as they enjoyed Bayn’s efforts and one another’s company.

Astred glanced around the table, realizing, not for the first time, how surreal this moment was. Over dinner, she’d learned a little more about each of her companions and their connections to one another. Two clans linked by family.

Bayn Long, a prince of the Shouwàng Zhe. The Watchmen of dragonkind. Antiques dealer and talented chef.

Aaron Connor, a nobleman of the Dùn Zhao tiger clan. The Shield Claw of the paranormals in the east. And a member of Joey Kane’s GPSA Shadow Corp.

Kai Sun. Dragon. Tiger. Shadow master?

Kai.

She suppressed a smile, recalling his curious behavior when she and Aaron had been chatting.

Jealousy? So unlike him.

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