Page 8 of Dragon Blood

She glanced across the terrace toward Marli, with Stenlen and Carson with Lirikai at the other tables.

Oh, Heidi Brandt and her family are here! They would be so much more fun to sit with.

Noticing Astred’s attention on her, Heidi smiled in return.

The tension eased out of Astred immediately.

I really need to spend more time at Black River.

The family of bear shifters always made her feel at ease.

Dragging her attention away from the other tables, Astred turned to find that Kai stood behind her chair, waiting for her to sit.

“I don’t need—” The chair slid under her as she lowered herself. “Thank you.”

Kai moved to her left as Regina prepared to sit.

Startled, she smiled up at him. “Thank you, Kai.” She immediately turned her attention to Jolena Kane, head of the Global Paranormal Security Agency and its umbrella shadow Organization.

Heat fizzled along Astred’s right as Kai settled down next to her.

I’d rather be scrubbing barnacles off my ship’s hull right now.

“So, princess, huh?” Kai’s low voice rolled up her nape, with a deep, sensual familiarity that she immediately dropped the hatch on.

She grit her teeth. “Uh huh.”

“And here I thought it was me. Turns out, it was.”

Her gaze snapped to his face, meeting his dark eyes, growled. “I told you it wasn’t. That I had obligations.”

He lifted a brow. “Clearly avoided by being at sea all the time. No, I figured it was more to do with my… heritage.”

Astred straightened on her seat, eyes darting to the others seated at their table. “Here is neither the time nor the place for this conversation. What happened between us has nothing to do with you, and everything to do with me.”

Kai chuckled, nodding, as he suddenly occupied himself with the crisp napkin. “That’s rich. Very altruistic of you, Red.” He looked up as a server brought champagne to fill their glasses. “This weekend is going to be fucking priceless.”

Astred stared at her glass with longing. Anywhere else, any other time, she’d have drank it down and demanded a refill.

You’re not aboard your ship, Red, nor in port on leave.

Here, she was hyperaware of etiquette in the presence of these important friends and allies. She folded her hands on her lap, ignoring Kai, despite the tension rolling off him.

She’d seen him on edge before, during particularly challenging contract negotiations, but nothing like this.

The low murmurs between her mother and Jolena Kane ceased as Joey leaned forward, looking at Astred.

“Good to see you again, Astred. If you’ve some time later, can we discuss a few things?”

Astred smiled. “Good to see you too, Joey, especially under lighter circumstances such as this. Business discussion? Yes, I can make time for that.”

“Perfect, I just wanted to provide you with a satellite phone for the Crimson Claw.” Joey nodded and settled back as Jori and Kymri rose from their seats, glasses in hand.

Everyone followed suit.

“I’m not a speech guy, so I will keep this short. First and foremost, Kymri and I are thankful that Carson and Lirikai agreed to host our gathering this weekend.” Jori said.

Kymri continued. “And we thank you all for agreeing to witness our union and give us your time to discuss important matters that affect not just our respective communities, but the global one.”

---