Page 53 of Edge of Darkness

“And dragons are arrogant enough to think that we can fix the problem. Plus, dragons are hardheaded. Now, red dragons? Take those qualities and magnify them by a hundred. Let’s face it, reds are the most aggressive out of all the dragons. We tend to be hot-tempered to boot.”

“Well, we do have red hair for a reason,” Connie joked.

“There is that.” Hudson straightened in his chair and patted his knee. “Come here, sweetheart.”

Connie raised an eyebrow. “Yeah, I don’t think so. Nothing will get done if I do that.”

“I’m not going to ravish you.”

Hands on his hips, Connie smirked. “I’ve heard that before too.”

Hudson laughed. “True, but that isn’t what this is about. We both found out we’re mated to a human, even though you and I don’t share a soul bond. That’s kind of life-altering, don’t you think? I just wanted to be sure that you and I are still—”

Connie quickly moved to sit in Hudson’s lap. Wrapping his arms around Hudson, Connie snuggled in. “We’re okay. Nothing has changed between us. Yes, I feel like my world has been turned upside down, but you’re my port in the storm.”

“Always.” Hudson hugged Connie tightly.

“I admit, I don’t understand why Fate did this.”

“I don’t either, but I’m sure there’s a reason.”

“They die so easily,” Connie whispered. “Humans, I mean.”

“Believe me, Iknow. But we’ll do what we must in order to ensure Kit’s safety and longevity. Plus, we’ll talk to Kage some more. He’s basically in the same boat as us.”

Connie leaned up and kissed Hudson’s cheek. “And there’s two of us. Double the protection. Or trouble, depending on how you look at it.”

“Yes. Two arrogant, hardheaded, aggressive red dragons who wouldn’t think twice about setting the world on fire to protect what’s theirs.”

Connie leaned back in Hudson’s arms and stared into his eyes. “While I agree with the last part of that sentence—”

“Damn straight.”

“—I should point out that you’re way more arrogant, hardheaded, and aggressive than me, Your Majesty.I’mthe voice of reason. I have to be as your right hand.”

“Uh-huh. Wanna bet how many times you’re going to end up in the pool in order to calm down, Mister Voice of Reason?” Hudson asked.

Connie grimaced. “Our poor human.”

THE DAY passed quickly. It was still light outside, and Beckett had called to say he would be arriving at the compound soon. The drive from San DeLain wasn’t short by any stretch of the imagination, but Beckett was making good time.

Connie and Hudson ate dinner with several of the other dragons, then retired to Hudson’s quarters. Since it was still daylight, Hudson couldn’t call Ward yet.

Both he and Hudson had changed out of their work clothes and into something much more comfortable. Keeping Hudson’s words about being tossed into the pool in the foremost of his mind, Connie left his cell on the end table next to the couch—just in case. It had survived his first trip, but why push his luck, right?

Connie didn’t realize he was pacing until Hudson caught him by the hand, bringing him to a stop. “What?”

Hudson pulled him down to the couch next to him. “Why are you so nervous?”

“I don’t know.” What a lie that was. “Okay, no, that’s not true. I know exactly why I’m nervous. I’m afraid I’m going to lose control again.”

“Which is why we’re doing this. Worst-case scenario? I can stop your dragon from coming out. It won’t be pleasant, but as your king, I can do that.”

“Gods.” Connie ran his hands through his hair.

“Don’t go borrowing trouble. Maybe you won’t react so strongly this time.”

Connie snorted but didn’t bother to answer.

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