Page 84 of Guardian's Dilemma

Before I could say anything else, there was a roar behind me and the door burst open again, smashing against the wall. I spun around, crouching into a fighting stance, already building my magic up in my hand.

Glimmer whipped round as fast as I did and I heard the low growl in his throat. Then he stopped growling and spoke brightly, as though he were having a chat with a friend.

“Hello Broadmire. This is my mate, Kingsley.”

I recognised Broadmire. He was the troll. I started to build my defensive spells differently, to see if they’d withstand a troll’s attack. I knew this one broke my magic so my usual defences weren’t going to cut it.

Broadmire advanced on me and I felt Glimmer’s hands on my arm, then he propelled me across the room, bundling me out of the way. Broadmire and I never took our eyes off each other and his lip was pulled back in a snarl, revealing crooked teeth.

He moved across the kitchen, past where we’d been standing a moment earlier, to stand in front of Randall. Glimmer leaned up to whisper into my ear, “They’re mates.”

“Is that how he knew Randall was frightened?”

Randall, who was soft and human, gamely said, “I wasn’t frightened!”

I didn’t dignify that with a response.

I noted that I could sense Glimmer somehow, a presence nearby, in a way I couldn’t sense other people. His magic was clearer and I knew that, with our mating, that bond had become stronger. I’d know when he was in danger. Ihadknown when he was in danger. It still made me angry to think about that dragon attacking him, even though Glimmer was sure he wouldn’t have been able to hurt him, the fact was he shouldn’t even have tried it.

Randall leaned around Broadmire to ask, “Howdidyou know?”

“Maud shot into my workshop looking like a miniature hyena and yowling. Knew something was wrong.” The troll looked at Glimmer. “You on my side or his?”

Glimmer grinned. “I told you, he’s my mate. I’m on his side. But we’re not here to fight. Kingsley’s not aridireany longer.”

That made the troll relax. He lowered his arms and unclenched his fists. “Suppose he can’t be if he’s mated to you.”

I saw him eyeing the scars on my neck and felt myself flush, half proud to wear them, half angry that someone else could see them. I was going to need to sort through those emotions some time, but not right now.

“What do you want then?”

Randall said, “Broadmire, manners.”

The troll grinned. It looked disturbing. “Want to know. Left my workshop to come here.”

Glimmer stepped forward and I resisted the temptation to move in front of him, the way Broadmire was in front of Randall, blocking him from view, protecting him. Glimmer didn’t need my protection. Not yet. He could more than handle this.

“I need to use your phone.”

From behind the troll, Randall peeked out. “Um, my mobile phone or the landline?”

Glimmer shrugged. “Either one.”

Randall fished his phone out of his pocket and handed it over. He had to side-step around the troll to do it. Glimmer took it and dialled a number he’d memorised.

He put the phone on speaker and held it in his palm. I appreciated the gesture, letting me hear the conversation.

A deep voice growled, “G?”

“Hi Dane, I want to speak to Seren.”

“Alright, hang on a minute and I’ll get him. He’s teaching Hannah how to do that grin you do.”

Glimmer grinned and it was a little bit evil. “Seren was always good at that one.”

On the other end of the phone, Dane grunted. “She looks way too like a Somerville when she does it.”

There was the sound of movement and then Dane called, “Seren, it’s G.”

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