Page 85 of Guardian's Dilemma

Someone grabbed the phone and asked, “Glimmer?”

My mate said, “I just wanted to tell you that I’m actually alive.”

There was a beat of silence and then Seren asked, “Right. Were you not meant to be alive or something? Should I be worried?”

Even over the phone, I could hear the way his voice changed. There was a growl to it, a sharper focus.

Glimmer cringed. “Ah, shit, I didn’t think that through, did I? I’m fine, Seren. I’m alive and well.”

“You keep saying that but it’s making it worse. I’m worried. Is it thatridire? Did he find the territory? Has he hurt someone?”

It was a strange experience to hear that conversation from the dragons’ perspective. I’d always been taught that dragons didn’t feel love or loyalty, that they gathered in clans to protect themselves and hoard their treasure. Now I knew how wrong that was, I could hear the humanity in their voices; the love and the fear and the fierce protectiveness.

Glimmer quickly reassured him. “I’m alive and well and thatridireis my mate.”

“Your what now?”

“You heard me. He’s my mate.”

“Uh, what are you going to do about that?”

“I mated him, of course.”

“You mated— Are you kidding me, Glimmer, you mated aridire?”

“Well sure. He’s standing right here.”

In the background, I just heard Dane’s deeper voice say, “That could only happen to you, G.”

Glimmer huffed. “I think we strayed from the point. I was very generously ringing to inform you that the rumours of my death had been greatly exaggerated so you wouldn’t worry. It’s just unfortunate that I forgot you wouldn’t have heard those rumours, since I’m the only one who tells you anything.”

“Let me get this straight: you’re mated to aridire?”

“Yes.”

“And you’re safe?”

“Yes.”

“And there are rumours that you’re dead?”

“Yes. We’re assuming that Conley reported me dead but I can’t be sure. I’ve been disowned.”

Dane growled, “You can come here, G. You’re welcome in our clan, right Seren?”

To my surprise, Seren didn’t answer. When he did, he sounded reluctant. “Yeah, I suppose. Is that what you’re going to do? Come here? You’re not… staying nearby?”

Something in the way he said it told me that he really did know Glimmer well. As well as I did. Whoever this Seren was, he knew Glimmer wouldn’t leave his clan, even if he’d been disowned.

Glimmer grinned and it was nearly as disturbing as the troll’s. “You didn’t think I’d leave my treasure, did you?”

Seren breathed out a sigh of relief. “No, I guess not.”

I listened to them talk for a while longer, heard the affection in Glimmer’s voice as he said goodbye and promised to call again soon. He even looked round at me and asked, “You won’t mind that, will you?”

“No, I don’t mind.”

I squeezed his hip. And yes, I’d managed to put my hands on him and hold him close while he was talking, staking my claim. Not that I was worried.Iwas his greatest treasure and I didn’t mind him having others, as long as he wasmine.

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