Page 35 of To Spark a Dragon's Love
I glanced at Riley and Ember across the table, trying to motion with my eyes that we should get out of here. They didn’t seem to want to move anywhere but closer to their guys.
I didn’t want to leave my friends, but Harper was out there, and something big was coming here. The heavy doors were opening.
When I turned back to Malachy, he was watching me curiously, as if he knew I were about to run and leave him behind. For some reason, that hurt. He didn’t want me as a mate. I didn’t have to be here. But I got the briefest fleeting feeling that he wouldn’t be okay if I abandoned him.
Damn my stupid, bleeding heart.
“Should I be worried?”I asked instead of bolting from the room.
He gave a slight shake of his head, so subtle I almost missed it. But I was getting good at reading his expressions after we’d basically been glued to each other’s sides for the past few hours.
I’m sure the mate bond helped with that too.
And then his hand brushed against mine under the table and I forgot to be worried at all.
Even when the beast of a male came marching into the room.
I knew he was a dragon right away.
Half his head was shaved and the other half sported a few braids that barely covered a scar running the length of his neck. Not only was he bigger than all the rest of the giant men gathered at this ridiculously large table, but the shadows seemed to gather around him like they did to the rest of the dragons in attendance. The other shifter beings didn’t take up so much space even in their human forms. But unlike everyone else here, the brute that came in was scowling.
“Cain,” Malachy said simply. He wasn’t worried despite the few others that sucked in sharp breaths at the newcomer’s name.
It didn’t ring any bells for me. I was still getting a crash course in this new part of our world based on the little bits Riley and Ember learned along the way.
“I see the MacAlisters were not invited to the bonding of the century,” the new guy—Cain—sneered.
My eyes narrowed as I recalled the name MacAlister. Riley had said something about Lucan killing the younger brother because they’d attacked Malachy.
An instant anger I had no business feeling came over me as I sat up straighter.
Screw this guy.He’d tried to kill my… Malachy.
I’d need to unpack why I felt this way later.
“No. You were not.” That icy coldness dripped from Malachy’s tongue as he spoke. “I’ve had enough of your company for one lifetime.”
Cain chuckled. There was no humor in the sound. “Then why hold it on neutral territory, guardian? Why not hide behind your brother’s magical little looms?”
Lucan’s roar was cut short as Riley tugged on his arm. She must’ve had a death wish because there was no way I’d get between these dudes if they decided to fight. I wasn’t some danger junkie. I knew my limits.
Speaking of which, it was past my bedtime and I really wanted to go check on my kid.
“Watch yourself,” Malachy said, still not rising from his seat. “You’ve already made enemies here.”
It was crazy how soothing his boss voice sounded. Anyone sane—and apparently this Cain guy was not—would’ve pissed themselves in fear. But it had the opposite effect on me. I wanted to lean closer and tell him I’d also like to be scolded.
The wine was going to my head.
“Not all are enemies.” Cain strode forward. Two witches leaned far away from him as he reached between them, grabbing a handful of grapes.
Cain scanned the table, but no one would meet his eyes. He shrugged and popped a grape into his mouth. “Deny me now, but you’ll soon be singing a different tune.”
A few of the wolf shifter alphas growled. Their bodies vibrated from the effort to remain in their seats. And the other dragon shifters were breathing smoke while the witches started mumbling between themselves. Through it all, Malachy sat calmly. I was torn between wanting to stay by his side and itching to get away from the coming fight.
“State your purpose for entering my territory,” Kieran’s deep, calming tone quieted the restless guests. I’d forgotten Ember said he was an ambassador of sorts.
“My purpose…” Barely contained anger rippled under Cain’s skin when he turned his gaze back to Malachy. “Can’t I come bestow my blessings on the guardian as he beds his human whore?”
