Page 43 of Bewitching the Dragon
He finally wandered downstairs to the kitchen, more out of frustration than actual hunger. Delilah sat at the counter, drinking a glass of deep red wine.
“You look even more miserable than the last time I saw you,” she commented. “Grab a glass. You have to try this wine. I stole this bottle from Antoinette’s hoard, and it’s flipping amazing.”
He did as she ordered and watched as she filled his glass. “You really did steal this from your reeve’s hoard?” That was damned impressive if she did. Dragons guarded and protected their hoards as if the treasures were their children.
Delilah snorted. “She’s too damn trusting. Hasn’t changed the codes on the locks since she took over from Trennon. All I had to do was ask him and”—she snapped her fingers—“out-of-this-world wine.”
“It is really good.”
“So, what’s ailing you? Or are you still mooning over your lost demigod?”
“She isn’t lost. She’s just…”
“Not here?”
“Yeah.”
“Do you even know where she is?”
He nodded and sipped wine. “At her aunt’s house. Training, according to Argyle.”
“Ah.”
Delilah didn’t say anything else.
“What does ‘ah’ mean?” he finally asked.
“It means she’s learning how to do her job. You know, go to battle with the warlocks.”
Rahu nearly upended his glass but caught it and only a small amount spilled over the rim. He stared at Delilah. “Becca is planning to fight those warlocks? All of them?By herself?”
“Why are you acting so shocked? This is what she was born to do.”
“Yeah, but she only figured out she possesses magic a couple of days ago. It’ll take her years to prepare for something like this.”
“I highly doubt Argyle will wait years before sending her off to her fate.” Delilah lifted her glass. “Here’s to your mate. On behalf of my better half, I sincerely hope she succeeds.”
Rahu pushed away his wine. “I can’t let her do that. She’ll get killed.”
“You have a better idea?”
“I’m not sure it’s better, but I have an idea.”
“Ohh, what is it? Do tell.”
He shook his head. Honestly, he was still working through the details. Of course, it had only come to him a few minutes ago.
“What other treasures does Antoinette have in her hoard?”
“Your grand idea involves stealing from my reeve?”
He shook his head but said, “Maybe.”
“Well, in that case, she has all sorts of goodies. Priceless paintings, gems; even these giant chunks of gold down there. If you’re looking to bribe someone, giving them a peek at that room would likely work.”
He slapped the counter. “Good. Wish me luck. I’m about to try to negotiate with a warlock.”
He heard her say, “Wait,” but he was too intent on his task to stop to listen to whatever else she had to say. He needed to find those warlocks.
