Page 28 of Drakken Star
Kayluth sucked in a sharp breath, realizing if he shifted—when he shifted, because he would just as soon as he was able—he might be able to talk to his mates and tell them where they were. Wouldn’t that make rescuing him and Tyr easier? He chuckled under his breath.
Tyr gazed at him, quizzically. Kayluth patted his shoulder. “>” he whispered.
Tyr nodded. “>”
Kayluth shot him a wry grin. “You flatter me.”
Tyr’s eyes widened, then he smiled fondly and shook his head. “You are sstrange, but I like you.”
“Brotherss can be sso annoying, ssu?”
Tyr’s burst of laughter caught everyone by surprise. The guards jolted to a stop and peered at the Drakken in a sort of muted horror. Kayluth put on his cheesiest grin, the one he liked to give his mates when he decided, on purpose, to wear his craziest socks or mix his clothes in such a way that they didn’t match.They would roll their eyes but still kiss him even as they argued merrily while trying to strip him of the ridiculous outfit.
Hazer’s chuckle and muttered “Well done” further smoothed his scales. Anything to slow them down worked in their favor.
“Keep moving!” Tore yelled from the front, and Hazer inched forward to press a light hand to Kayluth’s back.
“They’re coming?” Hazer mumbled so quietly, it was probably only Kayluth’s acute senses that allowed him to hear the Fenrir.
Kayluth shrugged. “I believe sso.”
“You’re not sure?” Hazer side-eyed him. They were almost matched in height, though the Fenrir was much broader across the shoulders.
Kayluth hummed. “I am ssure they are, but…” He huffed, unsure if he really could trust the Fenrir with his realization. What if Hazer and Tore fed him wrong information which he then gave to Sundrake, which in turn led to a trap for his sobroke, Orm, and the others?
“You don’t trust me. I understand.” Hazer peered off a tarran before he returned his gaze to Kayluth. “Soon you will. You’ll see.”
With Tore’s cheer up ahead of the exit in sight, Kayluth promised himself he’d keep an open mind.
Manning
Dizuno was unlike any Drakken Manning had yet met. He’d burst onto the scene, taking charge like he’d been there his whole life. On the one hand, Manning was grateful he didn’t have to think about the castle’s security since his thoughts were consumed with Kayluth’s kidnapping, Brandt rushing off to help rescue their husband, and what he’d tell their children if neither returned soon.
On the other hand, Manning was aggravated that Bjorn’s power had been usurped, though Bjorn wasn’t in any condition to take control. He sat with his head in his hands, ignoring everyone as an occasional tear or two tracked down his cheeks. Dizuno insisted he was only helping, however, he was issuing orders without asking first or for help, nor was he listening to any of the human Volé commanders.
“Mother!” Manning finally shouted, drawing everyone’s attention, including Dizuno’s. Svandis hurried to Manning’s side, her sobroke in tow. Father Ly and Father Tai moved closer as well. He didn’t have to look behind him to know Johan stood sentry nearby.
She knelt by his side, Father Mak and Father Kel standing over her like silent, stone sentries. “Margarreg? What iz wrong?”
He lowered his voice, though he expected all the Drakken would be able to hear him. “I need you to rein him in. This is my home, the home of both your sons.” He caught Father Lyurn’s gaze. “This is the home of your children.Heis your brother. I charge you to work with Viderina Svandis to shuthimdown. The two of you are in charge while Bjorn and I are not-quite of sound mind. Ivar will help.”
He raised his head to peer at Dizuno who stared back at him, his mouth in a small “O” of surprise. The silence in the room made Bjorn’s hitching breaths seem overly loud.
Bjorn reached for him, and his brother’s hand on his arm became a comforting presence, letting Manning know he had done the right thing. Life wasn’t falling apart around him. HeknewKayluth was alright, and he could feel Brandt’s growing excitement to start the hunt, but he personally couldn’t take charge at that tarran. Both he and Bjorn were essentially compromised, and since there could be more threats from unknown sources, someone had to be in charge.
Father Lyurn bowed low, placing his hand over his heart. “My Vidar.” He spun and advanced on Dizuno. “Brother, my Vidar along with the King of Volé recognizes your offer of help, and have acknowledged your presssensse. Pleasse ssit and offer your guidansse, sso that I may in turn make a final dess-ission az my kingss have given both Vidarina Ssvandiss and me their voisse of confidensse.”
Dizuno blustered a bit but quickly subsided. Father Ly stood at the end of the long conference table opposite Bjorn. He pointed to the left-hand seat for Dizuno and at the right for Svandis. On Bjorn’s end, Manning sat to the right and Ivar on the left.
Manning shot Kayluth’s father a small grin. Drakken and human—well, mostly human—working together.
His gaze snapped to Ivar when the general bolted upright. “What is it?”
Ivar’s slow smile was something to behold. “My kings… You’re going to love this…”
Chapter 9
Kayluth
