Page 12 of The Black Dragon
“Yet,” he told her, his expression gloomy. “The smaller dragons I captured are back with their clans and have been embroiled in protecting and defending their territory. They are too busy to bother withrevenge. But theother…”
Justin. His name isJustin.
“He was spotted headedwest.”
A chill rushed down her spine. “That doesn’t mean anything. Where did you get theinformation?”
“I didn’t. I consulted with a crystal ball.” Leo offered a wry smile. “I do have some magick, child. I have to keep track of him because of how he changed during oursessions.”
It wastime she called him out on the truth. “You mean when you tortured him. Because that’s the only reason you fear him, Father. You torturedhim.”
Guilt flickered in his eyes. “Notexactly.”
“Yes, exactly. I heard thescreams.”
Leo winced. “I tried to shield you from it. Dell insisted on pushing the dragon to the extreme limits. It was the only way to trigger his powers and capturethe essence of hismagick.”
“Why, Father? Why did you do it? To cure me?” She stuck out her left foot and wriggled the prosthesis. “Because of this? Or to gain power foryourself?”
Leo shook his head. “I don’t care about myself, Ariel. Everything I did was for you. Part of me died when your mother was killed. You’re my only reason forliving.”
Guilt flickered inside her. Hewasn’t a bad man. Only misguided. “I can care for myself, Father. Even if your intentions were good, there’s no excuse for torturing adragon.”
He waved a dismissive hand. “It matters not. It’s water under the bridge. The most important thing is you, Ariel. I want to make sure you are cared for after I amgone.”
The bags under his eyes and the weariness etched on his cheeks worriedher. Ever since Justin’s escape, Leo had grown more despondent. She knew he would not talk about it anymore. The more pressing concern was her future, not thepast.
“What did you and the Covingtons discuss while we were upstairs?” she askedhim.
“You, and the terms for marriage. Chase Covington agreed to loan me thirty thousand so I can pay the taxes on thishouse.”
“I canchoose my own husband,” Ariel told him, clearing the table ofdishes.
“And when was the last time you had adate?”
She winced. Hard to share with him the reason for avoiding men and dates had flown away from their home after she’d left the cage door open. After that kiss from Justin, no other male wouldsuffice.
And now Father wanted her to marry a wealthy Mage genius witha personality as bland as ricepudding.
Leo patted her hand. “I only want the best for you, Ariel. Parker’s family is wealthy and you’ll never starve. He doesn’t care about yourdeformity.”
No, he only cares about myvagina.
“I havechoices.”
“No, you don’t. With marriage to Parker, the local Mage community will give you automatic acceptance. You’ll be protected thereshould something happen to me.” Leo dug into a leather pouch and stuffed a thumbful of the aromatic cherry tobacco into his pipe, the stem worn down by his chewing on it. “No dragons can hurt you. Or Lupines or any kind of Others who would take advantage of yourvulnerability.”
Ariel began to resent the inference she was crippled. Why couldn’t he see her potential instead of her limitations?“I’m not helpless, Father. I can care formyself.”
Leo’s gaze sharpened. “Against predators like the black dragon? That Justin had ten times your abilities. He could have crushed you like aninsect.”
He wouldn’t harm me. I can’t say why, but I sensed it. His kiss was so…gentle.
“Justin could have eaten you alive,” her fatherwarned.
A tingle rushed down to her loins.Sounds good tome.
“I already lost your mother. I can’t lose you as well. You are all I have,daughter.”
