Page 9 of The Mating Magic
“Zapping you into dust is one good reason,” Eviehissed.
Drust said nothing, but regarded Lacey with an intensity that took Evie’s breath away. “Please,” she whispered to Lacey. “Doit!”
Finally Lacey inclined her head. It was more of a nod, but the wizard seemedsatisfied.
Indeed, he looked pleased, not at Lacey’s acquiescence, but her refusal to cower. Evie wondered if that was a novelty for the wizard. Surely other mortal dragons simpered and fawned over him all thetime.
Trying to curry favor, or escape harsh punishment for some infraction of therules.
“Lacey McGuire,” Drust rumbled in his deep tenor, a threat in each syllable he lingered over. “You have broken the law.Again.”
Evie cast her sister a doubting look.Again?
Lacey shook her head and faced the wizard. “What rules? They aren’t exactly posted like a No Trespassingsign.”
“Which was posted on the fence. Which you chose toignore.”
“Maybe I’m illiterate,” Laceytaunted.
Why was her sister acting this way? “Lacey,” Evie muttered. “Coolit.”
“Then I will read your list of wrongdoings.” Drust snapped his fingers and a scroll appeared in his palm. After unfurling it, heread.
“Kidnapping a dragon against her will. A first degreefelony.”
“It wasn’t against her will. I rescuedher!”
“Did you ask the dragon if she wanted to be rescued? I recall she only wished for a glass of water when she entered your store, not a ride to the forests of North Carolina.” Drust asked in a calm, deadlyvoice.
Red suffused Lacey’sface.
Evie groaned, wanting to do a face palm. Six months ago Lacey had aided a woman in a bridal gown who’d begged for water. It was late and the shop closed. Lacey was alone doing inventory and had opened the door. The woman was a crimson dragon. Breathless, she told Lacey she was running from a marriage her parents had arranged forher.
Not only had Lacey given her water, but offered to hide her away. When the bride began to protest, Lacey urged her to reconsider the match. When the groom came looking for her, an outraged Lacey knocked him out and flew the bride to the woods, where no one could findher.
“You can’t force our people to mate against their will,” Laceyprotested.
Drust regarded her solemnly. “The mating was not against her will, not that it is any of your business. It was part of her family’s ritual for marriage. She desired her mate and he had arranged to steal her away when you intervened. Because you removed her from his reach, the wedding was called off. The bride begged me to fix everything, which took me away from another important case. Because of that, a baby dragon nearlydied.”
Lacey said nothing, but Evie heard a tiny inward hitch of breath, followed by a clear “Oh.”
Drust strode toward Lacey, the ground shuddering beneath him. Overhead, the sky darkened and even the vicious alligators swam away to the furthest corner of theswamp.
Evie’s heart raced. Chase looked respectful, but had moved closer, nearly blocking Evie from Drust’s view. Grateful for his sheltering action, she whispered “thanks” tohim.
Chase touched her arm, a reassuring gesture. But there was nothing reassuring about the bristling anger in Lacey’s stance, nor the fierce intensity of the ColdfireWizard.
The Coldfire Wizard towered over her sister. Drust seized her long braid and pulled, forcing Lacey’s head back to meet his furious gaze. “You have tested my patience once too often, LaceyMcGuire.”
Lacey only smiled. Even as she admired her courage, Evie shuddered at herdaring.
“Seems like you keep failing that test, Coldfire Wizard,” Lacey toldhim.
“Where is the sacred vial of Bloodflower Moon potion you stole from mynephew?”
Only silence fromLacey.
Drust wrapped an arm around her waist and hauled Lacey close to the swamp, forcing her on her back. Kneeling beside her, he yanked at Lacey’s ponytail, so her head touched the murky water as the gators swam nearby. “Tell me where the Bloodmoon flower potion is.Now.”
