Page 63 of Claimed by the Savage Dragons
‘Nothing,’ she answers and then lets out an incredulous laugh. ‘What would I have that they’d want?’
‘Why then?’
She shrugs. ‘You’ll have to ask them. Too bad you sent them away.’
Is that bitterness I hear in her tone?
‘You’d rather they’d have stayed?’
She looks down at her hands and shrugs again. My eyes narrow while she’s not looking at me. She’s guarded and very good at keeping her emotions in check. But there’s more to this than I thought. And I don’t think they’ve made a deal as such.
‘This wasn’t a bargain made by you, was it,’ I say and watch as her eyes return to mine. ‘They offered.’
I’m right. I can see it in her eyes. But why? I sit back and regard her. Two dragons vowing to protect a human girl with dragon laws. One of them finding his dragon again after so long and appearing whole and vibrant when we all knew it was only a matter of time before he tried again to end his miserable existence…
I lock down these unproductive thoughts. There’s no use wasting my time thinking about this. It may not make sense, but Tor is alive, and it looks like he will be for a while yet. That’s a good thing. I’ve missed him.
I stand abruptly and press a button under my desk to summon Dominick. ‘Stay here. My assistant will come shortly.’
I leave without a backward glance. I have more than enough duties to keep me busy without adding the sole care of a human to my list. I’ll make sure she’s protected as promised, but I don’t have the time or energy for a pet. Dominick will take care of it and keep me abreast of any problems she gives him.
I take out my phone and send him a quick message, my mind already moving on to the talk I’m going to have to have with Aziel’sofficialrepresentative,Raina,as the asshole doesn’t even deign to speak to me face to face anymore.
Tribute in my office. Get apt with Del. Keep safe and out of my hair. {TEXT}
I stalk through my rooms, making sure I look presentable before I leave again to rejoin the others in the Great Hall.
I go inside and adopt my usual air of nonchalance as I sit on the throne that I’d love to be rid of. But this was the way the old commander, Morcai, did things and with the power split between me and Aziel, there are a lot of traditions I’ve had to leave alone, including this symbol of power that’s so ingrained into the faction. Every decision Morcai made was from this seat, and now, so are mine.
‘Commander.’
I successfully stop my sneer from showing on my face.
‘Raina.’
‘Where is the Tribute?’
I regard her as she stands in front of me, staring her down in silence until she starts to look a little uncomfortable. She’s a strong dragon. But she couldn’t win against me if she challenged me, and she knows it. Soon, her eyes drop from mine and I finally answer her.
‘The Tribute is claimed for the Nesting Law by my second, Abraxus. And by Torvial.’
Whispers break out amongst the others. There are many more in the seats now. Word has clearly spread through the Stormriders. Aziel, I notice, is not here as usual. No doubt he’s holding his own court deeper inside the mountain.
‘The Tribute was meant to be for Aziel,’ Raina says, her sharp, authoritative voice making my lip want to curl into a sneer.
Who does she think she is, using that tone with me?
‘I never decreed such a thing,’ I remind her with as much authority in my voice as I can muster. ‘Yes, I was going to gift the Tribute to him. However, surely you smelled the human while she was in this room.’
I snort and give a light laugh. ‘I know I did. Tor and Brax were verythoroughin her scenting.’
Low laughter reverberates through the room and Raina scowls.
‘The Nesting Law is absolute. You know that, Raina. It’s one of our most sacred laws.’
‘For our kind,’ she hisses. ‘Notthem.’
‘And yet the law doesn’t specify. I read it through twice, not five minutes ago and you’re of course welcome to do the same.’
