Chapter 4 #2
Ellard didn’t blame her because he was experiencing the same wonder. While he’d heard of the dragon race of shifters, he’d never seen one. Lynx and Shiloh were right. They needed a peace treaty with the dragons.
“My brother,” Ransom said in a dry tone. “And his son.”
Gweneth stared up at the flaming branches. “Can all dragons breathe fire?”
“The ability grows with age. As you can see my nephew has little control and has just started fire breathing while my brother can repeat his party trick four or five times before he needs to rest.”
“How much rest is required?” Ellard asked, interested in learning more. He watched the red dragon hurtle through the sky while the blue dragon fluttered above the treetops near the fire.
“It varies, but several cycle portions. The older the warrior, the more powerful he becomes,” Ransom said. “In case you’re thinking of declaring war on us.”
Gweneth smiled and patted his arm. “We come in peace. Ask Ellard. None of our people wish for unrest. I am a new arrival to Viros, but the city is recovering from a war with the House of Cawdor.”
“Is this true?” Ransom’s bold gaze demanded answers.
Despite the bristling of his feline, Ellard nodded. “We want to rebuild and prosper, and we would like our neighbors to grow with us. That is what we have come to discuss.”
Niran glanced at Ransom, and Ellard caught Ransom’s imperceptible nod.
He wondered at it until the red dragon distracted him.
A stream of water doused the flaming tree.
The red dragon trilled at the blue one and they flew ahead of their party and disappeared as he and the others continued along the tree-lined track.
Questions filled Ellard, his curiosity roused by all he’d learned. Gweneth chattered like a curious bird, peppering Ransom with queries about life on Narenda. His feline growled, jealousy rippling through the creature. He tried to contain the emotions, but they bled from him, and Niran noticed.
“There is no need to worry about Ransom. Your woman is safe with him.”
“She is not my woman.”
Niran’s brows rose, and that weird smile played around his lips.
“I beg to differ. As I was saying before Gryffnn and his son interrupted me, you haven’t heard of our race before.
The Incorporeal race feed from sexual energy.
Without that energy we have no substance and cannot bear young.
You and Gweneth are giving off enough energy to give me a good buzz. ”
Ellard blinked, so shocked words failed him. He just stared with his mouth hanging open. Finally, he coughed and flapped away the bug that attempted to dive-bomb down his throat like one of Narenda’s dragons.
Niran chuckled. “While Ransom does not have a mate, he would never poach from another male, not since you are so obviously meant for each other.”
“No, Gweneth and I are not mates.”
Niran sighed. “Some males are stubborn.”
“I am not stubborn,” Ellard gritted out.
Gweneth glanced over her shoulder. “Ellard?” Her expression held chiding and disappointment, and he felt heat collect in his cheeks.
“I apologize,” he said stiffly.
Niran flapped his hand, the glow of amusement never leaving his expression. “Not necessary. I poked my nose into personal matters. Come, tell me more about Viros. We had heard about your battle with the House of Cawdor and that you have new rulers. A triad,” he mused. “Unusual. Is it working well?”
Ellard welcomed the other man’s easy manner and accepted the peace offering.
“My younger brother is one of the new rulers. He and his two mates seem very happy. They’re rebuilding the city and bringing a new vibrancy that we have long needed.
Much of our infrastructure fell to ruin during the war.
We are taking the opportunity to modernize and hope to attract tourists to bring wealth to our people. ”
“Growth and opportunity is good,” Niran said. “My people, too, need to grow and expand our reach. It is a delicate balance.”
The trees around them began to thin, and buildings became visible.
Built of stone, they blended with their surroundings.
A stone wall surrounded the main building and the six smaller ones.
Although substantial, it wouldn’t keep enemies out.
Not that these dragons would have many enemies.
He wouldn’t want to tangle with an angry fire-breathing dragon.
“What is the main trade on Narenda?” Ellard asked, wanting to fill the gaps in his knowledge. Lynx and Shiloh would want to learn as much as possible about the secretive races who lived on this tropical planet.
“We specialize in jewelry and precious stones,” Ransom explained. “This way. I have requested my housekeeper to prepare refreshments for our arrival. We have guests for the evening meal in order for others to meet you.”
“Thank you,” Ellard said. “We will enjoy meeting other members of your tribe so we might extend the invitation from our king.”
Ransom opened a wooden gate and gestured for them to enter. To their right, beds of colorful flowers—in more colors than he could begin to describe—surrounded a wide green expanse. Half-naked children frolicked and chased a red ball. They shouted greetings but continued with their play.
“Your children?” Gweneth asked.
“No, I do not have a mate,” Ransom said. “My employees, however, are a fruitful lot. They live in the cottages. My brother and nephew, my two sisters and I live in the main house. You’ll be staying with us while your ship is undergoing repairs.”
“Thank you,” Gweneth said. “But I thought we were staying at a hotel in the main town.”
Ellard frowned at the look Ransom tipped toward Niran. The two males knew something and they weren’t telling. Frozen in place, he tested his senses and his feline went on alert. Nothing raised the hair at the back of his neck, and some of the tension leached from his limbs.
“No, I think we can get to know each other better here.” Ransom’s expression remained enigmatic. “We would enjoy visiting Viros.”
Gweneth smiled. “And we would like to learn more about Narenda. Now, tell me. Could I have a ride on a dragon?”
A sensual glint appeared in Ransom’s eyes, and Ellard’s warning signals shot to an all-time high. “The sole time a non-dragon female might fly with a dragon is if he is courting her.” He cast a sly glance at Ellard, his eyes shifting a fraction. “Would you like to fly with me?”
Ellard growled, and Niran gave a bark of delight.
“I knew I was right,” he said.
Gweneth frowned. “Stop teasing Ellard. His bite is truly worse than his bark.”
Ellard bristled some more. He didn’t need Gweneth to stand up for him.
“You haven’t seen my bite yet,” Ransom said in a silky voice as he opened an ornate carved wooden door and ushered them inside. “Ah, let me introduce you to my sisters.”
A woman appeared in the doorway of a room to their right.
Tall and slender, she wore her beauty with confidence She’d swept her brown hair up in a pile on her head and wore a flowing golden tunic over black trews—the sort of woman who would never give him a second glance.
Ellard allowed himself a polite nod and turned his attention to their surroundings.
Tasteful wealth. He’d seen riches in the castle, yet the former queen hadn’t had the knack of furnishing with an eye to comfort and elegance.
Light spilled through a jeweled window, casting a rainbow of colors across the plain stone-tiled floor.
The scent of spices wafted on the air—delicious cooking aromas—that made his stomach grumble with hunger.
“Jacinta, come and meet our guests,” Ransom said. “Where is Sable?”
“She is conversing with the housekeeper about the domestic arrangements. She will be here soon since Gryffnn signaled your arrival.”
“This is Gweneth and Ellard.”
Ellard shook the woman’s hand and frowned at the frisson of sensation that swept up his arm. Gweneth elbowed him in the ribs, jerking him from the trance he’d dropped into at the dragon woman’s touch. “I’m pleased to meet you,” he said belatedly.
A man tromped in behind him, followed by a small boy.
“Out,” Jacinta pointed. “Remove your boots. If you stomp that mud over the floors, Sable will cry. She’s spent all half-cycle cleaning.”
“I can smell berry snacks,” the boy said.
“You’d better listen to your aunt.” Ransom ruffled the boy’s black hair. “Sable and Jacinta are quite capable of withholding berry snacks if we make them more work. This is my brother Gryffnn and his son, Hallam.”
“But Niran can fix it for us,” the boy said.
“No, he can’t,” Ransom said in a stern voice. “We learn to do things for ourselves. We do not rely on the largess of others.”
“Niran does things for us of his free will,” Gryffnn said with a chiding note. “We are lucky he chooses to gift us with his presence. You must never forget that.”
“Enough.” Ransom effectively closed the conversation. “We will have refreshments. Maybe some berry snacks, if we all behave.” He ushered them into a large square room, one also full of light.
Ellard scanned the exits and the contents for possible weapons. Tiled floors covered by large thick rugs. All of the furniture bordered on large, built sturdy for big males. The room spoke of comfort and relaxation.
Ransom seated Gweneth and sat near her. Ellard’s feline bristled at the other male’s attentions to his woman, and Ellard’s brain slammed to an appalled stop.
They’d kissed and nothing more. No promises made.
No future between them. This man held a position of responsibility.
A leader. A chieftain. She could do worse.
Ellard forced his legs to move to a chair near Gweneth and Ransom. He sank into the comfort of the brown fabric and forced his feline into submission.
“I must go,” Niran said without warning.
“Problem?” Ransom asked.
Niran frowned, his brow creasing in concentration. His form shimmered. Finally, he said, “No, I believe it will be all right. I will return later.”