“And Leonidas’s little plaything,” she mocked. “What a pity I had to come along and spoil your party.”
“Nan, stop,” Martinos snapped. “Why are you here? What do you want?”
Nan? This was the woman Leo wished to avoid?
“Step closer, human. This light is appalling. I wish to better see you.”
When Gwenyth hesitated, the woman darted closer and grasped her arm. Nan yanked her hard, and Gwenyth jerked three headlong steps.
“I don’t appreciate having my plans disrupted,” she spat. “I am Nandag, The Strongminded, of the lead clan on Smoking Isle. You’ve already met my brother Martinos, The Shunned.”
Martinos didn’t react to the slur, and Gwenyth took her lead from him. It was best to remain silent and soak up info—anything to release her from this mess.
“I suppose you’re attractive enough, even if you are a weak human.”
Nan prowled around Gwenyth.
Gwenyth didn’t move a muscle. She stood in place, apprehension pressing on her shoulders. Malice and calculation radiated from Nan, and Gwenyth knew, without a doubt, this woman was dangerous and would kill her without a blink. Leo was right to fight a marriage to Nan. He’d loathe everything about this dragon woman.
“Luckily for me, my spies warned me of the potential problems you might cause to my plans. The thing is,” she mused. “Do I kill you now, or do I keep you imprisoned to apply pressure on Leonidas? Is he good in bed? Tell me that at least.”
Gwenyth stared at Nan. Lord, she loathed bullies. People who told her what to do. She raised her chin. “He is a magnificent lover.”
To her right, Martinos tensed.
Half a beat later, Nan struck her across the cheek. Gwenyth almost fell but caught herself. Her head rang with the blow as she straightened. Her gaze darted to Nan and away, but not before she caught the brief flicker to dragon in Nan’s eyes.
“That is for daring to touch what is mine,” Nan spat.
Martinos chuckled. “Do you intend to bitch-slap every woman in Leo’s past? His league of women was legendary during his battle days.”
“If I come into their direct path, they’ll be sorry.” Nan sounded calmer now, her smile one of beauty.
Gwenyth shuddered at the abrupt switch in her mood.
“I dislike those who impede my plans.” Nan focused on her brother. “You know that already.”
“I suspected you had a hand in my imprisonment,” Martinos said, remaining calm, although tension slid into his frame. “Our parents spoiled you.”
Their conversation gave rise to even more questions for Gwenyth. The politics and backstabbing in the dragon world had her longing for her peaceful home, the book from the top of her to-read pile, and a glass of red wine. The thought slid into her mind as if it was one she often acted upon. She hoped no one else ended up in these lands as she had. It wasn’t for the faint of heart. Her cheek throbbed even though she tried to ignore the pain, and the dampness she guessed was blood.
Leo would come for her.
She sensed this with every particle of her being. Whether he’d charge to the rescue in time was another matter. In fact, now that she thought of it, she’d try harder to escape herself. It wasn’t like her to stand back and accept her lot. She was a battler. Her mother had told her so. Her father had agreed.
Gwenyth paused, pleased with the random memories streaming into her brain.
“Once I am wed to Leonidas, you will both lose your usefulness. I will have no trouble consolidating my power and moving on to the next stage of the plan.” Her eyes glittered with triumph.
Gwenyth wanted to check on Martinos’s reaction to his sister’s declaration but stopped herself.
Martinos’s advice to say little or nothing seemed spot-on.
“My spies told me Leonidas keeps to himself these days. He has retired from the battle circuit and fights once a year to maintain his title. Having you slip into his life caused me several sleepless nights.”
Gwenyth fought to remain mute. It was apparent Telus was one of her spies or someone in the butler’s circle. She hoped Leo hadn’t shared her story with his friends in case one of them intended to betray him.
“How long have you known Leonidas?” Nan demanded.
