“I met him in the village.”
“The human village. Bah! Leonidas lowers himself by dealing with humans. Once my plans come to fruition, I shall exterminate every human on the isles.”
“Who would do the menial work?” Martinos asked.
Nan’s expression darkened. “The lower dragons will work as they do now.”
“And if they don’t have the skills—what then, sister? As usual, you jump with two feet and never consider the consequences.”
“You won’t act so smart once I announce the day of your execution. I shall strike the killing blow myself.”
Shock punched Gwenyth in the gut. Would Nan execute her own brother?
“Why would you do that?” Gwenyth blurted.
Fury turned Nan’s golden eyes fiery red. She advanced on Gwenyth and slapped her hard across the cheek. The blow sent Gwenyth to the ground. Her head struck the stone floor, and everything went black.
14 – She-Wolf in Dragon Scales
Nandag, The Strongminded, arrived three hours and twenty-eight minutes later.
Her retinue had been late, but it had given Leo the chance to interact with those assembled in the Flame room.
Leo watched the thunder of dragons as they appeared on the horizon. Each dragon bore the same scarlet hide, apart from the leader dragon. The leader was jet-black. The dragons around Leo whispered behind their hands, expressions of awe and surprise flowing from dragon to dragon. Black dragons were rare. Leo hadn’t thought to ask about Nan’s color, but if this lead dragon was in fact Nan, it raised even more questions.
Why would a rare black who could choose her consort want him—a standard green and the youngest son with no consequence? The answer supplied itself readily enough. She didn’t want him. She was using him for secret gain.
Leo glanced at his parents and watched them exchange a look.
Interesting. They disliked this situation too, which meant Nandidhave something over his parents.
Blackmail.
Jakab was right.
The thunder of dragons flew closer until Leo’s superior sight read their expressions. The lead black dragon wore determination and a hint of smugness.Bitch.
Because itwasNan.
Every one of his instincts screamed this truth.
By Lodar, he prayed Jakab discovered a way to help free Gwenyth.
“This woman is a she-wolf in dragon scales,”his dragon stated with disdain.“The thought of touching her makes me feel nauseous. Do we have to act with politeness?”
“We do,”Leo said, even though he agreed with his dragon. Hidden trouble loomed, and frustration filled him because he couldn’t unlock the puzzle of danger. Everything he’d learned of her told him anyone who mated with Nan would never have a peaceful existence. Hell, it was clear who’d take charge. However, if the female thought to direct Leo’s life, she should reconsider.
His mind slid to Gwenyth. At last resort, he could assemble a group of dragons loyal to him and storm the dungeon with force to rescue his mate. Of course, that’d mean losing everything he’d worked for on Hissing Isle. He and Gwenyth would need to leave. His farm, his home, and his property forfeited. Unless he challenged his parents and fought for supremacy.
Not the route he wished to travel.
This path would require him to deal with his three brothers.
Russays, The Magnificent, his oldest brother, hoped to inherit the position of leader. That was no secret. Russays would never stand aside and let Leo seize the spoils.
The visiting dragons landed, and Telus gestured at five servants dressed in scarlet-and-black livery. Once the visitors shifted to their human forms, the servants handed them cloaks to shield their nakedness.
Leo’s father cleared his throat and pasted on a polite smile. “Nandag, The Strongminded, you are welcome to my home, and soon, we accept you into our family. Many have mentioned your beauty, and I see they have not exaggerated. Any of my sons would be lucky to have you as their mate. Leonidas, Champion of the Skies, is fortunate, indeed. Nandag, welcome. If you are ready, my head butler will escort you to your quarters. Later this evening, we will dine together and speak of the future. Does that meet with your satisfaction?”
