Viren shifted from lover to killer in two seconds flat. His head swiveled to face Zhavage as a dangerous growl rolled up his throat, past his bared teeth. But he didn't stop at that warning. As Verin turned, he shifted, his body arching and undulating away from me even as he set me carefully on my feet. He lengthened and widened back into his sea dragon shape, hit the floor with a thud that vibrated across my the soles of my feet, then pushed upward toward Zhavage in an elegant display of violence.
Zhavage, despite his shock, reacted quickly. The cape of his crimson hair retracted and seemed to coat his thickening body. He transformed as rapidly as Verin, becoming an enormous, red dragon with ebony horns and indigo whiskers—his beautiful robes ripping into flying ribbons. Zhavage executed the same maneuver as Verin had, undulating up to meet his fellow monarch head-on. Horns struck horns and locked. The dragons shook their heads like dueling rams, teeth snapping ineffectively.
“Cease, Brother!” Zhavage roared. “I am not your enemy!”
I yanked the blanket off the bed and wrapped it around myself as I added my voice to Zhavage's, “Verin, please stop! It was an accident. He didn't mean to interrupt us. Verin!”
Verin shuddered into stillness. Zhavage unwound his horns from Verin's and eased back, his huge eyes watching the Blue Dragon warily. Verin took a deep breath, let it out, and shifted back into his man form. He stood there—naked, panting, and so fucking beautiful—staring at Zhavage as if he didn't know what had happened. I slowly stepped up to Verin and wrapped him in the blanket with me. He made a jagged sound of relief and drew me into his arms, settling the blanket firmly around us. Only when we were pressed tightly together, our bodies hidden from Zhavage's stare, did Verin calm down enough to speak.
“Brother, you have horrible timing.”
Zhavage laughed boisterously as he shifted back into his human body. The sound of his laughter went hollow during the transformation, then lowered in volume. His clothes had been lost to the shift but he didn't care one whit about his nudity. He didn't even bother to draw his long hair forward to cover himself, just stood there proudly with his hands on his hips. To be fair, Zhavage had a body to be proud of.
“What have you done, Verin?” Zhavage asked after his laughter subsided. “King Torin contacted me on that charm he gave me. He said you abducted his wife.” He looked pointedly at the way I was snuggled up against Verin. “But it looks to me as if she ran away with you.”
Verin grunted in confirmation.
Zhavage grimaced and looked at me for an explanation.
“It's the spell.” I breathed in Verin's scent—a salty dragon musk. I slid a hand up the side of his face and pulled him closer to get a better whiff.
“Vervain?” Zhavage asked pointedly.
“Zhavage.” I flinched back and shook my head to free it of Verin. “Could you tell Torin that I'm safe?”
“Tell him that you'resafe?” He made a disbelieving sound. “Elaria, they're about to storm the palace.”
Verin growled viciously and slid out from beneath the blanket. He rushed past Zhavage and into the hallway. His determined footsteps grew fainter.
“Where's he going?” I asked in bafflement, feeling suddenly bereft without him there.
“I imagine he's going to make sure the wards are in place,” Zhavage drawled.
“How did you get past them?”
“I'm like family; his wards—at least the general wards—allow me through.”
“So, theyarein place?”
“Elaria, are you worried that your husbands might get through?” Zhavage asked in shock.
El, girl, there you are,RS said in relief.I didn't think it was possible for you to block me out.
No matter how hard some of us might wish it,Kyanite drawled.
I'm sorry, guys, I didn't know I'd blocked you,I replied to them in my head.This spell is kicking my ass.
And why is that, I wonder?RS taunted.
In all seriousness, it's a good question,Kyanite added.It shouldn't be doing this. I believe something is affecting the love spell and we need to find out what it is so we can stop it.
I cleared my throat and tried to think straight. Now that I wasn't pressed against Verin's bare flesh, it was a little easier. Then I realized that I'd yet to answer Zhavage.
“I... oh, fuck, Zhavage.” I ran a hand over my face. “This spell is getting stronger by the second. I can't leave him. I'm afraid that I might hurt anyone who tries to separate us.”
“As Verin nearly hurt me,” Zhavage murmured thoughtfully. “He told me what happened with the witches but honestly, I never imagined it would come to this. Wasn't the spell supposed to wear off?”
“That was the idea,” I grumbled.
