“Come now, don't back down after delivering such an expert blow,” he said. “You must be one of Rianvar's courtiers.”
“I am not.”
“Then who are you?”
“This is Galin, Grandfather,” Rian said as he strode up the steps, his top hat in hand. “He's my lover. And that's in every sense of the word. So please, be nice to him.”
The Dragon's eyes went wide again. “Lover, eh?” He looked me over. “You don't look strong enough to handle my grandson.”
“Grandfather!” Rian snarled.
“I'm stronger than I look,” I said. “He's the second Dragon I've been with, and I've had a Ricarri in between.”
Rian and his grandfather both gaped at me. So did the Dragon knights and Geris, for that matter.
But then, with a straight face, Rian's grandfather asked, “A Ricarri in between the two Dragons? Like a Dragon sandwich?”
I chuckled. “No, but I could handle that as well.”
Rian's grandfather snorted. “That's twice now that you've managed to hold your own against me, boy. Well done.” He held out his hand. “I'm Adler Langras.”
“Galin Savas,” I said and shook his hand. “It's an honor to meet you, Sir.”
Adler snorted and let go of my hand. “Honor. Sure. That's a word.”
“Why in Ensarena's name is there a human on my doorstep?” a woman demanded before I could reply.
Rian sighed and then said, “Hello, Grandmother.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
“Now,she'sthe old elitist you'd best be wary of. Be thankful you're not human.”
“I always am,” I said dryly.
Adler burst out laughing again.
“Adler!” Rian's grandmother snapped.
“Oh, lay off, Emmavane. The boy is funny.” He put an arm around my shoulders. “And brave.” His stare wandered to Vashana. “Although that could be due to the company he keeps.”
“Whose dog is this?” the woman, a Dragon of course, was tall, imposing, and was obviously the source of Rian's coloring. She had the same, glossy mahogany locks and pale green eyes.
I would have guessed her to be his mother except for the way his grandfather was looking at her. That and the fact that Rian had called her “grandmother.”
“Grandmother, this is my consort, Galin Savas, and his companion, Vashana.” Rian took my hand and drew me over to the woman.
Vashana followed.
“Consort?” Adler asked. “You hear that, boy? You've just been upgraded from lover to consort.”
“I know you're probably ancient,” I drawled. “But could you, please stop calling me 'boy?'”
Adler doubled over laughing, earning a glare from his mate and a wide-eyed look from his grandson.
“Your consort is impertinent, Rianvar,” Grandma Emmavane declared.
Vashana growled at her.
