“Hold on. I thought only Land Dragons had mates?”
“Not anymore. The Dragon God blessed the Sea Dragons with mating magic and I've heard that he's even sped up the process for them.” I tried to keep the bitterness from my voice, but it was difficult.
It didn't seem fair. Some Land Dragons searched for centuries, fucking anyone who caught their interest in the hope of finding their mate. I was one of those Dragons. It had been many years since I reached maturity, and I had fucked my way through the races of Serai. Despite my determination, I hadn't found my mate.
“I tortured a Sea Dragon'smate?!”
I lifted a brow at Aras. He wasn't a man who scared easily, but he was unnerved. He must know a little about Dragon mates. Just not enough to realize how it could benefit us.
“You didn't know who he was at the time,” I said gently. “And this is a good thing, Captain.”
“How do you figure?” His whisker pads wrinkled upward, baring his fangs, but not at me. It was a primal response to danger.
Odd, but his fear concerned me. It was especially strange after I'd fostered it earlier. But this was different. This was fear of someone else, someone who might actually hurt him. I didn't like it. Instead of being flippant, as I was prone to, I found myself attempting to alleviate his worry. “You said that you tortured the Neraky.”
“Yes. Multiple times. And he never gave up his ship.” Aras grimaced. “I'd admire him if he wasn't a criminal.”
I grunted and nodded. “His crew is like his family. And they have the Eye. King Vaxarion will seek to retrieve it from them.”
“I still don't understand. Do you believe he'll want the Eye for himself?”
“Not as you imply.” I paused as my knights landed in the courtyard.
They did not have the Neraky.
Mossemas hurried over to them, and I turned away, trusting him to see to my commands. Plus, they irritated me.
Lowering my voice, I said, “The Sea Dragons were once in possession of Ensarena's Eye. They kept it from us Land Dragons, knowing the power it could give us. King Vaxarion will want to return the Eye to their hoard. But even more than that, he will want to see to his mate's wellbeing. That wellbeing will include the safety of his crew—his family. And the Sea King will rightly assume that the crew is in danger.”
“So, you're saying that the Sea King will lead us to the Eye?”
“Yes.”
“But then we will have to fight him for it.”
“I will handle the Sea King, and I will protect you from his wrath. If things go as planned, you will remain here while I retrieve the relic.”
Aras's face twitched.
A smile teased my lips. “Are you upset that I don't expect you to fight a Sea Dragon for me, Captain?”
“No. I . . .”
You are wiser than I knew,the Eye interrupted.
I didn't respond for two reasons. First, her comment wasn't a compliment, not really. And second, Aras was staring at me. He was staring at me with open sexual admiration. It was odd timing, but my body instantly responded to it.
“Come with me, Captain,” I said in a crisp tone, then turned around and strode into the castle. “ Mossemas, summon the stonemasons to fix the tower!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!” Mossemas called after me.
But I was already gone, the tightness in my pants urging me on.
Chapter Three
“Is it my ship that you'll be sending to monitor the ocean?” Aras asked after he closed the door to my suite.
“No.” I went through the sitting room, barely glancing at the tray of fruit, chilled wine, and smoked meats set out on the coffee table. “You will remain here until the Eye is in my hands. Plans can go awry, and I need you to remain at the ready in case I need to deploy you on another path.”
