Wesland twitched beneath Jory's knife, leaving a trail of blood behind.
"Careful. You'd hate it if you slit your own throat."
He wondered how long it would take for the other soldiers to step in. He was kind of surprised they hadn't already. It proved to him that Wesland was probably a jerk towards everyone.
Wesland shivered as the dragon poked her sleek black head over Jory's shoulder. The creature slid her cheek across Jory's like an affectionate cat.
"She spits acid," he told Wes with great enjoyment.
The dragon let out a low growl.
Jory petted her. "Be good, girl. We don't want to kill him. He just needs a lesson."
Wesland shook so much Jory had to lift the knife a bit so the man really didn't slit his own throat.
He felt the little dragon leave his shoulder seconds before he felt another warm touch against his neck. Where the hell did the dragon go?
A scent filled his nose, hot male with a touch of spice. His penis hardened in his pants as if he were trained to come at the mere smell of the other man. "Is there a problem, love?" Rai's voice spoke seductively in Jory's ear as he rubbed Jory's neck in slow sensual motions as if trying to calm his inner beast, which was ridiculous since he was human. No dragon lurked beneath Jory's surface though he did wonder where his dragon went.
"I don't like people who prey on those weaker than them," he said through clenched teeth. "This soldier likes to hurt his pretty girlfriend. She had bloody whip marks across her stomach where he beat her."
Rai continued his soothing circular movements. "Shhh. I'll talk to the person in charge and find him a new place to be so you don't have to see him any more and he won't hurt his girlfriend. I'll see that he is properly punished and is sent to counseling."
"Far away," Jory insisted.
"Yes, far away. I heard the southern kingdom needs guards."
"Or I could just let my dragon have him. We can see the effect of a good acid spray on his pretty face."
Rai's hand continued to rub Jory's back. "Easy, love. I don't know what dragon you're talking about, but I'll send Wes to the part of the kingdom that has nothing but sand and snakes."
Yes, that would do.
Rai's calming hand continued to stroke him until he felt his rage slide back beneath the surface.
"That's it, sweetheart, let it go. We'll get Wesland reassigned. No need to kill him."
Jory straightened, sliding the knives back into their sheaths.
He turned to look into Rai's concerned eyes. "You'll make sure he's reassigned?"
Rai nodded.
"Okay."
* * * *
Raiston motioned towards a passing servant. "Have Joriah taken back to my quarters and get him a hot bath to ease him."
Like a docile puppy, Jory let the steward take him away, and Rai took the first deep breath he had since he'd found his delicate lover seconds away from carving up a man three times his size.
"What the fuck happened here?" Fear for Jory made his voice sharp. If anything happened to his mate, he wouldn't be responsible for the number of men he killed.
Tilden, his master guard stepped forward. "Your man saw the bruises on Wesland's girlfriend." The warrior's eyes followed Jory's progress across the field before giving a disdainful glance at the man on the ground. "He punched Wesland in the face, crushed his ribs, and threatened to cut him into little bits if he ever found she was hurt again. That man may be small, but he sure kicks ass."
Raiston saw the awed respect in the warrior's eyes for Jory and felt a rush of pride.
"That man is my mate so anyone thinking about revenge better think twice. I'll kill to protect him."
