Jory nodded. "I didn't tell you because of the mating hunt rules, but I'm almost certain my attacker was from my brother. I didn't see his face, but I've spotted Brill, my brother's man, around town. There's no legitimate reason for him to be here."
Fury filled the men's faces. "I think we should trap your brother," Val said.
"Indeed. And I know just the way," Rai agreed.
"How?" He didn't know any way to get his brother here.
"I'll insist on meeting your entire family before our formal crowning ceremony. After all, I'm an important ruler. I can't be marrying just anyone."
Val let out a low growl. "What makes you think Jory is marrying you? I met him first. You were just a way to finish the mate hunt requirements. I am more likely to be his final mate."
"Hey, guys. Remember me?"
Two sets of angry eyes turned to focus on him.
"It's a good idea, no matter who I mate with. I can make sure father demands everyone's attendance. We just need to wait and see whose dragon appears on my back." At this point, Jory didn't know who he wanted to belong to and, even if the god gave him a mate, would the mating mark stay or would it disappear like that tattoo he tried to get at eighteen?
Chapter Ten
The next morning while waiting for the festivities to begin, Jory got to meet the dragon trainer, Maurek.
Still under forced rest by his demanding potential mates, Jory lay in bed looking at the ceiling and wondering how much trouble he'd get into if he set the place on fire.
A knock on the door was a pleasant interruption.
"Come in," he shouted.
A well-tanned man with a wide smile and a square face peeked into the room. Glancing around self-consciously, he entered, carrying a small pet carrier. A low growl emerged from the carrier.
"Precious."
With a delighted smile, Jory jumped out of bed and rushed to the carrier. Good thing Val had insisted he put on pajama bottoms after he almost lured the man into bed.
"Careful, she spits acid."
Jory laughed. "I know, but she wouldn't spit it at me, would you, girl?" he crooned into the cage. Popping open the cage door, he reached in and pulled the little dragon out. With a delighted squeal, the black dragon climbed up his arm and wrapped herself around Jory's shoulders.
Turning his attention to the dragon master, Jory scratched the little black, scaly head as the beast crooned from the attention.
Maurek's mouth dropped open. "I've never seen a dragon that taken with someone before. Doesn't the poison in her claws hurt?"
"Poison?"
"Yeah, she's a black queen. Extremely rare. She's worth a small fortune on the black market, but most people won't handle them because of the acid, fire and poison. Quite deadly and hard to breed."
Jory could barely hear the man over the dragon purring in his ear. "But she's such a sweet dragon."
Maurek held up his right arm. A long scar marred the surface. "Your sweet dragon burned me with her acid." He held up his left. "And fire."
Tilting his head to look, Jory noticed his wounds. "They look pretty good… considering."
"I had the healer work on them. These marks are after five hours of healing. One of the younger trainers is still at the healing ward after she slashed him with her poisonous claws. The same ones she just crawled up your shoulder with, except you seem to be fine."
Jory shrugged. "I heal quickly."
The dragon trainer stared at Jory for the longest time, but Maurek's gaze didn't intimidate the prince. He'd grown up around much tougher men.
"Were you able to find her a new home? She needs someone who'll pet her and scratch her behind the ear. She really likes that."
