"You really are that naïve, aren't you? It's no secret that Detrius and I were a match of convenience. With him, I have position and power, but with your uncle, I have everything I ever wanted."
"But you sell people for money." Jory's stomach churned in revulsion.
"They're not people. They're property, and why should I care what happens to some two bit whore except for the money it'll bring? Now go outside and stand on the balcony. If you don't cooperate, I will slip into your brother's bed and blow his fucking brains out."
"How do I know you aren't going to do that anyway?"
Cassitty gave him a smile that chilled him to the marrow. "I give you my word, and I've never broken my word to you, have I, brother?"
"Not that I know of."
"And I do promise you that, if you don't jump. I will kill you, kill your guards, and then walk down the hall and shoot your perverted mates." Her voice took on a sing-song quality. "I'm saving you really. Saving you from having to have sex with those shape-changing monsters."
There was a look in her eyes Jory had never seen before, and it struck him. She wasn't just a killer; she was insane. There was no way he was getting out of there alive. Jory sent a quick prayer to any god who might be listening and walked to the balcony doors.
"That's it. I knew you'd sacrifice yourself for the others. You were always an altruistic bastard."
As he walked, Jory frantically tried to look for a way out of the situation, but there really wasn't one.
"Walk to the edge," Cassitty said in a calm voice. "I want it to look like you slipped."
Not for the first time he objected to the fact that none of the balconies had ledges to protect non-dragon kind. If he survived this, he was going to institute immediate safety measures.
He had expected a big buildup or a final speech, since she seemed so fond of them. What he didn't expect was the quick shove pushing him over the edge or the screaming followed by the sound of blaster fire. Jory let out a shout of surprise when enormous blue claws latched onto one wrist, and equally large green ones grabbed his other, slowing his descent. He was placed gently on his feet on the ground, and his heart slamming against his chest.
Next to him landed two incredibly familiar dragons, dragons he saw on his back whenever he caught a glimpse in the mirror.
There was a flash of light, and between one breath and the next, the dragons became his lovers. He didn't get a word out before both men wrapped him in an embrace.
"My treasure." Wetness brushed his cheeks as Val placed kisses across his face, and Rai nuzzled him from behind, his arms like a vise.
"I'm fine. But I can't breathe."
"You can breathe later," Rai said, his voice rough. "We almost lost you again. We're going to surround you with so many guards that no one but us can get close to you."
"Your father said we could have your personal guards sent here. I'm going to take him up on that." Val's voice allowed no room for argument.
Jory didn't bother to object. He let his lovers growl and maul him for a while before they were satisfied that he was fine.
"What happened to Cas?"
"Your brother shot her after he saw her shove you off the ledge and your dragon spit acid in her face," Rai said. "We came in time to see her push you off. Val and I shifted, but we weren't able to reach you before you went over the ledge." A shudder went through Rai.
"I'm fine, and I believe we were about to be married."
Val took a deep breath that Jory heard rasp in his lungs. His lovers slowly released him, each taking one of his hands.
"Let's go get married," Val said, tugging him and Rai along.
"I'll just wear what I have on." He wasn't in a hurry to go back to his room.
Jory knew all of their problems weren't solved, and he'd have to speak with his brother, but he was putting everything else off until he'd wed and bonded with his mates.
Having almost lost his life, he remembered what was important, and nothing was more important than bonding with his mates forever.
EPILOGUE
The marriage, crowning, and bonding ceremony, whatever they wanted to call it, went off without a hitch, if he ignored the death of his sister-in-law, which Jory was completely willing to do. Jory promised to love and cherish his two mates, and they promised the same in return. Now it was time for him to make sure that they understood he wasn't going to be the filling in their royal sandwich for the rest of his life.
