“Not Narenda,” she agreed.“I didn’t know I was on Narenda.When you nabbed me, I told you I thought the planet was unoccupied.That was the truth.”
“We have friends who collect raw stones for us.”He frowned.“Did you see any of the man-eating plants?”
“What?No.For real?There are carnivorous plants on that side of your planet?”
“Ry and his crew tried various ways of killing them and must’ve wiped them out.The plants aren’t native to Narenda.We suspect pirates released them.”
“Hmm, I didn’t see pirates either.Why don’t your people collect the raw stones?”Scarlett asked.“I find it’s the best way to get what I want.”
“Ah, you’re not susceptible to the resonance.”
“What’s resonance?”
“The mountains emit a high-pitch frequency that destroys a dragon’s mind after too much exposure.To keep safe, we contract theIndycrew to collect the stones for us.We build a small immunity by working with the stones, but exposure to large quantities is dangerous.It put me in a coma for almost half a rotation.I still have headaches.”
“Then why are you risking your life traveling into the mountains?Didn’t you say you were the leader of the dragon clan?”If the mountains gave her headaches, she’d stay far, far away.“Why are you going on this quest when you have others who could do it for you?”
His expression blanked, reminding her of Saber when something weighty tugged at his mind.This dragon-man was keeping secrets from her.One: he had bad dreams, and this resonance sickness was clearly still affecting him.Two: why did he need her presence?Three: something about this quest held a huge whiff of a dead rat.And, she was back to her lists.
Okaaay.So she’d lull him, let him think she’d accepted his avoidance, then when he least expected it, she’d pounce with perfect feline form.
“How much longer will it take to get to Narenda?”
“We should arrive in less than half a cycle.”
Relief layered his voice.Silly dragon-man.He shouldn’t get comfortable yet.
“Do you have a marriage contract arranged for you?I bet you have, right?An arrangement with another dragon clan to take one of their females as a mate.”
“I will not take a mate.”
Scarlett gaped.“It’s a matter of genetics.Shifters get an urge to mate.It happens whether you like it or not!”Unfortunately for her, her stubborn feline was telling her she wanted this secretive dragon-man.Go figure.He might possess a pretty hide, but she was questioning his mental abilities.
He skewered her with his gaze.“What do you know about shifters?I wager your info came from the marketplace.”
“I’ve met shifters.”The truth.That they happened to be family, friends, and relations wasn’t pertinent to the conversation.
“No mate,” he reiterated, this time with gritted teeth.
“What happens if you die?Who will lead your people?”
“Gryffnn did an exceptional job while I was unavailable.He can lead the clan into the future.”
“You don’t seem happy about it.”
“It is what it is,” he snapped.“Do you always talk so much?”
“Yes.”Scarlett offered him a sweet smile and tapped her chin.“How about this?What is your favorite type of stone to work with?Your favorite item of jewelry to create?”
“I enjoy Narendanite.It’s a purple stone and until recently, very rare.Ry and his crew found some and brought it back for us.”
“Ah!I have some.”She spoke rapidly before he accused her of stealing again.“I designed a ring for one of my twin brothers.I haven’t crafted it yet, but I will once I return to the resort.My favorite piece is always the one I’m working on, although I prefer a variety.I hate making the same piece time after time.”
Interest shone in him, and she congratulated herself on deflecting from the hot button she’d struck regarding the clan leadership.
“I find it rewarding to teach the younger dragons,” Ransom said.“I design and make my own pieces when I have time.Recently…” He trailed off, the pleasure sliding off his face to leave his usual silent arrogance.
“Who taught you?Your father?”
