Ransom barked out a laugh, and his disbelief was apparent to her.“It was beneath my father’s dignity to teach anyone, including his sons.I learned jewelry basics from the master craftsmen in our clan, and I worked hard because I found it an escape from the other skills my father wished me to acquire.”
“What skills?”
“Flying with precision.Spitting flames with accuracy.Wrestling.Swordplay.Clan history.Dragon etiquette.All talents desirable of a clan leader.”
“That sounds like a lot of pressure.”
Ransom shrugged.“I was the oldest son.It was my duty.”
“What about fun?What did you do when you weren’t studying?”
“My cycle was full of study.”
“What about now?What do you do when you’re relaxing?”
Ransom stared, and she could tell her questions perplexed him.
“My duties are to greet the guests when they arrive and issue them with room keys.I also research the guests, which is important, because we accept reservations from many races.It’s imperative to learn about their customs and habits, the food they require, their courting and sexual rituals.We don’t want surprises.If we have prior knowledge, we can handle most things our guests chuck at us.My oldest brother gets me to help where I’m needed but also ensures we have time off.We go swimming at our private beach.We eat family meals together and celebrate birthdays, and lately, my brothers are settling down with mates.I design my jewelry and take fossicking trips.Sometimes, I go to Dalcon with my brothers or their wives, and we’ll head to the wealthy side of town to see a singing show or other entertainment.When we lived on Earth, I’d go out with my friends.We’d go to socials or dances, parties.That sort of thing.”
“Why did you leave Earth?”
An icy-coldness swept down her spine, as it always did when she spoke of their reasons for departing Earth.This icy-coldness had a name.
Guilt.
Scarlett coughed to clear her throat.“A virus—an illness—swept through our country and killed many families and friends.My family was lucky since we didn’t lose anyone, but we all had friends who died.My oldest brother suggested it was safer for us to leave, so we did.”
Ransom nodded, but it was clear his thoughts were miles away.“We have parties and dinners, excursions, but they double as teaching experiences.”
“But what about fun?”
“My father didn’t favor frivolity.”
“That’s sad, but you’re in charge now.You make the rules.”
“Yes.I am tired.I’ll rest and set the alarm to go off shortly before landing,” Ransom said.
“Aren’t you afraid I’ll change the ship’s course the moment you fall asleep?”She was half-tempted, but those rare stones he’d mentioned glittered like a prize.Something exceptional to start her fledgling business with a boom was precisely what she required.A point of difference.A tick on her to-do list.
“The controls are coded to me.You can’t override them.”Ransom unfastened his harness and stood.“I’ll be in the chamber if you require me.”
“Not that you sound smug or anything,” Scarlett muttered.
She gritted her teeth on hearing his arrogant laughter.This dragon-man thought he was so funny, but she was no pussy.Well, she was, but not in the way he thought.If he was a shifter, shouldn’t he sense her otherness?The logical conclusion was that whatever was making him tire easily—the virus or illness he harbored—had a blunting effect on his shifter senses.
While the man’s highhandedness needled her, she hated him suffering.Her soft heart.Her mother complimented her on the characteristic.Scarlett found it a pain in her arse.She didn’t want to sympathize with this bossy, alpha leader of a dragon clan.She’d prefer to hiss and spit and claw.Give him lip.
Purr, her feline side added helpfully.
Scarlett bit back a groan.
Not happening.
Tired of her thoughts, she unfastened her seat harness and tested the controls.Ransom hadn’t lied.Nothing she did—not the single press of a button—yielded management of the ship to her.
Giving up on the fruitless task, she began a systematic search—any clue to help her decipher Ransom’s unspoken plan.Frustration built when she discovered precisely nothing.She peeked in on Ransom.The man was asleep, doing his regular tossing and turning.The way he rested wasn’t healthy.Most shapeshifters of her acquaintance were more self-aware.She strode to the narrow bunk bed and paused.Nope.He still didn’t hear her.Curious, she tested his temperature.
Icy cold again.
