The tray thumped to the table, and Ellard started, his attention claimed again by the tall dark-haired woman who had carried the tray.A faint flush had crept into her cheeks.On first glance, he’d considered her plain next to her sister, and he experienced a surge of shame for judging her as others judged him.
“This is my youngest sister, Sable,” Ransom said.
“I’m sorry about the tray.”She shared her apology around with a tight smile.“I’m still becoming used to my new arm.”
His gaze focused on her limbs but found it difficult to discern which was the artificial one, given the enveloping black, long-sleeved tunic she wore.
Sable caught him staring and raised her chin in challenge.A familiar reaction and one from his personal arsenal.He grinned.
“It’s not a subject to cause amusement,” Sable snapped.
“Of course not.”Ellard sobered rapidly.He’d hate to hurt her feelings.
Ransom stood from his sprawl, his eyes flashing to dragon and back.
Ellard took heed and rose too.“Please, don’t misunderstand.I lost my arm during the war with the House of Cawdor and have recently had a Stores implanted.I’m pleased to meet someone who shares the same problems as me.That is all I meant.”He nodded at Sable.“Please forgive me.I—”
“You have a Stores?Which version?The second or third?”
“Come and sit beside Ellard in order to compare notes.”Gweneth rose from her seat.“I can take care of refreshments for everyone.”
“Jacinta will do it.”Ransom’s iron will and determination echoed in his words.He offered his arm and drew her to a two-seater.“Tell me more about Viros.”
Ellard eyed Ransom and Gweneth for long seconds, his feline vibrating beneath his skin.
“I’ve never met anyone with the same injury.”Sable blushed, and Ellard corrected his first impression regarding her looks.The unrelieved black of her apparel made her appear plain and colorless.“When other dragon shifters lose a limb they manage to grow it back.”
“But you can’t?”
“My mother comes from another race.She came from Blackon and arrived here to work in the town.”She shot a swift glance at Ransom.“Her beauty attracted Ransom’s sire, and she became his mistress.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s all right.Once Ransom discovered my presence, he ordered me to come to live here.He has been—is—very good to me.He arranged and paid for my arm.Normally I manage to contain my clumsiness and visitors fail to notice my arm, but for some reason the nerves returned and made me ham-fisted.”
Going on instinct, Ellard claimed her natural hand and stroked it with an aim to comfort.“I’m still learning to use mine.How long does it ache?Does that go away?They told me it would, but the stump is forever aching.”
“It’s the neural attachments doing their job.Once all the implants grow into place, the aching ceases.Did they not tell you that?”
“They did, but I’m impatient.My Stores still feels foreign to me.”
Sable leaned closer and he smelled her perfume—something sweet yet spicy.He rather liked it.“And everyone around you stares and studies you like a specimen.”
“Yes, which makes it even harder to relax and trust in the Stores.”
Sable grinned.“Exactly.”
“I’ve poured you both a glass of Mexes,” Jacinta snapped as she placed two glasses filled with scarlet liquid on the solid table next to their chairs.“I did inquire as to your preference but neither of you answered.”
“Thank you,” Sable said.
Ellard scowled at the irritable sister.“That will be fine.Thank you.”He watched the sister stomp back to the table with the refreshments.“Is she always so grumpy?”
“She argued with Ransom’s decision to let me live here at the mansion.”
“How long has Ransom been in charge?”
“Our father died two rotations ago.He never paid me any attention.Things are much better now that Ransom is our chieftain.”
