“It is the same on Viros.Before the present king took the crown, most citizens found life difficult.It made us vulnerable to attack.”He picked up his glass of Mexes with his artificial hand, taking care to temper his strength.“What is in this drink?”
“It’s a local fruit, which grows on tall trees.The dragons must use flight in order to harvest the fruit.It’s tart yet sweet too.Very refreshing.Most people enjoy it.”
Ellard relaxed even further, enjoying socializing with a woman who didn’t judge him lacking, a woman who didn’t want something from him.He found her far more restful than Gweneth, and perhaps a woman he could accept in his future.He would never need to guard her, and he could enjoy a stable relationship.Sable would never betray him or leave him for another because she knew the pain of being different, as he did.
Yes, he and Gweneth would not suit—despite his attraction to her—and she would have to accept this decision.
Chapter 5
EllardspoketoSablenaturally, participating in a way she had to work hard to achieve.Gweneth ripped her gaze away before she did something rude—like bash Ellard over the skull with the nearest ornament.Probably that dragon sculpture since it had lots of pointy bits to dent his stubbornness.
“You shouldn’t worry about Sable.”Ransom sounded amused at her possessiveness.
“No?That is not the way it appears to me.”
“You’re an attractive woman.You know how to dress, how to behave in a social situation.Your confidence radiates from you and is second nature.My sister is young and lacks seasoning.”
“That is not the way I see it.”Gweneth darted a quick look at the couple.They had their heads together and were laughing at some joke.“They have much in common.”
Her breath caught halfway up her throat as Sable turned a fraction.How had she ever thought the woman plain?At present, she lacked confidence and dress sense, but Gweneth saw her inner beauty.Sable would shine once she gained the poise Ransom mentioned.Add some makeup, some suitable clothes…Oy, oy, oy!
“As I said, Sable is young.She needs to learn to stand up to Jacinta and not let her sister boss her around.”
“Half-sister,” Jacinta snapped as she handed them drinks.
Hallam wandered over and smiled shyly at Gweneth.“Uncle, where has Niran gone?”
“I don’t know,” Ransom said.“He will tell us if he is able.It might be a secret, so that means you do not pester him with questions when he returns.”
“Oh, Uncle.”
Gweneth laughed, amused despite her disquiet over Ellard and Sable.“We saw you flying with your father.How long have you been flying?”
“A long time now,” Hallam said.
Ransom chuckled.“Three cycles.”
Gweneth managed to maintain an impressed expression, but her lips quirked.“Three days, I mean cycles.That is a long time.You’re doing a great job.”
“Apart from setting my trees on fire,” Ransom chided.
The dragon child’s round face turned pink.“Uncle, I’m sorry.I promise I won’t do it again.”
Gryffnn plonked onto the empty seat opposite her and Ransom.“You’d better not, squirt.If Ransom’s forest burns down, we’ll both be in big trouble.”
“Did I tell you about the time your father burnt the entire west wing of our house?”Ransom asked.“After that mishap our father ordered the house rebuilt in stone to prevent further mishaps.”
“He did?”
Gryffnn groaned.“Don’t tell him that.”
Gweneth chuckled, this discussion reminding her of others that took place amongst her friends during their long space voyage from Earth to Viros.She missed the teasing and camaraderie.Things had changed now that Camryn and Ry were expecting their first child, and Jannike had mated with the king and the duke.She had also become pregnant.
Ransom straightened, his gaze on something on the far side of the room.The indulgent uncle and brother retreated to leave a leader.The chieftain.
“What is it?What’s wrong?”
Finally, Gweneth saw who claimed his attention.Niran, and she could see right through him.
