Benedict actually looked offended, but paused in approaching them. I realized he wanted to see what they would do. Our males were slowly getting used to seeing females again, but they weren’t allowed to go near the refugees near the lava tubes. They were only allowed to interact with them if they came out first. Enya and Yazmine were getting more comfortable, too, but they usually only interacted with me.
Now there were more females and these females weren’t afraid to land in the middle of the unmated males.
An odd feeling washed over me, my chest tightening. I tried to push it away. I wasn’t being replaced or pushed aside.
I clutched my stomach and focused on the new arrival, who was watching the male drakens with as much curiosity as Benedict.
We didn’t have to wait long.
A middle-aged, unmated draken with teal scales tried to stand. Benedict raised an eyebrow and let him up.
Here we go.
He slicked his hair back, puffing his chest like a peacock with a death wish, and swaggered toward them. I covered my mouth to hide an inappropriate grin.
“Females,” he crooned, flipping his wings open in what he clearly thought was a seductive display. “Welcome to Lyoness. If you’re looking for strong, virile company?—”
“You’re going to get your ass beat,” Nerissa announced flatly. “I give it three seconds.”
That turned out to be incredibly generous.
Vanca didn’t so much as blink before she hooked her claws into the male’s shoulder andbouncedhim off the nearest palm tree.
Hard.
Most of us winced at the sound, cringing as he slid down the trunk like a sad, wilted leaf.
“Well,” Vanca said, dusting off her hands and frowning, “that was disappointing.”
Nava, slightly smaller but just as lethal-looking, stepped over the groaning male. “Do all your males crumble like overripe fruit?”
Kaida snorted loudly. Benedict coughed to hide a laugh. Several unmated males puffed up their chests indignantly. Another strode forward, green scales glinting with a rakish grin in place. “We weren’t prepared. Give us another chance?—”
Nava raised a brow. “Are you offering to be thrown next?”
The male swallowed, eyes nervously darting between the two of them. “Depends who’s throwing.”
Vanca stepped forward.
He turned pale.
“Actually,” he squeaked, “I suddenly remembered I promised to … um … help fix the southern nets?—”
“Run along,” Vanca said sweetly.
He bolted.
I bit down a smile. The sisters were terrifying, but undeniably entertaining. This would be good for the unmated males. A cluster of younger unmated males gathered even now, whispering urgently among themselves?—
“Maybe confidence is the key?—”
“No, strength—she respects strength?—”
“Do you think she likes poetry? Should I compose a mating ballad?—?”
Nava leaned over with a sharklike grin. “I should warn you, I like females.”
Half the males choked and fled. The other half looked deeply, profoundly relieved.
