Page 22 of Morel Dilemma

“Well, certainly that came to mind as soon as she stepped outside in that dress,” Zilek said easily. “I’ve no doubt she would find an evening with me rousing and memorable. She could even sleep in my bed afterward, not on the cement floor of a storeroom. It could be a rewarding night for her for many reasons.”

“No,” Jildarin said.

He hadn’t yet released his brother’s wrist. The magic and power that Rylana had been thinking about earlier seemed to pulse from him. Of course, Zilek also had power and didn’t appear intimidated in the least by his scowling brother.

“No? You’ve only forbidden me from killing her, not from mating with her.”

“I forbid both,” Jildarin said promptly.

“How interesting.” Zilek didn’t stop smiling as he tilted his head toward Rylana. “Shouldn’t she have some say in this matter?”

“She doesn’t desire to mate with you,” Jildarin said with certainty.

“It’s true,” Rylana said. “But thank you for picking me up and taking me to your wine conclave. Are you ready to go?”

She pointed into the carriage, not wanting to risk Jildarin offending her ticket to getting in and questioning people tonight.

“Yes, I’m ready.” Zilek looked pointedly at Jildarin’s hand wrapped around his wrist, then stepped back.

Jildarin released him.

The dwarf coachman, who’d said nothing during this exchange, merely stood at the carriage door, holding it open for Zilek and Rylana. But Jildarin was the one to stride forward and climb inside.

“I’ve changed my mind,” he stated. “I will attend the wine meeting.”

Unfazed, Zilek said, “Guests have to bring an exquisite vintage for everyone to taste.”

Jildarin looked at him with exasperation, then spotted Zalani standing in the diner’s doorway, her hands against the frame as she watched. Gniknik and Rolf were carrying dishes and trays to patrons but could also be seen peering out under her arms as they passed—frequently—through the area.

“I’ll get something you can take.” Zalani headed for the kitchen.

Rylana, who handled all the ordering now, knew there weren’t any exquisite wines in the pantry but suspected Zilek already had something suitably pretentious that he planned to bring to the gathering.

“My brother keeps proclaiming he has no interest in mating while in this form,” Zilek remarked.

“He’s let me know about that too,” Rylana said.

“Has he? Hm.”

Rylana eyed him warily, tempted to hop in the carriage and sit beside Jildarin, but she would wait for Zalani to bring the wine.

“He’s been too busy with his new hobby—” Zilek waved at the diner, “—to summon interest in mating while in any form.”

“So I’ve observed.”

“And yet…” Zilek shifted his waving hand toward her.

“Yet what?”

“He lets you sleep in his lair.”

A lot of people had mentioned that, implying it was unusual, but Rylana didn’t know enough about dragon culture to be certain there was special significance. Jildarin hadn’t implied it was atypical, though he did grouse mightily if others entered his storeroom, especially after dark.

Did it mean something that Jildarin had stepped forward to ensure his brother hadn’t touched Rylana? Or had he been protective only because she was his partner and Zilek had, in the recent past, mentioned killing her? Of course, his objection tonight had been with Zilek mating with her. Why would Jildarin care about that? Unless…

Rylana bit her lip. No, she didn’t believe Jildarin wanted to mate with her. He’d been clear on that matter. The word alas formed in her mind again.

“Does recreational mating interest you?” Zilek asked her.