Page 55 of Mad Dragon of Chaos

A wicked grin curled on her lips, and she peeked at him from under her eyelashes. “They would, wouldn’t they?”

“Absolutely.”

She wiggled on the sofa for a second before her eyes widened and she sat up, leaning toward him. “Enough about me. We’ve kicked their ass, and the Order has retreated and is reorganizing its forces. It appears they’re digging in but have no plans to launch another offensive. I heard the navy has chased them south, so without reinforcements, it seems like these assholes are stuck until peace is negotiated.”

Shey grunted. “We’ve reached at least a temporary stalemate, which I’ll take. It’ll give us a chance to focus on our people.”

“But what about the dragon? And the god? No, tell me about the dragons first. What was the Isle of Stone like? Did you love it? Will they agree to be our allies? Do you think they’d let me visit?”

She peppered him with so many questions that by the end he was laughing as she grabbed his arm and shook him.

“The Isle of Stone was amazing. I didn’t want to leave. The dragons that I met are friendly and peaceful. We’re on good terms with them, and I think you have a very good chance of being able to visit one day. If we weren’t in the middle of a mess, I’m sure Haru would offer to take you today.”

“Take me like fly me? On his back?”

“Yes.”

Fiona squealed and jumped to her feet. “Fuck the Order. Let’s go kick their ass. I want to meet the dragons.”

Shey snorted and caught her wrist as she turned to march out of his office. He wouldn’t put it past his sister to take on the entire New Rosanthe army if they were standing in the way of her meeting dragons. He pulled her until she landed on the sofa cushion next to him.

“You’ve done enough ass-kicking for now. I’m assuming you’re going to be in the palace for a while?”

She moaned, her head on his shoulder. “Yes, meetings. At least for two or three days. We must figure out the next steps. Shoring up defenses. Diplomacy. Saber-rattling. You know the routine.”

“I promise you’ll meet Haru while you’re here. I’m sure he’ll be more than happy to tell you about his home.”

She grinned at him. “Excellent. Now, about this god. Mom said his name was Tyche. So…this isn’t Kaes from the godstone?” Her voice dropped close to a whisper as if she were afraid of Tyche overhearing her. Or maybe Kaes. She seemed a strange mix of curious, excited, and terrified.

“Definitely not Kaes. He has nothing to do with the godstones. His name is Tyche, and he’s the God of Luck. A minor god.”

The words had barely left his tongue when he was left wondering if he got that right. After what he saw of Tyche’s fight against Kaes, was Tyche still a minor god?

“And?” she prodded.

“And what?”

His sister growled at him and lifted both hands, her fingers curled into claws. “So annoying. Give me something more. I’ve spent days lying prone in a field, waiting for a headshot at some of the Order’s military leaders. I smell of sweat and dirt. My boobs have been permanently squashed into pancakes.”

“Fee, I’m your brother. I don’t want to hear about your boobs.”

“You’re also gay, and you don’t give a shit about any boobs.”

“Language, princess.”

“Come on, Shey. Talk to me. Mom hinted that you might be more than acquaintances.”

Shey threw up his hands and jumped off the sofa to pace his office. “How long did you meet with our mother? Did you talk about state affairs at all?”

“We met for fifteen minutes. Three of it was personal.” Shey turned and arched a questioning brow at her. His sister shrugged. “We’re always busy. We’ve learned to gossip in shorthand.”

Shey stared at his sister, debating what to tell her and considering his other options. Those were pretty much nonexistent. It wasn’t as if they hadn’t shared stuff about their love lives, limited though they had been.

“I kissed him.”

“Noooooo!”

“Yes.”