Page 84 of Israel

Chapter 31

The Draken ranged themselves in a loose semicircle, gazing down their noses at Ashley and Israel. The one on the left was Larik, Israel realized. The one on the right was about the same age, but the one in the middle looked older—maybe in his forties, in human terms.

Hell only knew how many centuries that was.

Israel didn’t wait for acknowledgement or permission to speak; he rose to his feet and faced them. He was a little tired of facing down dragons naked, but you went with what you had.

“Nice of you to stop by,” he said, focusing on the one in the center. “It would’ve helped if you’d showed up in time to do us some good.”

The older Draken flicked a glance at the warehouse, and clearly dismissed it as unimportant.

“We came in response to the breaking of the binding,” he said. “The Princess Askleii is in violation of the rules set down for her journey into this world, and must be returned to her home.”

Oh hell no. Not happening. Israel hadn’t gone through everything he’d just gone through to give Ashley up now.

He rubbed his thumb over the palm of his right hand. The gold really was embedded right in the skin, with the stone flat in the center, but it flexed with his movement. He couldn’t believe it didn’t hurt.

“Sorry about the necklace,” he said. “Her life was in danger, so we had to take it off. And about going home—not if she doesn’t want to.”

The man on the right gazed up at Ashley. Her head weaved slowly back and forth, like a snake about to strike.

“Return to your human form,” he commanded.

Ashley hissed.

“She’s clearly out of control,” Larik said. “Rogue.”

“Maybe she’s just pissed off that you’re ordering her around,” Israel said. “I find it kind of annoying, myself.”

“Silence!” The older man thundered.

Now Israel was really starting to get pissed off.

“I don’t know who the hell you are, except that one,” Israel said, jerking his head towards Larik. “Since you didn’t bother to introduce yourselves, I’m Ashley’s mate, Israel Jonas. And you all no longer get to give her commands.”

He turned to Ashley, putting a hand on her soft, supple hide. “Hey, babe,” he said. “I can understand if you don’t want to talk to these assholes, but things might be easier if you turned human.”

She arched her neck, tilted her head back and blew a geyser of flame into the air.

Then she shimmered, bones cracking, and turned into the Ashley he recognized. The pissed-off diva version, which pleased him.

He was interested to note she was wearing clothes, too. He wondered if he could learn to do that, with his magic implant.

She gazed from one Draken to the other. “Hello, Father,” she said formally to the older man. “Israel, this is my father, King Andrey of House Akkabi, of the Fire Draken.” Israel nodded at him; the king ignored him. She turned to the man on the right and her eyes narrowed. “And this is Maximilian. My ex.”

She took a deep breath and faced the king. “Thank you for coming, but Israel is correct. I’m not going back with you. And since I’m now mated, I’m no longer under your jurisdiction.”

The king narrowed his eyes exactly the way Ashley did. “I tire of your willfulness.” He turned to Israel. “She will come now,” he said. “Then I will decide your fate, Wolf.”

“Fuck you,” Israel said.

Everyone froze and stared at him. He had the feeling people didn’t tell Draken kings to fuck off very often, but he was having a really bad day, and his patience was at an end.

The king made an imperious gesture, and flames crackled across the parking lot.

Instinctively, Israel brought his right hand across in front of them in a sweeping motion.

Blue-white light rose out of the ground around him and Ashley, forming a protective circle. The dragonfire was swallowed up, dissipating harmlessly.