Page 56 of Red Dragon’s Heart

Maddie wasn’t sure what they meant by that, or by claiming, or really about any of this.

But no enlightenment was coming. Emon just said, “All the more reason for you to come home—and bring her with you.”

Zak said, “I figured you wouldn’t want me back. After everything. Kendra’s probably terrified of me.”

Emon gave a snort. “I have yet to find anything that kid is scared of. Including me, unfortunately.” He paused, then added, “She misses you. The gods only know why.”

But there was a note in his voice that made Maddie suspect Kendra wasn’t the only one who had missed Zak. She also hadn’t overlooked the fact that although Emon had pretended Thorne had done all the work on the collar, he’d slipped a couple of times and said ‘we.’ He’d been working on it too, trying to find a way to help Zak.

She was beginning to think Zak had misread everyone. He was so used to feeling like he was on the outside, he’d just assumed that’s where everyone else wanted him too.

King Emon raised his voice slightly, and said, “Ms. Fox. Since you’ve heard everything anyway, you might as well come out.”

Busted.

Maddie opened the door all the way, and went to stand by Zak. She really wished she wasn’t still wearing a short spangly skating dress—it made it hard to feel dignified and badass.

Zak said, “This is King Emon. He’s an arrogant prick, and I’d say he doesn’t bite, except he does. He breathes fire and lightning, too. So try not to piss him off.”

To Emon he added, “And you try not to scare her too much. It’s taken me forever to convince her that all shifters aren’t psychos.”

Emon gave a huff of amusement. “Well, that idea isn’t going to last long, once she gets to the territory. The Bad Bloods are visiting.”

Maddie whispered to Zak, “Who are they?”

“The shifter crew that Emon’s sister Kira mated into. They actually are psychos.”

“So am I,” Emon said.

Maddie totally believed that, but she wasn’t going to say so.

Zak said, “Yeah, but the Bad Bloods are at least psycho in a good way.” That actually got a half-grin out of Emon.

Maddie turned to Zak. “Are you going to wear the collar? It sounds scary.”

“Not as scary as the monster.” Zak removed the gold pendant he always wore, and locked the collar around his neck. A faint light traveled over his body, reminding Maddie of the containment field around the cells. Zak shivered.

“Are you okay?” she asked. “Does it hurt?”

He gave her a little smile. “No. It just feels—weird.” He reached over and slipped his regular necklace over her head. “Take care of this, would you? It’s—an heirloom, and it means a lot to me.”

She wrapped her hand around the pendant, touched that he would trust her with it. “I will.” They gazed into each other’s eyes for a long moment.

Emon cleared his throat. “This is all very touching, but I’m a busy man. Being king, and all. Can we get going?”

Zak said to Maddie, “I assume you heard what Emon said about the Council?”

She nodded. “But what about our work? I can’t do anything from… wherever King Emon lives.”

Emon sighed impatiently. “Bring the important stuff with you. As for the rest, I’ll put up wards so no one can get in. Once I tell the Council you’re in my custody, there will be no reason for them to come here.”

When they didn’t move, he clapped his hands together. “Fifteen minutes, and then I’m putting you in a stasis spell and carrying you.”

Maddie said to Zak, “What about the kitties?”

“The what?” Emon asked.

As if she’d been following the conversation, Diana came up behind Emon and hissed at him. Grayson huddled behind her.