“Yes. We need to go and meet the delegation and fulfill our mission.”
She patted his cheek, her touch like a caress. “Let’s do this.”
Ellard ran one hand through his hair, mystified as he helped her to her feet. Half the time he didn’t understand her. Shiloh had told him the proximity with Camryn and Earth ways had rubbed off on the Indy crew. He removed his safety harness and stood, careful with his balance since it appeared the ship had sustained damage to the landing gear.
“Do you require assistance?” The rich masculine voice came from behind them.
Gwen started and rammed into him. Ellard whirled them both to face the intruder.
“Who are you? How did you get in our ship?” Gweneth demanded, taking care of the interrogation before Ellard had a chance. He growled and slid his arm around her waist—a let-me-take-care-of-it gesture that got lost in the translation. Their communication skills required work.
Ellard eyed the new arrival. His face was very pale—white really—while his cheeks were flushed with delicate pink. His white eyes with glacier-blue pupils held amusement while his hands, raised in front of him, held no weapons. Long white hair hung in curls to his shoulders, and he wore tight black trews and a flowing white shirt. A colorfully embroidered waistcoat in red and green topped his shirt and it glittered in the light cast from the planet’s nearest star. Ellard stared a fraction harder. Were those valuable stones in the design?
“I beg your pardon.” The new arrival bowed from the waist. “I did not wish to intrude, but Ransom and I were concerned when we saw the state of your ship’s hull.”
“You are part of the Narenda delegation?” Ellard regarded him with suspicion while Gweneth relaxed against him and showed no desire to move.
“Yes, do forgive me. I am Niran Vasilakis, leader of the Incorporeals who also live on Narenda along with the Drake Tribe.”
“I’m Gweneth Swithin, and this is Ellard Tetsu.” Gweneth took charge again. “As you can see we have had an interesting journey. We will be out shortly.”
“Of course,” Niran said smoothly. “We anticipate the formal introductions with joy.” As he finished speaking his form faded until nothing remained. The man had vanished.
“Well, that was interesting. Ghosts. Did you know about another race?”
“No. We’ll have to take care when we speak in private. If they can pop in an out at will, anyone might be listening.”
“True, but it’s not as if we’re full of trade secrets. We come in peace and hope to entice them to participate with our festival. This is turning more interesting by the sec. A handsome male. I’m going to have plenty of chances to test my flirting skills.”
“No—”
“Ellard, they’re waiting for us. No time for a discussion.” She pulled from his protective embrace and carefully made her way from the bridge to the exit ramp.
Ellard followed, his feline grumbling at him. Neither of them had enjoyed the way Niran had looked at Gweneth or the speculation in his gaze. Maybe they had a shortage of females on this planet, and if so, they were not keeping Gweneth.
Gweneth belonged with him. She— He broke off the thought with a scowl, and he stomped down the exit ramp stairs. The woman was screwing with his mind. His gaze followed her as she strode over to Niran and the big male standing beside him. He imagined her smile and increased the length of his strides into the clammy heat of the planet.
“Hello,” Gweneth said. “We’re pleased to arrive on Narenda.”
“We can see that,” the second male said. “I am Ransom Drake, chieftain to the tribe. Would you like my repair team to look at your ship? You won’t be able to leave with it in that condition.”
A big male, of an equal height to him, Ellard smelled the other part of him. The dragon shifter smelled of amber—warm, musky and of honey yet with a hint of burning and earth. A black tattoo of a dragon coiled around and down his right arm and a scar went from the corner of his right eye and down his cheek. He wore arrogance around his shoulders like a cloak, which made Ellard’s feline rumble to meet the challenge, especially since Gweneth seemed smitten by the handsome dragon shifter.
She sighed and made no secret of her interest. Ransom’s grin widened.
“Thank you. That would be much appreciated.” Ellard decided to wrest the lead and attention from Gweneth. “Ellard Tetsu.” He extended his hand palm up to show he carried no visible weapons and came in peace. He placed a hand on Gweneth’s shoulder. “This is Gweneth Swithin who came up with the idea we’re about to put to you.”
“I believe you have already met Niran. Come. We will have refreshments and conduct our business before we give you a tour of our town. We have arranged accommodation for you.”
“We didn’t come prepared for an extended stay,” Gweneth said. “Is there somewhere we can purchase a few necessities?”
Niran smiled at them, a blaze of approval, which prodded Ellard’s battle senses to the fore. “We have everything you require.”
“This way,” Ransom said with a charming bow. At least Gweneth found it charming because she issued another of those sighs.
Ellard bit back his snarl and nodded, then he and Gweneth followed the two males. Although he’d never met a dragon shifter in person, his father had told tales of their ferocity during battles. They were a private race, and their invitation to visit still surprised him. With Ransom’s looks, most females would take a second glance, despite his casual clothing of lightweight trews and plain blue shirt. Ellard reserved judgment on the arrogance since a leader required strength and confidence to lead. Whether he was trustworthy, they’d soon discover, but he decided to take him at face value—for the moment. As for Gweneth…
He frowned inwardly. Wasn’t this what he wanted?
“I hope you don’t mind a stroll. We are not far from my quarters,” Ransom said. “Mostly, if we wish to travel any distance, we shift and fly.”
“Not an option for us.” Gweneth offered a cheeky grin. “But if you wish to exercise your wings, go right ahead. I’ve never seen a dragon shifter before and would love to before we leave.”
“Gweneth,” Ellard warned.
Ransom laughed, an infectious sound that made Ellard want to join the joke. “I value openness and honesty.”
Ellard’s back prickled as he followed Gweneth and the two males down a gravel track that wound between lush plantings of flowers. Beyond, trees filled the landscape, and on the horizon, a range of mountains thrust up from the landscape like jagged teeth. The sweet scent of the flowers lay heavy on the air. White. Red. Purple. Blue. The shades ran the gamut and made for attractive surroundings after the dust generated by numerous building sites on Viros.
“We directed you to land near my estate rather than in the town,” Ransom said over his shoulder. “We will show you the town later, but it will be easier to conduct our business discussions here.”
The track widened. Ellard wiped the sweat off his forehead and strode along beside Niran. While he listened to the man discuss the main town and its amenities, part of his mind attempted to follow Ransom’s discussion with Gweneth. Both males had brightened on seeing her, and he now struggled with jealousy. He had no right, given he kept pushing her away. He knew that, but try telling this to his agitated feline.
“Ah.” Niran’s pale cheeks glowed with pink. He lifted his nose and drew in the air in the way a feline did to scent. “Delicious.”
“Pardon?” Ellard frowned at the man’s tone. It was…weird, he decided. The man appeared… He hesitated again. Sexually sated was the word that came to mind, yet he hadn’t appeared that way when he and Gweneth disembarked from their ship.
“Have you never heard of my race before?” The corners of Niran’s eyes crinkled, and he emanated agreeable humor and joy.
Yep, plain weird.
“No,” Ellard said.
A loud whop-whop overhead had him flinching. He managed to hold back his gasp but felt his eyes widen at the immense s
carlet dragon that dive-bombed toward them. A smaller royal-blue dragon lagged behind, its stubby wings working at double time to keep it above the treetops.
Niran chuckled, the rich sound pulling at Ellard and inducing him to share in the joke.
The scarlet dragon opened its mouth and a blaze of flames shot free.
“Cut it out,” Ransom ordered, a snap in his voice.
The royal-blue dragon opened its mouth and a smaller, less impressive blast of flames emerged. This dragon lacked the same control and the flames ran along the treetops. Several dry twigs caught fire and the blue dragon squeaked.
“Gryffnn,” Ransom roared. “Come back and put out this fire.”
“Who is that?” Gweneth asked, awe in her voice.
Ellard didn’t blame her because he was experiencing the same wonder. While he’d heard of the dragon race of shifters, he’d never seen one. Lynx and Shiloh were right. They needed a peace treaty with the dragons.
“My brother,” Ransom said in a dry tone. “And his son.”
Gweneth stared up at the flaming branches. “Can all dragons breathe fire?”
“The ability grows with age. As you can see my nephew has little control and has just started fire breathing while my brother has the ability to repeat his party trick four or five times before he needs to rest.”
“How much rest is required?” Ellard asked, interested in learning more. He watched the red dragon hurtle through the sky while the blue dragon fluttered above the treetops near the fire.
“It varies, but several cycle portions. The older the warrior the more powerful he becomes,” Ransom said. “In case you’re thinking of declaring war on us.”
Gweneth smiled and patted his arm. “We come in peace. Ask Ellard. None of our people wish for unrest. I am a new arrival to Viros, but the city is recovering from a war with the House of Cawdor.”
“Is this true?” Ransom’s bold gaze demanded answers.
Despite the bristling of his feline, Ellard nodded. “We want to rebuild and prosper, and we would like our neighbors to grow with us. That is what we have come to discuss.”
Niran glanced at Ransom, and Ellard caught Ransom’s imperceptible nod. He wondered at it, then the red dragon distracted him. A stream of water doused the flaming tree. The red dragon trilled at the blue one and they flew ahead of their party and disappeared as he and the others continued along the tree-lined track.
Questions filled Ellard, his curiosity roused by all he’d learned. Gweneth chattered like a curious bird, peppering Ransom with queries about life on Narenda. His feline growled, jealousy rippling through the creature. He tried to keep the emotions contained but they bled from him, and Niran noticed.
“There is no need to worry about Ransom. Your woman is safe with him.”
“She is not my woman.”
Niran’s brows rose and that weird smile played around his lips. “I beg to differ. As I was saying before Gryffnn and his son interrupted me, you haven’t heard of our race before. The Incorporeal race feed from sexual energy. Without that energy we have no substance and cannot bear young. You and Gweneth are giving off enough energy to give me a good buzz.”
Ellard blinked, so shocked words failed him. He just stared with his mouth hanging open. Finally, he coughed and flapped away the bug that attempted to dive-bomb down his throat like one of Narenda’s dragons.
Niran chuckled. “While Ransom does not have a mate, he would never poach from another male, not since you are so obviously meant for each other.”
“No, Gweneth and I are not mates.”
Niran sighed. “Some males are stubborn.”
“I am not stubborn,” Ellard gritted out.
Gweneth glanced over her shoulder. “Ellard?” Her expression held chiding and disappointment, and he felt heat collect in his cheeks.
“I apologize,” he said stiffly.
Niran flapped his hand, the glow of amusement never leaving his expression. “Not necessary. I poked my nose into personal matters. Come, tell me more about Viros. We had heard about your battle with the House of Cawdor and that you have new rulers. A triad,” he mused. “Unusual. Is it working well?”
Ellard welcomed the other man’s easy manner and accepted the peace offering. “My younger brother is one of the new rulers. He and his two mates seem very happy. They’re rebuilding the city and bringing a new vibrancy that we have long needed. Much of our infrastructure fell to ruin during the war. We are taking the opportunity to modernize and hope to attract tourists in order to bring wealth to our people.”
“Growth and opportunity is good,” Niran said. “My people, too, need to grow and expand our reach. It is a delicate balance.”
The trees around them began to thin and buildings became visible. Built of stone, they blended with their surroundings. A stone wall surrounded the main building and the six smaller ones. Although substantial, it wouldn’t keep enemies out. Not that these dragons would have many enemies. He wouldn’t want to tangle with an angry fire-breathing dragon.
“What is the main trade on Narenda?” Ellard asked, wanting to fill the gaps in his knowledge. Lynx and Shiloh would want to learn as much as possible about the secretive races who lived on this tropical planet.
“We specialize in jewelry and precious stones,” Ransom explained. “This way. I have requested my housekeeper to prepare refreshments for our arrival. We have guests for the evening meal in order for others to meet you.”
“Thank you,” Ellard said. “We will enjoy meeting other members of your tribe so we might extend the invitation from our king.”
Ransom opened a wooden gate and gestured for them to enter. To their right, beds of colorful flowers—in more colors than he could begin to describe—surrounded a wide green expanse. Half-naked children frolicked and chased a red ball. They shouted greetings but continued with their play.
“Your children?” Gweneth asked.
“No, I do not have a mate,” Ransom said. “My employees, however, are a fruitful lot. They live in the cottages. My brother and nephew, my two sisters and I live in the main house. You’ll be staying with us while your ship is undergoing repairs.”
“Thank you,” Gweneth said. “But I thought we were staying at a hotel in the main town.”
Ellard frowned at the look Ransom tipped toward Niran. The two males knew something and they weren’t telling. Frozen in place, he tested his senses and his feline went on alert. Nothing raised the hair at the back of his neck, and some of the tension leached from his limbs.
“No, I think we can get to know each other better here.” Ransom’s expression remained enigmatic. “We would enjoy visiting Viros.”
Gweneth smiled. “And we would like to learn more about Narenda. Now, tell me. Could I have a ride on a dragon?”
A sensual glint appeared in Ransom’s eyes, and Ellard’s warning signals shot to an all-time high. “The sole time a non-dragon female might fly with a dragon is if he is courting her.” He cast a sly glance at Ellard, his eyes shifting a fraction. “Would you like to fly with me?”
Ellard growled and Niran gave a bark of delight.
“I knew I was right,” he said.
Gweneth frowned. “Stop teasing Ellard. His bite is truly worse than his bark.”
Ellard bristled some more. He didn’t need Gweneth to stand up for him.
“You haven’t seen my bite yet,” Ransom said in a silky voice as he opened an ornate carved wooden door and ushered them inside. “Ah, let me introduce you to my sisters.”
A woman appeared in the doorway of a room to their right. Tall and slender, she wore her beauty with confidence She’d swept her brown hair up in a pile on her head and wore a flowing golden tunic over black trews—the sort of woman who would never give him a second glance. Ellard allowed himself a polite nod and turned his attention to their surroundings. Tasteful wealth. He’d seen riches in the castle, yet the former queen hadn’t had the knack of furnishing with an eye to comfort and elegance. Light spilled
through a jeweled window, casting a rainbow of colors across the plain stone-tiled floor. The scent of spices wafted on the air—delicious cooking aromas—that made his stomach grumble with hunger.
“Jacinta, come and meet our guests,” Ransom said. “Where is Sable?”
“She is conversing with the housekeeper about the domestic arrangements. She will be here soon since Gryffnn signaled your arrival.”
“This is Gweneth and Ellard.”
Ellard shook the woman’s hand and frowned at the frisson of sensation that swept up his arm. Gweneth elbowed him in the ribs, jerking him from the trance he’d dropped into at the dragon woman’s touch. “I’m pleased to meet you,” he said belatedly.
A man tromped in behind him, followed by a small boy.
“Out,” Jacinta pointed. “Remove your boots. If you stomp that mud over the floors, Sable will cry. She’s spent all half-cycle cleaning.”
“I can smell berry snacks,” the boy said.
“You’d better listen to your aunt.” Ransom ruffled the boy’s black hair. “Sable and Jacinta are quite capable of withholding berry snacks if we make them more work. This is my brother Gryffnn and his son, Hallam.”
“But Niran can fix it for us,” the boy said.
“No, he can’t,” Ransom said in a stern voice. “We learn to do things for ourselves. We do not rely on the largess of others.”
“Niran does things for us of his free will,” Gryffnn said with a chiding note. “We are lucky he chooses to gift us with his presence. You must never forget that.”
“Enough.” Ransom effectively closed the conversation. “We will have refreshments. Maybe some berry snacks, if we all behave.” He ushered them into a large square room, one also full of light.
Ellard scanned the exits and the contents for possible weapons. Tiled floors covered by large thick rugs. All of the furniture bordered on large, built sturdy for big males. The room spoke of comfort and relaxation.
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