Mating the Dragon

by Rinelle Grey

  He scanned her again. There was still something missing. “You need to ruffle your hair, mess it up a little,” he ordered.

  Wayrian stared at him for a moment, then she seemed to get it. She nodded, and pulled at her hair, rubbing it between her hands.

  Taurian nodded. “Yes, that’s better. No one will question it now.”

  Cynically, he wondered how much of the damage done during the mating ceremony was this deliberate. It had never occurred to him to ask that question before, he’d always just assumed that the destruction was a true sign of a couple’s passion. He hadn’t even thought to doubt it.

  Now that he was in the situation himself, he realised how easy it was. If your passion wasn’t strong enough, then calmly choosing the level of damage was easy.

  If it had been Karla standing in front of him though, there would have been no need for pretence.

  Chapter 5

  Every bone in Karla’s body ached from sleeping with only a few animal skins between her and the hard sand.

  Oh, who was she kidding? There had been barely any sleeping happening at all. Between visions of Taurian mating with Wayrian and the constant fear Ultrima might be sneaking up on her in the dark, Karla had barely closed her eyes all night, much less slept.

  As she looked around the room, where all the dragons other than Taurian and Wayrian had slept, she realised she wasn’t the only one. Supposedly, they had slept here to give the mating couple privacy. That’s what she’d been told. Personally, she suspected they wanted to keep as much of an eye on Ultrima as she did.

  Everyone looked bleary eyed. If Karla hadn’t been sure there had been no alcohol at the celebration, she would have said everyone was suffering from a hangover. The actual reason for their stupor was clear as dragons eyed the human form, lightning dragon sideways, surprised he hadn’t killed them during the night.

  Ultrima was the only one that was chipper. He smiled widely at everyone, greeting them cheerily. Apparently he hadn’t had any problem sleeping at all. Strange really, that he was so unafraid in a room full of his enemies.

  Not that anyone had even considered attacking him. Was that because of the dozen dragons outside, or simply because of their overwhelming fear?

  How long could they keep this up? It was almost like Ultrima was wearing them down, trying to make sure they were at their weakest before he attacked.

  Why had Taurian ever thought this was a good plan? Then again, he probably hadn’t intended them to still be here this morning. If it weren’t for the dragons waiting on the surface, Karla was pretty sure all of the dragons of Rian clan would have slipped away during the night.

  Which would have meant he’d have no time for mating.

  As it was…

  As if on cue, all heads turned towards the tunnel where Taurian and Wayrian stood, holding hands.

  Their hair was rumpled, and Karla’s eyes immediately picked out the missing feathers and torn skirt.

  Her heart froze, then resumed beating with a painful jolt. Last night, she’d been sure that it couldn’t get any worse than the images in her head. Somehow, this was worse.

  This was reality. Cold, hard, reality.

  Apparently worrying hadn’t impeded their night’s activity any.

  Karla turned away unable to look. There was no way she could hide how distressing the sight was for her, whether Ultrima was watching or not. What did it matter anyway? Ultrima wasn’t going to care, even if he did notice.

  She needed to figure out a way to get everyone out of here so that she could move on before watching this drove her mad.

  As if the couple’s appearance was a sign, dragons began to bring out food. The fare was a little more meagre than the feast last night had been, consisting almost entirely of leftovers.

  Karla didn’t really care. She didn’t feel like eating anyway.

  But when Ultrima took a seat cross legged on the sand beside her, she suddenly found her appetite.

  Because eating was far better than trying to think of what to say to him.

  Both of them ate in silence for a while, but just when Karla was beginning to relax a little, and figure he was just sitting next to her to intimidate Taurian, Ultrima spoke, “They’re all the same, you know, these Rian dragons. They will mate for the benefits it gains them, not for love.” Ultrima’s voice was surprisingly gentle as though he knew what Karla was going through.

  As if he actually cared.

  Yeah, right, like she was going to believe that. Karla glanced up at him, trying to figure out what his game was. Because he had to be playing a game.

  The expression in his eyes seemed as genuine as his voice.

  What the hell?

  This was Ultrima. The man who had tried to kill Taurian. Who had tried to force Taurian’s sister to mate with him. Who had asked Karla to betray Taurian. He wasn’t gentle and understanding. He certainly didn’t understand about loving someone, did he?

  Karla’s heart was thudding in her chest. Had they been mistaken about Ultrima all this time?

  Was there a way out of this? If Ultrima had just been misunderstood, and he really did care for Taurian’s sister, then maybe they could talk to him and sort something out.

  “And you know, that pairing is never going to produce a life dragon, no matter how hard they try.” Ultrima’s voice was cool, nonchalant.

  That was a bombshell.

  He knew what Taurian was planning? How?

  “Don’t look so surprised,” Ultrima said, amusement colouring his voice. “The Rian dragons have been trying to create a life dragon for quite a while. You could almost say it was an obsession.” Ultrima’s face darkened for a moment, then cleared. “But they don’t know the first thing about life dragons.”

  “And you do?” Karla challenged.

  “I don’t know, do I?” Ultrima’s eyes challenged her.

  Karla thought quickly. Ultrima was talking as if she should know the answer, but how could she? Even if she had seen a life dragon in his lair, she wouldn’t have recognised it. She didn’t know anything about the different kinds of dragons.

  All she knew about life dragons was that they could affect people’s minds.

  Or cause visions.

  The memory of the dingoes in the cave underneath Ultrima’s lair flashed into her mind, sending her cold. She hadn’t understood enough about how dragon magic worked to understand them at the time. It hadn’t occurred to her to wonder how a lightning dragon could create such elaborate visions. Now that she had experienced life dragon magic on the way here, she knew that’s what it had to be.

  Ultrima must have seen the knowledge in her eyes, because he smiled.

  “You already have a life dragon.” The statement was barely necessary, but somehow, Karla wanted to hear it from his own mouth.

  “Bravo. I’m surprised it took you so long to realise it.”

  He was amused.

  For some reason, it made Karla furious. Didn’t he realise that these were real people? That they were dragons whose clan he had once been part of? They were trying so hard, and in Taurian’s case, giving up so much, to save each other.

  And he was amused.

  Karla almost shook with anger. To think she had almost felt sorry for him. Well, she certainly didn’t now.

  Ultrima though, misunderstood her shaking. “It must be painful for you to stay and watch this,” Ultrima said quietly. “I’m surprised you’re still here.”

  Karla fought her anger. She needed to focus. Ultrima didn’t feel any real concern for her. He was faking it, He had to be. There had to be another reason he was talking to her. A reason he was pretending concern. There had to be something she was missing. She suspected it was very important to realise what.

  There. There it was. A calculating gleam in Ultrima’s eyes. The fake concern couldn’t quite hide it.

  He wanted to get rid of her.

  She was right. Ultrima considered her an important piece in this game. That was why he was trying to get r
id of her. He thought that would take her off the board.

  A plan began to form in the back of Karla’s mind. A nebulous, risky, possibly stupid plan.

  She refused to think too hard about it. If she let it form too fully, then Ultrima might see it on her face. She couldn’t afford that.

  So she shrugged, and turned back to her food. “Bit risky to go out on my own when there are dangerous dragons about, don’t you think?”

  Ultrima gave a laugh. “I would have thought it was riskier to stay here.”

  He had a point. Karla stared up at him, her eyes narrowed. “I thought we were just witnessing a mating ceremony. That’s not so dangerous, is it?”

  “Is it any more dangerous to leave?” Ultrima challenged.

  She couldn’t get an answer by pretending. Karla dropped the deception, and asked outright, “Are you saying that you’re not going to try to kill me if I leave?”

  For a second, Ultrima looked a little shocked at her forthright question. Then he smiled. “That’s exactly what I’m saying, Karla. I’ve admired your bravery and dedication throughout his, despite how annoying it has been at times. Especially that stunt you pulled back at my lair. That was plucky. But now…” He glanced up at Taurian and Wayrian, and Karla tried not to follow his look.

  Taurian stared at them, his eyes dark and stormy. He wasn’t impressed at Karla and Ultrima talking. Was it an attempt to protect her, despite his mating, or was it some weird sort of misplaced jealousy. Either way, it didn’t matter. Karla was trying to help.

  Even though he had broken her heart.

  There was no time for those thoughts because Ultrima was looking at her again. His eyes were sympathetic. A fake sympathy. “Now you have no reason to remain and try to protect Taurian. And no need to share your new information with him. He’s not going to live long enough for it to matter either way.”

  His quiet assurance was like a stab in the back, catching her unaware. Karla was silent for a minute, struggling to find the way out of all this.

  Ultrima had played his hand. Made his killing move.

  He thought that Karla would bow out of the game and leave the king defenceless.

  Maybe he thought she was the queen. He could hardly think Wayrian had taken that position. Either way, she was the only other piece that concerned him. And once she was off the board, she wasn’t a threat.

  At least, that’s what he thought.

  Karla needed to be careful though. If he guessed her plan, then all would be lost.

  She glanced back at Taurian and his mate. Focused on the torn clothes, and the way Wayrian touched his arm to get his attention.

  It hurt. It more than hurt. It felt like someone was ripping her heart to shreds.

  Making no attempt to hide any of that pain, Karla turned back to Ultrima. “No, no reason at all. He’s chosen his path. I don’t owe him anything. The only reason I’m still here is because I was afraid to leave.” The fact that that was true only helped her story. There was no reason for Ultrima to doubt it. “If you’re offering to let me go without issues, that’s just what I’m looking for,” she continued. “But I can’t leave my friends and family here.”

  “Of course not,” Ultrima said immediately. “All of you can leave without anyone stopping you. I’ll escort you to your cars myself.”

  “And Gretchen?”

  Ultrima frowned. His eyes sought out the only other human occupant of the lair, sitting next to Jayrian, hugging his arm. “She’s different. She’s mated to a dragon. She’s already chosen her side.”

  “She fell in love. She didn’t know she was choosing a side. She definitely didn’t know it was a life or death decision.”

  Ultrima studied her for a moment, his blue eyes sharp. Karla tried to look back openly, hoping he wouldn’t see she was covering something up. Hoping he wouldn’t realise she needed Gretchen.

  “She’s my friend, I can’t just leave her here to die.”

  “She’s going to die anyway,” Ultrima said gently. “Better to die fighting for what she believes in than of a broken heart, don’t you think?”

  His eyes bored into her, and Karla tried to think quickly. Somehow, she didn’t think this question was about Gretchen. “This isn’t about what Gretchen believes in. This isn’t her fight. It’s between you dragons. We have nothing to do with it.”

  “Good point.” Ultrima grinned. As though he’d won something by her comments. Maybe he thought he had. Either way, he was convinced by her speech. “She can go with you if she wants, it doesn’t matter to me.”

  Karla tried not to sigh in relief. Though even if she did, she was pretty sure Ultrima would think it was relief at his agreement to let her leave.

  Of their own volition, her eyes went to Taurian. She should have known he’d be staring at her. Couldn’t he realise he was mated and forget about her already?

  Then again, the mating wasn’t complete. Unless he and Wayrian had been really inspired last night, they’d only mated once. They had twice more to go before the mating bond would form. So Taurian could well and truly still be obsessed with her.

  Somehow, the thought didn’t make her feel any better. How could he possibly believe he loved her, and yet still mate with someone else? Even if he really thought it would save his clan, how could he physically make himself do it?

  Karla shook her head. She didn’t want to know.

  She looked down at the food in front of her, and pushed it away. “No time like the present,” she said cheerily to Ultrima.

  “Gather your friends, and I’ll escort you out.”

  That should stop Taurian from accosting her and trying to prevent her leaving again.

  Karla wasn’t sure whether to be relieved or saddened.

  Then again, she would be back. She wasn’t planning on leaving Taurian and his clan to the Trima dragons.

  He might be mating another woman, but even that couldn’t stop her loving him.

  No matter how much she wished it would.

  Chapter 6

  From the moment he saw Ultrima sit down next to Karla and have a conversation with her, Taurian’s heart thumped so hard, each beat was like a claw to the chest. He didn’t know what Ultrima was up to, but he was certain it was no good.

  When Karla jumped up and headed over to talk to her family and Gretchen, the sense of foreboding grew.

  Her actions seemed to be directly related to her talk with Ultrima. What could the Trima dragon have said that she was discussing with the others?

  Whatever it was, it seemed to spur them into action.

  “Prince Taurian?” Wayrian’s quiet voice at his elbow forced his attention away from Karla.

  “What?” he growled.

  The startled look on her face and the disapproving looks from the elders surrounding them like a shield, brought him back to his reality.

  He forced his voice to be cordial. “Is there something I can help with, my dear?”

  “What are we going to do all day?”

  Wayrian’s question was blunt, but from the expressions on the faces of the elders, they were all thinking the same thing.

  Usually, the day after the first mating was spent in games and competition, all designed to help the dragons prove to their mate that they’d chosen correctly. Or give their mate a chance to reconsider if they found they hadn’t.

  “We proceed as normal,” Taurian said firmly. “The games will be a good distraction for everyone. I’m sure Ultrima won’t mind joining in.”

  If the Trima clan leader was anything like him, he would be looking forward to pitting himself against Taurian in any kind of competition he could.

  “But… Prince Taurian…” Kyrian’s face was a picture of concern and dismay. “What if Ultrima beats you? It will completely demoralise the clan.”

  Ultrima would love it too. But Taurian was pretty sure the other dragon couldn’t beat him at everything. And any victory he had would have the opposite effect.

  “I will not be afraid of him,
much less show him I’m afraid,” he said firmly. He shouldn’t have to tell the elders this. They should know. “Ultrima knows how a mating proceeds as well as any dragon. If we don’t have the games, he will think I’m afraid.”

  Kyrian didn’t protest further, though his hand wringing was rather demoralising on its own.

  Taurian chose to ignore it. He had more important things to worry about.

  Like wondering what Karla and her family were doing walking over to Ultrima.

  The Trima dragon nodded to Karla, then turned to smile at Taurian, as though hoping to see him wriggle in his seat like a child.

  Taurian straightened his back and refused to give him any sign that he was concerned.

  Until Karla began to follow Ultrima towards the tunnel to the surface.

  His heart thumped in his chest. What was going on? Where were they going? How had Ultrima convinced Karla to go with him. Was she mad?

  In an effort to stop a million more questions rocketing around his head, Taurian stood up and strode towards the lightning dragon, ignoring the gasps and indrawn breaths of the elders and his future mate.

  “What is going on here?” he demanded to Ultrima’s back, as the dragon was half way into the tunnel.

  Ultrima turned around immediately, a wide smile on his face. He opened his mouth to speak, but Karla beat him to it.

  “We don’t belong here, Taurian.” Her voice was gentle. Her dark eyes looked into his, deep and sorrowful. Begging him to understand.

  That didn’t stop it from breaking his heart.

  “This is a dragon…” Karla’s voice halted immediately, and she glanced sideways at Ultrima. Taurian was pretty sure she was going to say a dragon fight, but she didn’t. “…ceremony. You don’t need humans here. Ultrima has offered to escort us to our cars, and we’re returning to Mungaloo. And me to England.”

  Leaving? Taurian wanted to demand she not leave. To scream at her, asking her was she crazy, to think she could trust Ultrima?

  Mostly, he wanted to beg her to stay.

  But he couldn’t. He had a mate waiting for him at his table.