Can't Get Enough (Dragon Kin) - G.A. Aiken Page 0,38

sneered.

“That old dragon may be weak, but a father is a father. He won’t like what you and Shalin have been up to.”

“I’m not too worried.” Ailean wiped blood from the wound over his eye.

Arranz snorted. “Oh. You’re not?”

“No. Once he finds out I love her and we’re going to be together forever, he’ll be fine.”

Ignoring the shocked expressions on his brothers’ faces, Ailean headed over to the well for fresh water.

“Ailean,” Bideven rushed up behind him and asked, “have you actually mentioned any of this to Shalin?”

“No.” He shrugged. “Why should I?”

Shalin hugged her father again before stepping back. She really saw his age when he was in human form and it hurt her heart. She knew she only had another hundred years with her father. Maybe two, if lucky, but no more. Her parents had waited until very late in their lives to have Shalin and although it never really bothered her, she also knew it made her different from all the other dragons who grew up with parents young enough to take them on long flights and teach them the proper way of hunting and fighting.

But Baudwin the Wise only hunted up that which stood right outside his cave. And although he could give detailed histories on every war that had taken place among the dragons and humans, he was a worthless fighter himself.

None of that mattered to Shalin, though. Her father meant everything to her. Always had.

“I’m so glad you’re all right, Father.”

“And I you.” He pulled back, examining her carefully. “You don’t look any the worse for wear.”

She smiled. “No. I’m just fine.”

And that’s when her father’s sharp brown eyes narrowed. “Are you?”

Clearing her throat, she said, “Oh. Yes. Just fine. We should go.” She walked around him to get to the clearing.

“Go where, Shalin?” he asked in that calm way of his. “Do what? And shouldn’t we have those two oversized beasts with us?”

Turning around, Shalin chewed on her lip. “I guess.” She nodded. “You’re right, of course.”

“And aren’t you interested in what the queen has to say?”

It took Shalin a moment to remember she hadn’t been on Ailean’s territory merely for sexual satisfaction. And if she hoped to conceal what happened between her and Ailean from her father, she’d better act more like she cared.

“Oh! Of course. Yes. What was the decision?”

“No decision. Not until the council meeting.”

“A…a council meeting?”

“Calm yourself, Shalin. I see the panic in your eyes.” He rubbed a soothing hand against Shalin’s back. “The queen and Elders wish to have the case presented in front of all the court. And to everyone’s surprise, the Northern dragons have put in a demand for the deal struck with Princess Adienna to go through as planned.”

Shalin crossed her arms in front of her chest. “To everyone’s surprise because who would want me?”

Her father shook his head in confusion. “What are you talking about? I mean surprising because we all assumed the Northerners would simply try to take you rather than follow the usual rules of etiquette. That’s usually how they do things.” Baudwin sniffed. “Barbarians. The lot of them.” He nodded at his daughter. “That oldest one seemed much more civilized than his brethren. I assume it was his decision to put in the claim. I believe he truly likes you.”

“Well, I can read,” she said on a chuckle.

“Of course you can. You’re my daughter.” Her father glanced around impatiently. “Where do you think those two bickering ninnies went?”

“Drive you mad, did they?”

“Don’t misunderstand me, daughter. I will appreciate until my dying day their protection. Truth be told, I knew with all certainty they would kill anyone or anything that moved within a dragon’s tail of me. But the constant chatter—” He shuddered. “—it drove me to distraction.” Which was her father’s quiet way of saying if he could have killed them both…

“I should take Nightmare back anyway. I’ll get them and bring them back here.”

“Nightmare?”

She motioned to the horse. “Nightmare. My horse.”

Her father frowned. “You named your midmeal? Shalin, you know better than to—”

“No, no. He’s not…” she cleared her throat. “They don’t eat horses or dogs here, Daddy. They’re considered pets and working animals.”

Her father made a small gesture with his hands. “I can’t…they’re just…the entire Cadwaladr Clan simply confuses…”

Shalin kissed her father’s cheek. “I completely understand. And for that reason I won’t mention the puppy Ailean gave me.”

“Puppy?”

Shalin laughed. “I won’t be long.”

She walked off and Nightmare dutifully followed behind her. She led him back to the stables and