this is going to work?” she muttered.
“Trust me,” he assured her, resisting the urge to wrap her in his arms.
He wanted to be in a position to fight off any attacks.
He better than anyone knew that danger lurked in the shadows.
“You I trust,” she said in low tones. “But your father…” She wrapped her arms around her waist, shivering with a fear she couldn’t disguise. “You said yourself that he wants to kill me.”
Flames flickered over Baine’s bare chest before he controlled his burst of anger. No one was hurting Tayla. No matter who he had to destroy.
“Not after I speak with him,” he swore.
Her eyes widened as a burst of heat swept through the garden.
“I think he’s here,” she breathed.
Baine moved to stand in front of her as his father stepped out of a portal.
“Stay close,” he muttered.
“Don’t worry.” Tayla pressed a hand to his lower back, as if needing the reassurance of touching him.
A bone-deep happiness raced through him. He didn’t want her frightened. Hell, it infuriated him to think she would know even a second of fear. But there was something intensely satisfying in the knowledge she would depend on him for comfort.
With cautious steps, the large male moved toward Baine, his brutish features hard with determination.
“Welcome, sire,” Baine murmured.
The silver gaze narrowed as Synge’s attention turned toward the house where the sound of hammering echoed through the air.
“What’s going on here?”
“I’m assisting Tayla in repairing her home.”
Synge sent him a puzzled frown. “Tayla?”
Baine stepped aside to reveal the female standing behind him.
“Tayla, allow me to formally present you to my father, Synge.”
“Hello,” Tayla murmured in tentative tones, unaware of the importance of Baine’s words.
The older dragon, however, was very conscious of what Baine was saying. With a scowl he folded his arms over his massive chest, refusing to acknowledge Baine’s claim.
“Where are the others?” he instead demanded.
Baine arched a brow. “What others?”
Synge made a sound of impatience. “I heard there was to be an auction among the trolls tonight.”
“Ah yes, the trolls,” Baine drawled. It was childish, but he couldn’t deny he was enjoying tormenting his father. “I’m afraid they can’t make it.”
“Why not?”
Baine shrugged. “Because I killed them.”
“Good.” The silver gaze flicked toward Tayla. “It should make the auction a lot less complicated.”
Baine deliberately moved to block Tayla from his father’s sight. It was a silent warning he would have to go through Baine to get to the female.
“Don’t you want to know why they’re dead?” he demanded.
“Not particularly.” The ground shook as Synge stepped forward. “Name your price for the female.”
Tayla pressed against his back, her breath brushing his bare skin as the tart scent of lemons filled the air.
“But I want to tell you,” Baine insisted.
“Fine.” The older male heaved an exaggerated sigh. “Why are they dead?”
“Because they were hunting my mate.”
Synge clenched his hands at his side, bluish sparks dancing over his body.
“Your mate?” Synge pretended he didn’t know exactly what Baine was saying. “You found her?”
“I did.” Reaching behind him, Baine tugged Tayla to his side, wrapping a possessive arm around her shoulders. The game had been fun, but now it was time to end it.
The flames danced higher, heating the air. “This imp?”
Baine growled low in his throat. “Her name is Tayla.”
Synge waved aside the blatant reprimand. “You’re sure?”
Baine gave a soft laugh, glancing toward the woman who’d captured his heart.
“It’s like getting struck by lightning,” he murmured. “It’s not a sensation that a male makes a mistake about.”
Synge ground his teeth. The older dragon had never chosen a consort, but like every other dragon had heard the stories of the unbreakable bond that was created during a mating.
“No, I suppose not,” he at last conceded.
“Do you accept my formal introduction?” Baine demanded.
Synge narrowed his gaze. Tradition dictated that he accept his son’s mate. But his fear for his hoard made him continue to battle against the inevitable.
“First you need to know something about her.”
Baine leaned down to brush his lips over the top of Tayla’s head.
“That she can create portals into a dragon lair?”
“You know?” Synge demanded in astonishment.
“I do.”
“Then you realize she’s a security risk,” Synge growled.
Baine ran a comforting hand up and down Tayla’s back as she gave a tiny shiver. His gaze, however, never wavered from his father.
It was a direct challenge.
“Not anymore,” Baine said. “The trolls and their partners are dead.”
Synge shook his head. “Even if you killed the trolls, that doesn’t mean they didn’t tell some other demon.”
Baine allowed his power to flow from