Can't Get Enough (Dragon Kin) - G.A. Aiken Page 0,53

claws in exasperation. “I’ve tried to kill him. And I’ve tried to pull the hair out of his head. Actually, I’ve tried to kill him twice—although that first time was a necessity.”

“And both times, I daresay he most likely deserved it. But you’re dealing with the Cadwaladr Clan now, my love. They don’t want the weak in their bloodline. Every time you fight him, challenge him, you make him yours. And, if I thought for a minute he meant nothing to you or he was a bad match, I’d tell you to send him a very stern letter and get back to your studies. But he means everything to you, Shalin, and we both know it.”

She sighed in resignation. “True.”

“And think of it this way—among that family, you’ll always be the smartest.”

“Father!”

“Yes, dear?”

“So you’re just going to sit here? And wait?”

“Yes,” Ailean stated to Bideven—yet again. “I’m just going to sit here and wait.”

He thought when he began sharpening his swords and spears, his brothers and cousins would leave him be. No such luck.

“And what if she doesn’t come? What if she stays in her school?”

“Then she’ll have made her decision.”

One of his cousins angrily tapped a finger against the Great Hall’s worn wood table. “I say we tear the school down stone by stone until she agrees to come back to you.”

Ailean held his blade close to his face and studied the edge, examining it for any nicks or jagged edges. “And why would I do that, cousin?”

“So she’d understand her place belongs with you.”

“Should I cut off one of her wings too, so she can’t escape? Then we can be just like the Lightnings.”

“I never said—”

“No. You didn’t. But you might as well have.”

“The full moon is tonight, brother,” Bideven pointed out—yet again.

“Yes. I’m well aware of that fact.”

“And if she doesn’t come tonight, Ailean? Or any night? Then what will you do? Find another?”

“There is no other, Arranz. We both know that.”

“Then perhaps our cousin is right. Perhaps—”

“No. This is her decision to make. I ignored her wishes once before and she cut my throat. And that I’d happily risk again, but I won’t risk losing her.”

As one, all of the kin cluttering his Great Hall began shouting at him, telling him what they thought he ought to do. Most of it involving violence against anyone who would possibly step between him and Shalin.

But Ailean’s patience waned, and in one movement, he stood and brought the blade of his favorite broadsword down on the thick oak table, splitting it into two.

Not surprisingly, that brought immediate silence.

“Now,” he said calmly, “I’ll ask again. Does anyone else have anything to say?”

“No,” they all said as one.

16

It took Shalin a bit longer to get back to Kerezik, since her father decided to drink a bit more than was good for him and she had to stay to ensure he didn’t pass out. But she had a few hours before the moon would rise. Enough time for something to eat and some time to talk to Ailean before tonight. Before he made her his.

She landed outside the castle gates and shifted. A guard standing outside immediately handed her a robe. What she found fascinating was that he wouldn’t look at her.

“Something wrong?”

“No, ma’am.”

“All right.” She pulled the robe on and tied it at the waist. The gates immediately opened and she walked inside. It took her only moments to realize that, although they all nodded to her in greeting, no one looked her in the eyes.

Madenn met her on the stairs, a basket of warm bread in her hands. “Don’t worry. They’ll get over it.”

“I scared them.”

“A bit. But they’re grateful. Give them time. Our ancestors were scared of Ailean in the beginning as well.”

Wincing at the state of the front of Ailean’s castle where her head had crashed into it, she asked, “Is Ailean in his room?”

“No,” Kyna told her from inside the castle walls where a makeshift door had been erected. “He’s not here.”

Patting Madenn on the shoulder, Shalin walked into the Great Hall. “Where is he, then?”

“Out with his brothers. He should be back soon.”

“You just left,” Kennis accused.

“That’s between me and Ailean.”

“Fair enough.”

Shalin nodded at the two and walked toward the stairs. She had her foot on the first step when she was propelled forward. She never hit the stairs, though, as hands gripped her tight and pinned her arms behind her back.

Looking over her shoulder at the twins, “What do you think you’re doing?”

“Handling this.”

The pair