Crossing Ties - Susi Hawke Page 0,16

fabric rustled and Misha and I turned to see those who had previously been sitting on the benches now on their knees, bowing all the way to the floor, their arms stretched out in front of them.

Well. I got respect, but I’d never bowed like that to anyone. My da would have my head if he heard I’d prostrated myself to anyone, even to save him. I’d do it if I had to, but I bowed deeply at the waist and hoped that would be enough. Misha followed my lead. When no one gasped that we were being disrespectful and no guards came thundering to push us down, I let go of the breath I’d been holding and stood back up.

“Let me handle the introduction?” Misha murmured. “Then it’s all your show.”

I nodded, and he dropped my arm to step forward and offer another bow. “Honored Triad. I am Misha Novak, son of Petr Novak, who offered help and friendship to Li Chen many years ago. With me is my true mate, Rory O’Malley. I ask that Li Chen honor his favor, given to my father Petr so many years ago, by fulfilling my mate’s request.”

I was impressed. And so fucking turned on. He hadn’t shown a hint of hesitation. He hadn’t tried to take over. He was an alpha, through and through, who wasn’t afraid of the power his omega might wield.

The center dragon pressed his hands together in a triangle. “You say he is your mate, Misha Novak. But there is no mate bond between you. How can an alpha claim one as his true mate without truly claiming him?”

I blushed, damn Irish skin, and Misha glanced at me from the corner of his eye as if to ask, “Do you want me to field this one?”

Damn, he kept surprising me. I appreciated both his willingness to speak and his willingness to stay silent. I bowed just my head before speaking. “It is true, we are not yet bonded. It was only this morning that we scented each other, but it does not seem right to pursue our own satisfaction when my father is in such dire need of me.” Damn it, which one was he? Son or omega?

“You honor your father by your devotion,” the strong-jawed dragon shifter said. “Speak your request. We will listen.”

I told them everything Misha and his team had discovered. I explained that we needed someone to track the dragon. And I stood as tall and confident as I could as I looked the man in the eyes and made my request. “I don’t know much about dragons, but from what my mate has told me, only a dragon can track another dragon. Without your assistance, I lose all hope of finding my father. Will you help me?”

Misha tugged at the sleeve of my shirt, but I dared not break eye contact with the dragon, who stared unblinkingly back at me.

“I hear your request,” he said finally. “But I see nothing to be gained from helping one of our adversaries. He should not have been so careless or so foolish to put himself in such danger.”

“But what about your promise?” I blurted, my control and dignity falling away in desperation.

“That promise was given by my mate to the Novak line.”

I didn’t even have the mental energy to be surprised when he gestured to the small man on his left, though that was the only pairing I hadn’t imagined. The small man, Li Chen, I now knew, looked distressed, his hands clenching at the fabric covering his legs.

“And currently, you are not officially a member of that line.”

“So if we seal the deal, if I bear his claim, then you’ll help me?”

The dragon’s lips pressed into a thin line. “We would be honor bound, but it would displease me to be pressed into such a situation. And the displeasure of a dragon lasts as long as his honor.”

Misha tugged at my arm again, but I waved him away. What could he say that I hadn’t already said? I doubted he would turn me away if I asked him to mark me to save my father. Little about this mate thing was turning out like any of my dreams.

“Wei,” Li said in a quiet tone. “May we speak?”

Wei, the center dragon, raised his hand. “My heart, I know what you will say. You wonder what is the harm in assisting this young man? It is no great danger for one of ours to track another