Firedrake - By Bianca D'Arc Page 0,48
had to work hard for every small step forward when they were boys, training and learning together. To Drake, everything had come naturally, yet he’d never lorded it over the younger or less skilled. Drake had always pushed himself harder than anyone else could have. He demanded a lot from himself. Almost too much.
But he’d had a wild side. Drake had been a prankster and often got in trouble for the mostly harmless jokes he played on his classmates. When that happened, Sir Declan came down hard on the boy he clearly thought was far too frivolous.
Mace knew that was finally why Drake had left. There were few in the Castle Lair who hadn’t seen the way Drake took every condemnation and word of correction from Declan to heart. Nobody was really surprised when Drake took off for parts unknown. But Mace had missed him. They’d been friends of a sort.
“You were always good enough. Drake, you were better than all the others in our age group, but you never saw it.”
“You’re deluded. I couldn’t put a foot right. Jenet will be better off when she finds a man who is worthy of her.”
“If you truly believe that,” Mace said at length, “you really are a fool.”
“Look—” Drake turned on him, “—I appreciate the sentiment, but I have my own life now. Away from Draconia. Away from my family. I’ve found my niche and it’s working for me.”
“But what about Jenet?”
Drake sighed. “Like I said, she needs to find a knight who is her equal. That’s not me.”
“I think you’re wrong, but we’ll let it rest for now. At least until after we eat.”
Krysta was sorting through the food in Mace’s pack, divvying up the meager rations. Distracted by her beauty, Mace let the matter go as he moved to sit beside her. She handed each of the men a portion that was noticeably larger than what she kept for herself.
The tension in the air wasn’t lost on Krysta. Drake bristled when Mace settled at her side. She feared a confrontation of some kind was next on the agenda and the men didn’t disappoint. Apparently even among knights—or near-knights—the male mind still had the same basic possessiveness.
Too bad she’d have to end such a long day by teaching these males a thing or two about women.
Krysta sighed as she set aside her meal to look at the men. Drake was frowning as he chewed mechanically and swallowed. Mace seemed oblivious to Drake’s temper—seemed being the operative word. She knew darn well he was fully aware of the response his actions had provoked in his counterpart. The dragons watched all, saying nothing.
It wasn’t long before Drake couldn’t hold his tongue any longer. “You two look cozy.”
She should have seen it coming but was still annoyed when Mace put his arm around her shoulders and drew her against his side. Drake’s eyes narrowed, and Krysta hated the way they’d put her between them, like a bone for two dogs to fight over. But this was something more than just male posturing. There were dragons involved and all the tantalizing possibilities of knighthood. Krysta wanted to see just how far they’d go in their one-upmanship and learn where she stood in the bargain.
She hadn’t become a master spy by playing her cards too early, after all.
“It’s no secret Krysta and I have a relationship.” Mace almost sounded as if he was gloating, but he was too sober a man to actually gloat. Or so she thought.
“Funny—” Drake stood and tossed a scrap of crust away into the brush, “—I thought Krysta and I had a relationship. Guess I was wrong.”
“You know full well we could both have what we want if you’d just wake up and accept what Jenet offers.” Mace’s words were tinged with surprising anger, and she saw an answering flush of emotion on Drake’s face as he spun to confront the knight.
It was time to step in. Elbowing her way free, she stood, as did Mace, to face Drake.
“What about what I want?” She had their attention now. “Did either of you ever ask me if I’d be interested in something more permanent? Did either of you give me any reason to believe you want me for me and not just because I’m a convenient woman you both happen to like?”
“I more than just like you, honey,” Drake was quick to point out.
“Spare me your rogue’s ways, Drake.” She turned her attention to the dragons. “And you two.” She marched