The Platinum Dragon's Mate - Zoe Chant Page 0,39

his idea. If he had any ideas, she wanted to hear them, because she sure didn’t know what to do, either.

And when he could calm down and think, Shiloh wasn’t stupid. It was just hard to get him to do that.

His fists were clenched. “I can’t stand it,” he snarled. “Because the only thing to do is to challenge Father.”

Fear struck at Sage’s heart. “He’ll win,” she said.

Shiloh was silent, but she knew that he agreed.

It wasn’t that Shiloh wasn’t a strong fighter. And their father was older, and had fought more battles, sustained more injuries.

But somehow, it didn’t seem to matter. Jeremiah never lost a fight. He had a kind of—berserker rage that came over him when he was angry enough, and it drove him against his enemies with an implacable force. He didn’t seem to notice injuries that would have felled any other dragon, just kept going until his opponent fled or died.

Sage couldn’t imagine pitting herself against that. Shiloh would have more of a chance than she would, but still—

He’d hesitate. He wouldn’t be able to bring anything like the same rage that Jeremiah would feel, on being challenged by his own son.

He’d lose. And they’d be even worse off than before.

“Let me talk to Reid,” Sage said.

Shiloh spun on her. “Ask Oak Ridge for help? They’ll move in and take over!”

“No, they won’t!” she snapped.

“They’ll have to,” Shiloh argued. “After we humbled ourselves to call on them to take out our own leader? It would be the worst kind of weakness not to take advantage of that opportunity.”

“They’re not like that, Shiloh,” Sage said, willing him to believe her. “They don’t do things like that. They aren’t looking to expand their territory. They just aren’t. All they want is not to have to fight us anymore, and if we agree to that, they’ll help, no question.”

Shiloh’s lip curled. “Is that what that doctor has been telling you?”

“You don’t think I’m smart enough to tell when someone’s lying to get an advantage over me?” she shot back. “Go talk to Athena about it, if you want more evidence. You think Athena would make a strategic mistake like that?”

Shiloh frowned. “Not normally. But maybe her head’s been turned by finding her mate.”

“Suggest that to her and see what she says,” Sage proposed. “Do it while I’m nearby, so I can watch her eviscerate you.”

Shiloh growled. “Fine. I’ll talk to Athena.”

“Think about it, talk to Athena, sleep on it, and come find me in the morning,” Sage told him. “If you can come up with a better solution, I’m happy to hear it.”

Another growl, and Shiloh stalked off into the forest.

Sage blew out her breath, watching him go.

It wasn’t the kindest thought, but she hoped that he had a sleepless night worrying about what might happen. If he really thought about all of the possible consequences, he’d have to see that asking for help was their only possible option.

Sighing, she turned back to the house.

Inside, Reid was waiting for her once again. Sage smiled at the sight of him, and he came forward to hug her.

God, it was a relief to relax inside the safe warmth of his arms. If only she could just stay here forever, instead of having to go out into the world and worry about all of its problems.

Reluctantly, she pulled away, to see him looking down at her with worry in his blue eyes.

“Did you tell him?” he asked.

About them being mates, Sage realized. She shook her head. “No.”

“Oh.” He glanced at the window. “I did think there was a weird absence of shouting and breaking down the door to come challenge me to a fight to the death.”

Sage giggled a little. “I don’t think he’ll do that. Well. I’m sure he’ll shout. But if he challenges you, he’s going to have to go through me first, and he’s not going to want to do that.”

“Because he loves and cares for you as his sister and would rather not hurt you, or because you’ll tear him apart before he can touch one hair on my delicate head?” Reid asked, mouth quirking.

Sage giggled again. “Both,” she said.

“Of course.”

“I didn’t tell him,” she said, sobering, “because I didn’t think it would help him come to the decision he needs to make, which is that we can’t face Father alone, and we need your help.”

“Your help meaning Oak Ridge’s help?”

Sage nodded.

“Why is that?” Reid asked, frowning. “There are a lot more of you than there is of