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The table devolved into more heated words while Tukaqu and I held each other's gaze. Although his approval filled my posture with confidence, an undercurrent I’d never felt before sizzled the air. I’d lied to him and kept secrets for the first time in my life. He knew it, and I knew it. It left me feeling unstable but with a sense of power I’d never experienced before.
Was I just another dragon caught up in a world I couldn’t change?
Tukaqu’s assistant slipped to his side and whispered something. Tukaqu studied his hands before whispering something back, and the new arrival rushed back the way he’d come, phone to his ear. My heart sank. A few minutes later, the main door to the dining room burst open, silencing all of us. Theair tensed as a lanky orange-haired shifter dressed in the formal reds of the fire elementals halted inside it.
“I’m here to inform you of a new situation,” he announced boldly, dipping his head to ensure he didn’t make eye contact with any of us.
Tukaqu stood too dramatically. “The Ley Lines!”
The fire representative blinked in confusion while Tukaqu smirked. My heart sank further at my grandad’s confidence.
“Per our agreement earlier today,” the fire representative continued. “You will allow an escort of three humans and two female fire dragons through your territory at ten tomorrow morning.”
“What?” Dad exclaimed.
The fire representative straightened his shoulders.
“Our route has been emailed to you and will disturb the smallest number of residences possible.” He continued.
Several people pulled out their phones while I gritted my teeth and fought to keep my dragon from lashing out.
“Along that same vein,” the fire representative continued. “Betty Strop will be collected at the border at fifteen hundred to report to the Sisters of Fire for her part in Prince Tyson’s fire lighting ceremony to commence in five days.”
“Who’s Betty Strop?” My uncle asked.
I bit my lips shut.
“And last,” the fire representative said, ignoring us. “TECH is already at Rehan’s hut, as a gesture of good faith, upgrading his security and accessories?—”
At my hut.I’d left Jay alone there, and now a stranger had access to her. My vision turned red as my dragon rushed forward. “That’s not a gesture of good faith!”
“Control yourself!” Tukaqu roared.
The sound of claws scraping on wood filled the room. My elongated fingers bit into the table, shredding the hundred-year-old lacquered mahogany. With an effort, I returned them to their human state, but I didn’t sit.
“All of that is rejected,” I snarled. “Tell Tyson to come here and challenge me himself if he doesn’t like it.”
“Rehan, sit down,” Tukaqu ordered, his voice deadly calm. “I’ve already sealed the deal in OUR favor, unlike your poor negotiating skills.”
“It was never going to be a negotiation!” I growled, glaring and Tukaqu. “She’s my mate. Not his.”
No one moved. It wasn’t until my little brother’s hand rested on my scaled forearm that I realized I’d partially shifted and braced myself, ready to fight my own grandad.
I forced myself to breathe. Never in my life had it been so hard to release my scales, but one by one, they melted back into my human skin. My shorts fluttered in tattered pieces around my seat. Slowly, without breaking eye contact with Tukaqu, I sat.
“We’re always thankful for a visit from TECH.” Tukaqu turned his attention back to the fire representative while I shook with rage. “Thank you for your formal visit to solidify our terms. I look forward to Ryker’s team working with us to check the Ley Lines in return for access to the woman.”
I snarled, and my brother and uncle gripped my arms again, forcing me to stay in my seat. Tukaqu dismissed the fire representative. The moment the doors shut, every eye in the room turned to me.
“Your mate?” My dad sighed. “She’s human, son. She can bear your children, but don’t give her more credit than she’s due.” He grew his horns, massive branches of dark blue tipped with silver. “Save your mark for someone worthy - one of your own kind.”
I cringed, both from his words and the weight of how complacent I’d existed for the last thirty years of my life. I didn’t look at Tukaqu. He knew I already marked her, and if he spokeup now…I didn’t know what I’d do. I’d just gotten Jay back. We were still figuring out what we meant to each other. I didn’t need my dad’s narrow-minded opinions or my family's need for the next generation to make it any harder.
“Many dragons have found their mates in humans.” My Uncle scowled at his brother. “Her humanity is not the issue at hand, but her connection to fire.”
“I see that as an advantage.” Tukaqu grinned. “Rehan will do as he likes. For now, it makes no difference to the family. However, keeping her in water territory means we have a bargaining chip to force the fire dragon’s hands.”
I ground my teeth together so hard it echoed in the too-large room. “She’s not a bargaining chip.”
