Burn (Dragon Souls) (12 page)

“But?” Koen demanded, hearing doubt it in her tone and disliking it.

Touching his lips, she smiled sadly as their gazes locked. “But there’s only so much one woman can take.”

M
yron left, dragging a surly Koen Raad with him.

Marina sent Pasha away to go surreptitiously take care of her son since she wouldn’t stop sniffling.

Boy detested when she appointed him babysitters, but it was the one thing she wouldn’t bend on. She gave him unlimited freedom to roam alone as long as there was someone assigned to take care of his needs.

She’d allow him concession of choosing his own minder when they got past the dangers of Aver and he was a tad older – like when he turned fifty.

Chastened, Pasha shuffled toward the exit.

Marina huffed a relieved sigh, and as soon as the screen slid closed, she let the mask of serenity fall.

Koen had argued to stay with her.

She’d badly wanted him to, but Myron obviously reached the limit of his blind eye that morning when he started clearing his throat at every touch between them. Or maybe Koen’s rebelliousness in kissing her into a drugged stupor pushed the old male too far.

Whatever the case, the Regent took her man away and left a tender void in its wake.

Moping, she flopped onto a cushion. “Disaster averted.”

“Three more quests, Rina.” Tone optimistic, Daniil patted her bent knee. “Three.”

“Then the Hunt.” She pushed onto her elbows. Her hair was a tousled mess around her flushed face. She could taste Koen on her lips. Salt-spicy male. “You haven’t said much about it.”

“I can tell you past strategies. Think you it will help?”

“Better than nothing.”

“Truly, I cannot tell you how to proceed in this. It is a deeply private chase for each Queen. Each brought her own special ability to the rite, and as you know all but the Treasures failed.”

“Love prevails.” Marina felt giddy with eagerness. She pumped a fist. “As lame as it sounds, it conquers all.”

There was light at the end of the tunnel, and it splayed sunrays all over Koen’s gruff sexiness.

Disconcerted, Daniil double blinked. “It does?”

“Of course. Look at the challenge of Aver itself. It’s brutal to ensure the strongest competitors reach the end, but then it’s the Queen who best loves her Dragon who wins.”

“Love has nothing to do with the Hunt.”

“My interpretation is different to yours.”

Alarmed now, Daniil twisted to face her. “Marina, we are
Dragons
. Fierce creatures that are territorial and moody. We concede power only to the stronger, even then grudgingly. Koen is no exception to this.”

“You’re listing all his destructive traits.” Expression mischievous, her expressive eyes were alive with certainty. “I know who Koen is, Daniil. I’m not blind to his faults.”

“We are noble but very used to getting our way,” he continued as if she hadn’t spoken. Their stares were locked. “The Empress knows her Dragon’s weaknesses and exploits them to her advantage.”

The statement made her uncomfortable.
Exploits?
“Daniil....”

“You must overshadow his Dragon. That does not always leave a happy couple.” He peered at her steadily. “It might be some time before he forgives you.”

“Forgives me?” Worried, Marina sat up. Budding dread made her feel unwell. “I’m not following.”

“Yes, you are.” His expression wrinkled with what she was appalled to recognise as pity. “Koen is a dominant male – more so because his Dragon is especially powerful. He seems lenient, but that is because he is the true alpha. He does not care what others think, and that is mistaken for forbearance.” He paused, apprehensive what she envisioned at the conclusion of the tournament was far from reality. “Victory for you will damage him greatly. The fight will be bitter in the end. Koen is difficult when he does not get his way.”

She believed they would fly off into the sunset laughing.

It was likely Koen would disappear to deal with his shattered pride then return to claim her body in a primal mating that would leave her disillusioned, and frightened of the male she once thought of as passionate instead of brutal.

That was what happened in the past.

Most Treasures were mentally prepared for the ferocity of the coupling and accepted it as part of the burden in protecting greatness. They understood their mate needed to reassert dominance to regain equilibrium and appease the Dragon’s vengeful spirit.

Daniil had a sinking feeling Marina’s lack of Tzioni upbringing blinded her to the depth of Koen’s savage nature.

He scrubbed a hand over the back of his neck. “Just prepare yourself.”

“For what? I know it’ll be hard, but once it’s done we’ll be together forever.”

He winced. She didn’t even try to disguise the dreamy quality to her gushing words. “There can be no softness, no compassion when you....” His sigh was gusty. “When the Hunt begins he is no longer your lover. He is an animal to be broken.”

“Daniil!” She was outraged. “Koen is not an animal.”

“In
dragonskin
he is. A beast. One that could lose control and kill you.”

She turned vehement, expression stony. “Koen would never–”

“The Koen Raad you know will be engulfed by his Dragon’s fear of capture and defeat.” He lurched to grab hold of her. His fingers dug into her upper arms as he shook her hard. “He will become a creature of instinct and violence. Impulses guiding his feral senses will tell him freedom is his right. Command him to fight for it. Even if that means drawing innocent blood revered to him. The blood of a beloved one he vowed not to harm. Do not underestimate the strength of his primitive urges. It will mean your death, and by the Goddess, your demise would destroy him. It would destroy
me
.” Breaking off, Daniil jerked back. He slowly released the slender arms he’d grabbed in his urgency to express the danger she faced. “You are my friend. Please take care. Many will fall apart if you die.”

Marina understood why everyone around her started to panic. The chances of her completing Aver was higher than before. The Hunt was a dicey, volatile thing and she knew they couldn’t see how she would beat Koen Raad.

However, somehow, she knew he belonged to her. They just had to trust her.

“I know you’re worried.” Marina clasped his hands. “I’ve got this. You don’t have to worry.”

“But I do.”

“Something has you spooked.”

“A growing darkness presses upon my mind. Each day that passes I feel as if you are slipping away from us.” Shuddering, he shook his head. “I cannot explain it.”

“How much sleep have you been getting?”

“
Marina
.”

“I’m serious. It sounds like you need a serious time out. I’ve taken up too much of your time. After spending your days training me, you pass the night catching up on the official business of your House. I know you step in to manage politics for Koen when Nikolai’s off doing whatever it is he does.” The twinkle in her eye let him know what she thought of the young Raad’s nightly activities. “You attend the Aver functions, thwart assassination attempts against me,
and
help with anything else I ask.” She squeezed his hand. “I’m sorry. My head’s crammed with self-recriminating crap, and I’ve put undue pressure on you. You’ve been picking up my slack.”

“Immaterial.” He shifted, and looked uncomfortable. “Your focus must be on Aver.”

“As ideal as it would be to only have the tournament to think of, I have a family who needs me. I’m well aware Mikhail is keeping hold of my duties as the first born of my House. Pytor our steward is wonderful, but what House Zar needs is its Lady. Boy is just all over the place emotionally, and at some point I have to talk to him about his magicks. I sense it growing stronger.”

“You
sense
it.” He frowned. “You are uncommonly in touch with mystic energy for a Chosen. I have been meaning to ask you about the quest.”

She knew exactly what was coming and fought not to stiffen. He’d notice. Once he was on her case he wouldn’t stop probing until he’d uncovered the reason for her unease. “Hm?”

“You conjured flames. Koen did not teach you this.”

The unspoken was neither had he.

They must have compared notes
, she mused.

How much did they pry into her goings on without her being aware? Probably more than any woman would be comfortable with. She dispelled the thought.

No point mulling over the unalterable.

“It was instinctive. I just knew how.”

“Customarily only Dragon Lords possess innate command of the elements. That you seem to as well is impressive, and is probably because you are the rare offspring of a Phoenix. Very promising.”

“That’s me – all kinds of kick ass. So you see? I have too much happening to put on blinkers.”

“It all can wait.”

“No.” She levelled him a direct look, her resolve firm. “Zar House needs me, and Boy is my son. Nothing is more important than taking care of my family and establishing myself as a just leader. I refuse to act like the other members of the Courts and only concern myself with money, status and my own needs. Cathryn’s arrival was a wake up call. I can’t ignore the things she pointed out to me.”

“Ignoring her
is
a trial.”

Marina’s lips twitched. “Be nice.”

“I am!”

“And play nice. She’s here to help.”

“So you say.”

“You’ll be seeing a lot of her Daniil. I want her to be a part of my life here. A big part.”

He winked, but didn’t comment further.

She rolled her eyes.

His lack of response wasn’t encouraging. He’d circle back to the topic at a later date when he thought things were stacked to his advantage.

That was simply the kind of male he was.

She’d be worried his skill at manipulation was a threat to her, but she knew he’d never use it against her.

Daniil would never betray her trust.

“Tell me,” he said, stretching his legs then reclining. “Have you spoken to Koen about the youngling’s abilities?”

“Not yet. He feels it. I’ve seen him eyeing Boy a time or two when a particularly potent surge escapes his control.”

“Three kinds of beings have magicks, Marina. Dragon Lords, their Dragon Mates, and Mages.”

“Oh, don’t start.”

“Boy is not a Dragon shifter.”

“It changes nothing.”

“Mages are our natural enemy.” Glacial gaze darkening – she had to force herself not to shiver – his full mouth thinned. “This will not be received well by the Courts.”

“When is anything I do received well by the Dragon Courts?” She kept it light, smiling even when his brooding turned into true anger.

“Treat the threat of scandal seriously. Much can be impacted by a harsh rumour.”

She
so
wanted to dismiss him, but checked the inclination. The uninteresting parts of life couldn’t forever be ignored. “Okay.” Her sigh was long suffering. “Tell me why.”

“What?” He appeared taken aback. “You want me to teach you politics?
You
.” Eyes gleaming, his voice sharpened with enthusiasm. “Truly? There is a wealth of knowledge I wish to share. No one shares my fondness for government. The art of stratagem and the grace of battle achieved with superior
warskill
. I will teach you my tricks. Teach you to be the finest manipulator Tzion has ever seen.” He rubbed his hands together. Grinned. “You are so unlike a politician they will never see you coming.”

“Uh, let’s not get
too
carried away.” She giggled nervously. “Think babe-in-arms. How about we add half an hour of political speculation onto my hourly history lesson.” How she wanted to weep. “We’ll take it from there.”

“Yes, yes, of course.”

His fervour suffered no dampening.

Marina could picture the endless lectures hurtling around his brilliant mind.

“We must pace ourselves,” he said. “Ensure we delve into minute detail so you are able to grasp the complexities of the subject matter.”

Happy as she was to have diverted his attention from the ominous feeling driving him to the brink of exhaustion, she hadn’t forgotten how overworked he was.

There were lines on his face that hadn’t been when they met. Signs of strain so visible on his immortal body troubled her.

“Daniil? Will you go sleep now?”

His cheerful yet weary gaze snapped to hers. “But your training. The second quest is a week away and you still struggle to remain calm in water.”

“I can mange alone for the rest of the day.”

“Fia will not be there. What if–”

“Hand on heart, I won’t drown.”

Sceptical was too a mild word for his expression. It was blatantly distrustful. “You won’t remain focused.”

“I swear I will.” She paused. “Unless something urgent comes along.”

“Marina, Koen wanting to steal you away for an illicit rendezvous is
not
urgent.”

She giggled a denial, stuck out her tongue then fled squealing as he chased her from the room.

W
aving Daniil off, Marina bounced into Cathryn’s chamber. “Morning,” she sang. “What’s happening?
What the fuck is happenin
g?”

“
Marina
.”

“
Argh
.” Her pitched scream echoed through the sudden silence where there had once been panting. Marina recoiled at the sight of Mikhail’s naked buttocks disappearing under the sheets. “Nooo.”

“
Oh my God.
” Cathryn scrabbled to draw the sheets to her naked breasts. “
Get out.
”

“
My eyes
.”

“
Out
.”

Flinging out a hand, Marina stumbled. She refused to open her eyes. Death was preferable to sight. “Somebody help me.” She tripped over the shallow ledge at the edge of the room then crashed through the wood and paper screen tearing a gaping hole.

She bumbled into the hallway and slammed into the opposite wall.

Flushed, Cathryn stormed from her chamber.

She hastily wrapped a trailing robe in vivid purple around her sweaty nudity. “Don’t you knock?”