Page 80 of A Curse So Vile

“For the most part.”

“Look at you, a reasonable overlord.”

“Is that what you think I am?”

“You are making demands of my people, are you not?”

“Yes, and to add to my long list, you must treat your human mates better.”

“Believe it or not, many of us are quite fond of the lovers we take. They often survive the births of our progeny, and we’re keen to explore traditions we once shunned.”

“I met your human mate. She was…sad.”

“Perhaps she’ll now have reason to smile.”

“A drop of blood may strengthen her for her birth.”

He arched a brow. “And you would allow that?”

“A drop isn’t so much. Allow her to drink from your vein and we’ll have words.”

“Understood.” He cast Brenna a sly side-eye. “And if I might be so bold, that Heartlander—”

“You may not!”

“Looks like he has a drop of giants’ blood in him.”

“That would be none of your business.”

“Can you imagine? Giant Denithians running around.”

“I’d hardly think he was capable. He’s tall, but no giant.”

“Giants are said to be magical, having survived this world for so long. There’s no telling what will happen if his line mixes with ours. You could end up with a litter of twelve—”

“Shut that foul mouth of yours!”

“Or cubs three times their size.”

“I told you to mind your business.”

“I’m just looking out for my overlord, is all.”

Brenna’s expression softened. “Do you resent me? For some reason, I don’t think you do.”

“I don’t at all, actually. Having you around makes the changes I know must be made considerably easier. I’ll act all offended by your demands, but tell them we have to play nice, and if they misbehave, the big, bad Lone Wolf Denithian is going to come down and give them a ripe spanking.”

Brenna giggled and decided that despite their bad introduction, she liked him.

“I’ll be taking a handful of your people with me to the Den, and from time to time, I’ll take more.”

“Hostages?”

“Honored guests.”

“There are a few that I think would do well in the south, though I’m afraid they will be confined to your Den for the most part, as they can hardly pass for human.”

“We have long nights and plenty of game for hunting.”