Page 4 of Dragon Blood (Dragon Island #3)

A stred followed her mother, bringing up the rear of the small procession for the private meeting before the slightly more public dinner.

She’d exchanged her usual ship’s clothing for the regal flowing dresses that Aeleftherian royalty were expected to wear, with their complicated wraps and knotting.

She’d struggled with it for a quarter hour before her mother appeared, flipped her hands around her for about five seconds and it was done, making her feel like a child again.

On entering the meeting room, she’d nearly tripped on the hem when her gaze landed on the tall man standing next to Kolina Steelscale.

She’d nearly blurted his name, heart racing, threatening to gallop right out of her chest.

Kai.

She drank in his familiar, handsome features, as her brain ticked in the background.

Her inner dragon rose to the surface, inhaling, seeking.

Not now!

Astred shoved her dragon down, ordering her back to sleep.

What in all the hells is he doing here?

Her gaze caressed his face once more.

He looks just as surprised to see me… I—I can’t think about him—this—right now.

Not now.

She broke eye contact with him, forcing her attention to the room at large, getting her heart rate under control, suppressing the need to turn around and get back on her ship.

Greetings registered as murmurs while her mind latched on to the man standing between the Steelscale women, both good friends to herself and her mother, who’d stepped away to talk with Kolina and Elora.

Astred struggled to focus on the small talk, her dragon seeking Kai’s unique scent, dragging her thoughts toward him over and over again.

His scent, his smile, the feel of his lips and hands on her. The texture of his skin under her fingers, the aura of peace and contentment as they lay with their naked bodies entwined.

She drew a deep breath, shoving the precious memories away.

Kymri grasped Astred’s hand, whispering. “Red, are you unwell? You look a little flushed.”

“What? Yeah, fine. Just… weddings make my scales itch, you know?” She offered a wan smile.

Kymri’s gaze turned sympathetic. “I know you’d rather be at sea, but I’m so happy you’re here with us.”

Astred squeezed Kymri’s hand back, her focus settling on her friend. “I am too. Truly. Besides, thanks to you, my mother finally left the island. On my ship.” She grinned at her old friend.

“This is my brother, Kai. Mother finally found him and convinced him to come. Apparently, we met once when I was a baby.” Kymri released Astred’s hand, turning so that her gaze lingered on Kai’s face as though he were a long-lost gift.

A true treasure…

Astred’s heart flipped as she finally met his eyes again, his expression guarded, jaw tight.

…that holds my heart. Still.

He bowed before her, as he’d done for her mother. “Princess.”

“You don’t need to do that,” the words rushed out.

He straightened, brow quirked.

From the corner of her eye, Astred noted a petite, dark-haired woman approach Carson Perenga. His mate, Lirikai.

Everyone else noticed her presence, quiet conversations falling silent, as the ancient, legendary Barra’kidai waited for their attention.

Thankful for the distraction, relief swept Astred as Lirikai and Carson led the gathered guests out on to the terrace overlooking the ocean. The arrangement of the dining area felt both modern and old world, beautifully decorated with flowing snowy fabrics and fresh creamy blooms.

The arrangement allowed for small, intimate conversations. A trinity of circular tables draped in more embroidered linen, gleaming porcelain and sparkling flatware. Crisp name cards indicated the seating plan.

Astred’s chest tightened.

Three tables of ten seats each and Red’s card was next to Kai’s, with Regina’s on her other side.

No one’s looking. I can swap with my mother.

…Who had Joey Kane, head of The Organization, seated to her left.

Damnit, she’ll want to talk to her.

Astred resisted the urge to rub her nape.

Politics.

Dragged into discussions with Mother and Ms. Kane, or awkward small talk with Kai.

I can ignore him…?

Fuck, no, that would be noticed and raise questions I don’t want to answer.

She glanced across the terrace toward Marli, with Stenlen and Carson with Lirikai at the other tables.

Oh, Heidi Brandt and her family are here! They would be so much more fun to sit with.

Noticing Astred’s attention on her, Heidi smiled in return.

The tension eased out of Astred immediately.

I really need to spend more time at Black River.

The family of bear shifters always made her feel at ease.

Dragging her attention away from the other tables, Astred turned to find that Kai stood behind her chair, waiting for her to sit.

“I don’t need—” The chair slid under her as she lowered herself. “Thank you.”

Kai moved to her left as Regina prepared to sit.

Startled, she smiled up at him. “Thank you, Kai.” She immediately turned her attention to Jolena Kane, head of the Global Paranormal Security Agency and its umbrella shadow Organization.

Heat fizzled along Astred’s right as Kai settled down next to her.

I’d rather be scrubbing barnacles off my ship’s hull right now.

“So, princess, huh?” Kai’s low voice rolled up her nape, with a deep, sensual familiarity that she immediately dropped the hatch on.

She grit her teeth. “Uh huh.”

“And here I thought it was me. Turns out, it was.”

Her gaze snapped to his face, meeting his dark eyes, growled. “I told you it wasn’t. That I had obligations.”

He lifted a brow. “Clearly avoided by being at sea all the time. No, I figured it was more to do with my… heritage.”

Astred straightened on her seat, eyes darting to the others seated at their table. “Here is neither the time nor the place for this conversation. What happened between us has nothing to do with you, and everything to do with me.”

Kai chuckled, nodding, as he suddenly occupied himself with the crisp napkin. “That’s rich. Very altruistic of you, Red.” He looked up as a server brought champagne to fill their glasses. “This weekend is going to be fucking priceless.”

Astred stared at her glass with longing. Anywhere else, any other time, she’d have drank it down and demanded a refill.

You’re not aboard your ship, Red, nor in port on leave.

Here, she was hyperaware of etiquette in the presence of these important friends and allies. She folded her hands on her lap, ignoring Kai, despite the tension rolling off him.

She’d seen him on edge before, during particularly challenging contract negotiations, but nothing like this.

The low murmurs between her mother and Jolena Kane ceased as Joey leaned forward, looking at Astred.

“Good to see you again, Astred. If you’ve some time later, can we discuss a few things?”

Astred smiled. “Good to see you too, Joey, especially under lighter circumstances such as this. Business discussion? Yes, I can make time for that.”

“Perfect, I just wanted to provide you with a satellite phone for the Crimson Claw.” Joey nodded and settled back as Jori and Kymri rose from their seats, glasses in hand.

Everyone followed suit.

“I’m not a speech guy, so I will keep this short. First and foremost, Kymri and I are thankful that Carson and Lirikai agreed to host our gathering this weekend.” Jori said.

Kymri continued. “And we thank you all for agreeing to witness our union and give us your time to discuss important matters that affect not just our respective communities, but the global one.”

Everyone raised their glasses and sipped their champagne.

As the food was served, friendly conversations hummed around all three tables of old friends and new allies.

Astred and Kai ignored one another and eventually he was pulled into discussions with his mother and sister, and other guests on that half of the table. Across from her, Odson and Jonathan, Elora’s human husband, were also quietly engaged.

Astred picked at her food and drank another glass of champagne as her thoughts inevitably returned to Kai.

Her keen senses picked up every nuance of his voice, the deep familiarity of his scent, and brought up the bittersweet memories of their time together. Her dragon kept urging her to lean closer, to whisper his name and draw his attention in her direction so that he would see only her.

Every time the heartache rose, she swallowed it down with another sip.

I thought I’d never see him again. In all the world, of all the people, he has to show up here. Now.

Resentment soured her stomach.

He’s supposed to be on the other side of the world in his stuffy office, pushing papers.

This is my world.

Her gaze flicked to his hand, curled on the table next to his plate as he laughed at something Jori said.

Astred gripped her fingers together, resisting the overwhelming desire to slide her hand over his, to feel the strength of it once again.

To revel in the sensation of both of his hands roaming her body as hers explored his—as they had done over the years when they met up in various coastal ports.

She suppressed a smile, recalling the charity event they’d met at. A tall ships event which she and her crew had agreed to participate in, to raise ocean ecology awareness.

He was living in Shanghai then.

She glanced around as the plates were cleared away.

Thank fucking Goddess.

The last time she saw Kai was in Hong Kong, when she broke things off with him.

Does he still live there? Doesn’t matter, Red. It’s done.

She finished another glass.

Forever.