Page 72 of Dragon Keeper

Tor offered him a milquetoast smile. “I came to meet the new clutch, see what new things they’ve added to the spring festival. I’ve heard so many good things about the feast that I’m curious to know.”

His temper flared, the scent of burned honey sudden and strong. “Don’t lie. No one in your beloved D’kryw has ever heard anything about us, and we’re happy with that.”

Tor looked at him and blinked, the expression closed and careful. “But Ididknow about the clutch, and my dear brother, I knew how to find your mate’s brother as well.”

“Yes, well, you’ve always been clever.” He put his hand over his belly, frowning deeply.What are you saying?

I’m saying that things aren’t going as easy as we had hoped. Nothing.“I am. It’s one of the reasons I left. I am curious about our traditions.”Someone is altogether too interested in your little village.

You mean our little village.

They have children. This is about the children.

“What? Are you studying us now?” His lips parted, and he shook his head.No. They can’t have the babies.

But now you understand. I’m here for a reason.

He was going to throw up. He and Tor had always been able to communicate on a very tight band of twin speak mentally, and that conversation below the one happening aloud was making him sweat.

Mate, are you well?Sloan was trying to go to sleep, and Tor shook his head, warning him.

I’m fine, just hungry. Go back to sleep.Then he turned to stare at Tor, his mouth still trading quips and barbs with his brother as he spoke in his head.What do we do?

I don’t know. But I know once your friends up the mountain showed up, the sorcerers at D’kryw acted as if someone had kicked over an ant hill.

Tyr took a deep breath.What does that have to do with the children?

There are certain children who have the spark. Some are nature bound; others are like me. I don’t know. I’m not being coy. I don’t know, but I intend to find out.

So do I.

Tor smiled at him, the look assessing.Brave brother.

This is my home.

It was mine too, and we might have our differences, but I have never once allowed you or our sister to come to danger. You must admit that.

Tyr nodded, because Tor was his family, his twin, he’d breathed the same air in their first breath.So what do we do?

Nothing. Not yet. To keep her—them—safe, I think we keep our knowledge close to our chest.

So I’m just supposed to trust you?

You have, yes. I do have their best interests at heart.

Aleana was suddenly standing there, her eyes flashing. “Tell me again how none of this is nefarious?”

“Really, you had to get a hold of her?”

“One, she’s our sister.”More importantly, that’s her daughter. We don’t keep secrets from family.“And two, she heard us fighting.”

Of course we do, especially when those secrets keep them safe.

We keep each other safe. And you?She snarled. “The whole hive heard you two idiots snarling and snapping at each other.”

Aleana please. We’re building up too much energy. If anyone is watching…

“Well, stop yelling at each other. You’re going wake Fredda.” Giving them a glare that said this was far from over, she turned on her heel and stomped away from them, her shoulders up around her ears.