Page 75 of Queen Takes Triune

He still felt tender and raw deep inside. Not injuries, exactly, but my blood would do him some good. Pulling on his bond, I lifted my arm to him in silent invitation.

Dropping down before me, he wedged himself in between my thighs, forcing me to open my knees more. Daire refused to relinquish his place but grudgingly made room for the dragon too.

Mehen kissed my wrist but didn’t sink his fangs into my skin. He leaned heavier against me and pressed his face over my breasts.

My dragon didn’t want to feed. He wanted comfort.

I wrapped my arms around him and stroked my fingers over his bare shoulders. He’d pulled on his jeans but hadn’t bothered with a shirt. Rubbing my fingers over his head and down his neck, I soothed him until he was ready to tell me what he’d found.

When he finally spoke, he didn’t lift his head from my chest. “Arthur’s with Tiamat.”

“Who’s that?” Gwen asked, her voice sharp. Not with jealousy—but with the bloodthirsty determination to add a new name to our list of enemies.

“The Mother of All Dragons, a Mesopotamian goddess.”

I’d picked up on enough of his conversation with Vivian earlier to know that Tiamat was the one who’d imprisoned him millennia ago. “I won’t let Her have you.”

He tightened his arms around my waist, leaning harder against me. “She’s a goddess and has been alive since the dawn of time.”

“And you’remydragon now.”

Finally, he lifted his head and gave me a sultry, knowing look, his eyes glittering like molten emeralds. “I know you won’t let Her have me. I just wanted to hear it. Besides, She’s too busy fucking Arthur to sire a new generation of dragons to worry about me.”

“How long will She keep him do you think?” Gwen asked slowly.

Mehen snorted. “Only a few years, if he’s lucky, unless he was smart and managed to bargain with Her beforehand. She won’t let him escape until She has what She wants, and She’s not going to be happy with a single egg. She’ll have a whole clutch to fertilize.”

Gwen and Lance shared a long, silent look. When she finally turned her head to meet my gaze, I almost felt sorry for Elaine Shalott.

Almost.

“Then by your leave, my queen, I’m going to prepare for a trip to the UK.”

Smiling, I offered her my hand, and when she took it, I tugged her down for a quick hug. “Go and free your Blood.”

She searched my face. “I can wait until after your appearance at court if you’re worried.”

“Not at all. You’ve already waited centuries to have Merlin. I won’t be the cause of any more delay. This is between me and Marne, just as your problem is between you andher. Hopefully Arthur will be otherwise occupied and you won’t have to deal with him at the same time, but call on me if you need help. Mayte and I will be with you in an instant.”

Kevin stepped closer and bowed formally. “My queen, thank you for accepting me into your service.”

“I trust you to mind the tower while Gwen is gone.”

“Of course. Hopefully Grandad will still speak to me after your trip to Rome.”

I grinned, shaking my head. “I’m not making any guarantees.”

22

Shara

Having friends stop by was great and all, but I still breathed a sigh of relief when everyone was gone. The mirror had gone back to clear while we talked to Byrnes. Evidently, Marne Ceresa had answered my call through her consiliarius and had no intention of using the mirror.

Mehen hissed beneath his breath as Carys strode into the room.

Holding a book, she looked around the room as if slightly befuddled. Pushed her glasses up on her nose. Sniffed with disgust at Mehen.

Then her gaze fell on the mirror in my lap. “What the ever-lovingfuckare you doing? Are you mad?”