Page 20 of The Dragon Warlord

Hot irritation mixed with humiliation bubbles through me, but I bow my head in favor of getting this over with.

“I think there is something you’d like to ask me.”

“Spying on me, my lord?” I say while keeping my eyes trained on the floor.

“I am always aware of what you’re up to.”

Note to self, be careful of what I say.

“Well? Would you still like to ask?”

I probably shouldn’t change my question to, can I strangle him to death? I’d sure like to.

“River was going to take me to the fields to meet my army. May I?”

“No.”

My head whips up of its own volition, I swear. “Why?”

“I’m glad you asked. I have a list. You failed to greet me properly. You spoke back to me rather than complying immediately. Your kneeling posture is sloppy. Considering I’m also your alpha—not just your lord—you need to do better.”

Is this guy for real? “Then I have nothing else to speak with you about.”

“Unfortunately for you, I’m not done, but you may want to tell your omega he can rise. Unless you’re doing something kinky.” He taps his chin.

I don’t miss his veiled criticism of my alpha practices. “River, you can get up. What do I have to do so that I may leave, my lord?” I don’t just mean his presence now, but this tower. I want to go home.

“I’m glad this is inspiring better behavior and you’re lucky I don’t feel it would be the best look to have my Warlord kneeling beside me while I work. Piss me off enough and I’ll decide I don’t care. Understand?”

“I understand, my lord.”

“For your first month, I want you to report to me after dinner. I’ll decide on your discipline for the day.”

Ah. Then it’s no coincidence that I received his summons after I disciplined River. That’s what he was waiting for. Does he expect me to accept discipline without protest or complaint? He must know me better than that.

“Discipline for the day? What have I done?”

“This time? Nothing egregious. You’re a dragon, Tristan, and a brat. You need general discipline, or you won’t be able to do your job. I want a high-performance Warlord, not a misbehaved brat.”

“If you’re trying to make me feel bad for being a brat, it won’t happen. There’s no beating it out of me either.” I’ve spent months trying to eradicate the brat from me and all that happened was me, throwing a fit, shifting into a dragon, and dragon-storming off. I wish him luck.

Though maybe I could stand to grow up a little.

“I have no wish to do that. Us brats need to stick together, wouldn’t you say? And did I say beat? I believe I said discipline. You will be disciplined regularly and you can expect your arse to be as red as those dragon scales on your jacket for the first while. That’s non-negotiable.”

Silently, I stew. So far, Dragon Land? The worst.

“You will come to appreciate it, my feisty omega. I’ll show you why you need it just as River will need it. You’re going to learn a lot about yourself.”

“You’re clearly a brat. Areyoudisciplined?”

“All the time,” he says as if he’s proud of it. “There’s nothing to be ashamed of, but everything to lose if I let the chaos take you.”

His husband hasn’t said anything and only stands there silently like a damn wraith. I remain in a snit. I don’t want to be “disciplined” by my former idol turned nemesis.It won’t be for long, Tristan.There has got to be a way out of this place and if there is, I’ll find it. I hate to do it, but I might have to enlist River’s help for that.

My chest pangs and I claw at it.

The dragon lord smiles. “You’re thinking about leaving, pet.”