Page 35 of The Mating Claim

Did the Lupine know Drust’ssecret?

Perhaps Drust sensed it as well, for he sniffed. “My friends, I wished to refresh myself and quench myself at this well, but I fear the water is … befouled. Let us retire to the castle for refreshments in myquarters.”

Knowing he did not mean the words did not make them hurt anyless.

Especially when Hugh laughed andnodded.

“Tempting morsel though, eh? Even if she is a dragon who wallows in the dirt as her classdoes.”

Temper soaring, she scowled at him. “At least I have class. And if my hands are dirty from farming the land to put food on your silver platter, at least I have an honest life, unlikeyou.”

“Watch it, girl,” Hugh warned. “Your people are so arrogant. Know yourplace.”

“Of course.” Minda made her voice sweet and contrite. “Would you care for somewater?”

She caught Drust’s alarmed expression, but it was too late. Hugh had mocked her once too often. As the Fae came forward to take the dipper from her, she threw the water athim.

“Oh dear.” Minda pursed her lips. “I suppose my people are too clumsy aswell.”

Hugh lunged for her, but she was quicker. Minda shifted into her dragon form and started to fly off, but not before she heardDrust.

“Never mind her. That homely dragon is of little consequence, Hugh. Do you wish to dirty your hands with her? Come, let us retire to myapartments.”

Feelings hurt, she soared far above the castle Drust and Tristan called home. Was it her fault she was born to a poor peasant family of dragon shifters? If Drust and Tristan truly cared about their people, they would realize the cruelties the Fae inflicted on the lesser shifters, those who were not born of noble blood and served KingEmer.

Eventually, she must return to her chores. An hour later, the well was clear again, her bucket still lying against the stonework. Minda filled it in a hurry and hurried home to finish her chores. Like many of the lesser shifters, she lived in a village outside the castle, farming the land and raising animals for King Emer and hisnobles.

Unlike many of the lesser shifters, she had witch blood and liked to practice spells in her spare time. Spells that usually went awry, a source of her lover’s tender amusement. Today she tested out a spell for bakingbread.

Sadly, the bread turned into a mushy mess that failed torise.

As the sun dipped below the tree line, she slipped away, murmuring excuses to her parents about needing to exercise her wings. Minda shifted into her dragon form and flew to a small wooded glen a good hour away from Castle Baldwin. When she landed, the thicket of trees surrounding her seemed to rustle their leaves in approval. The air was fresh and smelled of pine, not the farm animals and manure of herhome.

Ruins of an old stone structure lay a few feet away. She clothed herself by magick and sat on the steps to wait. Today would be the last day, she promisedherself.

I deserve better than these clandestinemeetings.

Sensing movement overhead, she glanced down to see a shadow circling on the forest floor. Minda did not look up as Drustlanded.

Still did not glance up as two doeskin boots appeared in her line ofvision.

But she would not stay silent and pretend it no longer mattered. “Did you come here to dirty your fine hands with a peasant girl, sir? A homely one atthat?”

An inward hitch of breath. “I am sorry,” he said, his voice low and deep, the husky timbre making her shiver. Such a beautiful voice Drusthad.

Such nasty words spoken init.

Minda did not move as Drust said next to her. When he reached for her hand, she drew away. “I grow weary of these games, Drust. It is best if we finally part ways forgood.”

Another inward hitch of breath. “Minda, my Minda, I told you I cannot acknowledge you in public. My feelings for you are true, but if I voiced them, you would become a target for theFae.”

“Excuses,” shemuttered.

“Anail na beatha,” he murmured, cupping her cheek. “Breath of my life, do not forsake me. I meant no insult, only to protect you and distract Sir Hugh. You are my heart, my onlylove.”

Though her heart belonged to him, she couldn’t help wondering if he only used her for sex and to relieve his body’s urges. Drust had told her he had taken only two lovers after his mate died, leaving him with six children to raise. The affairs were brief, for he had too many duties at the castle claiming his attention, as well as his fatherly duties athome.

And then came the day when he saw her singing at the village well, and he’d fallen for her as if tumbling headfirst into the wellitself.