Page 17 of Wings of Frost and Fury (Merciless Dragons #4)

Thelise leads me to a room she calls “the privy” and shows me how humans wash themselves. Then she wraps herself in a “ robe” and throws a large piece of cloth around me. “A sheet will serve you as clothing for now, since we may revisit the bed later.”

We return to the large front room, where she pushes me onto a chair. “Sit, and I’ll get us something to eat.”

While she busies herself about the task of preparing food, I watch the squares of sunlight cast from the windows onto the floor.

I contemplate the coolness of the stones beneath my feet.

They’re not like the stones of a cave. They’ve been fitted together, with material filling the cracks between them, and they’re surprisingly smooth and level.

Having been allied with a human army, I know some aspects of human life and behavior, as well as an assortment of the terminology that goes with their living habits.

I know table and chair. I understand their pieces of clothing, more or less, at least the outer ones.

I even know some of their history, broadly and vaguely, because the Elders of our race have always thought it wise that we should have an awareness of the human kingdoms of the mainland.

Even when we aren’t among humans, many of us speak the Eventongue as often as we speak Dragonish.

But despite my knowledge of human culture, I have never seen food of the kind that Thelise sets before me.

“This is a slice of cake.” She points to it.

“White icing on top, strawberry jam in the middle layer. Here’s a bit of bacon, a chunk of cheese.

A slice of cold chicken pie with peas, onions, and carrots.

I made that. I’m not the best cook, but I can bake a decent pie.

It’s best with a little salt.” She dips her fingers into a dish and sprinkles pale grains over the pie.

When she notices how intently I’m watching, she says, “Do you know what salt is?”

“I do.”

“Then why are you staring?”

“Your fingers are beautiful. ”

“My fingers?” Her eyebrows rise, and her mouth softens in a surprised smile. “Thank you. You have nice hands as well.”

“But these hands aren’t mine,” I say. “You gave them to me. I have huge claws.”

“You do.” She sets a bowl of berries on the table and pops one into her mouth. “Is it strange that I’d like to feel your claws on me?”

“Very strange.”

“And would you crush me, dragon? Would you sink your claws into my flesh and press your weight down until my bones cracked?”

The very thought causes me physical pain. “Never. I will never harm you, nor will I allow anyone else to do so.”

“Not even your prince?”

“Princes,” I correct her. “There are two of them. And no—not even them.”

“Why?” She narrows her eyes, taking another berry and perching on the edge of the table. “Because I let you come inside me?”

“That is one reason, but I have others.”

“Enlighten me.” Her tone is slightly sharper, a hint of command in it.

“You are beautiful. Beautiful things should not be crushed unless there is a very good reason. And you are powerful. Power should not be wasted.”

“And?”

“And I like the way you speak. I like the thoughts you share.”

“Do you?” She scoffs a little. “Most people think I’m too sarcastic, that I never take anything seriously enough. I make a joke of almost everything.” I’m about to reply, but she gestures impatiently to the food. “Eat, dragon.”

With each bite, a new world unfolds in my mouth. Crumbly cake, juicy strawberries, sweet icing. Flaky pastry, tender chicken, soft vegetables, rich gravy. I like the creamy density of the cheese, but it’s the savory, crunchy boldness of the bacon that makes me hum with pleasure.

Thelise watches me experience each new food, smiling like she’s truly enjoying the sight.

“How do you feel?” she asks, a few minutes after I’ve cleaned the plate. “Anything troubling your stomach?”

“No.”

“I suppose that means everything is in working order,” she muses. “Very good. And now, dragon… you said you had some captives that you took from the Capital and brought to Ouroskelle?”

“Yes.”

“Can you tell me anything else about them?”

I’m not sure how much Kyreagan wants me to share, and despite my growing fixation on this woman, I remain loyal to my clan. “I can only tell you that in addition to your magic, we need supplies—things for washing and for hair. Clothes… other items.”

“Of course.” She hops off the edge of the table. “I shouldn’t leave in case the charm I placed on you becomes unstable. I’ve taken hairs from several men in the area. I can use one of those to craft a quick attraction spell that will bring a man to my door. I’ll send him to the market for me.”

“These men run errands for you?”

“Sometimes.”

“Why?”

Thelise lifts an eyebrow and gestures to herself. “Why do you think?”

My heart sinks. “Because you are beautiful and powerful.”

“Precisely. They either want my cunt or they fear my magic.”

“Cunt?” I ask warily .

She points between her legs. “The part of me you enjoyed so thoroughly. The ‘mating slit.’ I’m not sure if that term is better or worse than ‘cunt,’ to be honest.”

I don’t have the heart to respond. I feel as if all the joy has been drained from my body, because I am not special. I am simply one of many males who desire and admire this woman, who long to serve her in any way she wishes.

Thelise picks up a leather bag covered in symbols and places it on the table. She removes a few objects from it, including a paper packet labeled, “Rhordan’s hair” and a piece of soft stone, the same one she used to make designs on the floor of the stable.

“What is that?” I ask.

“This is numinous chalk for marking a casting circle. I have several kinds and colors, but this is my favorite.”

She drops to one knee and swipes the chalk over the floor in an easy circle. This one is much smaller than the circle she used to turn me human. I hate the fact that she is using it to summon another male, one she has mated with before.

As she works, she glances at me at few times.

“You look downcast, pet,” she says. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” I get to my feet awkwardly and shuffle toward the window. But after a moment’s contemplation, I can’t hold it in.

“Do you fuck everyone you meet?” My voice is a quiet snarl.

“No, although if I wanted to, there would be no shame in that,” she says coolly.

“A woman has needs, just like a man. I have slept with about a dozen men in the area over the past couple of years. A few of them have been frequent guests—frequent enough to leave some of their things here for the next time we have a dalliance. Does that bother you?”

My only response is a growl .

Thelise sighs, exasperated. “Why should it disturb you? As you told me, you’ve fucked multiple female dragons.”

She’s right. It shouldn’t bother me. The jealousy I’m feeling is unnatural and illogical. And yet it exists, like a sour poison in my heart.

I lean against the wall by the window while Thelise casts her summoning spell. She moves briskly, almost angrily, as if my attitude has infuriated her.

This spell isn’t as complicated or showy as the one she performed on me. After only a minute or two she says, “There. He’s on his way. I’m going to put you back in the stable before he arrives. Like you, he’ll be peeved if he catches wind of another cock in the house.”

Thelise grabs my wrist and pulls me toward the door. The sheet she wrapped around me falls to the floor as I stumble after her, still struggling to make my legs work properly.

“You have no right to feel jealous over me,” she mutters as she yanks me outside.

“I know, but I can’t help it.”

She spins around, frowning slightly, searching my face. “Are all dragons this possessive?”

“When they find a treasure worth hoarding, yes.”

Her lips twitch upward, and I know I’ve pleased her. “Stop making me like you so much.” She steps behind me and plants both palms against my back. “Move, dragon.” She pushes, and I walk, more confidently this time.

We cross the meadow, skirting around the bloodstain where Fortunix killed her beloved horse.

When we reach the stable, Thelise shoves me through the hole she blasted in the wall.

I’m displeased that the gap faces away from the house.

I won’t be able to peer out and catch a glimpse of this “messenger,” this lover who will be going to the market on her behalf.

I have only a vague concept of what a market is, but I believe it’s a place where humans trade coins or valuables for things they need .

“Does he obey you in all things?” I ask.

“What do you mean?”

“This man you’ve summoned. Is he as obedient as I am?”

Her voice is tender, almost sad, as she replies. “He does well enough. And he’s an actual human. Not a dragon who has been temporarily transformed.”

The burst of pain in my heart is sudden and unexpected. It must show in my eyes, because Thelise says, “If I could make this form permanent, what would you think of that?”

“I told you I would like to serve you forever,” I reply. “Foolish as it is, little as we know each other, my wish holds true. I would give up my birth form if you commanded it. But…” I hesitate, feeling the pull of my forehead and my brows into a frown. It’s an unfamiliar sensation.

“But?” she inquires.

“I would miss flying.”

“Understandable.” She cups my chin and presses a soft kiss to my mouth. “Be good while I’m gone.”

The moment she’s out of my sight, I realize I did not thank her.

It’s obvious that she’s planning to come back to the island with me.

She’s sending her lover to purchase supplies for that very purpose.

She is willing to leave her home and travel to Ouroskelle, and she’s ready to use her magic for Kyreagan—though I haven’t yet told her the extent of the spell he wants her to perform.

I should tell her I’m grateful. I must convince her that I’m willing to be her pet, that I will submit more abjectly and devotedly than anyone else ever has.

Burdened by those thoughts, I try to follow her…

but I discover that I cannot get through the opening in the wall.

The barrier she placed around the stable has been reinforced in that spot again, and I am trapped .

“Clever woman,” I mutter. Somehow she knew that, obsessed though I am, I’m not entirely obedient, after all.