Page 75 of Ale Storm

“That’s what I heard. Uhm, can I help you with something? I don’t know where Jildarin is. I’m actually a little worried about him since he usually returns to his lair at night.”

Killaynia’s eyebrows lifted, and her voice cooled. “He returns to you.”

“Nope. Just the lair that I happen to be in.”

“I saw the human nesting material. It has his scent strongly on it.”

“That’s because he sleeps nearby.” Rylana kept her face toward the shelves as she put ingredients away, but her heartbeat may have quickened as she remembered Jildarin sitting with her on the bed and touching her. This time, it was more fear than arousal that made her skin flush and her heart rate speed up. If Killaynia could guess what they’d been up to…

“Before he left to see Loxvonla, did you tell him to mate with her?” Killaynia asked. “As I ordered?”

“I thought that was more of a suggestion than an order.”

“I was trying to advise you to act in a manner that would spare your life and thus my brother’s feelings. I care nothing about whether you live or die, but I nonetheless informed you of a course of action that might satisfy the female dragons.”

“I understand. It was good advice.”

“But you did not follow it.” Killaynia walked closer, blocking the way out of the pantry.

Rylana thought of her bow, but even if it had been nearby, a tranquility knot tied it and her arrows. “I should have.”

“Yes.”

“What did you say brought you here?”

“Jildarin suggested I try the food that he makes for the lesser species. He believed that his eggs-and-bacon breakfast dishes would be especially appealing to a natural carnivore and that when I am in this form, I might appreciate sauces and spices more.” Killaynia waved indifferently but also added, “I am the slightest bit curious about what my brother spends so much time doing in this city. With Zilek, I know. He is availing himself of the many docile females.”

“Yup.” Rylana faced her, wanting to step out of the pantry, but Killaynia, despite not being openly threatening, radiated the dangerous power of a predator. “Though I think he’s off to the south hunting something rare now.”

“Is he? Good. That is useful. He should bring meat back to the females who will soon be inseminated and laying eggs.”

“I know that topped the list of his motivations for taking on the task. Would you mind stepping aside?” Rylana pointed to indicate that she needed to put ingredients in the icebox. “These are for Jildarin to make a meal for the dwarven king. We’re expecting him to visit soon. Jildarin is looking forward to adding another V.I.P. to his plaque.”

“You’ve been purchasing groceries for him like a servant. And you do the accounting for his business. Also an act of a servant. It is strange that he values you so highly.”

“Yeah, I’m a lucky girl.”

Killaynia hadn’t moved, but Rylana risked squeezing past her to head to the icebox.

“Are your physical attributes especially appealing to a male of this species?” Killaynia asked.

“For sure. My curvy bits are exquisite. Look, Jildarin isn’t here to make a meal now, so maybe you can come back tomorrow. I’m sure he’ll be back then.” As Rylana put away the rest of the groceries, she added in a mutter, “I hope he’ll be back then.” Again, her imagination conjured an image of him wounded and maybe dying on a distant cliff.

“You believe he’s in danger? Loxvonla and her sister want to mate with him, not kill him. It is true that some male dragons are irked with him because they want the sisters for themselves, but⁠—”

“Someone actually wants them?” Rylana couldn’t help but give her an incredulous look.

Killaynia snorted. “They can be abrasive, but they have striking beauty.” She looked at Rylana’s chest, perhaps contemplating if Rylana had been telling the truth about her exquisite bits. But what Killaynia asked was, “Why do you believe my brother might be in danger?”

“Like I said, he didn’t come back last night.”

“He didn’t come back to you.”

“He didn’t come back to his lair. He had the diner and that storeroom long before I showed up, and he almost always sleeps there.”

“If he decided to mate with them, it could be taking a while. Dragons have a great deal of stamina, and if he’s agreed to inseminate more than one, it could be a task of days.”

“Days?” Rylana stared at her. “That’s a lot of stamina.”