Page 16 of Dragon Unbound (Dragon Kings 3)
“The point is,” Cullen said with a meaningful look, “Brandr will only be able to bend so far before he breaks.”
Eurwen walked to Vaughn and put one arm around him as she laid her other hand on his chest and looked into his eyes. After a long moment, she turned her head to Cullen. “I know you think Brandr unsympathetic and emotionless, but we’ve had to be. He has a hard shell to guard a sensitive heart that wants to protect everyone and everything. I thought up most of the rules we put in place. I mellowed through the years while he grew harder. Colder. He’s buried his true self for so long that I no longer believe he remembers when he argued for helping the humans who have magic.”
“Brandr is stoic like Con,” Vaughn said. “In the time I’ve known your brother, I’ve found him fair and honest.”
Cullen considered their words. He had spent barely five hours with either Brandr or Eurwen before he and other Dragon Kings were dispatched around the perimeter of the invisible shield dividing their land from the humans’. In that short time, he’d seen how strong the twins’ bond was. He didn’t want to be the one to sever that. “Then no one can know you helped, Eurwen.”
“I kept things from Brandr before. I won’t do it again,” Eurwen said. “I promised I wouldn’t do that again.”
Vaughn kissed her forehead. “Sweetheart, if you tell your brother what you want to do, there could be a fight.”
“It’s worth it to save the bairns,” Cullen interjected.
Eurwen nodded. “I agree. I’m going to call Brandr here.”
“Uh…I doona think you need to,” Vaughn said as he pointed over Cullen’s shoulder.
Cullen turned around and saw the sunlight glinting off gold scales. At first, Cullen thought it was Con, since he was the King of Golds, but then Cullen caught the sight of the beige scales that ran the length of Brandr’s underside. The three of them watched as Brandr soared above before dipping his wing to swing around and return to where they stood.
Brandr alighted close by, shifting to his human form instantly as he did. He looked at each of them before sighing loudly. “I’m going to regret this.”
“What?” Cullen asked, confused.
Eurwen’s face split into a wide smile. “I knew you wouldn’t allow children to continue being harmed.”
Cullen’s head jerked to Brandr.
“Don’t look so surprised,” Brandr said with a wry grin. “Contrary to popular belief, I actually do have a heart.”
Vaughn said, “As good as this is, we should bring Con in on this.”
“He knows,” Brandr replied. “I’m going to take up patrol here while Cullen is gone.”
Cullen smiled as he looked at the other three. “I’ve been holding the ace up my sleeve. I’m glad I didna have to use it.”
“What?” Eurwen asked.
“While I’m on the human side, I’ll be able to search for our adversary,” Cullen replied.
Brandr chuckled as he shook his head. “Con said you were the perfect King to send over. Now I know why.”
Vaughn snorted. “And everyone thinks I’ve got the cunning mind.”
“Oh, you do,” Cullen said as they shared a smile.
