Enticed & Seduced, page 9
part #7 of House of the Cat Series
“When am I going to see your brother?” Aideen demanded. “We have travelled all this way to pay our respects.”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Gryffnn said. “Didn’t I tell you? Ransom is recuperating on Viros. Sable, Jacinta and I felt that since we had secured the services of a medic on Viros, it would make sense for Ransom to travel there.”
“So the rumors are true.” Every tense muscle in Aideen released and her mouth curled into a toothy smile. A sleazy, cunning smile that rubbed Gryffnn’s scales the wrong way.
“That would depend on what rumors you’ve heard.” Gryffnn kept his features impassive and waited for Aideen to explain.
“Ransom is on his deathbed,” Aideen stated.
“Not true. Ransom is alive and recovering well.” Gryffnn watched her closely, experience letting him see the calculation behind her expression.
Beside him, Kaya remained silent, but he felt the tension slide through her frame. He thanked the instinct that had him accepting Ry’s suggestion to move Ransom and Hallam. And extra soldiers to bolster their power was a good strategic move. Their men were loyal to Ransom, and by extension, him. He prayed they numbered enough to repel the attack he was certain lurked in the future.
Kaya listened to the words coming from the mocking Aideen and curled her fingers into her palms. Pride in Gryffnn’s calm replies puffed out her chest even as she bit her tongue. If Aideen wanted to trample him under her feet, the dragon women should think again. Gryffnn bore a solid core of strength and goodness. He mightn’t shine in his brother’s presence, but in his own quiet way, he got things done. The dragons in his clan respected him, which was why they’d accepted him when he’d had to step into Ransom’s role.
Storg trotted in their direction. Kaya nudged Gryffnn.
“They’re ready to start the contests,” Kaya murmured.
Aideen’s lower lip curled in disdain as she deigned to notice Kaya. “What do you care for contests? You’re not a dragon.”
But she could still take part in the wrestling since she trained with Ry and Nanu. Confident of her proficiency, she still shrugged. “A contest between skilled fighters is always interesting to watch.”
“You have no standing here. He might have fucked you, but you’re not his mate.”
Kaya stayed Gryffnn’s retort by squeezing his arm.
“I am, however, his betrothed,” Kaya said sweetly. She met Aideen’s gaze with attitude of her own, refusing to cower. Kaya deliberately broke the stare-down and turned to Gryffnn. “I’ll get us something to break our fast and meet you at the training fields. I’m starving.” She winked at him and he rewarded her with a quick grin.
He pulled her close to kiss her cheek and nuzzled her neck, his tongue flashing out to lick her skin. Weird but cute.
“I’ll see you there.” Gryffnn jerked his chin in Aideen’s direction. “Aideen, are you willing to have a small side-bet between leaders? I wager you a bottle of Dragon’s Breath liquor the Drake clan will win the most wrestling bouts. What do you say?”
Aideen made a scoffing sound. “I doubt the prowess of your men.”
“Shall we shake on our bet?”
“Done,” Aideen said, thrusting out her hand.
Kaya left them to their bets as she hurried into the family dwelling to hunt down Sable and food.
“Kaya,” Ry said, falling into step with her. “Is Gryffnn with the other dragons?”
“Yeah.” She shot him a glance and something in his expression had her stomach roiling. “Something wrong? Something Gryffnn should know about?”
“One of the Gwilym ships has left. I watched them load up and take off. Twelve crew.”
Not good. “Which direction did they go?”
Ry grimaced. “Toward the mountains.”
“Do you think we’re hosting our culprits?”
“The notion crossed my mind,” Ry said. “If they’ve discovered a way to negate the resonance, they might be our thieves.”
“I’ll tell Gryffnn as soon as I get a chance. I don’t trust Aideen. She’s too smug, as if she knows something we don’t.”
“I agree.” Ry’s brows drew together in a scowl. “I’ll keep watch from the shadows and skulk around the spaceport. They’re aware of how many dragons Gryffnn has at his disposal. If the missing ship has gone to collect more of the clan, Gryffnn will have a problem.”
Kaya tapped her chin with her forefinger, thinking. “Is it possible to get aboard their ships and perhaps remove a part or two and slow them down?”
Ry grinned. “That’s a sneaky idea, one my crew might suggest.”
“Ha-ha. I am on your crew.”
“You make a captain proud,” Ry said. “I’ll check on the Indy’s progress too.”
Kaya headed to the kitchens, her belly letting out a rumble at the delicious scents wafting her way.
Sable spied her peeking inside and set aside a large roller, then wiped her hands on her white coverall. “Did you want something to eat?”
Kaya rounded a busy kitchenhand pushing a cart of greens and tubers from the clan gardens. She dodged a bustling Jewel, the dragon’s housekeeper as she moved from counter to counter, checking on progress. Finally, she reached Sable’s side. “Hey, Sable. Sorry to interrupt. Gryffnn and I didn’t eat before Aideen rousted us from our chamber. Is it possible to have a snack and a drink? Something that isn’t too heavy, because I suspect Gryffnn will have to wrestle or he’ll never hear the end of it from the Gwilym clan.”
“Here, take a seat,” Sable said. “I’ll get something ready for you.” She paused. “You’re good for Gryffnn. He is happier now than he has been for ages.”
“Me?” Kaya asked.
“Yes. Aideen and Caley hate that Gryffnn has someone else. I get the sense they expected Gryffnn to fold, to give them what they wanted. Whatever that is. You give Gryffnn strength. Confidence to lead.”
“No,” Kaya denied. “That’s all Gryffnn. It’s nothing to do with me.”
Sable reached for Kaya’s hands. Sable had a Stores, a high-tech artificial arm that functioned as efficiently as her left one. Kaya felt the coolness of Sable’s Stores as they clasped fingers. “I have a suggestion. Aideen and her sister won’t miss the wrestling. Our female soldiers will fight. Why don’t you don a dress and make Aideen believe you’re pretty and decorative? We know that’s not true. You’re a warrior. You’re strong and resourceful, but since they consider Gryffnn useless, they’ll group you in the same category. If they think you’re useless, they’ll challenge you for sure.”
Kaya gaped in astonishment at Sable, the Drake sister many overlooked. “You think I should fight?”
“Under controlled circumstances. A win on your part will add to Gryffnn’s status.”
“And earn me an enemy,” Kaya pointed out.
“They’re our enemies anyway. From what I hear, Aideen and Caley treated Gryffnn abominably. Gryffnn’s arrangement was before Ransom brought me to live with them. Hallam is lucky, although he has no idea how low his mother and aunt will sink for currency and prestige. To his credit, Gryffnn has never badmouthed Caley to Hallam. Hallam idolizes you,” Sable added.
Kaya thought about Sable’s words and nodded slowly. “Hallam didn’t show much curiosity about his mother. He accepted Gryffnn’s edict to stay away from her, and he was quick to agree to a visit to Viros, especially after he learned he could practice his flying.”
“Exactly. This break is excellent for Hallam. He needs to learn about other species and how to deal with them.” Sable paused. “Caley hasn’t tried to see Hallam either. Gryffnn stayed with them until Hallam’s birth and the gene testing, then he took his son and returned home. Father…I heard he wasn’t pleased when Gryffnn arrived with a child. There was an argument, and it was the first time Ransom and Gryffnn stood side-by-side, united.”
“Ransom and Gryffnn seldom speak of your father.”
“He was a good dragon and a strong one, but old-fashioned. I think he drifted after Ransom’s and Gryffnn’s mother died.” Sable reached under a counter for a box and deftly packed it with food suitable to eat on the run. After adding two drinks, she shut the lid with a click and handed it to Kaya. “Take care out there.”
“You too.” Kaya leaned closer. “We might have to poison their food as a last resort.”
Sable blinked her hazel eyes and huffed out a laugh. “You have a weird sense of humor.”
“Not kidding. We could at least put something in their food to keep them confined to their chambers.” Kaya winked. “See you later. Tell me if I can help in any way. These visitors are a demanding lot.”
Sable smiled, a rare thing with Gryffnn’s youngest sister. “Thank you. You’re the first person who has asked after me, apart from Gryffnn. He also offered help when we last spoke.”
“We both mean it,” Kaya said. “Thanks for the food.”
Kaya left the kitchen via the rear door and took a shortcut through the gardens. The flowering plants were her favorites. The plants in this bed stood taller than her and bore enormous red or yellow blooms the size of a face. The leaves gave off a spicy fragrance that reminded Kaya of Gryffnn’s scent. Sort of smoky and rich. Enticing. And best of all, they didn’t try to eat her.
When she caught herself smiling one of those dopey smiles she’d witnessed from her friend Nanu, she wiped her face clean and shook her head. Gryffnn had slid into her mind to stay. She had things to do. Places to go.
With brisk steps, she continued through the garden. From the corner of her eye she caught a flash of blue. She stilled, waiting for a repeat of the movement.
Kaya didn’t have to wait for long.
Caley slipped through the garden, heading for the private family quarters. Now that Ransom was in Viros, Gryffnn had relaxed security and only two dragon shifters patrolled. Caley had timed her spying mission when the two dragons were at opposite ends of the building and everyone else had gone to the training field to watch the contests between the two clans.
Kaya set down her meal box and crept after Caley. This woman had hurt Gryffnn and made him the object of ridicule. Because of her, he’d received a reputation as a loser that followed him still, yet Caley had suffered not at all. Kaya bristled, wanting to box the bitch-woman’s ears on Gryffnn’s behalf.
Caley didn’t appear to hear her and didn’t bother checking behind her. Dumb beginner’s mistake. Was she stupid? Or was she confident in her abilities?
Just as Caley had almost reached the window of the ground floor chamber they’d used as a hospital for Ransom, Kaya spoke. “Can I help you with something?”
Her lips curled up in enjoyment when Caley jumped, the fabric of her pale blue gown rustling against the plants to her left. The dragon woman spun around, her eyes wide for an instant before she regained her equilibrium.
“I wanted to stretch my legs.” Caley’s lips twisted into a smirk. She smoothed the skirts of her dress and lifted her chin. “I wasn’t doing anything wrong.”
“You’re trespassing in a private area. If you wish to stretch your limbs, you can do that on the training field, the same as everyone else. The wrestling contests are about to begin.”
“You’re not the boss of me.”
Kaya snorted. “A fact that thrills me.”
“Exactly. So you can’t tell me what to do.”
“I am Gryffnn’s betrothed, which gives me the power to order you to leave the garden. It’s private, and yet you persist on spying on us when Gryffnn has made it clear the family area is out of bounds. It’s rude to gawk through the windows.”
Caley swelled up, her chest expanding and a weird blue light glowed from her skin.
Oh phrull. Kaya studied the dragon shifter with caution. Not good. Caley had let her temper get the better of her and ceded control to her dragon. Kaya retreated one step, to give Caley room.
Caley chortled, the sound hoarse and creaky. “Not so confident now.”
Kaya’s hand settled on her blaster. She didn’t pull her weapon but waited, watched.
A curl of smoke drifted from Caley’s nostrils and blue scales rippled over her skin. The seams of her gown cracked with the strain of a larger, more muscular body. They gave without warning, the rent loud and explosive.
“Is there a problem, Miss Kaya?” one of Gryffnn’s men asked.
“I caught Caley skulking in the garden. She intended to peer through the windows and maybe enter the family quarters,” Kaya said.
Caley’s bulk grew and her dragon side burst over her. She was a paler blue than Hallam, and for a sec, inappropriate humor filled Kaya. Caley was blue and so was she. It seemed Gryffnn had a thing for blue ladies.
Caley’s scales shone under the whitelight while a wicked ridge of black spikes stuck up along her spine. They continued all the way to the tip of her spiky tail. Two horns topped her head and her eyes shone green with vertical black pupils. Neat ears sat flat against her head. The remnants of her blue gown and undergarments fluttered around her massive blue body.
Caley opened her mouth. No, more of a maw, and sharp white teeth filled it. Those teeth would leave a nasty gash, but the dragon fire could kill her.
Kaya stood her ground, but she had to admit to awe. It was the same wonderment that filled her when she watched Ry or Camryn or Jannike shift to feline. Her body did nothing so amazing, even though she was a formidable fighter.
Gryffnn’s security man spoke into his comm. Two Drake dragons appeared a short time later.
“You need to leave the private garden or we will arrest you,” the first shifter said.
“On whose authority?” Caley rumbled.
“Mine,” Kaya said. “I am accusing you of trespassing and bad manners. Shift and leave or Gryffnn’s men will escort you to the lockup. I give you to the count of twenty.”
The smoke curling from Caley’s flaring nostrils increased. “You’re not afraid of me. Stupid woman. I could ash you in an instant.”
“You could,” Kaya agreed. “But you’d start a war. Not a clever move. We outnumber your people.”
“No, we have—” Caley broke off to glower at Kaya. She huffed and a flame burned the plant in the garden, a fraction to Kaya’s right.
“That’s it,” the guard said. “Chain her.”
Weapons fired and instead of spitting deadly ammunition, a fine silver chain shot out, twining around Caley’s neck and legs.
Caley issued a pained howl and the chains smoked where they contacted her skin.
“Move,” one of the guards ordered. “The longer you take, the worse the burns from the chains will sear your scales.”
“Aideen will hear of this,” Caley cried.
“She will,” Kaya said. “I will inform her you were trespassing and refused to leave.”
“We’ll also tell Gryffnn you threatened his betrothed,” the nearest guard said. “Move now or we’ll take further measures to disable you.”
“You wouldn’t dare,” Caley growled.
“Don’t test us,” the guard snapped.
Caley struggled and sucked in a large breath. Before she breathed fire again, one guard produced a different weapon. He shot Caley in the chest, and she let out a pained scream that raised the hair at the back of Kaya’s neck. Caley shrunk, her scales fading into her skin with a rapidness that made Kaya blink.
Secs later, Caley wobbled before them, naked and trembling, her skin a pale gray. Tears ran down her contorted features, the suddenness of her shift sapping her strength.
“Take her to the lockup,” the security guard ordered.
“No, you can’t do this,” Caley protested, her voice low and weak, almost broken.
“We can,” the guard stated.
“You wait until Aideen hears about this,” Caley warned.
“I’ll make sure she does,” Kaya said. “Thanks, boys. I’d better join Gryffnn. He’ll wonder at my delay.”
“You’ll tell him what happened and what we’ve done?” the security guard asked.
“I will.” Kaya picked up her food box and strode toward the training fields. Cheers of encouragement floated to her, shouts and directions from the opposing clans.
The dragon shifters from both clans surrounded the far end of the training field. As Kaya neared, she saw one of Gryffnn’s men wrestling with a stranger. Cheers rang out as the two males grappled. Kaya spotted Gryffnn and made her way to him, her heart beating a little faster as thoughts of the previous night darted through her mind like a fast-playing movie. She sighed with remembered satisfaction. It had been good. Very good. And she couldn’t wait to repeat the experience.
Friends, a small voice in her mind reiterated. Yet, her heart didn’t seem to care for the warning. It continued to gallop, pushing awareness and arousal to the fore.
Gryffnn sensed her arrival. He angled slightly, saw her and beamed, his smile wide and genuine. She waved as she squeezed through cheering dragons to reach his side.
“You took longer than I expected. I was starting to worry.”
“Are you implying I’m a quitter?”
His eyes crinkled. “Never.”
“I ran into Caley in the private gardens. When I challenged her, she shifted to dragon.”
“You’re not hurt.” Gryffnn sobered. He curved his fingers around her biceps and checked her appearance, huffing out relief when he saw nothing worse than the tiny scorch mark on her tunic. “What happened?”
“Your men arrived and fired chains at her. They forced her to shift and are escorting her to lockup.”
Gryffnn sighed. “I told you the Gwilym dragons don’t respect me.”
“Your men acted decisively. The other dragons will think twice before they threaten anyone again. How are the contests going?”
“The scores are even,” Gryffnn said. “Which was what I expected.”
“Have you wrestled yet?”
“Not yet. I’m assuming Aideen will choose me as her opponent.”
“You’ll kick her scaly arse.” As Kaya watched the action, two female dragon shifters entered the impromptu ring and sized each other up with mock attacks.
“Do you want something to eat?”
