He puffs out his chest. “Never.”
“And you?” I direct at Prince Alaric.
He takes a minute to answer, but then says, “I am a prince. I’m never afraid.”
I shake my head and look to the sky. “May the gods help these helpless boys.”
“We’re men.” Prince Lucien looks ready for a fight.
“No, men can admit when they’re scared.”
“This whole conversation is stupid!” Prince Gareth says.
“Perhaps.” I study the three of them. “But you asked what Ebron and I were talking about, and we were talking about you three, and his mates. He doesn’t want to officially claim them until I accept the three of you. He doesn’t want me to be unhappy.”
“The dragons don’t care if we’re happy,” Prince Lucien tells me like I’m stupid.
“Ebron cares ifI’mhappy.”
They don’t seem to like that answer. The three of them look at each, almost helplessly, like they have no idea how to handle me or what to say. I imagine there aren’t many times in their lives where they’re faced with someone trying to make them emotionally vulnerable.
“The point is,” Prince Gareth begins, “you should not have left the academy, before the sun was even out, without telling someone. It was dangerous.”
I look at Ebron. “Who the hell is going to hurt me? You should be more worried about anyone who crosses us.”
“The Hollowborn,” Prince Alaric explains, like I’m stupid.
“They’re waiting for the king’s response to their peace talks. Why would they attack now?”
“Maybe because that’s what they were planning all along,” Prince Lucien counters angrily.
I rub my temples. “The three of you have to be themostannoying people on the planet.”
“The feeling is mutual,” Prince Gareth mutters.
It’s strangely silent. The dragons rub their bodies against each other, moving around so that the females surround Ebron. Studying the happy dragons, all the things that Ebron mentioned to me come creeping back.
“I learned another interesting fact.”
“What?” Prince Alaric asks, seeming curious.
“Ebron says he hasn’t completed his harem yet. That he’ll have more female dragons bound to him eventually. Dragons that will bond with your three and become a family together.”
“We’re going to have to share you withmoremen? I haven’t even accepted these two yet,” Prince Gareth asks, sounding irritated.
“It seems like it.”
“Who?” Prince Lucien asks, looking pissed.
“I don’t think he’s sure yet.”
Prince Gareth looks at the ground and kicks at the grass. “This is not going to work.”
“Ebron says it will. When you grow up a bit.”
“We don’t–” Prince Gareth begins.
“Like fuck,” Prince Lucien says at the same time.
