Page 76 of Ale Storm

“Dragons are superior beings.”

“Oh, I don’t doubt that, but Jildarin is pretty dedicated to the diner. Putting his lair—and me—aside, I think he would have come back to make breakfast unless something untoward happened. I’ve been trying to talk him into hiring and training an assistant chef, but he’s resisted that so far. He likes to do the cooking. This is his passion.”

“Yes… I have observed that he is oddly dedicated to this pursuit.” Killaynia tapped a long fingernail reminiscent of a talon against her jaw. “Did he threaten Loxvonla or do something else that makes you believe he’s in danger?”

“No threats, but, uhm.” Rylana stopped herself before admitting that Loxvonla may have seen her and Jildarin kissing in the street. Killaynia had already guessed too much correctly about their relationship. She didn’t need any real details.

But the dragon’s eyes narrowed, and Rylana experienced the same crawling sensation under her skull that she’d felt before in the presence of Jildarin’s mother. Was his sister trying to read her mind? Could she? Rylana tried to still her thoughts in case Killaynia also had that power.

“You were engaged in precoital activities when Loxvonla flew overhead,” Killaynia said with certainly.

So much for not giving anything away.

“Just a hug and a kiss.”

“That will have incensed Loxvonla.” Killaynia shook her head. “You are a very foolish human.”

“That’s sometimes true, but he kissed me.”

“Because you are following him around, buying his groceries, and holding his tail for him. Whenever he grows aroused, you are there. Foolish. Do you not value your life?”

“I care for him. Instead of lecturing me, why don’t you offer to fly me off into the woods so we can look for him?” Rylana hadn’t intended to suggest that—she didn’t want to fly anywhere with Killaynia—but couldn’t bring herself to retract the request. On a dragon’s back, she would have much better luck finding Jildarin. Besides, if Killaynia cared about her brother, maybe she would help if the sisters had done something to him.

Killaynia’s jaw descended. “Your audacity is unbelievable. You think I would let you ride on my back?”

“I wasn’t going to suggest harnesses or do anything offensive.”

“You are offensive.”

“Incredibly so, yes, but I’m loyal too. Fly me off to find him, and I’ll take my bow and pepper those sisters with arrows again if they’ve hurt Jildarin.”

Killaynia stared at Rylana as if she’d sprouted a unicorn horn.

“It’s just a feeling I have, all right?” Rylana said. “I think he’s in danger.”

“You are more likely in danger than he. The sisters want him. You are an impediment.”

“Don’t I know it.”

Killaynia’s gaze shifted from disbelief to something else. Speculation? “What will you do if I take you into the mountains to find him, and we see that he is not in danger but is instead mating with the sisters?”

“Uh, I guess I’ll be relieved. As long as it’s voluntary, and they’re not forcing him to do it, that’s better than being dead.”

Killaynia scoffed. “No female, not even another of our kind, could force a powerful dragon like Jildarin to mate with her against his wishes.”

Rylana shrugged, less certain as she thought of dragon spices and other magical concoctions that could affect even their kind.

“I believe,” Killaynia continued, “that you will feel betrayed if you see him mating with another. Perhaps you will then leave him, for his good and yours.”

“We can only find out if you give me a ride and help me find him.”

“A ride.”

“I could rent a horse, but I wouldn’t be able to keep up with you. Best is if you carry me on your back.” Rylana smiled at Killaynia.

“I could agree to take you and then fly wildly so that you fall to your death.”

Rylana blew out a slow breath. More than once, she’d been afraid of falling even when flying on Jildarin’s back, and he cared about her. His sister might well do exactly what she was suggesting, but…