Page 5 of When Dragons Play

“I don’t get it. What’s in it for us?” Rumor demanded.

“Your freedom,” she answered softly.

Laser’s eyes narrowed as he held her gaze. Kelan realized that his mate had a profound understanding that the entire plan hinged on a single crucial point: breaking through Laser’s shields to secure the others’ cooperation. The group needed a leader and Trisha had chosen Laser to become that guiding force, whether the young man knew it or not.

“I think we should have a little more skin in the game,” Cameo said.

“What’s that?” Trisha asked, not looking at Cameo, but keeping her eyes on Laser.

“Oh, I don’t know. A few credits to help us on our way, maybe a shuttle, but definitely a kiss from the loser,” Cameo retorted.

“Shut up, Cameo.”

The swift rage at Cameo’s proposal died on Kelan’s lips when he felt the soothing touch of Trisha connecting with him. She wasn’t worried about Cameo’s suggestion. She knew she wasn’t going to lose.

Think of the enjoyment you’ll get when Cameo has to pucker up to his friends. How far do you think they’ll let him get when he tries?

Did I ever tell you how much I love your wicked sense of humor?

You can show me tonight.

“Deal,” she said.

“We’ll play your game. When we win, we walk away with a clean record,” Laser replied.

“Granted,” Kelan agreed, locking eyes with the younger man that suddenly reminded him a lot of himself. “Report to the ship. The game will begin tomorrow.

Chapter 2

Rumor’s breath came out in wheezing gasps as he ran through the heavy foliage as if the cats of the Sarafin were on his tail. His muscles tightened for his jump before he realized his miscalculation and tripped over a log instead, falling flat on his face on the other side.

“I don’t know why I have to be the one who gets sacrificed all the time,” he muttered, spitting out a mouthful of moist dirt.

Pushing off the ground, he advanced another two steps before he felt the all-to-familiar flash of pain across his chest. He stumbled a few steps before he sank down to his knees. Lifting his hand, he touched the bright red spot that confirmed his demise.

“Dragon’s ballocks! How do you keep doing that?” he yelled.

He twisted and sat on the ground, uncaring that the dampness was seeping through his trousers, and glared back in the direction he had come. He was done being the bait. Folding his arms, he waited... and waited... and⁠—

“Dragon’s ballocks! Not again.”

Delight filled Rumor at Laser’s loud curse. Rising, he brushed the dirt off his trousers and shook his head. He would meet the other man back at the base camp. No sense in feeling the wrath of Laser’s anger when he realized his plan hadn’t worked—again.

Laser gave up trying to wipe the bright red paint off his chest. All he was doing was smearing it and making it worse. His body was already splattered with yellow, blue, and green from the other times he had been tagged.

Lifting his head, he glared at the surrounding forest. “Eight out of ten,” he growled.

The gentle, playful laughter from behind made him turn around. He watched, a mix of disgust and begrudging respect swirling in his gut, as Trisha Grove-Reykill, the Princess of Valdier, a human woman, stepped out of the ferns just ten feet away.

“How do you keep doing this?” he asked, waving a hand at his chest.

Her expression softened at his frustration. She motioned an invitation for him to have a seat on a nearby log. He released a long sigh, walked over, and sat down. Laser scanned the late afternoon shadows and Rumor’s retreating figure.

Trisha walked behind him and sat down next to him. He shook his head in wonder when he noticed her face. The creative lines of muted greens, tans, and blacks blended perfectly with the twigs and leaves tangled in her curly brown hair. She looked like a forest creature.

She moves like one, too, he grudgingly acknowledged.

“You’re getting better. I almost didn’t see you. You need to trust your dragon and symbiot. They sensed me before you did,” she replied in a gentle tone.