My jaw dropped, incensed he would use the only weapon I’d allowed him against me.
“You wouldn’t,” I gasped. He studied me intently, his face unmoving.
“Will you get dressed and prepared for dinner on your own?”
I turned and stalked into my bedroom, eager to hide my face. He gave an indignant huff and left.
I threw the doors to my wardrobe wide and tried to find something respectable, but my hopes weren’t high. Georg had already appeared earlier with a replacement for my traveling cloak, though I’d been told in no uncertain terms that I was only to wear it when I was cold, and not to hide myself.
I shook my head, trying to focus. The outfit (and cloak) I had worn earlier was ruined by Brogen’s blood and claws, so I’d have to find another. Sighing in defeat, I pulled a deep emerald gown out of the closet, thankful it would at least fall past my ankles. Some of the dresses in there seemed hardly long enough to wipe one’s nose with, let alone use as clothing. I shimmied uncomfortably into the sheer silk garment, pulling the two thick straps over my shoulders. The dress left them bare for all the world to see, but at least it covered my midriff.
“Can I get anything for Miss?”
Georg waited patiently outside; his smile genuine. I looked up into his brown eyes, and realized he was probably my only reliable ally in this entire fortress.
“Yes, actually. Call me Wren.”
His grin was dazzling.
Dinner time came, and I couldn’t stop shaking. A rumble was heard from the stone passageway, and I whipped around. It was time already? My eyes scanned the food, set minutes earlier, and I grabbed another knife. I didn’t bother hiding it as I clenched it in my fist. If these drakens thought I’d just lay down and let them take me, they had a painful reckoning coming. Voices filtered in from the hall, and I stood and backed up against the far wall. After a moment, Georg appeared with the two winners in tow.
The red head immediately turned his gaze towards me, his eyes widening as he took in my aggressive stance. The other one simply stopped where he was and gaped. Georg gave them a formal bow, and I pleaded with my eyes for him to stay. He gave me an apologetic shrug and backed out of the passageway, sealing it shut behind him.
“This is where they hid you; very clever.”
The red head slid his gaze away from me and towards my chambers. In his human form his red hair went past his shoulders, tied back in a loose ponytail with a simple leather cord. He had a small beard and kind, green eyes in addition to a large, angular nose and a wide forehead. He gave a formal bow, like Georg’s.
“It is an honor to meet you, Wren. I am Kieran.”
When Kieran realized his companion had yet to follow his example, his fist flew out and smacked him in his stomach. The other draken doubled over in a rough bow, finally tearing his eyes from me.
“Er, yes; a pleasure. Sorry, I’m Ronan.”
Ronan was slightly smaller in stature, with his brown hair so dark it was nearly black cut short, and golden eyes that had only a tinge of brown to them. His nose was more delicate, though sharp cheekbones gave him a slightly predatory, hungry look.
They both straightened and looked at me in anticipation. I gripped the knife, not moving.
“Now you’ve done it, you’ve scared her with your staring.”
Kieran walloped Ronan around his ears, but Ronan snarled and snapped back, kicking Kieran in the knee. They both fell to the floor, scuffling. After a few growls and tussling, Kieran popped back up, his nose bloody and off-center. I watched with wide eyes as it healed in front of me, the nose snapping back into place with a ‘pop’ as he wiped the blood away. He hauled Ronan to his feet, as the smaller draken shook out his leg.
“Sorry about that! Dominance fights are a common occurrence here, though not usually with us. This one knows his place.”
Kieran jerked a thumb at Ronan, who growled, but didn’t correct him. They both stood there awkwardly, waiting for me to make the first move. They’d be waiting all night.
“Shall we?” Kieran tentatively gestured at the food. He sat around the loaded table and began serving himself. He shot Ronan a dark look and the other draken followed, struggling to keep his eyes off me. I’d have to watch him. The two men ate and chatted, for all the world ignoring my presence. After a bit, my muscles sagged, tired from being tense for so long. Clearly, these men weren’t going to attack me like Brogen did. I took a step towards the food but stopped, looking at the knife I held.
“Hold onto it if it makes you feel better; smart to always stay armed in unknown situations.”
Kieran talked around a large roll in his mouth, not even glancing up at me. I sat down and snatched a plate and a small bit of chicken.
“Good on you for getting Brogen when we couldn’t; that lowlife deserved it.”
I froze, my eyes flicking to Kieran’s.
“T-Thanks.”
Kieran wiped his mouth, looking at me seriously as I started eating.
“I apologize if Brogen has tainted your opinion of drakens. Both of us are ecstatic just to be here, and you can expect nothing except stimulating conversation and perhaps a dessert tart, if that’s your preference. Drakens do not force females, Brogen’s appalling instincts aside.”
Ronan shot another nervous glance at me. I swallowed, feeling some of my fear dissipate.
“Benedict gave the impression that—"
Kieran threw his napkin down, scoffing. “Benedict doesn’t always have...what’s the word, Ronan?” He snapped his fingers, and Ronan rolled his eyes.
“Tact?”
“Yes, that! He spends all his time outside the mountain and grows to expect the worst of us. A few hundred years
