Fire of Stars and Dragons Read Free Page A

expect of wards over my existence, though I’m finding everything about her unexpected, exciting.
    “Excuse me?”
    “You should become comfortable calling me Cedric. It’s familiar, and suitable given the circumstances,” he says by way of an explanation, but she’s still confused, and my protective instincts put me on edge. “We want to help, but there are limited options. Let us have a seat to discuss this further.”
    As we move to the conference room’s table, Dante’s vivid blue eyes flicker in a discreet warning. Corrin and Evan move away from the corner where they spoke, the king confidently taking his place at the head of the table, while the concerned expression worn on the younger vampire’s face heightens my wariness.
    Dante seats himself at the king’s right hand, a vital advisor when not gallivanting around the world for various research pursuits striking his fancy, both student and professor of everything. Always aware of all potential dangers, I assess everyone’s whereabouts, leading Cait to sit at Cedric’s right at the foot of the table then standing behind her with cautious awareness as Evan chooses to slip into the seat across from her rather than beside his brother.
    My brothers stand guard as well, Liam at the door we entered, Clifford at the only door exiting to the rest of The Aire, Oliver dutifully at Corrin’s back. Our eyes meet, and he knows what has happened, though he will say nothing of it. The timing is inappropriate, Cait not yet understanding my place with her. Such a thing is a private matter between dragon and ward, one he would never disgrace.
    “As you are well aware, Cait,” Cedric begins, and I glower down at him. She has not given him leave to call her by such a familiar name. Glancing up, somehow sensing he has misspoken, though the question of my position begs be asked, he begins again. “May I call you Cait?”
    Even without the honor bond yet sealed, her unease pulls a response from me. “I believe you should explain your proposition before requesting such comfortable informalities of Miss Hayden at this time.”
    “On what authority do you negotiate on her behalf?” questions Corrin with a sharp tongue, my attention snapping to him.
    “The authority of the Goddess, creator of the Dracopraesi, ordaining us protectors of the innocent.” My tone is not threatening. It is lethal. Everyone in the room falls still as statues. “I have given my word to protect her. You demand a young woman meet alone with unfamiliar men, powerful beings, and have four dragons in your midst. Did you not expect one of us would take issue with such a thing?”
    Gentle in resting my hand on Cait’s shoulder, I find the action lends her reassurance, her muscles becoming less rigid. My eyes remain trained on Corrin, curious how he will react. His jaw tenses, and I run my thumb over skin left bare at the collar of her dress as I wait for his response.
    “Corrin.” Cedric calls out his son’s name in a calm voice. “Theo has a point. We are not trying to frighten her. Theo,” he addresses me directly, and with a final glaring warning to the young king, I turn, nodding for him to continue. “Given Miss Hayden’s age, should she be turned over to Neglected Dependent Services, law requires a marriage be arranged to provide suitable familial protection. Of course, considering her vast assets, we are not unaware of the potential for corruption within the system to prevail; therefore, we feel it is in Miss Hayden’s best interests we take direct action.”
    It is an archaic practice within United Sovereign America, instituted from longstanding vampire laws, believed to ‘save’ human women from stronger, more influential supernatural beings taking advantage of them. I see a system preying on the young and innocent, incapable of protecting themselves against laws created to ensure they cannot.
    “You know we have no need of her assets. They may remain in trust for her benefit as she