The next day…

Crystal bellowed, clutching her sides.

Forget laughing. Laughing was too tame. The female bent over her middle and let it rip.

“It’s not that funny.” Storm shook his head.

“I think it is.” Crystal finally said, coming up for air, a huge smile still plastered to her face. Her eyes were wet. Her lashes glinted.

“It really isn’t,” Storm said. “You were the one who offered and I’m taking you up on it.”

“Why has this human got you so rattled?”

Storm shrugged. “I guess I don’t want her to forget me when she goes.”

Crystal looked at him pointedly. “You really think she’s going to forget you? You? Storm, Prince of Water?”

Just nine short days ago, he would’ve said the same. But now, he wasn’t so sure.

“Come on,” she rasped. “Not happening. How often does a human get whisked away and seduced by a dragon prince? Never…okay? It doesn’t happen.”

“I know she won’t forget me…this.” He gestured around them. “Thing is, I’m competitive.”

“I know,” she said when he didn’t elaborate.

“I don’t like that I’m not her best. I want to be her best. Moreover, I want to always be her best. I don’t want another guy ever beating me.”

“That’s crazy!” Crystal looked at him like he’d gone mad. “Why do you want to be her best for all time? What you’re saying is you want her to leave here and pine for you. That’s what you’re saying, right? Not just in the immediate future but always.”

“Hearing you put it like that…it sounds like a dick move.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “But,” he shrugged, “that’s what I want.”

Crystal narrowed her eyes. “It is a dick move. One I don’t understand, but hey,” she shrugged, “I made a deal with you, so, I’ll teach you everything I know. Did you bring a pen and paper?”

“I don’t need a pen and paper, Crystal.”

“Yes, you do. You really, really do.”

Fuck! He was so bad, he needed a notepad and a pen to write this shit down. Why had no-one ever told him? Crystal burst out laughing. "You should see your face. She really has you in a flat spin."

Storm heaved a sigh. “Don’t do that. I might have to put you in the cage. Or ban any of the males from sharing your bed.”

“You wouldn’t! Tell me you’re not that cruel.”

“Chill! I wouldn’t do that. Now, spill.”

"There are one or two fundamental things and then quite a number of tips." She winked. "Let's start with the most important."

Storm nodded, focusing on her every word.

“Glad you could finally make it.” Torrent’s face was red. He had that I’m-going-to-fuck-you-up look that Storm knew well. Thankfully he wouldn’t be able to follow through on the threat his eyes were making.

“Apologies, sire.” He bowed his head and lowered his eyes before turning to the Fire King. “Good to see you, my lord. How are your lovely mate and your sweet whelps?”

Blaze didn’t quite smile but his eyes twinkled in amusement.

“First, you are late and then you waste our time with small-talk,” his brother growled.

Blaze finally cracked a smile. “My mate is well, and my young are…busy…” He widened his eyes before smiling again. “But I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Storm nodded in Flood’s direction and the male nodded back. He still managed to keep that serious disposition he wore so well.

“Apologies for being late,” he spoke to Blaze.

“It was only by three minutes,” the Fire King shrugged. The four kings were so competitive. He knew Blaze would take an opposite stance to Torrent, if he played them right, and he clearly had.

“What was so important?” Torrent couldn’t let it go.

“My female was quite traumatized after yesterday’s event, she didn’t sleep at all last night.” All true but it had nothing to do with their traumatic event. “Jolene didn’t want me to leave her.” Again, true, but for different reasons than he was hinting at.

Torrent rolled his eyes. His brother knew bullshit when he heard it.

“That’s terrible.” Blaze’s eyes turned solemn. “You will need to send her our apologies. We have redoubled patrols in the area. I am discussing doing the same in all four kingdoms.”

“The time has come to fight back,” Storm said.

“That would give us away,” Torrent snapped.

“Yes.” Blaze nodded his head. “I am inclined to side with the Water King on this one. It would indeed alert them to our presence if their aircraft began disappearing.”

“I think it’s clear that they know we are here. It’s been months and they’re still coming into our airspace.”

“Still,” Torrent shook his head, “they suspect but they’re not sure. One crashed helicopter is something that can happen. Multiple disappearances would only serve to bolster their belief that they are onto something. They would only send in more.”

“Yes, and it would also send a clear signal that we are not to be messed with,” Storm said. “They can’t keep snooping around our territory.”

“We are not far enough along in our silver resistance therapy,” Torrent rasped.

“Please, can you relay to Storm what you told us before he got here?” Blaze asked Flood.

The male cleared his throat. His arms were folded over his front. “The artillery was all silver-infused.”

“So, they know what they are looking for,” Storm growled. “I knew it!”

“They suspect,” Torrent countered.

“They know. Why keep coming back month after month? Those bastards know we are here. They’re armed to the teeth with silver weaponry. They’re just itching for a target,” Storm added.

“And we aren’t going to give them one!” Torrent yelled. “Your flying machine is grounded until further—”

“What?”

"Don't you ‘what' me!" Torrent pointed a finger at his face.

“I do think there is some merit in what your brother is saying,” Blaze addressed Torrent. “I think they definitely know we are here. They know we are non-human. In fact, I think they know exactly what we are.”

“It would be good to know why they are looking. Why they won’t give up,” Storm said.

“Who cares?” Torrent shrugged. “Does it matter?”

“No! The only thing that matters is that they mean us harm. We need to convene a meeting. All four of us.” Again, the Fire King addressed Torrent. “We can’t keep hiding. At some point we will need to retaliate. The lives of our families are at stake.”

Torrent sighed. “Maybe you are right.”

“It’s only a matter of time before they see something. Before they find one of the lairs…and then what?” Storm hated being the negative one. The kings were playing it too safe.

“Then we crush them like the bugs they are.” Torrent squeezed his hand into a fist.

“Yes.” Storm nodded his head, hoping it never came to pass. The damage could be devastating.