“What are we going to do about it?” Magnar growled.

“Nothing.” Despite the energy coursing through his veins, Ekon forced himself not only to sit down, but to put his feet up as well.

“Nothing,” his general spat, his face portraying his shock, his horror even. Magnar paced to the far side of the nest before turning and pacing back. “With all due respect, sire, that’s crazy. Leukos has taken another human. He could be successful this time. If he mates her and gets her with clutch, all will be lost.”

“My spies tell me that, just as with the last one, she wants nothing to do with him. I don’t blame the poor female.” He picked up an orange and began peeling it.

“These humans are fairly easy once you get to know the basics. They are attracted to our physiques.” Magnar rolled his shoulders. “I will help you win one. You could have her with clutch in a matter of weeks. The throne would be yours again. It’s there and ripe for the taking.”

“No.” Ekon shook his head, placing a segment of the sweet fruit into his mouth.

“What do you mean, no, my king? Why not? You are putting everything at risk.” Frustration was etched into every fiber of Magnar’s being. He leaned forward, bracing on the table as he spoke.

“For my hunger to reawaken, it has to be the right female.”

“Any human would do. They are sweet and soft. Your hunger will awaken in an instant, I am sure of it. Let us go and…” Magnar spoke softly, carefully.

“No! I still love only Esla. She was the only female for me.”

“This is not about love,” Magnar snorted. “Love is bullshit.”

Ekon laughed. “Love is not bull…shit.” It was hard to get the word off his tongue since it was foreign. Ekon could well imagine what it meant though. “It is very real, and I look forward to seeing you land on your ass when you make that discovery for yourself.”

“Ha! Not hardly,” Magnar spat. “I enjoy mounting but that is where it ends.”

“We will see.” Ekon pulled in a breath. “My delay has nothing to do with love. I loved once and that love was lost. It has to do with vengeance.”

“Vengeance, sire?” Magnar shook his head, his eyes burning. “If you take a mate and get her with clutch, then you will have your vengeance. I assure you. Leukos will be forced to step aside.”

“My brother kicked me when I was down.” The rage that was always just beneath the surface bubbled up. Something dripped down his palm and he realized he was squashing the orange in his fist. He dropped the fruit. “It was the worst time of my life. My mate newly buried.” His heart gave a lurch. There were times he forgot the organ was still real. It mostly felt like a lump of stone inside his chest. Cold and hard. “I was reeling. In the worst hell when he used the lores to strip me of my throne. For that, he will need to be punished in the worst possible way.”

Magnar frowned.

“When a female finally accepts my brother, I will take her for myself.”

“What?” Magnar shouted. “You could be too late,” he added. “The risk is too great. I urge you to reconsider.”

Ekon shook his head. “No other female will do. I want his female. I hope to god they are in love when I take her. I want his heart ripped from his chest. Yes, it is risky but it will be worth it. I will bring her here and however long it takes, I don’t care, I will make her love me instead of him. Then, and only then, will I take back the crown. Leukos will be forced to watch the female he loves standing at my side as my queen.”

Magnar shook his head, he dropped into a seat next to Ekon. He could see that his general didn’t agree with him, but Ekon didn’t care. His mind was made up. What he hadn’t told Magnar was that his prick had already grown hard at the mere thought of this faceless female. He would never love another, but he would enjoy making his twin brother pay for everything the bastard had done to him.

It’s dragon time!

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