Chapter Two

 

 

Trin stood in a room that was dimly lit. The light flashed on for a moment and then went dark.

“Gather a scroll, the flashlight, a pen, and a feather.” Brommin’s selections were as arbitrary as ever.

She moved easily through the darkness and got the items that he mentioned without touching anything else. The feather was in the vase on the mantlepiece, so she lifted it out with care and precision. Trin retreated to the entry point, and she opened the door carefully, flicking from dragon eyes to human at the moment she turned the door handle.

Brommin glanced at his watch. “Well done, and no sign of your dragon. Excellent.”

Trin clapped her hands around her found objects. “What is next?”

“Nothing. You have an afternoon off. What are you going to do with it?”

Trin looked him over, smiled, and sighed. “I am going to visit my goddaughter. I have to meet Brenner this evening to check out the location of a new site.”

Brommin took the items from her and set them aside. “You are going to open a new shop?”

“Eventually. I believe the building needs some upgrades before we can set it up.” She grimaced. “The joys of being a small-business owner.”

He looked her over and paused. “Do you have a steak knife under your sleeve?”

She turned her wrist up and looked at the subtle outline that showed under the fabric. “Yes. Yes, I do.”

“Why?”

“I had a lunch companion that I didn’t trust. This was in case he got grabby again.”

Brommin tensed. “Torm is out?”

“Yes. He joined me in the commissary. I remained pleasant and polite just in case it was a test.”

“What did he say to you?”

She grimaced. “He said that my dragon will pick last and I should put him on my list in case you were taken when I get to choose.”

Brommin’s complexion darkened suddenly. “He said what?”

“He said—”

Brommin held up his hand. “I heard you.”

He stepped in and took her hands. “I don’t care if I have to hide from every woman at the ball, I will wait for you.”

Trin blinked and looked up at him. Her dragon was getting to her feet and ruffling her wings.

Brommin leaned in and gave her a polite kiss with his fingers tense around hers. They were both holding back.

She lifted up on her toes and let the energy of the slight contact move through her. Her beast was on its own hind legs in her mind, enjoying the scent of her mate as his body took on the waves of heat that she was looking for.

Trin slowly lowered herself back to flat feet before things got out of control. The skin of her torso was pressing against her corset in a rapid rhythm. Her breasts were doing their best to heave behind their confines of cambric, steel, and the heavy weight of her dress.

Brommin’s eyes were heavy-lidded, his skin was flushed, and there was a strange tightness over his cheekbones. He had gone from being aggressively attractive to looking predatory in those few moments. Trin’s dragon made happy noises at her ability to have that effect on her mate.

Brommin drew in a slow breath through his nose, nostrils flaring. “That was... I didn’t expect that response from him.”

Trin blushed and shifted back a few inches. “I am less surprised. She has been very forward when it regards you.”

“What is your opinion on the matter?” He reached out and cupped her jaw.

Trin wrapped her hand around his wrist. “Like I have said before, I never planned this, but if you are willing to deal with me and my place in the world, I am willing to deal with yours.”

“A dragon with your ties to the outside world hasn’t been seen before. I am looking forward to what happens next. The archives are waiting eagerly.”

His thumb was stroking her cheek, and she reluctantly pulled his hand away. “I am sorry. I have a meeting in an hour and another meeting after that.”

His smile was wryly amused. “Should I be getting used to this?”

“Yes. It would be best. Of course, once you and I are official, you can come with me without raising eyebrows.”

Brommin shook his head. “It is strange that you are authorized to move around without an escort, but since that is what my father has decided, I wish you only the safest of freedoms.”

Trin snorted. “So, you are not a fan of my running around on my own?”

“No, but unless I am part of your detail, I am not allowed to accompany you. That is not exactly making me happy right now.”

She gave him a small smile. “As long as Torm keeps his distance, I am in no danger.”

“He will, or he will be missing a limb during the grand ball.”

Brommin’s dark expression didn’t leave her guessing at which limb he was referring to.

She inclined her head and smiled tightly. “Don’t worry. He makes her irritated and nauseous at first sight. That is never a good thing.”

Brommin smiled slightly. “That makes me feel better.”

She chuckled. “I thought it might. See me out?”

He offered her his arm, and they walked from the testing area, through shelves of ancient tomes, and finally to the lift.

Trin walked into the lift with a spring in her step. She turned and waved at Brommin before the doors closed. She quickly jabbed the button for the upper floor before the doors reopened. That would have been embarrassing.

She was sure that she had a grin on her face when she picked up her communicator and called Creata’s home.

The maid at the Tal residence was a blockade. “Madam is not available.”

“Well, if she is but is dodging calls, let her know that she has three minutes to call me if she wants a pastry from Miiko’s.”

“Miss Lem?” The maid was suddenly broadcasting relief.

“Yes, Tolla.”

“Please, come by and bring the missus whatever you can to help her mood. She is very dark right now.”

“I am on my way. Make sure she has a shower.”

“She won’t listen to me, Miss Lem.”

“Give it a try. Expect me within the hour.”

Tolla let out a relieved sigh. “I will have tea ready. Thank you, Miss Lem.”

Trin hung up and grabbed her coat. She had a bakery to raid before she made her appearance at the Tal household. This sounded serious.

 

She walked up to the Tal mansion with a stack of bakery boxes dangling from her fingers. Miiko’s was always a good place to strike if you were a regular. When Telber learned that it was for Creata, he had made up several of her favourites in a few minutes. He wished the new mother nothing but the best.

Trin walked up to the double doors and smiled as they were opened for her at precisely the right time.

The feeling of the house was different than it had been at the weekend. There was a depression that was hanging over the space that Trin wanted to get to the bottom of.

Vasic was out of town, and as she handed the boxes to Tolla, Trin jerked her head toward the stairs that led to the bedrooms.

“I am heading up there. Don’t do anything until I call for tea. When I do, we will have it outside on the patio.”

Tolla and the other maid nodded.

With her shoulders straight, Trin headed up the stairs into the literal lion’s den.

Trin didn’t knock, she opened the door to the master bedroom and walked in, waving her fingers at the new baby before approaching the bed where Creata was hiding.

She reached out and yanked the covers away, unsurprised when a lioness was curled where the woman should be.

“Knock it off, Creata. Your family needs you, your household needs you, and your bedding needs changing. Get up.”

Creata lunged at her, teeth exposed and claws out.

Trin moved between her and the baby, using her dragon to give her the strength she needed to hold her friend at bay while the lioness attacked.

Her clothing surprisingly stood up to the clawing, and when she had Creata pinned to the floor, her friend emerged from the fur and claws.

“Oh god, Trin, I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

“It’s fine, Creata. Now, get up and have a shower. You deserve to smell clean. I am taking the baby down to the garden. Come on down when you are done. I went to Miiko’s. I got some treats for you.”

She helped her naked friend to her feet and eased her into the en suite until Creata was standing in front of the shower. Trin ran the water and then triggered the spray. Creata stepped into the spray, and she started to sob.

Trin rubbed her friend’s back while she used the water to hide her tears. It took several minutes for the wave of sobs to stop, but when Creata finished, she looked at Trin with a watery smile. “I think I am going to wash my hair now. I am good. I will see you downstairs in ten.”

Trin nodded. “I will see you in the garden. It is a glorious day, and the baby looks like she can use some fresh air.”

Trin checked in the mirror, and Creata was indeed shampooing her hair.

She scooped up the baby, who was sweet-smelling and happy. At least the baby was getting attention from her mom. It was one bit of relief in the situation.

Trin headed downstairs with the little one in her arms, and she nodded to Tolla. “Her bed needs a cleaning, and the mattress needs airing.”

“Is madam well?”

“She is not well, and she and I will discuss that, but for now, she needs clean bedclothes, and the mattress needs to be taken care of. We are going to have tea in the garden.”

The baby squirmed against her shoulder.

“Would you like some water and bandages?”

Trin looked at the blood on her hands. “After the bedroom is taken care of.”

“Yes, Miss Trin.” Tolla smiled and bowed before heading upstairs.

Amesthet chuckled and waved her fists as Trin carried her into the bright light of the early afternoon.

“So, little miss, has your mom been under the weather?”

The small gurgle that emerged was noncommittal.

Trin played with the baby for six minutes, and then, she smiled as Creata came out of the house, damp but smiling.

The smile was on Creata’s lips, but her eyes were dark. Trin sighed. This was going to be a long visit.