Last Dragon Standing
Page 26

Scattering the bones left over from their dinner the previous eve so that the local predators could use what they hadn’t, Éibhear shook his head and stated, “I can assure you that Dagmar Reinholdt would never have ended up on the wrong side of an execution.”
“Are you still harping on that?” Keita demanded.
“You could have gotten out of there at any time, but you always have to play your little games.”
“You’re bloody amazing. If I’d allowed myself to be executed, you’d have been angry. But if I’d burned down the town, you’d have been angrier.” Keita got up, making sure to slap Ren’s face several times with her tail since he was still laughing. “I can never win with you!” Éibhear stared at her over his shoulder. “You wouldn’t have been in that situation in the first place if you hadn’t killed the man.”
“What part of ‘It wasn’t me’ are you not grasping?”
Her baby brother tipped his head to the side, and Keita bared her fangs before yelling, “It wasn’t me!”
Éibhear pointed a talon. “But did you plan to kill him?”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“I’m sorry,” Ragnar cut in. “But exactly what kind of answer is that?” Keita glared over at him. Gods he was big. Completely blocking out the two suns with that big body and even bigger head! And all that purple.
What an annoying, strange color! “And at what point did you feel you were invited into this conversation, cretin?”
“Keita!” Éibhear snapped and immediately stood by the Lightning.
“That was rude. Apologize!”
Keita was about to tell Éibhear what he could do with his bloody apologies when Ren whispered in her ear, “Have you already forgotten our wager, my friend?”
Dammit. She had forgotten. But that, like most things, was not her fault. It was early, and she hadn’t eaten yet. “Besides, we do have to put up with all of them for a few more days. It couldn’t hurt to be nice,” Ren added softly.
Knowing her friend was right, Keita loosely waved her claws in the air. “Gods! I am sorry, Lord Ragnar. As you can see, I’m not a morning dragon, and I get a bit snappy before first meal. My sincerest apologies.”
“We’re all that way,” Meinhard muttered while he packed up his travel bag.
“No worries,” Vigholf tossed in.
“I can and always have been able to speak for myself,” Ragnar said, his gaze still on Keita.
“Well, you do forgive me, don’t you, my lord?” She walked up to him, her tail swinging out behind her until she was close enough that the tip could move up his chest. “It would be awful if you were still angry with me.”
Ragnar stared at her tail while his brother and cousin stood up straight, their attention locked on her…which was about the time her brother grabbed her tail and dragged her into the forest.
“We’ll be right back,” he said, pulling her a good distance away, ignoring all the trees and brush they knocked down or completely destroyed in the process.
“Éibhear, you little shit! Let me go!” He did, by flinging her tail away from him, her body naturally following.
“What are you up to?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t lie to me, Keita.” He leaned in, pointed a talon at her. “You and Ren together is rarely a good thing for outsiders. So I ask again, what are you up to?”
Keita stood, using her front claws to brush the forest dirt off her scales. “I am up to nothing, little brother.”
“Don’t give me that. You just better not be playing games again.”
“What games?”
“Keita—”
“Oh, what, little brother? You’ve been off for two years and you think you can order me around like Fearghus and Briec?” Éibhear blinked. “They order you around?”
“They’ve tried. They’ve failed. Trust me when I say you will fare no better.”
“Look.” He caught hold of her shoulder and pulled her a little farther away, lowering his voice. “I understand you have much to hate this dragon for. He kidnapped you, held you hostage, and tried to negotiate with Mum for you.”
Keita shrugged. “I’m over that.”
Éibhear released her. “What do you mean you’re over that? How can you be over that?”
“Because I am. Unlike the rest of my kin, I don’t hold grudges. I never have. They’re boring. You know how—”
“Yes!” he cut in. “I know how you hate being bored.”
“Then you don’t have to worry I’m out for vengeance. He never physically harmed me. His brother and cousin were very kind given the situation. So…I’m over it, and want nothing but the best for all involved.”
“Aw, Keita.” Éibhear buried his face into his claws. “You’re trying to bed him, aren’t you?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking—”
His head snapped up, silver eyes glaring. “Keita.”
“It’s for a throne! And what do you care who or what Ren and I wager on?”
“Because I remember well how ugly things can get when you two start this. And I want you both to stop it right now.”
“I take orders from no one, brother, but especially not you. Besides. I really want that throne.” She turned to walk away, but Éibhear placed his back claw on her tail.