Page 12 of Ale Storm

“Not all humans respect dragons,” Jildarin said. “As you know, many believe us dumb beasts.”

“Many believe us dangerous beasts. Correctly so.”

Jildarin said something else that Rylana didn’t catch. She had to spring back when Vilma came in with more empty dishes.

“Do you want a latte?” Tezilly whispered, waving at the espresso machine.

Rylana nodded and leaned close again to the door as soon as it stopped swinging.

“It is possible,” Jildarin was saying, “that Rylana’s father would object to me seeking to spend time with her.”

“You spend your days and nights with her now.”

“As her business partner, not as her mate. He may believe⁠—”

“What a human believes is insignificant. Listen, Jildarin.” A thump sounded. Had Zilek slammed the book shut? “If you desire to mate with her, simply ram her against a wall and press your mouth to her lips while molding your hard heated body to hers. Then, when your instincts inform you that the time is proper, you will tear her clothing asunder and thrust into her like an elk stag mounting a female in the depths of the primordial forest. It will be raw and wild and sensational. The experience is quite different from mating with a dragon female, especially the part where you’re not in danger of having your head torn off if you don’t please her sufficiently. You will enjoy it. And I am certain she will be an eager participant and also enjoy it. Most likely, she will grab you and use her hands and words and gasps of desire to instruct you on the affair herself. As I’ve noted before, she has an appealing sternness about her.” Zilek chuckled.

Rylana’s cheeks heated to scorching, but she didn’t know if it was from embarrassment or because of the imagery that had formed in her mind at Zilek’s words. They’d been so vivid that she could imagine enacting the scenario right there in the coffee shop or maybe they could fly out and find a primordial forest.

“You will not fantasize about my business partner,” Jildarin said, his own voice stern.

Rylana wondered what expression on Zilek’s face had prompted the comment. Or what gestures he might be making.

“Forgive me, my brother. I was not able to convince the beautiful elf Layothlee to mate with me before she left Tranquility. Last night, I took a human woman to my lair, but it was only moderately satisfying, and I continue to have females on my mind. I wonder if the half-elf who serves you is sexually available at this time. Of course, I would prefer the beautiful elf assassin who lurks in the street and has not yet come in. She is as beautiful as the acrobat, and she has a measure of sternness about her as well.”

“Is she not the one who cut the tip of Melovikar’s tail off in the war? I remember him cursing an elf assassin.”

“As you are aware yourself, a warrioress who is not afraid to fight our kind has some appeal. Those of us who’ve grown up around female dragons have learned to seek out challenging mates rather than meek ones. You must believe that true, else you’d not want to court the archer who shot you during the war.” Zilek chuckled.

“I do appreciate that Rylana is a warrioress in addition to being able to most swiftly calculate the numbers for our business.”

“Your eyes grew hungry with longing as you spoke those latter words. You are a strange male, my brother. For any species.”

“I am a practical one.”

“Then let me give you one last piece of advice before my date arrives. Be careful with that book and whatever rituals and requirements for courting that it desires you to fulfill. I spotted three of the Sunclaw females flying through the Icefang Mountains last night. I believe the sisters, Loxvonla and Foxvonla, in particular, have not forgotten that you are here, and they still want to mate with you. If you are wise, you will satisfy them first. Then, you may take your human female and sate your more simian urges. But do not have thoughts of a prolonged relationship or marriage. Should the clan hear about that, they will redouble their efforts to eliminate your bookkeeper as a distraction.”

“I do not want her to be endangered. That is why I have hesitated. When we kissed, it seemed unwise.”

“And yet… you have that book.”

“I am drawn to her.”

“Of course you are. As I said, you can surreptitiously mate with her now and then, but do not flaunt your relationship or allow others to witness it in any way. Else the clan—and Mother—will find out. You must not seek anything more than sex with her. There cannot be more between a dragon and a human.”

“No,” Jildarin said softly.

Rylana hadn’t been thinking about marriage or courting or anything beyond enjoying the present with Jildarin, but she couldn’t help but feel a twinge of disappointment at the words. Without realizing it, had she come to want more with him?

4

After Jildarin left the coffee shop, his book under his arm, Rylana accepted a latte from Tezilly and walked into the main room. She intended to sit a few tables away from Zilek, just close enough that she could intervene if he irritated Sylin overmuch.

But as Rylana walked near him, Zilek rose and stood in front of her, lifting a hand to stop her.

“Sylin will be here any minute,” Rylana said.

“Yes, I sense her in the street, waiting for the precise top of the hour before walking in. But I have a warning for you.”