“No, I didn’t Seer,” I growled as my Dragon demanded release. Holding her back was difficult, but I learned patience in my many years on earth. “You’re very good, but I’m far better. Blackmailing my father for my release is futile. My father hates me as much as I despise him. Killing me is just stupid and shortsighted. You Dragons have hellacious intel if that’s your pathetic plan. It’s no wonder you’ve failed for hundreds of years.”
Nicolai’s growl of fury and the fire that sparked around him almost made me back up, but I held my ground. He was wildly overwhelming and ungodly beautiful. I despised him for igniting desire in me. He was evil and I needed to be smacked for being attracted to someone who would happily see me dead. Showing fear would be my downfall and I was not going to die.
However, I was terrified some of the Shifters on the beach might. I needed to take this battle elsewhere. The power emanating from behind me was enormous and I knew the Shifters would fight, but Dragons were not something to play with.
“Dima, we have no plans to trade or kill you,” Elaina said as she, too stepped forward. “I knew you as a child and your mother was my friend.”
She was no longer muting her power and she was tremendously strong. My gut felt sucker punched with her revelation and I now realized why I thought I recognized her only hours ago in Chicago. I vaguely remembered a group of women that had attended to my mother and Elaina’s face was among them.
“You knew who I was the whole time?” I demanded angrily.
Were they all in on this?
“I did,” she replied with a nod and a sweet smile. “Seth has seen this and we need you as much as you need us. The violence will not end unless we come together.”
“I call bullshit,” I snapped.
“It’s true, you ungrateful woman. I don’t want you anymore than you want us, but I trust my brother’s vision more than I despise you,” Nicolai ground out as he took his place next to his family.
“Back at you asshole,” I growled.
It was all Nicolai could do to hang on to his temper and not go for my throat. I watched the struggle and enjoyed it thoroughly. His mother had hold of his arm and Seth stepped in front of him. Coat Guy just stood back and watched. Was he Elaina’s mate? I didn’t think so, but anything was possible.
“My mother tells the truth,” Seth said in the same kind voice he always used. “I have seen many things and success will only be ours if we join forces.”
“What else have you seen?” Essie demanded as she, Hank, and Junior moved to me and flanked my sides.
“Unbelievable,” Elaina muttered as she marveled at the picture of Werewolves and Dragons united together. “She really is the link.”
“I’m not a link,” I corrected her rudely. “I’m a person with a mission and I have no time for incompetent Dragons to slow me down.”
“This is ridiculous,” Nicolai roared in fury as he paced behind his family. “We don’t need her. Your vision is wrong.”
“My vision is not wrong. And you know it,” Seth told his brother. “Dima, what can we do to convince you we mean no harm?”
“Make the pissed off one apologize,” Essie whispered in my ear as I barked out a laugh.
Her idea was ludicrous, but brilliant at the same time. If their powerful leader got down on his knees before me, it would set the right tone. However, I was certain it wouldn’t happen in this lifetime. Male Dragons did not subjugate themselves to females—ever.
Time to see if hell would freeze over…
“I want Nicolai’s apology and his word that this will be a two leader mission. I won’t be treated as a subordinate if I decide to go with you.” I crossed my arms over my chest to calm my erratic breathing and waited for the explosion.
Nicolai did not disappoint.
“Absolutely not,” he roared as small fires lit the beach around him. “She is of the evil one’s blood and I will not bow down to royalty as long as I breathe. She’s worthless to us.”
“Stop it,” Elaina hissed at her son as she too lit up in flames of anger. “Get past your anger and your ego. This is not about you. It’s far bigger than old vendettas. Our people’s lives are at stake. Swallow your misplaced pride and do as she says. Now.”
I held my breath and waited to see what the vicious Dragon would do. I was ready to shift in a second and part of me wanted him to shift as well. I was itching for a fight and I knew he would be an outstanding adversary.
“I will live to regret this,” Nicolai muttered as he stalked toward me, giving his mother a glare of displeasure.
Damn, he was huge. Maybe this was a horrible idea. His ire rolled off of him and I still wasn’t sure if he would burn me to a crisp. I kept my Dragon on call and met him halfway. It was the least I could do if we were going to be an antagonistic team.
He recognized my gesture and eyed me cautiously.
“Does her Highness want me on my knees?” he asked suggestively, thoroughly enjoying the sexual double entendre. He looked me up and down with undisguised lust and I wanted to slap his smug face.
“Yes, she does,” I answered coldly as my insides danced dangerously with desire, imagining everything he could do to me in that position.
He was every kind of bad and all kinds of sexy. My hatred for him increased as he slowly and deliberately went to his knees in front of me.
“Next time I’m in this position I will not be begging for forgiveness. You will be begging for release,” he whispered for my ears only.