~YH~
Aodh lifted his cup and drank his beverage as he sat at the head of his table and watched Kai.
No one fucking told him Kai was there.Not that those in his thunder gave him a play-by-play of what was going on with the daily movements of his people’s lives.But this was Kai.She was different.She was human.Not to mention, Morlie was also there.He didn’t mind them being out of the smaller suite, but he would have preferred to introduce them to his people.
His gaze locked on Kai, who sat at the other end of his table, a short distance away.She subtly rocked her upper body to the music as she conversed with Yeongi and Calida and kept an eye on her sister dancing in the center of the room with other youth.Besides being thin, the young lady showed no signs of illness.She had a broad smile as she mimicked the gestures of those around her.The crowd on the impromptu dancefloor had grown substantially.Some couples used it as an opportunity to incite their lust, while other unattached males used it to observe the pretty human closer.But he didn’t miss the bold glances directed at the seated human—lust-filled eyes eager to take in Kai’s ample curves, more to their liking.
Hell, his kind would fuck either if given the opportunity.Some for the experience of being with a human, but others because dragon-shifters loved to fuck whoever and whenever.
However, none would touch either of them under his protection.
The dinner atmosphere was always lively.Even though only a quarter of the thunder on any given day was in the meal hall of the McKenna building, there was often music and a good time.A blazing fire burned in the big hearth.Not because it was chilly, but dragon-shifters found the sight of flames both enchanting and relaxing after a day’s work.
He couldn’t take his gaze off Kai, but he still noticed how well Morlie was doing.She showed remarkable strength and agility in the long hours since awakening.He wasn’t sure if Kai had noted, but her younger sister’s movements and walk had a slight shimmer to them.The human eye did not easily detect it unless someone understood what to look for.Kai may have been around his people for over a week, but he wasn’t sure how much she was aware of when it came to his kind.
Aodh understood the healing smoke was only responsible for a fraction of Morlie’s changes.It had more to do with her mark.He’d smelled it on her when he first came upon them.Even through the rank stench of death poisoning her blood and deteriorating Morlie’s body from the inside out, the unique scent was paramount.It was another reason several male Drahks, young and old, circled the young woman.Unless he gave the word, no one would investigate further.Regardless of who the mark linked Morlie to, Drahks still loved sex.
Aodh was still confident that without the word of the Mckenna, all would stay back.Besides, the way Kai watched her younger sister like a hawk-shifter, he didn’t put it past her to go up against anyone who moved toward Morlie.
And hell, that would put him in the mix.There was no fucking way anyone would attempt to seduce Kai because they wanted a taste of human cream.No.They would smell his scent on her, even without his dragon’s claiming.Taking something of the Mckenna’s without permission was punishable by death.Not that he was up to killing one of his people, but Kai was driving him to that level of madness.
“You are going to burn a hole in her back, brother.”
Aodh didn’t spare Liekki, who had recently been with him on the training turf, a glance as his brother settled his girth into the empty seat beside him at the top of the T-of-the-head table.Any other tables were fair game, first come, as the hall workers placed family-style food platters and bowls at the center of each.The difference was the head table was reserved for Mckenna, his family, and their guests.Since his father stepped down, his parents never came to the hall unless there was a celebration or meeting, so Eilidh, his sister, filled up the table with her friends, which he didn’t mind.Since Aodh hadn’t claimed a mate and produced offspring, there was plenty of space for others.
“I’m surprised you let her out of your bed and allowed her to be around the thunder unclaimed.”Liekki continued to taunt him while piling food high on his plate.
He grunted in response to his brother, but Aodh continued to nurse his drink.Kai’s slow-moving shoulders had become a fascination for him, a seduction.He wondered if the music tempted her to dance and hoped she didn’t give in.He wasn’t sure how he’d react to the sight before him and his thunder.
“I didn’t let her do anything.”He started in a low tone.“I am surprised Kai allowed her sister to come down.”
Kai had been very adamant that Morlie needed rest.Even though he knew differently, Kai was her guardian, and he’d respected her wishes regarding her sister.
“Eilidh had something to do with it, I am sure.”Liekki consumed a forkful of meat and vegetables before he continued.“Our baby sister could persuade a goat to shed his skin.”
Aodh chuckled at the image.It was true.Eilidh did have a way with people.He could see her heading Com one day when she became an adult or preternatural council mediator.Right now, Liekki held that position in the thunder as second.“Hell, if we are not careful, Eilidh will battle the Fae for the magistrate position over the council.”
“Shit.Since before the humans’ destruction, the fae have held the position strong even when we had to be covert about our dealings.”Liekki shook his head.
“If anyone could do it, Eilidh will be the one.”
Liekki grunted in agreement around the mouthful of food.
Aodh had prepared himself to finish out the night without Kai.It was one of the reasons he’d radioed his brother to meet him at the arena.He’d needed to attempt to exhaust himself to the point of only wanting to eat and fall into bed.It would be the only way he would not knock on the door of his smaller suite and demand she come to him.An hour ago, while he stood in the shower upstairs, he’d convinced himself that he was tired enough to go directly to sleep after dinner.He’d even considered radioing Tana to bring him up a platter.
However, he’d decided against disturbing his attendant’s private time, especially with her having extra duties with Morlie now awake.So, he’d come down to the hall only to discover the object of his desire was amid his people.
Now, Aodh grew tired of observing her from afar.As long as he’d been sitting there and as close as he was to her, Kai would have felt his heat reaching out to her.He figured the effects of juice in her hand muddled her senses.The fermented beverage didn’t cause intoxication for his people.They drank it because they enjoyed the warm sensation it added to their bellies.Dragon-shifters relished anything that reminded them of fire.Besides, their beasts hated when they consumed water.So, they did so sparingly to appease the flesh part of their being.
“Little flame.”
Kai turned her head from left to right quickly, which caused her unruly curls to swing and bounce around her shoulders.
Yeongi, Calida, and more than a few others heard his low tone by the straightening of their spines.However, no one else turned except Kai.
He watched her pause as she scanned the two entrances as if he just walked in and called out for her.Aodh recognized the moment she became aware of their heat connection, and Kai turned slowly in her chair until she could glance over the marble table-top to meet his gaze.
He heard the hitch in her breathing and saw the increase in her pulse along the side of her neck.Her need for him was always right under the surface.
