Kei glanced down at the paper in his hand. He had always imagined he’d have a son to teach, a son to raise and train as his successor. He’d never thought that he’d have hours instead of years to pass along the important information. But Riker was smart and honest. Unfortunately, the same couldn’t be said about Kafe. Kafe was clever but devious. And ten minutes older than Kei.
“What? No greeting for me? Really Kei, how rude.” Kafe brushed the tips of his fingernails across the velvet vest he wore. “Or is there something more appropriate to call you now? Dragon-spawn perhaps?”
Kei looked up at the mirror image of himself. The mystical connection between twins was rubbish, as far as Kei was concerned. He didn’t feel connected at all to Kafe, except for a mutual dislike. Naturally, Riker had told Kafe about the dragon attack. Riker didn’t understand the depth of Kafe’s hatred for Kei. Kei had done his best to shield his younger brother from Kafe’s true nature. Now that Riker would be King, he would have to be warned. He had to know that Kafe couldn’t be trusted.
“Kafe, what do you want?” Kei asked doing his best to sound bored. It would irritate Kafe and maybe he’d leave.
“Just what’s mine by right.”
Kei knew Kafe meant the Kingdom. He’d always believed
he
should have been chosen to lead. Their father had decided differently.
“The Kingdom will go to my heir.”
“Well, unless you’ve implanted a seed in the past three weeks, that looks like it will be me.” Kafe’s eyes hardened. “You haven’t gotten some bitch pregnant, have you?
What’s the name of the whore who nursed your pitiful life back to health?”
Kei didn’t remember moving. He was over the table and his hands wrapped around Kafe’s throat before the final words of the sentence were said. His fingers dug into the skin as he squeezed the life out of the offender’s throat.
Kill
him. Kill.
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“Kei, stop. What are you doing?”
Kei snapped back to himself as Riker grabbed his wrists and tried to pull him away.
“Let him go.”
Fighting Nekane every inch, Kei forced his hands to unclench. His twin dropped to the floor, gasping for air, red streaks appearing on his throat. Kafe glared up at his brother. “You attack me over a woman? She must be quite a good—“ he paused. Kei pulled his fist back, ready to break Riker’s hold if Kafe said one disrespectful word against Lorran. The dragon grumbled in agreement.
“Nurse,” Kafe finally finished. He stood and brushed off his leathers with delicate fingers. “I didn’t know she meant so much to you.” The gleam that shone in his eyes worried Kei for a moment but he let it go. In a few days, none of this would matter.
“I don’t want you thinking about her at all.”
Kafe shrugged then winced. Kei felt a momentary regret. He’d hurt his brother. Kafe’s neck was already bruising. But he had deserved it, that and more. Like an animal pacing a cage, Nekane hovered just beyond the physical world. Kei took a deep breath. It was getting harder and harder to keep him under control. It would be a day, maybe two before the creature overtook him completely. The dragon growled his displeasure.
Kill him. Kill.
The dragon screamed in his head, once again calling for Lorran.
Get mine!
Kei barely heard, and didn’t acknowledge, Kafe’s farewell. It was difficult to focus around the dragon’s cries.
He waited until Kafe was gone before turning to Riker. He was young to be crowned but Kei knew his brother was smart, brave and he had a conscience. He’d do well.
“The first thing you have to do when I die is banish Kafe.”
Riker’s eyes widened. “What?”
“He’ll cause problems. Father asked me to let him stay. I won’t make the same mistake with you. Outlaw him. I can’t. You have to.” Kei shrugged, looking more casual than he felt. “He’s got money so he’ll hire men. You’ll have the loyalty of the guard here. Use that.”
Riker nodded. There was a flicker of guilt in his brother’s eyes. That was good. He was already thinking about getting rid of Kafe. It was something Kei should have done a year ago, but he’d made a promise. Riker would have to address it. There was so much he had to leave for Riker.
Including Lorran. His instructions in his papers were explicit. He trusted Riker to follow through.
Kei cleared his throat.
“Right. Now, the North Shore can be held. The rebellion was more of a peasants’
protest. Send someone…”
* * * * *
Lorran stepped out on the porch and let the morning sun hit her eyes. She’d spent all of yesterday and the day before inside the cabin—sobbing. Her eyes were red and Tielle St. Clare
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puffy from the two day crying jag. With a quiet sniff, she pushed her shoulders back. She wouldn’t cry for him any longer. He was gone. Of his own choice. But the truth showed itself even as she tried to deny it. Kei had left to protect her. Nekane was growing stronger. Kei was losing control. She paced the wood porch. She would go to town for some supplies. It would be a good excuse to hear the latest gossip. It was going to be on everyone’s lips when the King turned into a dragon. A cold breeze sent a shiver across her arms. It was early. The sun hadn’t had time to warm the earth. She’d wait until mid-day and then go. Long enough to hear what they were saying.
A boot scuffing the wood platform drew her attention. She spun around and her heart stopped.
“Kei!” She ran the four steps to him. As she threw her arms around his neck, she realized something was wrong. She jerked back and stepped away. “You’re not Kei.”
It was Kei’s mirror image. But the soft edges of his face and the cruel glow in his eyes were so dramatically different from Kei’s she was surprised she’d mistaken him for even a moment.
“Who are you?” She had a vague recollection of stories about twin princes but she’d ignored the tales. She’d turned her back on that life five years ago when she’d chosen to study dragons instead of returning to her father’s house.
“I’m Kafe. Kei’s brother, as you see. Kei didn’t mention me? How unlike him. He usually can’t say enough about me.” The smarmy grin made Lorran’s jaw ache. She took another step away. “Kei sent me. He was worried about you, worried that you’re out here unprotected.” Lorran inched back. He followed her across the porch. “He needs you. He hated to admit it but he wants you with him.”
She had to suppress the ache his words created. She didn’t trust him. Kei had left to protect her. Why would he call her to him?
“I don’t believe you.”
“It’s true. He misses you.”
Her stomach clenched. Oh, how she wanted that to be true, but Kei wouldn’t call her.
“I think you’d better leave.”
“Not without you.” The charming smile disappeared and a jubilant meanness was reflected in his eyes. “You can appear before your beloved Kei covered in bruises, or not. The choice is up to you.” He paused. “On second thought—” He swung his hand out and slapped her hard against the face. Lorran fell to the ground, her cheek burning.
“A few bruises wouldn’t be such a bad idea,” Kafe said. “Now, I can stop there, or I can beat you bloody. Either will suit my purposes.”
Lorran didn’t respond. Her head vibrated from the vicious blow. She barely noticed when he dragged her to her feet and pushed her toward another soldier. The warrior caught her against his chest then quickly tied her hands together with a rope. Kafe gripped her chin in his fingers and lifted her head, inspecting her face. “Yes, that should bruise nicely, but give me any trouble and I’ll present you to Kei as a Tielle St. Clare
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crumpled pile of human flesh.” She glared silently at him. Kafe smiled. “Yes, it’s almost impossible to believe we’re brothers, isn’t it?”
* * * * *
Kei stalked in front of the fireplace, turned around and repeated the path. Energy raged through his body. A dragon’s energy.
The damned beast wouldn’t let him rest.
Mine.
The petulant voice echoed through Kei’s head.
Mine!
The dragon insisted.
It wanted Lorran. Kei curled his hands into fists, squeezing until his knuckles turned white. He had to fight it—had to fight the urge to send for Lorran. If he sent an express, she could be here by mid-morning. She would come if he summoned her. She was loyal and too damn caring.
Yes. Mine.
“No!” Kei pounded his fist against the stone mantel. Pain shot up his arm but he barely recognized it. The rock cracked underneath the weight of his hand. The dragon’s strength was entering his human body, just like the voice was always in his head now.
“Your M-Majesty?”
Kei straightened and turned to face the maid. He recognized her. She’d shared his bed on a few occasions. She swallowed convulsively and stared at him with wide eyes.
This is what I’ve become. A beast that my own servants fear.
The young woman walked cautiously toward him. She was beautiful, tall and sleek, with full breasts that would fit perfectly in his hands. Her gown was low cut, revealing a deep cleavage. She’d been an eager bedmate. Now she was frightened of him. He took a deep breath and inhaled her scent. He paused and waited for the dragon’s growl—waited for lust to slam into his body.
Nothing. She was a beautiful woman and he felt no desire to fuck her. The dragon didn’t seem to even notice her presence in the room.
“What is it?”
“I was asked to deliver this to you.”
Kei silently took the note from her shaking hand. Kafe’s recognizable scrawl made the muscles along Kei’s back tighten to the point of snapping.
“Thank you.” He dismissed her, barely noticing as she left, and stared at the note.
Meet me at Turphen’s Rock. I have something you want.
It wasn’t signed but that didn’t surprise Kei. Kafe would want to disclaim knowledge later. What was his brother up to now? An ambush?
It didn’t matter. The papers were signed and logged. Riker was his heir. And Kafe knew that Kei would be dead within days anyway.
Kei moved quickly, gathering his sword and battle leathers. He didn’t know Kafe’s plan but he’d learned long ago not to discount him.
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Turphen’s Rock had been their meeting spot as children. It was just a short walk away but far enough so prying eyes from the Castle couldn’t see them practicing with wooden swords and hitting each other with sticks.
Kei stormed through the forest without trying to conceal his progress. He walked into the clearing beside the huge rock and waited. The dragon’s senses were tuned to the forest around them. Kei let the awareness flow into him and instantly he could see beyond the clearing, picking up minute details about the men hidden in the forest. So it
was
to be an ambush. It was almost easier this way, Kei decided. He would die here, as a man. Instead of backed into a cave and hunted as a dragon.
Mine.
Kei ignored the dragon’s plea. The creature’s cries for Lorran were becoming a consistent part of his life.
“Kafe, what do you want?” Kei called out.
Kafe stepped out of the shadows but stayed at the edge of the clearing. “Oh, it’s not what I want. It’s what you want.”
“Kafe, I don’t have time for this. You’ve got men surrounding the clearing.” If he’d wanted to, he could have told Kafe where each one was hiding, but he decided to just get this over. “You’re planning on killing me, that’s fine, but can you do it without the dramatics?” Kei unsheathed his sword and prepared for the attack. He couldn’t go down without a fight. It went against his nature. “Riker becomes King no matter how I die, and we both know that day isn’t far away. I’m actually pleased you took the initiative to do this.”
The irritation on Kafe’s face was worth every mocking word. But then, the smugness returned. “Oh, I still have a chance to be King. Particularly when you’re outlawed. It shouldn’t be difficult to have your last will voided. You were a man under the influence of a dragon.”
Kei held himself still, not letting any fear show. Riker was smart. He would be able to handle it.
“But, since you’re going to sign over the Kingship to me, we’ll save all the hassles of a bloody civil war.”
Kafe’s confidence was worrisome.
“Why would I sign anything over to you?” Kei asked.
Kafe swung his head in silent command to someone behind him. A warrior walked forward. Dragging Lorran.
“Mine!”
Nekane screamed the word. It echoed off the trees and disappeared into the night.
Kafe pulled back and then stared at his brother. “Was that the beast? It has a voice. And it really wants this little lady here.” Kafe grabbed Lorran by the upper arm and pulled her forward. Her hands were tied in front of her and she stumbled, falling against Kafe’s chest.
Nekane growled.
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“Did he hurt you?”
Lorran lifted her eyes and shook her head. A gag blocked her words. A dark purple bruise marred the delicate skin of her cheek. Nekane screamed again.
“She’s fine,” Kafe said. “Oh, you mean, did I rape her? Not yet. But I suppose I’ll get around to it. Though, I’m not sure I can get it up for a dragon whore.”
Kei tensed. He was trained to think during the chaos of war, but Nekane’s howls filled his head, blocking the ability to plan. Kei raised his sword and started forward. A knife glittered in Kafe’s hand. “I wouldn’t do that. I’ll kill her right now. Give me the Kingdom and I’ll let you have her. And when you’re dead, I’ll protect her. If not, I’ll give her over to my men to be used at will.”
“No!”
Kei’s mind turned black. In a blinding moment before all thought faded, he felt his body explode.
It was done.
* * * * *
Lorran screamed around the tight gag as the dragon materialized in the small clearing. One moment Kei stood before them, and the next, he was gone. Nekane bellowed as he opened his wings. He was huge, dominating the open space with his long body and powerful tail. His wings brushed the trees. The green and purple scales shimmered in the dark light. His huge head swung forward, the black eyes searching for Lorran.