A Destiny of Dragons (Tales From Verania #2)(99)

“…and two, I wasn’t even doing anything wro—godsdammit.”

“Uh-huh,” Gary said, arching both his fake eyebrows at the same time, looking like he was surprised, but also like he was plotting to take over the world. “Spoken like a true adulteress. For shame, Sam. You have Knight McBottoms Like a Champ waiting for you, but after one lovers’ spat, you find solace in the arms of an exotic stranger while on holiday in a strange land. It’s so sordid, I’m almost impressed. Hell, I am impressed.”

“No.” Tiggy frowned deeper.

“Sweet molasses,” I said weakly. “Okay, look. All Ruv was trying to show me—”

“Oh, it’s Ruv now, is it?”

“Yes, Gary. That’s his name.”

“Oh. Right. Continue on.”

“He was trying to show me where Mom grew up. That’s it.”

“Really,” Gary said dubiously. “Then why did Vadoma tell us that you were indisposed at the moment because you were having some alone time with Ruv?”

“She what,” I said flatly.

“She said you doin’ stuff,” Tiggy said, uncrossing his arms and cracking his knuckles, all while glaring murderously at Ruv.

“Exactly,” Gary said. “Stuff. Why, if Kevin hadn’t been there to hold Ryan back, I’m positive Ruv’s head would be lopped off by now. You’re lucky my ex-husband is so thoughtful. And muscular. Gods, he’s so muscular, the way he was able to hold back Knight Delicious Face as if he were nothing. Mmm. Did I ever tell you about the time Kevin put his—”

“Yes, Gary.”

“Are you sure? It was when he ate my—”

“Yes, Gary.”

“Ah, well. No matter. The past is the past, and the love we shared has flickered out like a candle in the wind. Apparently like your love, given that you’re here all slutty-cozy with a man whose penis you are not familiar with… at least not yet.”

“Did you know about this?” I asked Ruv.

He shrugged. “I cannot control what the phuro says. She does have a mind of her own, you know.”

“Not after I’m done with her,” I muttered. “Gary, you go back and tell the others there is nothing going on. Tiggy, you can stay with us.”

“Right,” Gary said. “Because I only saw you rubbing your shoulder with his shoulder, which everyone knows in a romantic comedy is a sign of affection that leads toward a dick being shoved down someone’s throat.”

“Oh my fucking gods,” I said, gaping at him. “What the hell have you been reading? You know what? I don’t even want to know. Obviously it’s something that has no literary merit whatsoever and should be burned. Tiggy, you go back and tell Ryan that I’m just seeing my mom’s old home. Gary, you stay here so I can keep your freaking mouth shut.”

Tiggy brought two fingers to his eyes, then pointed them at Ruv. “I see you, tiny human.”

“Eep,” Ruv said, but managed to cover it up well enough.

“Don’t you worry, kitten,” Gary said. “I won’t let our Sam here be swayed by gypsy dick. Not even if I have to throw myself on it and sacrifice my butthole so that Sam remains faithful.”

“I wish I could tell you they’re not normally like this,” I said to Ruv. “But that would be a lie.”

He laughed. “They care about you very much.”

“Too much. Way, way too much.”

“House, then back,” Tiggy said to me. “Or I come after you.”

“I’m not going to—”

“You don’t want that.”

“No, sir,” I said quickly. “Sorry, sir. Yes, sir.”

Tiggy waited a beat more before grunting. He reached up and ran a hand down Gary’s mane. “Pretty Gary,” he murmured. Then he glared at Ruv before whirling on his heels and walking back toward the market.

“I do love that half-giant,” Gary said fondly, watching Tiggy go. Once Tiggy had disappeared, Gary turned his head slowly, right eyebrow cocked so high that I thought he was going to strain some muscles in his face. “Now. Where were we?” He obnoxiously pushed his way between Ruv and me, almost knocking me on my ass but not appearing apologetic in the slightest. “There,” he said. “That’s better. Don’t you think? After all, Ruv, I would hate to see what you would look like with a sword through your chest. Or maybe I wouldn’t. I haven’t decided yet.”

“Are your friends always this violent?” Ruv asked me.

I didn’t even have to think about it. “Always. So are my mom and dad. And the King. And the Prince. And Randall and Morgan.”

“We tend to maim when Sam is involved,” Gary agreed. “Hop to it. I’d like to get back before sunset, as there is a feast being thrown in my honor.”

“I don’t actually think it’s in your honor—”

“You really want to go there right now, Sam? Because we can go there right now if you want.”

I didn’t want to go there.




IT WASN’T much. The house where my mother had lived. Not like where Vadoma lived now. It was set off a narrow walkway, the planks beneath our feet a bit more rickety than those on the main thoroughfares. But it was late afternoon, and the sun was in the west, and the light fell in a perfect line between the buildings until it hit a bed of flowers, colored in reds and greens and oranges and golds. And even though she hadn’t been here for over two decades, I knew this was where she’d come from. This was her touch. It felt almost sacred.