Last Dragon Standing (Dragon Kin #4)(78)

Dagmar began to laugh.

“You’re not helping your case.” He crawled onto the bed, raising himself over her. “But you’ll have no one to blame but yourself.” He reached for her, snarling when a knock came at the door.

“Go away. We’re f**king.”

Dagmar, wondering how she’d learned to tolerate any of these dragons, countered, “Come in, and we’re doing nothing of the sort!”

“Yet.”

The door opened a bit, and Gwenvael’s youngest sister peeked around it. “Are you sure? I don’t want to interrupt my brother doing something wonderfully vile.”

“Not when she can listen at the door.”

“I didn’t listen!” Keita smiled, looking more like Gwenvael than anyone should. “I merely sold tickets. Made a fortune that night.” Gwenvael relaxed on his side. “Did you come here to bow before the mistress of my heart, who you cruelly believed to be a mere servant, and beg her forgiveness?”

“No.” Keita stepped fully into the room. “I did, however, bring her a dress.”

Dagmar winced. Considering the bright and sparkle-infused light blue gown the princess currently wore, Dagmar had no desire to see what kind of dress the royal had brought for her. “That’s very kind of you, princess—”

“Keita, sister. Call me Keita. We are family now, are we not?” Dagmar studied the royal closely. She trusted few beings in this world, and although Gwenvael and his brothers thought highly of Keita, Dagmar had yet to see any evidence that she was anything but a spoiled royal with expensive taste in clothes. Are those real diamonds she has sewn on to her dress?

“Of course we are,” Dagmar said, not believing a word either of them spoke.

The princess giggled. “Such a little liar, Dagmar Reinholdt. But I’ll overlook it because you make my brother happy. Now, tell me what you think.”

She pulled out the dress she had hidden behind her and held it up for Dagmar’s inspection. Although ready to hate it on principle alone, Dagmar knew she couldn’t.

Sliding off the bed, she walked up to Keita, her hand reaching out and carefully touching the gown.

“It’s…beautiful.”

“I know you prefer grey,” Keita said, pulling Dagmar over to the mirror. “But silver and steel work just as well. This color is called ‘sword steel’ among the shop owners”—she stood behind Dagmar and held the gown up in front of her—“and perfectly brings out your eyes, which are quite striking, I might add. I bet my brother adores your eyes.”

“And you’d be right,” Gwenvael said from the bed.

“See? I know my brothers quite well. Now, go. Try it on.”

“Yes!” Gwenvael cheered from the bed. “Strip naked for me and my sister.”

Keita sniffed. “You don’t think I planned for that, my disgusting brother? Knowing how you turn everything into something inappropriate?” She walked to the door and opened it. “Bring it in.” One of the servants brought in a tall screen and unfolded it. Once the servant was gone, Keita pulled Dagmar behind it. “Try it on.” Without questioning, something Dagmar did about nearly everything in her life, she did as the royal ordered.

Keita sat on the bed next to her brother while his little human put on the dress she’d chosen for her. “Remember me now?” Keita demanded, making sure to flare her eyes in a terrifying manner.

Gwenvael laughed. “I don’t know how I managed to forget you.”

“Nor do I. I am, in a word, unforgettable.”

Putting his arm around her shoulders, Gwenvael kissed her forehead.

“Everything all right, little sister?”

“We need to talk,” she murmured softly.

“About Esyld?”

Keita blinked, looked up at her brother. “How did you know?”

“That Lightning told us earlier. Why would Mother send him to fetch her anyway?”

“Long story. And, of course, there’s much more to it.”

“Of course. But tell me, are that Lightning and his barbarian entourage going back soon…as in tonight?”

“No. Because Esyld is only part of it.”

“What’s the other part of the problem?”

Keita scratched her cheek. “Irons. Possibly.”

“Iron what?”

“Iron dragons, you idiot.”

Gwenvael’s arm fell away, and he gawked at his sister. “What about them?”

“Our mother seems to fear they may be planning war.”

“You can’t be serious.”

“I am. At the very least Mother is.”

“Mother hates them. Would love a chance to kill them all.”

“Exactly. She wants war, but I’m hoping I can prevent that.”

“Do you really think it’s wise to get between Mother and her love of carnage?”

“This has to stop. First she used the Northlanders to get her war, now she’s aiming at the Irons.”

“Or she’s right and they’re aiming at us.”

Keita shrugged. “I guess anything is possible.” She frowned at the screen. “What are you doing back there, luv?”

“It’s very bright. I feel like I can be seen for miles.” Keita raised her hands to the ceiling. “Why? Why do you all question me?”