The Dragon Who Loved Me (Dragon Kin #5)(20)

Chapter 7

They ended up taking several breaks because of Ren during the next day of travel. Whatever Magicks the Eastlander was doing were quite strong and Rhona began to worry about him.

While Keita took a quick nap by the base of a tree a few feet away, Rhona crouched beside Ren. They’d shifted to their human forms and dressed in case any true humans stumbled upon them. The path they’d been flying above was often busy this time of year, and Rhona had no desire to kil some human because he simply stumbled into the midst of dragons and felt the need to warn his neighbors.

“What can I do for you, old friend?” Rhona asked.

Ren smiled at her. “Nothing. I’m fine.”

“You don’t look fine. You look like you’ve been out drinking with my cousins.”

“Gods, do I real y look that bad?” He grinned and Rhona felt better for seeing it. “I’m fine,” he insisted. “Real y. Exhausted, but fine. Once I get the children into the Eastlands, my father’s strength and the power of my parents’ home wil get me back to my old self. I promise.”

“Is there anything you need now?”

“Any food left?”

Her eyes crossed. “That barbarian’s eaten what we’ve brought with us. He just sucks up al the food around him without caring about anyone else.”

Ren chuckled. “It could be worse. He could be chatty.”

“Good point. You know how I hate chatty.” Rhona stood. “Let me see if I can track something down for you. I’l even roast it for you.”

“That would be perfect. Thank you.”

“Anything for you, Ren of the Chosen.”

“Real y? And why’s that then?”

“Because you manage to control Keita and keep her relatively safe. For that alone—the entire Clan owes you.” Rhona lifted her head, sniffed the air. “Deer,” she said and went after it.

Vigholf caught the deer by its throat and slammed it into a tree, snapping its neck, and tossed the carcass to the ground. His stomach grumbled and he reached for the animal, planning to tear it open and enjoy its stil -warm insides.

But before his fingers could touch the animal’s soft pelt, a blast of flame singed his human fingers.

“Gods-dammit! What was that for?”

“You have to be the most selfish dragon I’ve ever met,” Rhona accused. “And considering my kin—that’s truly saying something.”

“What did I do now?”

“Ren needs to eat.”

“So? Let him eat.”

“You’ve devoured al the dried beef and bread we had. You haven’t even asked any of us if we’re hungry or not.” Vigholf shrugged. “I asked Keita. But she—”

“Keita? You asked Keita? Keita who’s not doing any Magicks to protect her nieces and nephew? Keita who’s not protecting anyone? Keita who’s done nothing but talk about al the bloody dresses she plans to get—not buy mind, but get—when she arrives in Dark Plains? She’s the one you’re making sure is fed?”

Vigholf cleared his throat, scratched the back of his neck. “Wel . . . yeah.” Rhona’s eyes narrowed and she shoved him back from the carcass. “I’m giving this to Ren. You can bring your precious Keita something else that you caught or kil ed.”

“That deer wasn’t for her. It was for me. I’m hungry.”

“Again?” Rhona gawked up at him. “How can you be hungry again? You’ve done nothing but eat al day. Now that I think about it, I’ve never seen a dragon eat while flying.”

“Then clearly you’re not putting in enough effort.” Rhona’s eyes narrowed again, and Vigholf, in no mood to fight with her, quickly put his hands up.

“There’s more deer over in that glen. I’l grab one of those.”

“Good.”

Rhona crouched beside the carcass and proceeded to skin it.

Vigholf watched her for a time until he asked, “How’s the Eastlander doing anyway?”

“He’s tired. To-his-bones tired.”

“You’re worried about him.”

“Aye. I am.”

“You two seem . . . close.”

Rhona gave a good yank and removed the deer’s pelt with her bare hands. “Aye. I guess we are.”

“How close?”

She tossed the pelt aside and looked up at Vigholf. “What?”

“How close are you to the one your sisters refer to as the ‘ handsome foreigner’?”

“Why are you asking?”

“Why won’t you tel me?”

“Because it’s none of your business?”

“And what exactly is none of my business? What are you hiding from me?”

Rhona stood, flicking the deer blood and pulp from her hands. “I hide nothing from you, but my business and my personal life are my own. Even my mother doesn’t ask me these sorts of questions.”

“I’m not your mother.”

“No. So you have even less right.”

“Then answer me this,” he quickly said before she could walk off. “Are you two . . . attached?” She snorted a smal laugh. “No. Not like that. We’re . . . old friends.”