Dragon's blood was quite rare. So rare, it was hunted to near extinction. His people had remained hidden for centuries. Public performance had been outlawed for so many years that few remembered how to make the change. Many were born with the blood, but were unable to turn into a dragon. Still, dragon's blood was so rare that every descendant was kept close.
Every woman was valued as a woman who could continue the line. The blood had been watered down over the years. In an effort to prevent crossbreeding between humans, the elders had ordered anyone of the blood to be marked in the form of a tattoo. A mark of the dragon was given only to those of the race by blood.
Xanther was furious that he had not been told at once, or better still why the female had not been delivered to him as soon as they recognized his mark.
Instead, Lady Isabella was playing some kind of game with him. He restrained himself from immediately lashing out in his fury, and brooded to himself as he watched the girl approach.
Alyssa kneeled at Lady Isabella's feet and kept her eyes neatly averted, straightening her shoulders, trying to pretend that she was not so naked at the feet of these men. Alyssa didn't have to lift her head to feel that man's intense gaze. She knew his eyes were raking her over; she could feel the intense heat of it burning into her skin.
"I trust you have enjoyed the entertainment? Vara," Alyssa smiled at the Elisaid name. For now, it would protect her true identity, "is our newest acquisition."
Xanther didn't laugh, but he did smile just a bit. When he spoke, his voice was calm but the tone said he did not find this conversation very amusing.
"You claim her when she bears my mark and obviously belongs to me?" Xanther's hawk-like eyes did not miss the small tattoo harbored in the small of her back. She would not have been mismarked, not with the death sentence that it would bring to the marker. His view had been short, but the mark was there and it was the same as all the life servants of the royal house. So how did she come to be here?
Alyssa fought to keep her eyes averted, staring at a small crack running through a stone in the floor. She felt a rush of heat in her face and her folded arms felt lacking in covering her nudity.
Surely there was a way out of this mess? They were going on talking about her as if she was not even there in their presence.
"Does she now? I thought there may be another reason you would want her." Lady Isabella tapped a finger thoughtfully on her chin. "Perhaps I was mistaken."
"If I wanted her in bed or any other way, I have every right to her. You knew she was a life servant to the royal house and yet you gave her safe harbor."
Xanther sensed the girl's power. The entire room was full of magic, but hers was earth magic. How could he have been so blind before he saw her mark? How could he have missed the natural power in her? It came from her, flowing in her blood as naturally as a fire that lived within her. It was pure elemental fire. She was a living, breathing vessel for the magic that lived within her.
Elisaid called the magic to them, with spells and knowledge. They existed in harmony with the earth, unlike some who were born with the magic inside them. Magic creatures such as dragons were more than sharp teeth or hard scales, or raw physical power. Dragons were a species that carried the magic inside them and lived in harmony with the earth.
Xanther studied her face intently. He knew every face. How could he not know her? She seemed so familiar and yet he would swear he had never met her before.
"So I did. So I did. I knew she would be useful." Lady Isabella agreed, further adding to his vexation. He should expect duplicity. She was far too agreeable and too relaxed.
"So I will take her as is my right and I will ask for two others."
"Xanther, this isn't about possession."
"Are you claiming she belongs here?" Xanther scoffed. "She belongs with me and I will have it no other way."
"Did I say I wanted to keep her? But the girl should be given a choice," Isabella replied.
"Woman, you are driving my patience. Are you going to return her or not?"
"And you mine. Apparently, you are not used to hearing the word no, your highness," Lady Isabella said calmly.
"She is not an Elisaid, so she can't count as a guardian and, marked as she is, she should be returned to me as my property."
"I am afraid she is far too valuable to just be given away. Vara, what say you?" Lady Isabella looked pointedly at Alyssa, inviting her into the conversation that was sure to determine her fate.
Alyssa looked up for the first time at Lady Isabella's playful smile. She wasn't sure what kind of mind games Lady Isabella was playing, but she wanted no part in it.
She may have been marked with the seal, sold to slavery by royal decree, but before today she had never laid eyes upon this rogue. Handsome devil he was, she recognized him instinctively as a dangerous man to her. He jeopardized everything she wanted to become and if he took her...
No! She could not let that happen.
It would ruin everything.
If he took her ... It would be by force.
Alyssa fought for composure, raising her chin defiantly to look him square in the eyes, fingering a dagger suggestively. "I say if any man wants me he would have to take me!"
"Is that a threat or a challenge, little peahen?"
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