Double Dragons(18)

Drake choked on his own rage, looking at his partner agape. “Excuse me? You disappear on me and show up here, helping another dragon team without any authorization, and I’m the one being ridiculous? Quill, there are rules for a reason.”

Quill flipped his hair angrily. “I’m sorry, but Ran still needs me.”

“Then at least bring me, dammit,” he said, using both hands to ruffle his blond hair adorably. Then he looked up and noticed Melissa for the first time, and his light, blue-green eyes widened in shock. “You have a mate?”

Draven moved to stand between them. “What of it?”

Drake’s gaze flicked from Ran to Draven. “Is she dragon-hearted?” he asked.

“Like we’d tell you,” Ran said from behind him.

Drake gave Ran a glare. “As if I’d be interested in your mate.”

She could sense there was history there and Drake had an unusual amount of bitterness for Ran, but she didn’t know why. She’d almost say he was jealous.

Draven had his hand up over his face, pinching the brow of his nose like he just wanted to disappear from the whole situation. When he finally exhaled and dropped his hands, she could see how weary he really looked. “Look, we appreciate you letting Quill stay. I know you don’t have to.”

“Damn straight, I could take him home right now if I wanted—”

“But like I say. We appreciate your help. We all need the black dragon right now, and we don’t have time to wait for another.”

Drake gave a dark nod and slumped in a chair, staring at his partner as he waited.

“Why does Quill need to heal Ran? What happened?”

Drake’s eyes flew open as he stared at her agape. The large man was surprisingly transparent. “Are you serious? She doesn’t even know who you two are? This is amazing. She’s so gonna run.”

“Will not,” she said.

Drake pinned her with a sardonic gaze. “Oh, trust me, babe. You will.” He grinned. “Definitely not a dragon-heart. But hey, if you just want a taste of dragon, I don’t mind obliging you.” His gaze flicked over her appreciatively as Ran let out a startlingly low growl that sent chills through her, and Quill had to pull him back.

Drake just stared, unaffected, and Melissa shot him a glare that made him shrug and go back to watching Quill and Ran.

She locked eyes with Draven, who wore an unreadable expression on his face. Then he reached out a hand to pull her to her feet.

“Come on. Let’s leave them to it,” he said. He turned to Drake. “I don’t think I have to tell you not to touch my partner.”

Drake waved a hand. “Obviously.”

Melissa turned to Drake as they moved out of the room. “Do dragons usually try to hurt each other?”

“No,” Draven said. “But Drake’s been bitter with Ran a long time. See, dragons get to choose their partners, and Quill chose Ran. But since Ran chose me, Quill was assigned to Drake.”

“I can hear you!” Drake shouted.

Draven rolled his eyes and led Melissa to her room. “Stay in here where you’re safe. As much as Ran trusts Quill, I don’t want you around any other dragons.”

“Protective much?” she asked, a twinkle in her eye.

“Oh,” Draven said, one corner of his mouth quirking slightly. “You have no idea.” He started to go, and she called out to him.

“Wait, Draven…”

“Yes?” he asked, shutting her door and leaning against it, waiting for her to ask her question.

“What is your power? What color dragon are you?” she asked hesitantly.

Drake just stared at her, his expression hard once again. “I can’t tell you. Not yet.”

She swallowed. “Fine. But when?”

He took a deep breath and considered it. “I don’t know. But as Drake said, you could run. I don’t want to tell you too early.”

“All right, but when do I get to learn more?” she asked. “Look, last night was amazing, but I need more than sex. I need to get to know both of you. Also, I need some of my stuff from home. What if we go get it and you can answer some questions for me one the way?”

Draven sighed. “All right. Tomorrow we’ll drive out to your place. It’s a couple hours out. We can find out a little more about each other. But there are some things I’m just not going to tell you until I’m sure about you.”

She blinked. “Sure about me?”

He shrugged. “As much as possible. Look, I need to go back out to Ran, but I’ll be back when the others leave.”

“Wait, what’s wrong with Ran? Why does he look so messed up right now? Is it something to do with his dragon?” she asked.