Flight of Dragons(28)

He shook hands and kissed cheeks. He murmured his gratitude for their fantastic accomplishments while Thorsson and a second bodyguard discreetly shadowed him. Lancelot and two more security guards mingled in the crowd. Two additional men stood by the ballroom entrance.

It wasn’t enough, but it would have to do. If Ti decided to crash the party and confront him, he would do it. No human stood a chance against an angry dragon shifter. He hoped his older brother had the etiquette not to bring the fight here, but if Ti thought the most opportune time was now, then he would take his shot and destroy anything and anyone that got in his way.

And Balthazar would suffer serious injuries. With his scale still missing, he couldn’t transform into his dragon form, Bal, and defend himself. Lancelot would help him, and although human, Thorsson and the other men would assist as well. But what if Ti brought shifter reinforcements with him? His brother wasn’t stupid, and he wouldn’t suffer the same humiliating loss he had all those centuries ago.

Balthazar took a deep breath. There was time to think about Ti later. Be friendly, say a few words to the guests, recite his speech, and then get the hell out of there. Simple.

He wandered towards the back of the room and noticed several small groups scattered at this end. As he approached them, his dragon soul stirred and uncurled within him. He hesitated, but swept the room with his own senses. Ti wasn’t here, nor was there any danger present. But as he relaxed, Balthazar sensed something else, something intriguing—a woman who stood by a tall set of open balcony doors.

He took his time, greeting nearby guests and sharing pleasantries until he finally stood before the young lady. It took a moment before he recognized her. “Miss Eva Haraldsdóttir,” he said. She smiled, and his body twitched in response. It had been a long time since he’d reacted like that.

“Mr. Andal. You remembered me.”

“I admit I’m used to seeing you and your father together.” He looked around. “Is he here with you?”

“Unfortunately, no, and he sends his regrets. He’s in Iceland studying some new artifacts.”

“Ah, yes, that’s right. The professor emailed me about this recent find. Anything of interest?”

“We found Viking items—spears, knives, helmets and such. We also found other items that will take a bit more time to identify.”

Dr. Harald Símonarson’s archeological expertise was well-known and in high demand, and it had taken a lot of money and a lot of charm to persuade the famous professor to work for him. When Balthazar had hired him, he’d known that Dr. Símonarson had an adopted daughter who assisted in the archeological digs. She had been in her early twenties, pretty and impressionable. But now, only a few years later, she stood before him a beautiful and confident woman. He tried not to stare at her, but it was difficult, and his dragon echoed an appreciative growl. Her emerald-green dress shimmered in the soft glow of lights above them. Her skin reminded him of some of the semi-precious jewels he had in his hoard back home—smoky quartz crystals, a rich brown hue with golden highlights.

Her black, curly hair was tied into a neat chignon at her neck, but he wondered how it would look unbound. She wore no makeup except a smooth sheen of colored gloss on lips so full that his breath hitched in his throat. His mind travelled a dangerous path, and his body ached at the thought of tasting her chocolate-brown skin, of feeling his cock in her mouth.

Balthazar closed his eyes for a brief moment to refocus his attention on her words. Seeing Eva Haraldsdóttir stirred desires he had deliberately shoved aside, and it would be dangerous to explore the rekindled feelings now.

He listened to the tone of her voice as she lovingly talked about her work. Her intelligence was obvious, and as her hands expressed her views, she displayed her passion for it as well. Her face glowed with excitement as she described a Viking skeleton, fully clothed. Her enthusiasm lit the air around her, and he moved nearer to experience the sensation.

Her dress couldn’t hide the swell of generous breasts or firm ass, and she kept herself in wonderful shape. Her toned arms held a hint of definition, no doubt from the heavy lifting during her archeological digs. He glanced at her legs and he saw the outline of taut muscle against the green fabric. Soft skin that covered a fit body. Definitely his type.

He caught a glimpse of Thorsson and one other guard moving along the outskirts of the guests towards him. That was his cue and for a brief moment, he resented the interruption. “I’m sorry, Miss Haraldsdóttir, but I’m afraid that I must leave you for the time being.”

“Oh.” He sensed her genuine disappointment, which gave him an irrational spark of joy. “I hadn’t meant to monopolize your time.”