Light Dragons 01 - Love in the Time of Dragons

your offer. But there is something you don’t know, and aren’t going to like.”
    “What?” he asked, gripping my arms tightly.
    “I have a husband. He is an oracle.”
    Anger flared in his ebony eyes. “You have taken a lover?”
    “No, I have taken a husband. Had taken. I don’t remember marrying him, and for that matter, don’t particularly like him. In fact, I’m planning on divorcing him, because he’s a bastard. But I must have had nicer feelings for him at some point, because why else would I marry him?”
    A muscle in his neck twitched. “You said your memory has been destroyed. You are not to blame for taking a husband.”
    “I’m glad you think so, but he is my husband, regardless, and I’m sorry, Baltic. It may not be much of a marriage, but I would be less of a person if I were to be unfaithful. I can’t sleep with you until I am separated from him.”
    “You are my mate,” he repeated stubbornly.
    “Yes, I think I would be, but I have some moral values, and one of those is to not commit adultery.”
    The muscle twitched again. “This is not an issue. I will kill this husband who dares claim what is mine, and then you will be able to give yourself to me freely.”
    I laughed; I just couldn’t help myself. He was so earnest, and it tickled my funny bone. “I appreciate the fact that you have absolutely no qualms about killing an innocent man, but that would be even less tolerable to me than straying. No. You will not kill my husband.”
    “Stop saying that word,” he snapped, releasing me to pace the width of the room.
    “I’m sorry. I will endeavor not to talk about him.” It was an effort, but I managed to keep from smiling.
    “I realize that you feel some mortal emotions toward this . . . person . . . but you are a dragon. You are my mate. You must be claimed. It would be dangerous for you to remain as you are.”
    “Dangerous,” I said, skeptical to my toes. I managed to keep from throwing myself on him, knowing if I did, I wouldn’t be able to resist him a second time.
    “You are a wyvern’s mate. If other wyverns were to see you and know you for what you are, they could steal you from me,” he said, and I realized that he was deadly serious.
    “I hate to break this to you, but unless there are some septs that I don’t know about, I’ve seen all the wyverns. I met them all at the sárkány . No one even looked twice at me, at least not in the way you’re implying.”
    “Nonetheless, you could be claimed by another.” He paced past me, his hands behind his back. “I can’t tolerate that. Once, I let you slip away from me—I have learned from that mistake, and will not do so again.”
    My heart warmed. I couldn’t help it. Oh, he was being arrogant and pushy and domineering, but none of that really mattered, not when I could see the insecurity and fear that he tried so hard to keep from me. “I appreciate the fact that you want to protect me, but it’s not necessary.”
    “Even now they are plotting to take you!” he said stubbornly.
    “Who?” I asked, confused.
    “The unattached wyverns, Bastian and Kostya. They have seen you, and they want you.”
    “Oh, for the love of all that’s good and glorious! It’s flattering that you think every wyvern out there is panting after me, but you’re way off the scale here, Baltic. No one gives a damn about me, at least not in that sense. You really do take the cake, do you know that?”
    “I have no cake!” he said, deliberately misinterpreting me.
    I slapped my hand down on the table, frustrated, amused, and wildly aroused, all at the same time. “Well, that’s a shame, because I could sure go for a piece right now.”
    “If you are hungry, I will feed you,” he said somewhat grumpily
    “Maybe later,” I said with a smile. I looked around the room, examining the few objets d’art scattered around. “This is a very pretty house.”
    The sitting room was also done in white and egg cream, with beige and white striped overstuffed armchairs, less substantial black and gold Regency chairs, and a honey oak parquet floor.
    “It’s abominable, but it has an excellent view of the surrounding area, so I will be able to see attackers before they can strike.”
    I stopped in front of the long fireplace, tipping my head as I examined him. He looked the same as he had earlier—chocolate hair pulled back in a short ponytail, the widow’s peak drawing attention to his high brow, his eyes just as piercing as