Light Dragons 02 - The Unbearable Lightness of Dragons

presence.
    “Oh, to hell with it,” I said, and walked over to Baltic, pulling his head down so I could kiss him. I heard a swift hiss of breath behind me as Baltic, never one to brush off a kiss, put both hands on my behind and wrapped me in dragon fire.
    “What was that for?” he asked when he had retrieved his lip from where I was sucking on it.
    “Nothing in particular. I just felt like kissing you.”
    “I approve of the sentiment,” he said, a hint of laughter in his ebony eyes. “Although I suspect that situation we discussed earlier is not as resolved as you claim it is.”
    “I’m not the jealous one here,” I whispered into his ear as I nipped on his earlobe before turning in his arms to smile at Thala.
    If looks could kill, the entire area within a ten-mile radius would have been a radioactive wasteland.
    My smile grew, more to annoy her than to appear friendly. “Much as I would love to hear what the dragons did to you, I’m afraid Baltic and I have an appointment. It’s time for us to pick up Brom.”
    “Brom?” Her fiery gaze narrowed on me again. “Who is Brom?”
    “My son. He’s been staying with Gabriel and May for the weekend.”
    “You have a son.” She was silent for a few beats before a slow smile stole over her face. “How excellent. You may go retrieve your son. We have no need of your assistance in making plans.”
    Pavel, who had been standing behind Thala, pursed his lips and shook his head.
    Behind me, Baltic stiffened, his hands under mine holding me back when I would have marched forward.
    “Oh, you did not just say that,” I said, my ire thoroughly roused.
    “Am I missing something good? Who didn’t say what? Hey, that chick you cuffed is up. Hiya. We met earlier, but you probably don’t remember me. I’m Jim. Effrijim, really, but no one calls me that except Aisling when she’s pissed about something. Don’t let this human form throw you—I’m normally much more handsome. So you’re Balter’s old girlfriend, huh? Did I interrupt a catfight about to happen? I did, didn’t I? Pavel, can I borrow your phone? It does have a camera, right? Does it do video? Man, why didn’t I think to bring my digital camera?” Jim wandered into the room with the bowl of popcorn. “This might almost make being stuck in human form worthwhile.”
    Thala looked at Jim like it had a miniature herd of rhinoceroses dancing a ballet on its head.
    “You didn’t miss anything, Jim, because Thala didn’t say anything. Did you?” I said in a calm, even tone.
    Pavel backed away several feet.
    Jim sucked in its breath and did likewise. “Uh . . . right. I can see that. Don’t turn me into a banana, please. Human form is better than that.”
    “I haven’t banana-ed anything since the sárkány ,” I said with a significant look at Thala that she totally ignored.
    “Do you have any idea who I am?” She answered my threat by stepping forward, her eyes glittering with an unholy red light.
    “Yes. You’re the woman who is clearly bent out of shape over the fact that I’m back in Baltic’s life. Get over it, Thala. I may be human, but I’m also immortal, and Baltic and I are very much together. Nothing you can do will change that, so if you don’t want to force me to rain down death and destruction on your head, you’ll move on.”
    Baltic sighed heavily. “Mate, do not threaten Thala.”
    “If there is any death and destruction to be done, I will be the one performing it,” she snarled at me, her hands fisted as she took another step forward. Menace and fury rolled off her in palpable waves, but I knew a stand had to be made.
    I tried to move forward again to accept her obvious challenge; Baltic, however, held me firmly against his body. “Thala, do not threaten my mate.”
    Jim moved over to where Pavel was watching the scene. “It’s gonna be a catfight, and me with no camera! Lend me your phone, buddy. We could make a killing off the video, especially if they both go into dragon form. I’ll go fifty-fifty in the profits with you.”
    “There will be no fight,” Baltic said, glaring at Jim for a few seconds before transferring his attention to Thala. “Will there?”
    Her jaw worked angrily before she managed another one of those bloodcurdling smiles. “I only ever have your best wishes at heart, Baltic. If you desire that I ignore your woman’s insults, then I shall do so.”
    I tapped my fingers on Baltic’s hand, where it lay over one of mine.
    His