Part 1 (2/2)
He was being a fool. His destiny had been decided decades ago. No. It'd been longer than that. After all, he'd known he wouldn't have control of his future after his dragon father, Pyre, had bartered him into service to pay a debt to Synge.
At the time he'd a.s.sumed he would live out his life as a guard for the ancient dragon. Not an uncommon fate for a half-breed. And one that he'd spent his younger years preparing to excel at. If he had to be a glorified servant, then by G.o.d, he was going to be a great glorified servant.
Then Synge's favorite concubine had a vision of the future and his entire life had been turned upside down.
Squaring his shoulders, he forced himself to leave the locker room. No point in putting off the inevitable.
Baine was less inclined to death and b.l.o.o.d.y mayhem than other dragons, but his patience wasn't his greatest a.s.set.
A wise servant didn't keep him waiting.
Pressing open the door, he stepped into the hallway only to come to a sharp halt at the sight of Char leaning against the wall.
”What are you doing here?”
The male straightened with a shrug. ”I thought I would walk with you.”
Torque scowled. ”Was the master afraid I might bolt?”
Char c.o.c.ked a brow several shades darker than his silvery-blond hair. ”Baine a.s.sumes that his servants are eager to obey his every command.”
Yeah, that was true enough. Probably because every servant was eager to obey his every command.
Heading down the hall, Torque slid a sideways glance at the male who fell into step beside him.
”Then why are you escorting me?”
Char offered one of his most charming smiles. The one that could make an entire harem giggle like a pack of hyenas.
”I a.s.sume you'll be leaving us today,” he said. ”Since we've been together for over a century, I thought we should have a moment together.”
Torque rolled his eyes, turning onto a main corridor lined with priceless tapestries, as well as several guards who stood at rigid attention.
”Could this day get any worse?”
Char chuckled, his gaze watching him with a keen intensity.
”You know, most males are eager to be united with their mates,” he murmured.
Torque's spine stiffened. It was a subject he never discussed. Not with anyone.
But as Char pointed out, he'd soon be leaving.
There didn't seem any point in keeping it a secret.
”Rya isn't my mate,” he denied. ”At least not my true mate.”
Char looked more curious than surprised. Unlike many immortals, dragons often chose their consorts to consolidate their power base or to increase their h.o.a.rd. They could mate on an emotional and primal level. Baine was proof of that. But the solitary nature of their beasts, not to mention their violent tendencies, made it less likely they would find true love.
”Then why are you betrothed to her?”
”Her mother is a s.h.i.+nto,” he said.
Char released a low whistle. ”Very rare.”
They were. The s.h.i.+nto were a reclusive clan of fey who resided in the deepest forests throughout Asia. They were elusive creatures who avoided contact with the more predatory species. Especially dragons, who prized them for their ability to catch glimpses of the future.
”Yes.”
”No wonder Synge was willing to offer her a home.” Char's gaze narrowed. ”In fact...”
Torque c.o.c.ked a brow as his companion's words trailed away.
”What?”
”Not to be a p.r.i.c.k, but Synge could have negotiated a fortune for her,” Char said. ”Why choose a half-breed who doesn't want her?”
”She's not a full s.h.i.+nto,” Torque pointed out. Synge was an old-school dragon. He pillaged, he rampaged, and he used his half-breed children as bargaining chips. ”Besides, her mother had a vision during her pregnancy that Rya would mate the son of Pyre with the eyes of sapphire, and that together we would discover Synge's lost treasure.”
”You were in a vision?” Char gave a slow blink. ”Nice.”
Torque snorted. ”Not really.”
”So what's the treasure?”
”Synge refuses to say. But clearly he's convinced it's worth binding us together.”
There were a few minutes of silence as they neared the towering double doors made of ebony and inlaid with gold.
”At least she's beautiful,” Char at last murmured.
An odd flare of annoyance sizzled through Torque. His betrothed wasn't beautiful, she was hauntingly exquisite. Long, satin black hair that she wore in a complicated braid down her back. A perfect oval face. Skin the color of dark honey. Almond-shaped eyes that glowed with the same amber power as Baine. And a tall, slender body that moved with a mesmerizing grace.
But while he'd naturally had a brief meeting during their formal betrothal ceremony fifty years ago, and even placed his personal mark on her back, no other male was supposed to be appreciating her attractions.
Wasn't that the whole point of a harem?
”You've met her?”
Char's lips twitched as if aware of Torque's bizarre reaction.
”I've seen her from afar. She's-”
Mine.
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