Dragon’s Temptation: Red Planet Dragons of Tajss Book Fifteen Read online

  A softer reaction may result in rifts or cracks in the foundation that keeps the secrets of Tajss out of the wrong hands. There is much more to consider here than Archion or his pregnant mate.

  The Council Seers will need to make the decision with utmost care and consideration—there is no other way to move forward. The only thing I can currently take real solace in is that they do not seem intent on punishing Archion beyond the humiliations he has already endured thus far. If they wanted to make an example of him, warn the others off of such a route, they could have. At least there is that.

  However, it is still not a good sign that the questioning is continuing for so long. I fear that the Council may very well send Archion back with Nora and Ashlee, banishing him from the Order’s territory. A harsh punishment for anyone, especially someone like Archion, who I know cares more about the Order than anyone I can think of, but intent is not always the most important factor, is it?

  In real life, matters are almost always gray. I carefully sequester my thoughts in a corner of my mind, where I hope they will stay, will not continue to tug at the reserve of emotion that I would rather not succumb to. Emotion is a luxury, one that Archion is currently paying the price for.

  My duty is to the Order. It is as clear now as it has always been. This is the true test, is it not? I cannot fail in the face of true conflict or my loyalty was never very strong. The Council’s decision will be final and I will adhere to the protocol they set forth on this matter when they are ready to issue it.

  There is no other option, except as we walk it hits me that I’m about to see her again. My chest tightens at the thought and I’m suddenly anxious.

  When we arrive at their room, I step to one side. Archion looks askance but I shake my head and motion that he should go in. I can’t see her, not at this moment. I’m not sure I could keep my center if I do. An insane urge is rising inside of me to grab the females and run, run far from the Order, take them away anywhere. Perhaps back to their city or deep into the desert. So deep the Order could never find us.

  Stupid. It’s a terrible idea if for no other reason I know the Order would never stop looking. Beyond that there is no call for such action. They are not in danger, nor is Archion, nor I. Archion walks through the door while I move to one side. I don’t want to catch even a glimpse of her. The temptation she presents is too much.

  The four guards take up positions up and down the hallway. Ready and alert. So many guards is really overly dramatic, but I do not have any input on the matter. Does Tashak truly believe that Archion is going to attack someone?

  “Tashak wants you,” one of the guards says out of nowhere.

  “What?” I ask. He turns his head to me without moving his body. His frown says it all without repeating the words. “Right.”

  The door to the holding room is closed. Soft voices that I can’t make out, but I recognize Nora and Archion. Straining my senses I listen for her voice to no avail. Fire flames in my core and I know, with total certainty, I could take the four guards easily. The door is no barrier. I would be through it before they could react. Archion would act with me and we would be gone.

  Stupid. Idiotic. My duty is to the Order. Period.

  Turning sharply I hasten back to the Councilors’ chambers. When I reach it the door is closed so I knock.

  “Khal—please come inside.”

  Walking in, Tashak is seated at his desk. He looks up when I step inside.

  “Yes?” I ask, saluting and bowing a half-bow.

  “I need you to ensure your brother and the females remain sequestered here at the edge of the Outpost. They are a distraction. Better they be kept out of sight of the Order’s operations until we reach a decision on this matter.”

  I nod.

  “I understand,” I respond, not at all surprised at the request. “Is there anything else?”

  “No. You may take care of this matter now.”

  I salute again and give another nod before stepping out of the open doors of the chamber.

  Walking slowly back to where Archion and the females are staying I focus my thoughts, finding my center. No more of the crazy primal drives. They are not me. Animalistic, base, and I am above them. My duty is clear, and I will not act against it. No matter how soft and delicate…

  No. I am in control.

  Passing the four guards still at their posts I go to the door and don’t bother knocking before entering. Ashlee rises as soon as I enter the room. Someone already brought their next meal to them, because the table full of food.

  Nora is resting her head on Archion’s chest. He has his arms wrapped around her, holding her protectively close. My gaze goes to Ashlee, only to find her eyes already upon mine. I look away, taking a step back toward the door. The fire in my gut rages into an inferno, trying to melt away my reason and duty.

  “Stay,” Archion says as I move toward the door. “Join us in our meal.”

  I shake my head. It is not a good idea for me in the state I find myself in.

  “I cannot,” I say. “I have duties to see to.”

  Out of the corner of my eye I see Ashlee slowly lower herself back onto the floor cushion, making an understanding sound. I can almost feel disappointment radiating off of her. Why is it so difficult for me to keep my thoughts in order when she is in the vicinity?

  She is but a female. I am stronger than this.

  “The offer is always open.” Her voice rings in the room as I turn toward the door. I pause. “Nora is the family of my heart and you are her mate’s brother. You don’t choose love. It just is.”

  When I turn around, she is not looking at me, reaching forward to scoop the prepared stew into her bowl. Lower warrior regiments take turns cooking in kitchen shifts. The food is simple but good, but the food does not matter here.

  I want to stay, want to soak in her presence too much for me to trust myself. I suppress the turmoil of emotions raging as I wrestle with myself.

  “My thanks,” I return, addressing her. I see Nora and Archion noting the exchange, but this is between me and Ashlee.

  My voice comes out less gruffly, softer than I intend it to. She looks up at me, meeting my eyes. She is brave in a different way than I am accustomed to. Unafraid to love openly and without suspicion.

  It is not something I have encountered before, nothing quite this way. It stirs something within me that I am unsure I am prepared or ready for, but that I also cannot keep my mind off of for long. I nod at her and she nods back just as gravely.

  There is no need for me to be quite so rough in my discourse with Ashlee. It is not listed in the protocols and I find I want to be softer with her. I turn away and finally leave quietly through the door.

  I will maintain my distance, but perhaps I will not fight my instinct to be soft with her quite so hard.

  14

  Ashlee

  My gaze lingers on the closed door. On some level I could almost sense an internal conflict in Khal about whether or not to stay, even for something as simple as a meal. Maybe I’m reading more into it than is there. Worse, maybe I’m projecting my own feelings onto him, but I don’t think so.

  I wanted him to stay. Something in him calls to something in me. Which is great—exactly the kind of distraction I need right now. Why don’t I go all gaga in the middle of the most delicate negotiation I’ve ever been a part of and my one opportunity to prove myself to Rosalind and Visidion. Beautiful, let my hormones do my thinking.

  Except it’s more than that. Frowning, I chew on the inside of my cheek, turning my thoughts and feelings over in my mind. Dragging them out of the dark corners of my mind I’ve been shoving them into. I’ve got time. The two lovers are completely enraptured in each other next to me. One quick glance reassures me of that. Archion is feeding Nora bits of food as she sprawls across his body where they lie on the pillows.

  My cheeks flush. I wish I could give them some privacy but I’m not sure it’s going to matter to them much longer. If her hand goes any
lower and I’m pretty sure I’ll get to be a witness to their reunion festivities.

  If Khal were here too then we could…

  Oh jeez, stop it, Ashlee. Don’t be a twat-waffle.

  Averting my gaze from them I refill my plate and subtly sit back down to maximize the small amount of privacy I can give them. Which, of course, isn’t much since we’re in a ten-by-ten room. Eating slowly, I occupy myself with dissecting my own thoughts and feelings.

  Khal is obviously committed to his duty to the Order. I respect that, but I also feel a disappointment that’s too great for the situation. I don’t know him, but I can’t deny the shift in my mood when he refused to stay.

  When we first met out there in the desert, his eyes locked on me and something electric happened. It passed between the two of us. What was that? At first, I wrote it off to a natural reaction to seeing a sexy man. My body reacting, nothing new, sometimes a great-looking guy hits me that way. Having a momentary desire to bang a guy isn’t this though, and looking at that moment in hindsight, it was something more. Much more.

  What? What more?

  A connection? Love at first sight?

  I snort then choke on the mouthful of food. Tears form in my eyes as I cough more, trying to clear the obstruction. A glass of water is shoved at me and a hand pounds on my back. Gasping after I clear my airway, I wipe the tears and look up to Archion’s massive form dwarfing me.

  “Thanks.” I force the words out, my throat and chest raw from that stupid mistake.

  He smiles, nods, then returns to sit next to Nora. I’m thankful he’s back, for her sake if nothing else. She was suffering too much without him.

  Having been ripped apart and then finding out she was pregnant only to be ripped apart again, and now with so much uncertainty... Yeah. Stressful to say the least.

  “You okay?” Nora asks, worry on her face.

  “Yeah,” I say, a coughing spasm gripping me once more.

  I drink more water and the pain eases, angry muscles finally relaxing. They both watch to make sure I really am. A warmth floods through me. These are my friends. They care about me and I care about them. How did we get to this point?

  The same way anybody does. We talked, we shared, and we have common ground together. I don’t have any of that with Khal, so why the hell do I feel like I do?

  I’m going in a circle that I need to break out of, so I do the only thing I can. I bring up the elephant in the room. Sorry guys, I’d really rather not watch you two get it on anyway.

  “Any progress with Tashak?” I ask.

  Archion’s jaw clenches at the question and his eyes narrow.

  “Tashak is finding it difficult to listen to reason,” he responds, refilling his plate.

  A cryptic answer, but I’m surprised he answered so easily. If I had to guess, I’d say it’s due to the fact that he’s furious under the calm façade he presents. It’s really impressive for a Zmaj to be able to harness such a strong emotion so well. Such a strong fire, such a strong reaction, can easily lead to the bijass—the animalistic aspect of Zmaj nature—gaining control. Perhaps these guys of the Order aren’t just strong physically.

  “Do you think he’ll come around eventually?” I try, ready to use it to my advantage if he wants to talk.

  “I do not know what he will decide. All I know is that I am tired of answering the same questions again and again.”

  Nora covers his hand with her own.

  “I’m sorry they’re reacting so badly to me,” she murmurs.

  His expression softens as he covers her hand with his own.

  “You have nothing to apologize for,” he counters, his heart in his eyes as he looks at his mate. “Absolutely nothing. If anyone should be humbling themselves, it is Tashak.”

  Rage crosses his eyes before he quickly brings it under control. An ache forms in my throat watching them and I want to say something, but I don’t have any words of comfort to offer.

  Frankly, I’m surprised he’s holding it together at all. Protocols or not, I can’t understand why it would be necessary to separate the two of them. They’re mates. They’re supposed to be joined at the hip, especially now that they’re expecting. Are they so far removed from their emotional selves here that they can’t see that? Or do they just refuse to do so?

  “Is Tashak going to allow you to stay? Let us stay?” I ask, not wanting to break up the tender moment, but having to be practical.

  Who knows when they’ll send Khal back in to take Archion away? We need to take advantage of this time now. Archion frowns, turning back to me.

  “Tashak is not the one who will ultimately decide our fate,” he informs me. “The Council will decide what will be done with us.” He turns back to Nora, raising his hand to her face, meeting her eyes with his own. “But no matter what they decide, I know I will be wherever my mate and my child are.”

  Nora smiles, the worry in her eyes clear.

  “I know,” she whispers. “I know.”

  Good. My heart lifts at his clear intention and desire to remain with his mate and child. It’s not a surprise, but seeing the others here...

  The Order—their indoctrination—is a completely different kind of beast. The thought raises another point that I’ve been worrying over.

  “If they decide to... Can they separate the two of you?” I ask, knowing it’s something that’s been on Nora’s mind as well.

  How could it not be? Archion shakes his head.

  “No. There are no protocols that can be used against a familial tie. I am certain of this. I have read them all more than once.”

  I’m sure he has. Biting my lip, I think over his words. It’s small tidbits of information out of which I’m trying to create a whole. The protocols. A Council that will decide what to do with us. Pieces of a whole.

  “Is there going to be a vote about what happens?” I ask. “Is that how it works?”

  He nods.

  “Yes. Only one vote is needed to require a meeting. It will go to the Council and then possibly be taken before all our brethren, or it could go… higher.”

  Higher? All the brethren? Something about the way he says that… There’s an implication there that leaves me reeling. Leaning back into the pile of pillows, I take a moment to try and wrap my mind around an ambiguity that isn’t coming clear.

  I’m sure there’s more meaning in those words than I’m fully grasping. They’re simple words, but his tone of voice, his posture, the look in his eyes… I’m missing something. At the very least it sounds like something that would be best avoided.

  Hmm.

  I try to contain my excitement as the ramifications run through my mind. A loophole. We have a loophole. And his name is Khal.

  We have to find a way to secure this stoic dragon as our contingency plan. If the higher-ups vote and the whole thing goes sideways, he can potentially break that tie. If all the “brethren” get a vote, how many would we need to vote in our favor? Khal is our one resource that could reach outside these four walls.

  Of course, it’s easier said than done. He seems to be trying his best to stay away from us, from me. Which I hate to admit bothers me, but it does. Still, this is the only way I can see, our one shot of hope. It’s either that or escape, which isn’t really an option. The Order is obviously powerful, and failing to find a diplomatic solution could bring war to Tajss, again.

  I have to find a way to motivate him to vote for what is right, vote in our favor. I’m hoping it won’t be too much of an uphill battle to stand up for his brother’s right to officially welcome Nora, without a whole bunch of trouble from his own people.

  Not only would it help Nora and Archion, it could potentially free us up to explore this heady magnetism between the two of us. Right now, I think he’s fighting it too. An internal struggle between how we are drawn to each other and what he is duty-bound to do.

  I have to find a way to change that, tip the balance so to speak. Assuming I’m right. But if I’m not, then we’r
e screwed. Nope, this must work.

  Playing out every possible scenario I can dream up the hours pass by slowly. Archion and Nora are absorbed in each other, which is fine if a bit boring for me. Lying down with my back to them is the most I can give them, so I do that and consider every action and reaction that might possibly happen.

  I don’t know how much time passes, but my stomach is starting to grumble softly when the door scrapes open. Khal fills the opening, a dark figure with the light behind him.

  “What is it?” Archion asks, rising to his feet, staring at his brother.

  “The Council has agreed we are not monsters. You and Nora will be allowed to bathe in private. I am to escort Ashlee to the pools so she may bathe as well,” he says in a neutral voice.

  Did I detect the slightest of vibratos to his words? As if it’s about to crack? My pussy is instantly wet and my heart beats faster. Alone. At the pools. With him.

  This is my chance.

  “Brother?” Archion asks.

  It’s a simple word, nothing to construe about it, but only an idiot would miss the fact that in one single word he and Khal are having a much deeper conversation.

  “It’s fine,” Khal says.

  His eyes never leave Archion. Not once does he even glance in my direction. A good sign or a bad one?

  The two of them continue their staring match, and I sense they’re communicating through body language or for all I know flat-out telepathy. The world is getting weirder after all. Archion nods his agreement finally and holds a hand out to Nora, helping her to her feet.

  I climb to my own feet, no one bothering to offer me a hand. Khal steps out of the door to let his brother and Nora pass, then it is just us. The guards outside the door trail after Archion, leaving us truly alone.

  “Hi,” I say, lifting a hand then dropping it to my side.

  I can’t meet his eyes. They’re too… perfect. Deep, swirling pools that make my heart skip and my lungs forget to breathe. When I let my eyes dart to his face and away, he seems to be having the same problem.