The Detective's Dragon

by Karilyn Bentley

“It’s complicated. I’ll explain over dinner.”

  Thoren raised a brow. “Very well. I look forward to hearing this complication.” He touched Jamie’s shoulder. “May the Goddess go with you.”

  “And also with you.”

  Jamie transported them to where they first entered Draconia.

  “So where is Erik?”

  “Not here.”

  “Really? Never would’ve guessed. So why did you bring us here?”

  “In case they followed. Thoren has that look in his eye, the one he always got when I’d try to get away with something as a child.”

  “You don’t think he believed you.”

  “Oh, he’ll go check the way out of Draconia toward the Halfling, but it won’t take long. Erik’s not there.” He glanced away from her. “I should have listened to you.”

  “You live and learn.” Parker smiled. “Where is Erik?”

  Jamie closed his eyes, his body becoming still. Then his eyes opened, and he gripped her palm. “Hold on.”

  A moment later, they stood in front of a stone house, late afternoon sunlight shining through trees, dappling shadows across the ground. Light shone from the windows, a welcoming beacon for weary travelers.

  “Is this his house?”

  “His mother’s, but he spends a portion of his time here too.”

  “What’s the plan?”

  “Convince him to explain why he appears to be working for Kol.”

  “You think he’s a traitor?”

  “I think he’s confused.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Parker cocked a brow. “Confused?”

  Jamie drummed his fingers against his leg. Maybe he was the confused one. Erik clearly believed in blood over society. Something Jamie had never understood. Something he was now beginning to understand.

  Erik could no more turn his father over for execution than Jamie could admit to the Council his friend’s duplicity. At least not until he heard how far that duplicity went.

  “I have a hard time believing he means harm to Draconia. But we don’t banish others unless they harm Draconi. Which means Kol caused harm to another. Erik shouldn’t want to help a banished male, but you appear to be correct,” as much as he hated to say it, “that he chose blood over societal rules. Did Kol convince him to do something he wouldn’t normally do, or is there another reason?”

  “Maybe Kol returned for his wife.”

  “His mate? You said that before.” And he ignored it before. One thing he’d learned in the last few hours was to listen to Parker. Her suspicions proved correct. “Maybe he did. Let’s go ask.”

  When they reached the house, Jamie knocked on the door. Footsteps sounded, and then Erik pulled the door open, his surprised expression freezing on his face. Then he blinked, and the moment passed.

  “Jamie? What are you doing here?”

  “What do you think? I went to the Council and discovered you hadn’t.”

  Erik licked his lips. “Did you tell them where I was?”

  “No. I told them we were separated and you were supposed to return and give report. And that Kol returned with us. We’re all looking for you. It won’t take them long to come here.”

  “Kol’s not here. He never crossed into Draconia.”

  Jamie closed his eyes, searching for Kol, learning the truth of Erik’s words.

  “You see I’m telling the truth.”

  Jamie nodded. He located Kol’s presence a distance from the borders of Draconia. “Good. But that doesn’t explain why you lied.”

  Erik ran a hand through his hair, his eyes staring at a spot over Jamie’s head. He released a noisy exhale. “He wanted to see Mother. I came here to ask her, but she already knew he was close. She felt him through their mating bond. When I arrived, she’d already packed. I took her to him. That’s it. They wouldn’t let her go with him when he was banished all those years ago. They watched her for years to ensure she remained.”

  “Since she wanted to go with him, he wasn’t banished for harm to her?”

  “Of course not. They were the sun in the other’s sky. He could no more harm her than he could harm himself.”

  “Then why was he banished?”

  Erik looked at his shoe, at his toe twisting into the floor, as if it could dig a hole and swallow his body.

  But he was saved from answering by a series of pops, the Council members arriving.

  Erik’s gaze snapped to Jamie. Don’t tell them where Mother is.

  I won’t.

  Even if it meant lying to his father. Not really lying. More like withholding the truth.

  Something he’d done a lot of, especially when younger. No sense in his parents knowing how he spent a good deal of his youth.

  “Erik,” Balthor’s voice rumbled across the grass, a deep roll of thunder. “Explain yourself.”

  Erik paled, licking his lips before swallowing. “I apologize. I needed to let my mother know of Father’s return.”

  “And?”

  “She was not here.”

  “Why did you linger?”

  “I tried to find where she went.”

  “And Kol?”

  “I do not know.”

  “Do not know or will not tell?”

  “Do not know.”

  “Do you know his plan?”

  Erik shook his head, a bead of sweat rolling down his cheek.

  “Does he plot revenge?”

  “No. I’m not sure.”

  “Do you know where he crossed into Draconia?”

  “He didn’t. At least not that I saw.”

  “Then we need to search and see.” Balthor pointed to three males. “Go search the caves and all possible entry points. Check the wards.”

  The males nodded and disappeared.

  “Erik, I am disappointed you did not return to us earlier, forcing us to find you.”

  “I’m sorry, sir. It won’t happen again.”

  “These were unusual circumstances. You will let us know if Kol attempts contact.”

  Erik nodded, his pulse visible as a rapid beat in his throat.

  Balthor cleared his throat. “We are done here. You two will leave tomorrow and complete your mission. Understand?”

  “Yes, sir,” Jamie echoed Erik.

  Balthor gestured to the Council members and as one, they transported away.

  Don’t forget dinner, floated through Jamie’s mind as Thoren disappeared.

  Jamie exhaled. For a second there, he thought they saw through his deception. Through Erik’s.

  Erik ran a hand through his hair as he stepped inside. He gestured for them to follow. Once Parker was inside, Jamie shut the door and leaned against the wooden panels. His heart pounded a rapid beat and he focused on sucking in deep breaths. In and out. In and out.

  How long had it been since he experienced this rush of adrenaline, the lightning strike of energy from a risky adventure? Years. Hunting Halflings was exciting, but far from a risky adventure.

  The child inside clamored for more adventure. The adult breathed a sigh of relief the questioning ended at the door.

  “Why would they forbid your mother from following your father when he was banished?” Parker asked.

  “Further punishment.”

  “It’s painful for mates to be separated.” The thought of Parker abandoning him replaced his heart with an aching hollow.

  “But it backfired.” Erik’s lips flattened. “Mother was equally punished and had to suffer in silence.”

  “That wasn’t their intention.” He hoped.

  “But it was the outcome.”

  “Now what?” Parker's gaze bounced between them.

  “We have dinner with my parents and meet up with Erik tomorrow to find the Halfling.”

  “Try to breathe.” Erik sank into a chair and propped his injured foot on a stool.

  “While you’re breathing, remember how not to get us into this mess. And go to the Temple to have your ankle healed.”

  “I
t’s not my fault your 'find the dying female' campaign led to my father. And trust me, it won’t happen again. Go have your dinner. I’ll see you tomorrow. After my trip to the healing ward.”

  Jamie took another deep breath and uncurled his hands. He made the decision to obscure truth. And he’d do it again to protect Erik. No need to step on his tail over the matter.

  “Good night.”

  He held the door open for Parker and followed her outside. Insects chirped in the late afternoon light, a symphony of beating wings.

  “He had no right to ask you to lie.” Parker crossed her arms, eyes glaring fire.

  “I would have done it without him asking. And how did you know?”

  “I didn’t fall off the turnip truck yesterday, you know.”

  “Turnip truck?”

  “I wasn’t born yesterday. The saying? I’ve been around and seen things?”

  “Right.” What strange expressions she used. “I try not to lie.”

  “But he’s your friend.”

  “Yes. And Kol really isn’t in Draconia. If I had been thinking clearer, I would have known that. There isn’t a threat. At least I hope there isn’t one. So it’s just a matter of falsifying timelines. The Council wants things done in their timeline, not ours. What difference does it make as long as they were informed?”

  “Good rationalization. But sometimes it can come back and bite you in the butt.”

  “True. Which is why I try not to obscure the truth.” He grinned at her. “Are you ready for dinner?”

  “I’m starved. But I need a shower. It was bad enough meeting the Council looking like I’d been drug backward through the bushes, but I refuse to meet your mother with grass stains on my clothes and leaves in my hair.”

  “You look fine. There aren’t leaves in your hair.” Green stained her blue trousers, starting at her hip and traveling down to her ankle.

  Maybe she had a point. Another thought crossed his mind. Parker. In a bath. In his house. Oh yes. A male could get used to that thought in a hurry.

  “And I need another change of clothes.”

  “I only have my own. They’ll be too big on you.” Although he liked the idea of her wearing his clothing, his scent covering her like he longed to do with his body.

  “Do you have a washer? We can wash them. Not sure if that would give them enough time to dry before dinner. When is the evening meal?”

  “In an hour or so. When the sun sets. And I don’t have a washer.” He grinned. “But I do have magic. Perhaps I can clean them that way. Or you can scrub them in your bath.”

  “Is that how you clean clothes? With magic?”

  “Yes, with either magic or with water.”

  “All right. I’ll bathe, and you can clean my jeans. If you don’t mind?”

  “Not at all.” He grabbed her hand. “Ready?”

  At her nod, he transported them to his house, explained how to use the bathing room since it did not contain a shower and stepped outside the door. After a moment, Parker pitched out her shirt and trousers, the door closing with a click.

  He longed to open the door, undress, and slide into the pool of water. Take her into his arms. Make love to her.

  Instead, he picked up her clothing, took it to the large room and flopped into a chair. Several tries later, he sighed. Her clothing remained grass stained. Apparently he needed to touch Parker in order to work magic.

  Jamie walked into his bedroom and sat by the bathing room door. “Parker? I’m sorry, but I’ll need to touch you in order to cast the spell to clean your clothes.”

  A long pause. “All right. I’m coming.”

  The door cracked open a moment later, her hand reaching through the crack. He grabbed it, held his other hand over her stained clothes, and cast the spell. This time it worked, the stains dissolving, her clothes returning to a clean state. He passed them through the crack in the door, and a few minutes later she emerged.

  “I feel better. Thank you. What about you? Bath time?”

  Females preferred clean males to dirty ones. “Be right out.”

  Parker was observing his ruby collection when he finished bathing, running her fingers over the jewels, picking them up and turning them so the facets caught the light.

  Ruby. A sign from the Goddess she belonged to him. Rubies were his favorite jewels. Would she let him call her Ruby? Should he ask? She seemed to prefer the name Parker.

  When she saw him, her lips turned, her gaze raking his body, a sexual heat he felt to his soul. She clearly found him attractive. But did that translate into acceptance of him as her mate?

  He stepped forward and grabbed her hand. “Ready to meet my parents?”

  “As ready as I’ll ever be.” Her voice remained smooth, but the dampness of her palm betrayed her nervousness. Or maybe the damp came from his palm. What if Keara didn’t like her? What if Parker didn’t like Keara? Did all males worry about their families meeting their mates?

  “Jamie?”

  “Sorry. You’re the first female I’ve had them meet.” And she’d be the last. Something he needed to tell her. Something she probably already knew from his outburst at the Council Chambers.

  “Good to know you’re nervous too.”

  His lips twitched. “Glad that makes you feel better.”

  “You know.” She shrugged.

  “I do. Come on. No sense in delaying the inevitable.”

  A quick squeeze of her hand, and he transported them to his childhood home. The stone house sat in the middle of a gently rolling field, trees as windbreaks standing sentry around the periphery. Smoke circled the chimney, evaporating into the evening air. Insects chirped a welcome melody as they walked to the front porch.

  “Nice. You grew up here?”

  “Since I was ten.” He stepped up to the door and sucked in a breath. This case of the knee-knocks and sweaty palms needed to end.

  A cool chill from the doorknob pressed into his palm. He twisted the knob and stumbled forward as the door swung open. Keara caught him by wrapping her arms around his waist.

  “There you are! Thoren said you would be coming to dinner.”

  Her scent of herbs and cinnamon encircled him, a relaxing combination. Home. Tension flowed out his pores, replaced by a calming sense of peace. Everything was all right. No need for nerves.

  Jamie stepped back, keeping a hand on Keara’s shoulder. “Keara, this is Parker. Parker, this is Keara.”

  Parker’s eyes flared. “She hardly looks older than you.” She clamped a hand over her mouth as Keara’s lips twitched. “Sorry. I tend to speak before I think. But you look so young.”

  “Thank you, love. I can tell we’re going to get along just fine.” Keara patted Parker’s arm. “Didn’t he tell you? Draconi, including Halflings, age slowly so we look much younger than we are.”

  A stillness swept across Parker’s face. “How slowly?”

  “Draconi usually live around five hundred years.”

  A pale green crept under the bronze of Parker’s skin.

  “Parker? Parker?” Keara gestured at Jamie. “Grab her before she drops.”

  Jamie wrapped both arms around his mate as she slumped against him.

  One hand slapped a weak thump against his chest. “Buddy,” she muttered. “We gotta talk.”

  Jamie swung her into his arms and placed her on the couch in the family room, Keara following behind.

  “Thoren mentioned you had neglected to tell her some things, but I didn’t believe him. I thought you knew better.”

  Heat rushed into his ears, his face. Criticism from Keara always made him feel like a child caught pilfering the jewel chest. “It’s been a crazy last few days.”

  Keara grabbed Parker’s wrist, taking her pulse. “She’ll be fine. Parker, you are awake, yes?”

  Parker’s head bobbed. “Dizzy.”

  “Yes. I seem to recall having a similar reaction when I first arrived in Draconia. But I’d rather be here than anywhere else and it didn’t ta
ke me long to realize that either. Maybe a week. Or less.” She patted Parker’s arm as she rose to her feet. “You’ll like it too. Well, I need to check on dinner. I’ll just leave you two alone to chat. Thoren should be here shortly. Council business, no worries. But you already know that.”

  Seeing Thoren was the least of his worries. Telling Parker she was his mate and all that involved ranked at the top of the worry list.

  Parker groaned, both hands clasped against her head. She tried to sit, but Jamie pushed her down.

  “Don’t try getting up yet.”

  “I need to get up and redeem myself. How embarrassing to pass out in front of your mother.”

  “It’s all right. She’s a healer. She gets that all the time.”

  “Yeah, but not from me.” Parker pushed off his hands and sat, leaning forward, elbows on knees, head in hands. “You have some explaining to do. Start with our visit to the Council. What did Thoren mean by calling me your mate?”

  “Exactly what he said.”

  “How? We haven’t dated or married.”

  His tongue sat thick and dry in his mouth. Useless. Blocking his throat. Prohibiting air from being inhaled. “As I said earlier, Draconi mating habits are different.”

  “I didn’t think they applied to me.”

  “Well, see. That’s what Thoren proved. He gave us the mating test and you were shown to be my mate.”

  “Mating test?”

  “Yes, remember? Put a possible mate in danger and if the other can transport to them, then they are mates.”

  “So what you’re saying is that I have no choice in the matter? We’re mated no matter what I think?”

  “Is that bad?”

  “Are you clueless?”

  “I do not recall being given clues.”

  “This isn’t the way things happen in my world. The woman has a choice.”

  “But you don’t have true mates.”

  “We fall in love. We get married.”

  “There is only one male for each female in your world?”

  “No. There can be many people you would fall in love with.”

  “And you? Do you have this love?”

  “Once. But we broke it off.”

  “Why?”

  “He cheated. I found him in our bed with another woman.”

  Jamie hissed. “That would never happen in Draconia. A Draconi male cannot leave his mate for another female. Once they are bonded, they remain that way for life. Mating is the highest form of love.”