6. Drago

Ican't believe she did that to herself, starving herself until her bones protrude.

Deep within my chest, my dragon snarls with the image of what they did to her. I'm all too aware that I need to know every detail of what's happened, though I can't stand that thought.

Breathing in heavily as I stalk the fire-lit halls, I nearly choke on the lump growing in my throat. The vision of her, and the idea of what would have become of my mate…it's indescribably horrific. The empty hall is silent apart from the crackling of fire within the torches. I'm only left with the visions of her and the idea of what she went through…what those bastards did to her. To my mate.

My jaw clenches as anger simmers and I take a moment. With my eyes closed and my hands clenched, I lean my knuckles against the stone, breathing in deeply. I need to calm the fuck down. They had her, my little treasure. They hurt her and used her. They made her want to die. The snarl that rips through me is uncontrollable and I roar with anger. My rage bellows down the hall as I slam my fist into the wall. The smooth marble splits and crumbles beneath the blow. The skin of my knuckles rips and blood drips down my forearm.

I merely flex my hand, staring at the crack and wishing I had the men who took her on their knees in the throne room. I'd let her watch as I burned them alive.

I can't change the past; it's a lesson my brothers and I have learned far too many times. However, I can kill Victor and anyone else who ever caused her pain. Leaning my neck to the side, I let it crack and tame my disdain, allowing my dragon to settle. I can put a stop to whatever the fuck they're doing. Victor may be right in that changes need to happen with the Authority, but I'm sure as fuck going to dictate what happens. Starting with the horrid events occurring in towns like Kara's.

Just thinking her name calms me. I focus on her needs in this moment and it pushes me forward. Her cut is healed and won't scar, but she needs to eat. I need to make up for the days she's lost.

The castle is nearly empty, and my footsteps fill the silence. I imagine at this late hour the servants are beyond our walls doing whatever it is that humans do, but there are always a few on hand for my brothers and myself at any given moment. I take long strides to the kitchen knowing someone will be there and I can figure out what to feed my little human.

I recognize the older woman stirring a large pot on the stove. The sight of her warms me a bit, calming the chaos that brews inside me. She's rather motherly to the others and has a sweetness about her that nearly reminds me of the way things used to be. I can't help but to be drawn to this woman as a child is to a mother.

The castle is ancient, but our kitchen is modern and massive. Nearly everything is for commercial use. It's essential. There are at least three families' worth of servants living here and we provide for all of them including ourselves. Dragons prefer red meat, as one would expect, although we dine on fine cuisine as well. I intend to spoil Kara with delicious and filling meals, but it's only then that I stop short, realizing I haven't the faintest idea of what my little treasure would order.

The woman looks up with a small smile that emphasizes the wrinkles around her pale blue eyes and mouth before setting the spoon down and turning to face me with her hands clasped in front of her while bowing her head slightly. "Lord Arrington."

A simper picks the corners of my lips up at her greeting.

"Adora, how are you this evening?"

"I'm well, my Lord. You have my sincerest gratitude for your gifts." It takes great effort not to stare blankly at her and instead I offer a tight smile and nod. Surely, that's Galen's doing.

"Certainly. I hope you've enjoyed them."

"They fit my granddaughter perfectly." I nod my head in understanding. A new birth. That makes sense although I wasn't aware there was an addition. Galen's fondness for company is not something we share. "What is it you'd like at this hour? I'll tend to it at once."

My eyes narrow slightly as I glance toward the cupboards. "I'm not sure," I admit and turn back to the human. "I'm in need of some information." Her lips part and her eyes go wide with trepidation. It's only then I realize she must imagine I'm here to question her about someone in the castle. It has been necessary before. I decide to quickly put her out of her misery. With a tight smile I confess, "I have no idea what it is humans enjoy eating and I'd like to provide for a guest." The old woman blinks rapidly as she takes in the information before relaxing her shoulders and offering me a smile. "I can certainly help you with that, my Lord."

"I'd appreciate it. I'd like to spoil my…" I hesitate to call her pet to the servants. I don't want them to perceive her in any way that would be less than my equal. After all, she may be my mate and mother to my children. She deserves the utmost respect. "My little human." Adora peers back at me with questions sparkling in her eyes but she knows better. No one here asks any questions.

"Spoil her with food?" she clarifies.

"Yes."

"This is the third girl? Not the two I'm currently cooking for?"

My jaw ticks slightly, noting she referred to my mate as merely a "girl", she is a woman and she is to be my mate. I grunt an agreeable response although my hackles are raised.

She nods her head and frowns slightly. "It's such a shame what happened to those poor girls," she confides in me, and I allow it for the moment. Only because it's her. Adora crosses the kitchen and opens the fridge as I follow behind. As she rummages and pulls out several packages, she tells me, "A lobster bisque is on the stove for the two now. I made sure to give them light food so they wouldn't get sick, but the bisque will fill them up."

I eye the pot although the lid covers the contents. "How long until it's ready?" I may be patient at times, but Kara lays in bed waiting for me and I do not intend to keep her waiting for long.

Adora turns to face me and shuts the door to the fridge with a nudge of her wide hips. Her linen apron hangs looser, showing her pale blue blouse as she arranges the items in a pleasant manner—a variety of cheeses, slices of plums and grapes, crackers and breads, and thin slices of meats. "It'll be another twenty minutes or so. But I'll bring it right up, my Lord."

"This seems fairly standard?" I question.

"It is." She nods her head respectfully.

"I'd like to spoil her; is there something more…appetizing to humans?"

Adora does something I've rarely seen, she cracks a smile. "Lord Arrington, I'm not sure I've ever told you how wonderful it is to live in the castle." My brows furrow in confusion until the woman continues. "Everything we eat is delicious. We have the finest of all sorts of meats and fruits we can imagine." Her eyes shine with wisdom and sincerity before she returns to the refrigerator. She pulls out a second silver tray that's already been prepared with a variety of olives and places it gently on the corner of the first. "I promise you she will enjoy something on this tray." I purse my lips and reluctantly consider taking the tray.

"When the soup is finished, I'll bring it to your chambers immediately."

I purse my lips again before asking, "What is the most delicious food?"

"Well, that varies from person to person, but I enjoy chocolate truffles." She smiles back with a knowing look. "They're a bit heavier for their state," she advises gently, "but I imagine a bite wouldn't hurt. I'll bring them up with your soup?"

I nod, understanding that perhaps a small but filling meal will be best for this evening. "Yes, I'm sure a bit of chocolate will be a nice finish as well."

"I assure you she will be delighted with the serving this evening," Adora states warmly, clasping her hands in front of her apron once again.

"Have someone bring the tray up."

"I will, my Lord."

With that I leave to return to my little treasure.

On my walk back to my bedchambers, I notice the light to the office trickling beneath the door frame. I'm uncertain if Cyrus or Galen occupies it, but I know I should check in with my brothers. They seemed concerned when I left with Kara, or rather when I stole her away unable to contain myself, and they should be. I silently curse myself for being so fucking obvious. Hopefully making an appearance and explaining my desire to have her as a pet will smooth things over. Steeling myself, I push the nerves down and prepare the tale I'll tell them.

"I didn't expect to see you so soon." Galen's tone is teasing as I open the door. "I didn't think you'd be able to pry yourself away." My brother sits at a common spot on the right and I make my way to him. I huff a laugh and look over his shoulder at the computer screen. Isabella Faye. The list of her heritage travels down the screen. It's impressive. There's no doubt in my mind she possesses the ability to breed dragonlings.

In the upper right corner lays a picture of the gorgeous woman. She has a pear-shaped body, beautiful brown eyes, and a bright smile. Her hair is lighter than Kara's, but nearly the same length, just past her shoulders. I expect to feel something, maybe jealousy, that I've given Galen his claim to her, but I feel nothing. I have my little treasure; I only hope she'll be able to carry my dragonlings. I'll know soon enough.

"I thought I should at least provide a meal for the distraught woman."

Galen's expression turns grim. "Yes, all three of them need to be fed well." He takes a heavy breath. "I wasn't thinking. I shouldn't have let Victor go without warning or consequence."

"We need to talk about that. It seems he's conspiring with vampires. I'd rather they be less immortal and more…fucking dead. But not now. I want to get back to my pet."

"Pet?" He turns in his seat to look at me, and I make sure I keep my stare back even and carefree. I don't lie to my brothers, but for her, I'll make an exception.

"I can't help that I have urges of what I'd like to do to her, and I do believe she will enjoy it."

"You couldn't pick a more…submissive pet?" I huff a rough laugh at his question.

A broad smile grows on my face. "You have no idea how right you are to question that, brother." He smiles back at me and then turns back to the computer.

I tap his chair and turn to leave, but his voice stops me in my path. "I'm sure I still have my pet's collar somewhere." It's been years since Galen has kept a woman, but as dragons we tend to hold on to our keepsakes.

"No." The answer comes easily. "I want her to have her own."

A perplexed look crosses his face but only for a moment and then he busies himself again with the computer. With his Isabella.

In time, I'll buy Kara all the little trinkets a submissive should have. I'll get her a collar adorned with a small lock etched with my name: Drago's treasure. A grin pulls at my lips. I'll buy that first. In the silence I glance to where I expect my other brother to be, only to find his chair empty.

"Where's Cyrus?" I'm aware he doesn't appear to be interested in this woman, but I'm certain he would at least be interested in researching her. He is, after all, always searching for something new and different to occupy him.

Galen looks back at me with a perplexed look. "He didn't send you here?"

"What do you mean?"

"He went to look for you." My blood chills at his words. "He's curious about the girl you took." Galen looks behind me as if she'd magically be there. "To be honest, I'm a bit curious as well."

I'm vaguely aware of the fact that Galen is still speaking, but I'm not listening to a damn thing as I turn my back on my brother, consumed with growing concern.

If Cyrus went to look for me, then he went to my bedchambers, which I left unlocked. He went to Kara. He's curious about my little treasure. My dragon breathes fire in my chest. I revel in the burn as it scorches my throat. Before I'm even conscious of my actions, my legs are pushing me through the opened study doors and down the hall.

He better not have fucking touched her.