Chapter 15

Coal watched as his brother walked from one side of the room to the other. His fists were clenched. His eyes blazing.

“Calm down,” he growled. “I have things under control.”

“Do you?” Blaze growled right back. He stopped and wheeled towards Coal. “Send her back. There is another hunt planned for next month. Thanks to you, Granite didn’t get a female. Torrent has not had any success with his human, so chances are good there will not be a child any time soon. Neither of the dragon females is anywhere close to their heat.”

“How can you be so sure?” His brother just looked at him, his face deadpan. Blaze had his sources. Spies that did his bidding. Coal ran a hand over his head. “What if your information is incorrect?”

“It isn’t,” Blaze growled. “Torrent’s human is on her way back to Walton Springs as we speak. The male couldn’t make her happy. The human refused to mate him. My sources tell me that she hit him in the face.” Blaze laughed. “The male is pissed. He has locked himself in his chamber and refuses to speak with anyone.”

It was strange to see his brother smiling. Blaze hadn’t looked this happy in weeks… months.

“Things are not as desperate as they were. There will not be a royal birth any time soon. You do not have to beg the female. If she isn’t interested, send the human back. We do not need her. You do not need her.”

To think that a week ago, he would have leapt at the chance. Any reprieve would have been welcomed with open arms. A chance to change Blaze’s mind.

“Her name is Julie.” He tried to keep the growl from his voice and failed. “Julie.” He repeated, more evenly delivered this time.

“It doesn’t matter what her name is. That female does not want children and she doesn’t seem even remotely interested in you. I think she’s a lost cause.”

“No!” A snarl. His heart raced at the thought of sending her back. Adrenaline coursed. The need to protect and defend rose up in him. The need to smash his brother’s smug jaw rode him hard. Julie wasn’t going anywhere. Not while he was still breathing.