Thunder leaned forward in his chair. “You are going to single handedly destroy our species. Just because some human female broke your heart doesn’t—”

“Say one more word and I’ll kill you, so help me…” Blaze stood, tension radiated off of him. On the upside, that pesky tic was gone. He and Thunder stared at each other for what felt like a long time. Coal had to work to remain outwardly calm. To refrain from fidgeting like the others. He was the fire prince and heir to the throne, should anything happen to Blaze.

“This is how it’s going to go down,” Blaze said, his voice still calm and even. “I’m going to take one of your sisters. The rest of you can take humans, if it works out, we’ll allow more of our males to take them as well.” He sat back down.

Thunder shook his head. He ran a hand through his hair. His blue eyes were bright and filled with a multitude of emotions including anger, frustration and longing.

“Deny the males human females and it’s a sure fire way to an uprising. Do you want to be overthrown by your own dragons?” Granite’s deep voice reverberated around the large room.

“It wouldn’t happen. One example and the coup attempt would be at an end.” Blaze narrowed his eyes. “We need to make it clear that their turn will come. Patience.”

“Their patience is waning.” Granite’s brother, the earth prince, piped up. “Our males get two opportunities per year to be with a female. They are driven to mate and to reproduce. The testosterone in the air is nauseating. I haven’t been with a female for months so I can relate.” His neck muscles bulged. He was a second prince, as was the case with the water prince. It was puzzling that he was here. It was protocol for the first princes to be present at such occasions.

“I thought I could scent something odd.” The earth king choked out a laugh and some of the tension in the room eased. Even Blaze managed a half smile.

“It’s enough to drive even the most level headed male completely insane.” Granite took a sip of wine from his goblet. “They will not wait.”

“What do you propose?” Blaze cocked his head and raised his brows.

“We need to stick with tradition. All of our males need to be afforded the same opportunity despite their standing within the tribe,” the earth king said.

“The hunt,” Coal muttered.