Candy turned her head and buried it into his chest, which was as soft as it was hard. His skin was soft and hairless. The muscles underneath made it hard. She noticed how his tattoo was a bright golden color. It had flecks of turquoise green intermingled in the gold. All of the others’ chests had silver markings. Maybe he wasn’t full of BS when he told her he was a king. It seemed significant somehow. Not that it mattered to her. His promise mattered and that was it.

“She is mine.” The warrior king on top of her rasped. His voice barely a whisper. His throat seemed much better though. The guy didn’t seem interested in moving off of her. She almost didn’t want him to. She felt safer sheltered underneath him like this.

The closest guy with the long teeth actually flinched as the king-guy spoke, and took a small step back before his features hardened with determination. “I challenge you for her then.” His hands curled into fists.

“Why bother? This female has chosen me as her mate.” He turned his attention back to her and her mouth dried up in an instant.

What the?

What was this big ape on about? She started to shake her head but he covered her mouth with his before she could speak. It was a quick blistering kiss that caused her practically lame toes to curl. They wouldn’t move when she needed them to earlier, but right now, she could almost be termed a ballerina. It was because she was sickened by his touch. Yes, that was it.

He pulled back and gave her a ghost of a smile. She sighed… with relief. “Don’t play coy, human. The sooner you tell them that you have chosen me, the sooner they will leave us in peace.” He sniffed at her. Sniffed.

Shit! These beast men weren’t normal. Duhhh Candy, they are dragon shifters. Normal didn’t factor at all anymore.

“Um.” She kept her eyes on his for a moment before turning to face the group.

Oh shit! The guy looked even more pissed. His eyes looked weird. Scary!

“Yes,” she mumbled.

“Yes… what, human? Speak up.” The scary one asked. He narrowed his slitted eyes at her. That was it, his eyes looked distinctly reptilian. A shiver ran up her spine. It felt like someone had just played hopscotch on her grave.

She looked back up at the shifter on top of her. His pale eyes narrowed and his jaw clenched.

Shit.

Her choice was, take her chances with the likes of him or… she looked back towards the throng. They grew more restless by the second. She didn’t really have a choice, did she?