Free Twiceborn by Marina Finlayson Page A

this as in everything else, had been given a griffin as her security chief. I’d been assigned Luce, and I thanked my mother’s prejudices for it every day.
    “The evening seems to be going as expected,” I said, ignoring the question.
    “I’d be happier if Valeria didn’t have quite such a crowd around her all the time.” A sour expression marred the prettiness of her wide face with its dark almond-shaped eyes as she glared at my sister. Valeria stood just inside the doors, surrounded by sycophants and opportunists. Her back was turned to us, but I had no doubt she knew where every one of her sisters were, including me.
    A flicker in Luce’s aura betrayed the strength of her feelings. She certainly took her job seriously. In fact she was the only woman here tonight not wearing a gown, having opted for a tux instead as being more practical. The fall of her long dark hair was confined in a bun, instead of her usual business-like ponytail. It revealed the elegant curve of her neck, but I couldn’t help thinking she’d chosen the style more for the vicious-looking hairpin that secured it than any consideration of attractiveness. I was sure that hairpin could prove lethal in Luce’s hands.
    “Ever the pessimist, aren’t you? The werewolf pack leader seems receptive.”
    I was more interested in other dragons than werewolves. Dragons were where the real power lay, but no doubt I could find a use for a pack of the beasts. But it amused me to bait Luce. Predictably, she rose to the bait.
    “It’s not pessimism. I’m being realistic. One dragon is worth more than Trevor and his whole werewolf pack.”
    We both contemplated Valeria again. Three men jostled for positions at her elbow; I could tell they were dragons from the red glow of their auras. In fact a veritable rainbow of auras surrounded her, with shifters of every type clamouring for her attention. My mouth quirked with distaste. I probably looked as sour as Luce.
    The waltz finished to polite clapping, and one of the dragons broke away from Valeria’s little gathering. He stepped out onto the terrace. The lights from the ballroom cast his face into shadow as he approached.
    “Is that Jason Hepburn?” I murmured to Luce. She’d been around so long she knew nearly every shifter in the whole domain.
    She nodded, her dark eyes dismissive. “A minor player.”
    “You wanted a dragon,” I reminded her, choosing to overlook her impudence. She was not paid to have opinions on her betters.
    His bow was carefully calculated to gratify without seeming too subservient. “I see you’re drinking champagne.” His deep voice promised a warmth that was reflected in his twinkling blue gaze. “May I get you another?”
    “No, thank you. I find the occasion calls for a clear head.”
    “Very wise, my lady. Or may I call you Leandra?”
    He could call me whatever he liked if he chose to take my side in the coming war. He was a tall man, handsome in a slightly unconventional way—his nose was a little too big, but his generous mouth and bright blue eyes distracted from that fact. His eyes had the predatory gleam so common to our kind. I could probably have guessed he was a dragon even without the tell-tale colour of his aura.
    “That depends if we’re going to be friends or not,” I said.
    He wore his blonde hair long, grazing the shoulders of his tux. And what broad shoulders they were.
    He leaned closer and my pulse quickened. I wasn’t yet used to my body’s instinctive reaction to the presence of a male dragon. The only one I’d had any dealings with up till now was my mother’s odious little spymaster, and he was hardly the type to make my libido sit up and take notice.
    “Why don’t we try a friendly dance and see where it takes us?”
    He made it sound as if he were offering sex and my body thrilled in response. I took his proffered hand and let him lead me back into the light-filled ballroom. Crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead and the hum of