Dragon on Top by G.A. Aiken Page B

under the ocean’s surface in the outcrop of caves they’d discovered eons ago. Bram couldn’t tell if it was morning or night. Had the suns come out or was it raining? Was it chilly or warm? He felt trapped in this place and he hated it. And although he could sneak out anytime he wanted—the guards barely noticed him and allowed him to leave the room as he pleased—he knew he wouldn’t go, which was why Helena allowed him the freedom of her palace. She knew he wouldn’t leave without Ghleanna.
    He let his gaze rest on the She-dragon and again thanked the gods for saving her. She was healing quite well and was looking stronger with each passing hour. Aye, the wizards and surgeons had done a good job. But lack of skill, talent, and knowledge had never been a problem for the Fins. They were, in fact, well regarded for their knowledge on a vast wealth of subjects. No, the true weakness of the Fins was their arrogance.
    Something that said a lot considering all dragons were arrogant to some degree. As a race they simply couldn’t help themselves. But even with their arrogance, most of them knew they couldn’t separate themselves from the world around them and still function. They needed humans, they needed other breeds of dragons, they needed the gods . . . they needed everything life had to offer. Yet the Fins felt they were above all that. They didn’t need anything but their brilliance and their ability to live under the vast ocean.
    â€œDo you never rest, peacemaker?”
    Bram blinked, realizing Ghleanna was awake and had been watching him. He’d been so busy letting his eyes rove over her exposed body, he’d failed to notice.
    â€œI’ve slept some.”
    â€œJust some?”
    â€œIt’s not easy to relax.”
    â€œWorried the Empress will change her mind?”
    â€œShe’s been known to.”
    Ghleanna started to push herself up and Bram came to her side, slipped his arm around her, and helped her until she could lean her back against the headboard. He brought the fur covering up until it covered her chest.
    She glanced down and back at him. “Something wrong with me tits?”
    â€œNo. They’re perfect. That’s the problem.”
    She smiled. “I didn’t know I was such a distraction.”
    â€œThen you are remarkably unobservant.”
    Laughing, she patted the bed. “Sit with me before I get sleepy again.”
    Bram did, sitting on the edge of the bed. A very respectable distance.
    â€œHere,” Ghleanna pushed. “Stretch out next to me.”
    He thought about arguing but realized he didn’t want to. He hated being respectable all the time. Especially since most dragons weren’t, so why was he?
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    To Ghleanna’s surprise, Bram got on the bed beside her. He stayed on top of the fur and kept his boots on, but that was all right. She wasn’t sure he could handle it if she told him to strip naked.
    â€œI have one question for you, Bram. And I want you to be honest with me.”
    â€œOf course.”
    â€œAre you in danger here? Should we be getting you out?”
    Bram gazed at her. “You think I’d leave you?”
    â€œMy assignment was to get you to Alsandair and back—alive. If something happened to me along the way . . . well, that’s the price one pays when a soldier.”
    â€œUnless I know you’re safe, there won’t be an alliance.”
    â€œBut—”
    â€œI’m not leaving you, Ghleanna. And we can argue about that until you pass out from exhaustion or you can just let it go so we can sit here and relax instead. Staring at that blue-green wall.”
    â€œIs that algae?”
    â€œIt’s a design motif.”
    â€œAnd you lost me.”
    â€œWe Land Dwellers don’t have many motifs, so that’s understandable.”
    She glanced around their very nice jail cell. “Are we really under