Dragonvein - Book Three by Brian D. Anderson Page B

was tempting to wake Kat so she could share the splendor of the sunrise with him, but a splash on the surface of the water caught his eye, driving this thought away.
    It wasn't just the sight of Keira swimming that captured his attention so fully; it was the fact that she was swimming with a young sirean. The creature was circling her with amazing swiftness while the elf, with a bright smile on her face, was playfully splashing water at it. Ethan watched this scene with astonishment for several minutes. Keira suddenly then noticed him. In a flurry of motion, the sirean leapt up nearly three feet out of the water and dove beneath the surface.
    Keira swam to the shore, her smile gone. As she emerged from the water, Ethan saw that she was completely naked. He was absolutely stunned by her beauty. Though not as curvaceous as Kat, her form was perfectly proportioned. Every inch was toned, and her fluid movements captured him. He knew that he should look away, but found himself unable to.
    “Why do you stare at me so?” she asked. It was obvious that she was not in the least embarrassed for him to see her this way.
    Ethan averted his eyes. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know…I mean…” He let out a groan. “I should just go.”
    “There is no need,” she said. “If my body pleases you, feel free to look.”
    Ethan kept his eyes focused on the ground. “I was just taking a walk. I didn’t know you were here.” He took a step back.
    “Your heart beats quickly,” she noticed. “And your breathing is rapid and shallow. Is this a sign you wish to couple? Forgive my ignorance if I’m mistaken. I know very little of humans.”
    “Couple? No!” He took another step back, but Keira moved around to bar his way.
    “Are you sure? I’ve never considered such a thing with a human. But my father says I should be open to new experiences.”
    “I don’t want to…couple,” he insisted. “Please let me by.”
    “Is it that you already have a mate?” She moved in closer. “Perhaps I could ask for her permission first?”
    In spite of himself, Ethan glanced up. Her eyes were fixed on him in a way that caused his cheeks to flush. Suddenly, he could feel his passions stirring. “I have to go,” he told her. “Really.”
    “It’s no trouble,” she pressed. “In fact, your mate is here now.”
    Though the elf’s back was turned, she was correct. Kat was making her way toward them with deliberate strides, her eyes burning with fury.
    “Perfect,” Ethan muttered.
    A tiny smile formed at the corners of Keira’s mouth. “Alas. Perhaps another time then?”  
    Ethan could hear the elf woman laughing softly as she walked to where her clothes were folded neatly a few yards away.
    “What the hell is going on?” Kat shouted. She was making a beeline for Keira. 
    Ethan moved into her path and grabbed her arms. “It wasn’t what you think.”
    Kat tore herself free. “Then what the fuck was it? Explain why you’re here. And why she’s naked. Then explain to me why she was standing there right in front of you.”
    “The fault was mine,” Keira cut in. She had already donned her pants and shirt and her shoes were hanging by her fingers. “I was swimming. He did not know I was here.”
    “So he shows up and what? You try to fuck him?”
    Keira laughed and shook her head. “I was only having a bit of fun.” She pushed her way past them both. “You see? I’m not without emotion, after all. Or a sense of humor.”
    Kat took off after her, but Ethan managed to catch her in time.
    “I’ll kill the bitch. I swear it,” she raged. “And you! I saw the way you were looking at her.”
    “What are you talking about?” he protested. “She was standing right in front of me. How could I not look at her? I was just about to leave when you showed up.”
    He placed his forearms on Kat's shoulders. “Look me in the eyes...please.”
    For several seconds she stubbornly refused to meet his gaze. Only after letting out a low