Her blade was in her hand a moment later. The human man yelped when she came down hard on a pressure point in his wrist, the hilt of her knife extracting punishment.

“Shhstupid miner shlsut!” he swore, cradling his wrist and glaring.

One of those. “Be on your way, sir,” she said in her steely tone, “and I’ll have no further complaint with your unmannerly behavior.”

“Fuckin’ disgrace, human woman shpreas legs for fuckin’ aliens,” he said, taking a lurching step forward.

She hated drunks, especially trappers. From his dress and state of grooming, he was no townsman, and his slur indicated he was no miner. She shook her head and turned, the best course of action to walk away, when he slammed—or staggered—into her.

Alright then. She used the sudden weight to hurl him off her, keeping her feet despite nearly falling to the ground. Unfortunately, she threw him into a cluster of passing Dwyrkin, who swore and jumped back—most likely from his smell.

One of the men glanced between her and the trapper, gaze swiftly assessing the situation. The man was crumbled on the ground, unconscious. Kailigh shook her head, disgusted.

“Has this human accosted you, mistress?” the Dwyrkin asked. A handsome man with shoulder-length dark hair threaded with red, and dark eyes. He spoke with confidence, but no arrogance, and appeared to have a hold on his temper as he didn’t immediately curse at her or the drunk. Kailigh approved.

“I am well, thank you, but if you have a constable hereabouts, this gentleman may benefit from a night in a cell to sober up.”

“I concur.” He looked down at the human, distaste crossing his face. “I will summon a constable—I am afraid to touch this man; he looks as if he has fleas.”

He probably did.

One of the other Dwyrkin laughed. “Wouldn’t want to muss your hair, Ravhen.”

A constable was located. Kailigh remained to explain the situation in brief. While the constable slapped the drunk and tried to wake him—apparently, no one wanted to touch the man—Ravhen turned to her. “You’re one of the human girls the Lord has placed under his protection.”

Kailigh sheathed her knife. “Do I look like a girl to you?”

He grinned. “You must be thirsty. Why don’t—”

“I will see to her drink,” Maddugh said, his voice cool.

She turned her head to see him striding forward, expression pleasant but eyes chill, Persia at his side.

The Dwyrkin bowed. “Lord.”

Maddugh glanced at him, then at the constable. “What happened?”

“Drunk,” Kailigh said. “We’ve dealt with it. It need not trouble Your Lordshipfullness.” She really needed to stop letting her daughters influence her.

Maddugh ignored the sarcasm, fixing her would-be admirer with a look. “What went on here?”

“The drunk human accosted the female under your protection, Sire,” the male replied. “I offered my assistance as she was alone with no aid in sight.”

Kailigh’s eyes narrowed. The man needled his Lord, and in a way Maddugh couldn’t take offense to without looking like a tyrant. Persia moved next to Kailigh, lips trembling as she tried to suppress a grin. 

“You have my thanks,” Maddugh said. He turned to Kailigh, taking her arm above the elbow. “Mistress. Come with me. I fell a need to head off any future misunderstandings.”

This time when she tried to yank away, he ignored the resistance as if her tug had no more effect than that of a toddler. She stopped struggling because she didn’t want to look like a fool.

They entered the beer garden tent, Maddugh leading her to a dance floor in the middle of the room. People cleared a circle, noise dying down as he stood with an air of expectant impatience.

Kailigh found it fascinating that he didn’t have to call for silence; the wave of quiet fell over the celebration in less than a minute.

“My people, we gathered today to celebrate a rich find in the human settlement—one under our noses for decades with none of us the wiser.” He paused. “It’s been too long since we’ve sent our warriors into the larger world, but it is time to see what goes again.”

Kailigh glanced to the side as Serephone, Cinvarra, and Persia approached, Maddugh’s sons herding them along until they stood with their mother.

“Nevertheless, there are three females of Fae descent to make viable mates for a Dwyrkin of their choice. Those of you with the bravery—and the manners—who are inclined towards a courtship may apply to their mother.” Maddugh smiled, pleasant. “So there is no confusion, the three women available for courting are the three daughters you see before you.”

Kailigh’s frowned. Maddugh let her off the hook, but that meant two of the girls would definitely have to find husbands to fulfill the Vow. He returned her frown with an inscrutable expression.

“The eldest of the females, their mother, is mine.” He snapped his teeth, anti implied fangs, and fire. “I will take her as my wife, and she will be your queen.”

The silence in the tent was deafening. Except for the strangled cough in Serephone’s general direction. Maddugh glared at one of his sons.

“The air,” she heard Hrutha murmur. “Something in the air.”

Kailigh stared at Maddugh. She knew her expression was blank, because her mind was blank—with shock.

It was one thing to woo her in private, even to declare his intentions to their children where there were no other witnesses. Men had gone to even greater lengths to unsuccessfully get into her bed before. 

It was another thing for a ruler to declare himself to his people.

She couldn’t brush aside his repeated offer any longer, pretend it was just a man flirting. But. . .she couldn’t quite comprehend the enormity of how her life would change if she accepted.

Did she have any choice but to accept?

She turned to look at her daughters.

No, no choice at all, and somehow that thought brought her peace. Because, for once, if anything went wrong, it wouldn’t be her fault.

“On your head be it,” she said to Maddugh.

When it was clear she’d say nothing more, he turned his attention back to the crowd. “My wife’s daughters are my own—insult them at your peril.” He waved a hand. “Go. Drink, gamble, go to your females. . . let there be a nursery of babes born eleven months hence.”

Raucous laughter and cheering heralded the end of his speech. Maddugh jumped off the platform and crooked a finger at her with a quirk of his brow, the imperious gesture doubtless designed to aggravate her. 

Kailigh marched towards him. “Well, you’ve gone and made your bed, haven’t you, with that bit of public foolishness. Whatever possessed you to make such an announcement?”

His grabbed her waist and swung her to the ground—not that the four or six inches would have been a hardship. “Why, mistress—”

“Don’t sass me.” Kailigh shoved a finger towards his chest. “I would have liked the courtesy of a discussion first.”

Maddugh rubbed his chin. “Hmm. Good, very good feedback. I’ll remember that for the future. Discussions.”

“You’re stuck,” Amnan muttered, passing by with Persia. Her daughter threw Kailigh a half sympathetic, half gleeful look. “Can’t deny a dragon Lord who has publicly declared his troth.”

“Is that a dare?” Kailigh demanded. “Dare me.”

“Let’s find a quiet place to talk, hmm?” Maddugh took her arm, eyeing her thoughtfully. His gaze dropped to her chest. “I’m a little disappointed in your reaction to my public declaration—I was anticipating more entertainment. What is this you wear around your neck, mistress?”

Kailigh looked down. She’d forgotten about the necklace. “A Traveler’s charm, to. . . suck up negative energy so I can enjoy myself for the evening.”

“Really?” His teeth flashed. “I must send this Traveler my compliments on the handiwork. I wonder if they have other mood-enhancement offerings.”

“That damn woman,” she said, without significant heat. She should be drawing her knife right now, or cursing him. Not giving him a half-hearted scolding about his timing—while still not denying his claim. “When this wears off, I will be furious.”

“I look forward to it, Kailigh,” he purred.

Maddugh led her to a section of the faire that was less crowded, the vendors and entertainers having thinned somewhat since the bulk of the noise was around the beer garden and beyond. Kailigh glanced up at the sky beyond the peak of the mountains surrounding them. The night was clear, moon bright with its winking stars.

“Kai.” She turned her attention back to Maddugh, who stared at her with a mixture of amusement and displeasure. “You aren’t paying attention to me at all, are you?”

“You’ll do what you will do. There’s no point in being upset about it.” Especially not with a mood subduing charm around her neck, which she still hadn’t taken off. “Besides, there’s a Vow to fulfill and better me than my. . .” she couldn’t truthfully say virgin because, really, she wasn’t sure “. . .daughters.”

His eyes narrowed, the usual half mocking, half cocky turn of his lips straightening into something else. “I see. It’s been a long time since I had to work to seduce a female.”

Her mood might be lighter, but her brain hadn’t shrunk. Kailigh’s hand slid towards her thigh. He caught her wrist, pulling her towards him.

“None of that, mistress.”

“Well, then let me go.”

“Let you go? When have you ever heard of a Dwyrkin releasing what belongs to him?” His eyes were inscrutable, though a smile curved his lips once again. “You aren’t boring, Kai. I’ll let you run, but I’ll never let you run far and I will always catch you in the end.” He lowers his lips to her ear. “I enjoy the hunt, but I enjoy treeing my prey even better.”

She expected the kiss. He’d given her enough time to put up an actual objection, after all. But as his mouth lay over hers, she found herself wanting to feel what it would be like.

Strong hands circled her waist, having released her wrist. The tall, hard body flush against hers, a warming comfort in his strength. His hair fell in her face a bit and Kailigh reached up to tug it aside, fingers tangling in the strands, as silky as a lady’s.

“No protest?” he whispered against her lips.

“I’m beginning to think you’re a man who likes a bit of a fight.”

He grinned, quick and dark. “How did you know?” Then he silenced her. 

There was a building nearby. He backed her against it, pressing the strength of his body against hers. Kailigh lifted her hands instinctively and he caught them, lifting her arms above her head and pinning them to the wall.

His mouth devoured. Maddugh tasted of cinnamon and apple and something smoky. . .probably brimstone. He lifted her, and Kailigh vaguely felt herself wrapping her legs around his waist, trying to pull him closer, but they were already as close as they could be without shedding clothes and fucking, then and there. Releasing one of her hands, his enclosed her breast, kneading flesh and tugging sharply at the nipple.

She gasped. “I’m going to regret this.”

Maddugh chuckled. “Say that again when you’re coming on my cock for the fifth time in a single night.” His slit-pupiled eyes mocked her. “I dare you.”

They weren’t alone. Kailigh heard the whisper of feet as people passed them, but none made snide remarks or catcalls, no huffs. 

Maddugh released her breast and put her back on her feet, enclosing her in his arms, his hands roving up and down her spine in a soothing motion. “They’re now, no worries, mistress. I will not take you to bed until we are properly wed. I know you still have reservations. I may be a brute, but never to a female.”

He was gentling her, like a damn mare.

Kailigh jerked back, itching to smack him. She sniffed. “At least your breath didn’t stink that bad.”

That wiped the grin from his face. “My breath—you fiend!” Maddugh glared. “I should put you in the tower for such disrespect.”

“You don’t have a tower. Come, I must find my daughters before they get up to similar nonsense, but with men not as canny or well-controlled as yourself.”

Kailigh still didn’t trust his ulterior motives—she knew them after all. He wanted babies with magic, not her. Not really. He didn’t love her, she wasn’t certain he even liked her. But marriages had been built before on less practical foundations, so she supposed it was silly to complain too much. 

Maddugh glanced at her, taking her hand in his as they walked. She should smile; she was fortunate. But she couldn’t.

For some reason she felt sad.