“This is princess Zo, from the Rex n of Red dragons. This is Ravina, Mchi’s breedmate.” Of all people, his mother introduced them. What was she trying to do?


    Zo curtsied to greet her the human way, “it is nice to meet you Ravina.”


    “Princess Zo is here to meet Mchi in hopes of an alliance between our ns.” Saul made a deeper introduction.


    If Ravina was surprised, she didn’t show it. She curtsied, “the pleasure is all mine,” she told Zo.


    “Now that everyone is here, let’s eat,” his mother smiled.


    She showed Zo and Zara where to sit. Zo sat to his right and Ravina to his left. Mchi noticed that her face had a bit more color, her lips a soft pink, and her scent… he tried to avoid it but she smelled of jasmine andvender.


    He could not smell all the delicious food on the table. He wanted her. He hungered for her. Why was he suddenly like this now?


    “What do you like to eat?” Zo asked him starting a conversation.


    The wind blew in from the window behind Ravina, carrying her scent, fueling his hunger.


    “I am not picky,” he replied. How ironic when now he didn’t want anything else. He wanted jasmine andvender.


    Mchi was not interested in what she liked but wanted to see Ravina’s reaction. “What do you like?” He asked, turning to her and showing interest._.


    She smiled. “I am not picky either, but I enjoy spicy food.”


    “Me too,” he said hoping for a reaction from Ravina. “Are you a good cook?”


    “I would like to think so. Maybe you can tell me one day soon,” she smiled charmingly. “I would love to cook for you all one day,” she said looking around the table.


    Her gaze fell on Ravina who was unconcerned about the situation and ate her lunch in silence. “What do you like to eat, Ravina?”


    Ravina looked up from her te and became thoughtful for a moment. “I haven’t thought about it,” she admitted. “Anything will do.”


    “I guess you are not picky either then.”


    “No.”


    “Can you cook?” Zo asked.


    “I try. I am sure I don’t have the skills you have.”


    Was she giving apliment?


    “Don’t worry. It takes time. Maybe I can show you some day.” Zo suggested.


    “That is very kind of you. I would love that.” Ravina replied.


    “Ravina helped me make tomato soup. She learns very fast.” His mother told Zo.


    “That is good to hear,” Zo smiled.


    Mchi was frustrated by this polite conversation. What did Ravina think about all this?


    “How old are you, Ravina?”


    “Twenty-two.” She replied, unfazed by the sudden question.


    “Aren’t humans already married by that age?”


    “Yes. They get married much earlier, but I am picky with men.”


    “Well, you happen to be a dragon king’s breedmate now,” she said.


    Mchi knew Zo was trying something but his brain was too male to understand these female tricks.


    Ravina nced his way nonchntly before looking back at Zo, “indeed. A king and a dragon. I guess I can’t aim higher.”


    This woman…


    She made it sound genuine but he knew she was sarcastic. He knew her.


    ?[0)??? “I am sure he has other qualities you like,” Zo said.


    Yes. Let’s hear about that, Mchi thought.


    “Oh yes. I find him fascinating.” She said turning to look at him. “He is warm and brown. My favorite color. He is not my favorite species but… ” She shrugged. “He makes up for it, because he is extremely jealous, possessive, protective, and his temperament… I mean passion…I like the way he burns… with passion. It is inspiring.”


    His brothers tried to fight back their smiles, except for Saul.


    Zo yed along and chuckled. “He does look passionate,” she pretended not to understand the underlying meaning. “Dragon males are often passionate. It is what makes them special.”


    “I agree.” Ravina nodded.


    “Well, Ravina is passionate too. In case you didn’t know, she is an inventor like her father.” Saul said.


    “Oh…” Zo nodded. “You are really skilled.”


    Ravina kept herposure. “Oh, it is nothing.” She said. Mchi expected her to say more, but she didn’t.


    “It is something. You invented weapons that made dragons retreat for the most part. That is impressive.” Zo said making it sound like apliment but intending to make Ravina ufortable.


    “You tter me,” Ravina replied simply, not giving Zo the attention she sought. Or his brother the satisfaction.


    Feeling frustrated, “let me show you around.” Mchi told Zo, when they finished their lunch.


    He stood up and offered his hand to help her. He just wanted to know if Ravina felt even something little for him. Zo rose from her seat and took his hand. Then he led her outside to show her around where they lived. As soon as they were out of sight he released her hand.


    “Your breedmate is beautiful,” she said.


    God. She was not the one he wanted to make jealous.


    “Have you changed your mind?” He asked her.


    “No. I understand it must be hard for you. I want to help and I think she and I might get along.”


    But he didn’t want that. Maybe she thought she was doing him a favor.


    “You think so?”


    “I can win anyone over.” She smiled. “I can teach her about our culture and make her enjoy her stay here so she easily gets along with everyone.”


    “Why would you do that?” He asked.


    “I understand what it feels like not to have a breedmate.” She said.


    He said nothing but then she put her hand on his shoulder. “Don’t be troubled. All will be fine.” She let her hand slide down his arm. Her touch was hot but didn’t inme him.


    He could not be ufortable with this if he was going to make her his queen. She was a beautiful woman and willing to be with him despite his breedmate.


    “Why don’t you stay here for a few days, before making up your mind.” He told her.


    She nodded. “It sounds like a good idea.”