Cornering Carmen by S. E. Smith Page B

Ariel responded lightly. “And, when the guys find out, they are going to be more than a little bit pissed at us.”
    A slight flush rose on Carmen’s face as she remembered Creon’s threat to spank her ass. “Yes, but think of the fun we’ll have before they do.”
    Ariel laughed in a low husky voice. “Carmen, you are grabbing a dragon by his tail and pulling it.”
    “At least it isn’t his teeth,” Carmen said softly , turning toward Creon’s bedroom where long curtains hung around the massive bed.
    Ariel watched her little sister as she walked toward the bedroom. “I wouldn’t count on that,” Ariel muttered with a flare of hope.
    A huge grin lit up her face. Her sister was making one last ditch effort to escape in order to absolve the guilt she felt at not being able to fulfill the promise she made to herself. But deep down, Ariel could see the hope in her sister’s eyes that she would fail.

Chapter 9
    Creon rolled his shoulders to ease the tension in them. He had spent the last two days with his brothers, Ha’ven and a small group of warriors in the mountainous regions north of the city. They had discovered where the Curizan traitor, Ben’qumain, had taken Abby only to find she had escaped him by transforming. Zoran had gone in search of her.
    Ha’ven had given him the final confirmation he needed that his father’s older brother, Raffvin, was still alive and responsible for his father’s murder. Ha’ven also related that his brother, Adalard, had almost been killed in an assassination attempt and Vox had been kidnapped.
    “I’m ready to kill the bastard for almost killing my brother but I have to appreciate that he was able to kidnap Vox,” Ha’ven said with a grin. “It takes a lot to sneak up and capture that big kitty.”
    Creon fought back a laugh. “You know he is going to kick your ass if you keep calling him that,” he responded as they moved back to the shuttles waiting to return him to the palace and Ha’ven to his warship.
    “Like that big pussy would even have a chance,” Ha’ven said. “You know we are going to have to go rescue his sorry ass. I am so looking forward to rubbing that in his face. I heard they sold him to a mining operation run by the Antrox. I hate dealing with those emotionless insects,” he grumbled.
    “I’m sure Vox is having the time of his life right now,” Creon responded quietly, his mind already back to trying to figure out how to deal with his mate.
    I tell you how to deal with her, his dragon growled out stubbornly. I tell you over and over but you no listen to me. Let me bite her. I take care of it. You too scared of her. I not scare d . I teach her who in charge.
    I am not scared ! Creon bit back in frustration. I am trying to give her time to accept us!
    No, you scared, his dragon replied drily. She not Aria. I never like Aria. Harvey never like Aria. We like Carmen. She is good mate. She is stubborn mate. She more stubborn than you. She make good perfect mate.
    I know she is not Aria! I just … Creon blew out a frustrated breath. “Dragon’s balls!” He growled out under his breath.
    Ha’ven looked at him with a raised eyebrow. “What has you so twisted? I could tell you and your drag on were arguing about something,” h e said with a motion of his hand to Creon’s arms which were covered with black scales. “You don’t often let anything upset you enough to lose control. What is it? Zoran and his mate will be fine and you know Vox can handle anything the Antrox throws at him.”
    “I have a true mate,” Creon said reluctantly. “She is from a species we have never encountered before.”
    Ha’ven stopped walking and looked intently at his friend. This was big news. Ha’ven knew Creon had refused to let another female close to him after Aria’s betrayal. He also knew it was almost impossible for a Valdier to find his true mate. The fact that Creon had found his with an unknown species was, well, incredible.
    “So, what is