Defiant Dragon by Kassanna Page A

in silver at the doorway, grinning. Her smile didn’t reach her eyes as she lifted her hand and beckoned them in. River slid her palm down her friends arm as they eased past her.
    Jax hung back and took another look around. Unease skittered along his spine. He gazed at Hyori. “Where is our duffel? I can’t hold audience with your Ajumma dressed inappropriately.”
    “I assure you my mother is not big on appearances, at least not with foreigners.” She looked him up and down before giggling. “Although she may make exception for you.” Hyori beckoned him in.
    He stepped into the inner sanctum and noted no other entrances or exits. The women that had hung out with him and River the night before were dressed identical to Hyori and lined one wall with Bali standing closest to her mother. Hyori hustled past him to take a spot at the end of the row. A wide skylight directed beams toward the back of the room, brightly illuminating the area.
    Carved Jade statues of a man holding a scroll and a woman holding a sword flanked a divider covered in white fabric, with big bold black characters written across it. Set on a dais in front of the screen was a massive claw-footed tub. Steam rose up around a robust woman with black hair piled high on her head and held in place with thin sticks decorated in red thread. She sank deeper under the rolled rim, leaving only her neck and head exposed. Water surged over the edge as a thick fish tail rose and hovered in the air before falling across the lip with a thump, unfurling to cover the width of the bathtub. Her tail sparkled gold with a deep red coloring tracing the length of her fin.
    River stood beside the older woman with her head bent, clasping the Ajumma’s hand. They spoke quietly. Jax glanced at the women along the wall. They kept their eyes forward, but Bali had tight fists at her side. Jax strode closer. The older mermaid dropped his mate’s hand and turned her head to meet his stare, gazing at him through startling silver eyes. She smiled and he noticed the double row of serrated teeth that filled her mouth.
    “So nice to meet the animal that tamed my Jogi .” The Ajumma spoke with a lisp.
    He bowed his head in respect. “I’m the lucky one. She found me worthy to claim her.”
    The ancient woman laughed and it sounded like the grating of metal. “You speak like a diplomat, young dragon. Are you noble linage like my Jogi here?”
    Jax chose his words carefully to avoid offering any personal information about himself. “I’ve dealt with my share of royals.”
    “Stand with your mate, River.” The elder urged his woman away. When River did as she was told, the Ajumma tilted her head and stared at them. “Well mated, indeed. When Hyori advised me of your request, I sent our Ajosshi to Sumatra as an emissary to Batak’s court with your entreaty for an audience. I came here as soon as I heard from him. Batak will see you as long as you are escorted with a small entourage of people from the Mako clan. I’ve chosen Bali and a few of her sentries to escort you to Sumatra.” She paused and her lengthy tongue slipped from her mouth to slide along her lips. “I hope you have money, lizard. That old Dragonlord is greedy. I believe he is trying to recreate the horde regaled in myth by the great Dragonrex Manx.”
    The intensity of his uneasiness doubled at the mention of Bali going with them. “Thank you for your assistance with this matter. Funds will not be an issue. I would ask that given Hyori’s relationship with River…” He glanced at the line of women standing parallel to him. “That she be the one to accompany us on our journey.”
    “Hyori, my youngest is in the middle of a guae , what you westerners call a courting. I will honor her suitor’s request that she not be sent on clan business until a suitable mating time can be determined.” The older mermaid looked at her child and smiled briefly. “Bali is a seasoned ambassador and she has no mate to answer