“Some of the Dragon Kings have found wives. We doona have wedding ceremonies exactly. The women and the Kings are mated for eternity.”
Kinsey descended the last stair. “How many mates are here?”
Ryder kept walking as he said, “Let’s see. There’s Cassie, Elena, Jane, Denae, Sammi, Shara, Iona, Lily, Darcy, Grace, Lexi, and Sophie.”
“Twelve,” Kinsey said with a nod. “And Con allowed all of them to be mated?”
“Con might be King of Kings, but he can no’ stop a King from falling in love.”
“Really?” she asked acridly.
Ryder could’ve kicked himself. He stopped at the doorway of the kitchen and motioned Kinsey inside. “I think Lexi and Elena have been cooking all morning.”
Kinsey took a deep breath before licking her lips as if she couldn’t decide where she wanted to start first.
“About time you brought her to us,” Lexi said as she closed the refrigerator and set the orange juice on the table. “Hi, Kinsey. I’m Lexi. One of the newest women at Dreagan.”
The two shook hands. Kinsey’s smile was open and welcoming. “Hello. Are you from America?”
“South Carolina. It’s my Southern accent that tipped you off, huh?” Lexi asked with a grin and got a couple of glasses down. A moment later and the smile was gone. “One of my best friends was killed by a Dark Fae in Edinburgh. Idiot that I was, I thought I could track him down myself. Thorn saved my hide several times. I, of course, was too much of a temptation and he fell in love with me,” Lexi finished with a wink.
Kinsey chuckled. “You’re making light of what sounds like a dangerous situation.”
Lexi’s demeanor became serious. “I tease and joke because it helps. We’re at war. But yes, it was a harrowing adventure, and I thank God every day that Thorn came into my life.”
Ryder watched the exchange with interest. He hadn’t thought about Kinsey interacting with the mates as a means to help change her mind about him, which was stupid on his part.
Who better to convince Kinsey he wasn’t a bad guy than the other mates who’d gone through something similar?
“I heard my name,” Thorn said as he walked into the kitchen and immediately went to Lexi. They kissed and shared private words before Thorn turned to Kinsey. “You’re the talk of Dreagan.”
“Am I?” Kinsey asked, glancing at Ryder.
Ryder handed a plate to Kinsey and urged her to choose from the selection of eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, and donuts. He shot a glance at Thorn, hoping he would take the hint and talk about something else.
“That’s right,” Thorn said as he took a chair at the table. “We’re all verra curious, lass. It’s no’ every day we get to meet someone Ryder knows.”
Ryder looked at the ceiling and prayed for patience. When he lowered his gaze he saw a look pass between Thorn and Lexi. Ryder didn’t even want to know what that was about.
“So he doesn’t get out much?” Kinsey asked nonchalantly.
Ryder found his focus on her—as it always seemed to be. He watched the way she piled a little of everything onto her plate before walking to the table and taking the seat across from Thorn.
“You can say that,” Thorn said with a smile as he rested his arms on the table.
Ryder looked to Lexi for help, but she threw up her hands, telling him he was on his own as she turned away to get coffee for Thorn.
“Hmm.” Kinsey poured some OJ into her glass before reaching for the syrup and drowning her pancake in it.
Ryder rolled his eyes and leaned back against the wall. “I suppose you all are having fun?”
“You know, he’s a right genius when it comes to those computers,” Thorn stated, as if Ryder hadn’t spoken. “We all have our talents, but I doona know how he does what he does.”
Kinsey chewed a bit and swallowed as she regarded Thorn. “A genius, huh?”
“Doona tell him I said that.”
She gave a little snort. “You don’t have to worry about that. I think he already believes it.”
Ryder pushed away from the wall. “Right here. Right. Bloody. Here.”
Lexi laughed as she came to stand beside him. She leaned close and whispered, “It’s not worth it. Thorn has an objective. You know how he gets when he sets his mind to something.”
“Aye.” Ryder grimaced when he saw Thorn’s smile. Thorn could be at it awhile, and though Ryder could take whatever was dished, he thought Kinsey might like some time alone with Lexi and Thorn. “I’ll be in my office.”
Kinsey didn’t so much as look up as he walked out. Ryder tried not to feel the hurt that caused. It was as if he mattered less than a flea.
What did he expect after the way he’d left her? Then showing up during the Fae attack and shifting? He’d always thought he was intelligent, but every time he was around Kinsey he felt like a fool.
He was constantly saying or doing the wrong thing, even when he tried to do something right. Why was it so difficult? It wasn’t that he was uncomfortable around her. Quite the opposite, actually.