that.â
âAnother head-butt?â
âThereâs no shame in the head-butt. If it works it works. They all went to bed hours ago. Charles said you shouldnât be much longer . . . I think Charles lied to me.â
âItâs not his fault. He always reminds me of the time and I just get . . . lost.â
âThatâs all right. I find it endearing.â
âYou do? Most females have found it rude and intolerable.â
âStuck up, prissy asses, if you ask me.â
Bram laughed. âIâve never heard âstuck up prissy assesâ before.â
âBecause I just came up with it. Look, itâs not like youâre at the pub, feeling up the bargirls. Youâre doing important work.â
âYou think what I do is important?â
âDefinitely. Because when your precious truces and alliances are broken, war breaks out.â Her grin was wide, showing all her teeth. âAnd then my important work begins.â She stood and walked over to him. âWe need you peacemakers. Without you, thereâd be no reason for war, now would there?â
âItâs nice to know how integral my job is to your happiness.â
âAnd my career! Donât move up the ranks of Dragonwarrior without a war to fight, enemies to kill. So thank you, peaceful dragon, for being ever so helpful.â
âItâs my pleasure, warmongering female.â
They laughed and she caught his hand. âNow off to bed with you. You need at least a few hours if you hope to make it through the day.â She pulled him out of his study and led him down the hall. âAddolgarâs a tyrant when traveling. He likes to go and go and go. The quicker the better for him.â
âIs that my shirt youâre wearing?â
âI needed something to wear. Charles practically fainted earlier today when I got naked in front of him. These humans. . . so ridiculous about their own bodies.â
But what did she expect when her body looked so . . . astounding. Long legs stretched out from under his shirt, while a plump ass moved seductively under the plain cotton. Then they were walking up the stairs and Bram realized she wore no underthings. Gods, the female was torturing him. What had he ever done to deserve such torture?
She stopped in front of his room. âThis is your room, yes?â
âIt is.â
âI could tell when I walked past. All the books.â
âI read a lot.â
âDonât have to defend yourself to me. My cave is filled with weapons. Same thing.â She released his hand and gestured him inside. âNeed help getting undressed?â
Bram faced her. âYes. Yes, I do.â
âI was joking.â
âIâm not.â He lifted his hands. âTheyâre weak from writing.â
âBed. Sleep. Iâll see you in the morning.â
âYou shouldnât offer if youâre not going to deliver, Captain.â
âYeah, yeah. Like Iâve never heard that before.â She walked away but returned. âThanks, by the way.â
âFor what?â
âLetting my brothers stay. I know youâd rather have yourself impaled, but . . . I appreciate it.â
âNo problem. Although I donât know if Iâd let them in when youâre not here.â
âThatâs probably a good idea.â She winked and walked off.
And unable to help himself, Bram followed her out into the hallway, watching that perfect plump ass move down the corridor until she reached her bedroom and stepped inside, closing the door behind her.
Bram blew out a breath and wondered about going down there and knocking.
âYou havenât gotten to bed yet?â
Bram gritted his teethâ all of them sneak! âand said, âI was about to, Captain Addolgar.â
âJust call me Addolgar.â The big oaf stood beside Bram now, staring off down the hall. âMy sister . . . you think