hadn’t expected. The room continued with the fire and ice theme. Overstuffed couches in a burnt orange color lined the walls of the sitting area. The walls were painted a cool blue-green and glass tops sat on rock pedestals. Pictures of erupting volcanoes set against a volatile ocean back drop of waves crashing on the rocks were framed in dark wood and graced the walls across from the bank of sinks.
Bali strutted over to the basin. A flick of her fingers and water flowed from the curved spigot that protruded from the glass. She met River’s gaze in the mirror. “What is with you and the dragon? You never minded sharing before.”
River ambled over to a sofa and dropped into the thick cushions. “That was then. This is now. Bali. I will slit you open from your throat to your pussy and leave your ass in the shallows for the gulls to fight over.”
Hyori dropped her purse next to River and proceeded to the stalls beyond the screen divider. “Well, since you put it like that.” The squeak of the lavatory door filled the room as Hyori opened it.
“You don’t bare his mark.” Droplets of water flew as Bali shook her hands. “Which means he is fair game.”
“Seriously, how many ways do I need to explain this to you? Back the fuck off. He’s a damn dragon, you don’t know how his mark would appear on me.”
“You’re showing your ignorance, little fish,” Bali sneered. “We’ve been mating with dragons for centuries. His mark on you would be scales that can never be concealed. They would flow over your skin just as the brand on him rolls over his.”
Hyori appeared at the mirrors. “Bali, shut the hell up. Leave River’s man alone, you damn tiger shark.”
“That reptile is sexy with a capital S and if our western cousin here can’t handle her man, then she doesn’t deserve him.” Bali walked toward the door. “Throw him back, River. You’re not ready for that kind of beast.” She opened the door and pulsating music thumped through the room, cutting off River’s response.
When the barrier drifted shut and quiet filled the space, Hyori spoke. “Why do you need to be in Sumatra?”
“For Jax. He needs to make contact and locate some antiquities for his clan.” River leaned forward in her seat.
“Batak is the Dragonlord in that country. He likes money. Offer him enough and he will make deal with you. Leave tonight.”
“Why? We just got here. I wanted to visit with Ajumma. ” River searched her friend’s face.
A ghost of a smile flitted across Hyori’s features. “I don’t like seeing you and Bali fight. Your disagreements will force me to choose sides.” She hung her head and whispered, “You would lose.”
Hurt from her friend’s admission settled deep in her gut like a lodestone. She sighed. “Bali doesn’t scare me. This won’t be the first time and probably not the last, that Bali and I have fought.” River narrowed her eyes. “Our arguing has never bothered you before.”
The door swung open and a group of women trudged into the room, dispersing to various areas. Hyori grabbed her purse from the couch and waited as River rose. They exited the bathroom together. River searched the space for Jax and found him posted where she left him. Giddiness filled her, until she saw Bali. That Barracuda was making her way straight toward her dragon. River pulled up short, her shoulders slumped. Was he hers? She didn’t know a damn thing about claiming and had no one to ask since her mother died when she was a child. Bali’s information was a shock she’d tried to cover up well. Resolve settled her haphazard thoughts. There was only one way to find out if she and Jax belonged together. River shoved past patrons, determined to get to Jax first.
A few feet from his position she shouted, “Jax!” and waved her hand above her head.
He turned to face her, a scowl on his face as his eyes darted around her. His brows came together as he pushed off the low wall and forced his way past
Bali strutted over to the basin. A flick of her fingers and water flowed from the curved spigot that protruded from the glass. She met River’s gaze in the mirror. “What is with you and the dragon? You never minded sharing before.”
River ambled over to a sofa and dropped into the thick cushions. “That was then. This is now. Bali. I will slit you open from your throat to your pussy and leave your ass in the shallows for the gulls to fight over.”
Hyori dropped her purse next to River and proceeded to the stalls beyond the screen divider. “Well, since you put it like that.” The squeak of the lavatory door filled the room as Hyori opened it.
“You don’t bare his mark.” Droplets of water flew as Bali shook her hands. “Which means he is fair game.”
“Seriously, how many ways do I need to explain this to you? Back the fuck off. He’s a damn dragon, you don’t know how his mark would appear on me.”
“You’re showing your ignorance, little fish,” Bali sneered. “We’ve been mating with dragons for centuries. His mark on you would be scales that can never be concealed. They would flow over your skin just as the brand on him rolls over his.”
Hyori appeared at the mirrors. “Bali, shut the hell up. Leave River’s man alone, you damn tiger shark.”
“That reptile is sexy with a capital S and if our western cousin here can’t handle her man, then she doesn’t deserve him.” Bali walked toward the door. “Throw him back, River. You’re not ready for that kind of beast.” She opened the door and pulsating music thumped through the room, cutting off River’s response.
When the barrier drifted shut and quiet filled the space, Hyori spoke. “Why do you need to be in Sumatra?”
“For Jax. He needs to make contact and locate some antiquities for his clan.” River leaned forward in her seat.
“Batak is the Dragonlord in that country. He likes money. Offer him enough and he will make deal with you. Leave tonight.”
“Why? We just got here. I wanted to visit with Ajumma. ” River searched her friend’s face.
A ghost of a smile flitted across Hyori’s features. “I don’t like seeing you and Bali fight. Your disagreements will force me to choose sides.” She hung her head and whispered, “You would lose.”
Hurt from her friend’s admission settled deep in her gut like a lodestone. She sighed. “Bali doesn’t scare me. This won’t be the first time and probably not the last, that Bali and I have fought.” River narrowed her eyes. “Our arguing has never bothered you before.”
The door swung open and a group of women trudged into the room, dispersing to various areas. Hyori grabbed her purse from the couch and waited as River rose. They exited the bathroom together. River searched the space for Jax and found him posted where she left him. Giddiness filled her, until she saw Bali. That Barracuda was making her way straight toward her dragon. River pulled up short, her shoulders slumped. Was he hers? She didn’t know a damn thing about claiming and had no one to ask since her mother died when she was a child. Bali’s information was a shock she’d tried to cover up well. Resolve settled her haphazard thoughts. There was only one way to find out if she and Jax belonged together. River shoved past patrons, determined to get to Jax first.
A few feet from his position she shouted, “Jax!” and waved her hand above her head.
He turned to face her, a scowl on his face as his eyes darted around her. His brows came together as he pushed off the low wall and forced his way past
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