Mate Test Read Online Free PDF Page B

unusual
    for them to leave their homes.
    Crillon gave Tor an adoring look and stroked the
    duke's head. "His grace has given my brother and me many
    great opportunities."
    "If you don't remove your hand from his hair, your
    brother can examine the ground at your burial site."
    Crillon bared his fangs at the King, but he stopped
    stroking Tor's hair.
    Shaking his head, Naron motioned for everyone to
    board the hover craft. "Let's get back to the castle and have
    a bite to eat."

    * * * *
    Tor took another bite of the flaky pastry and gave a
    little hum as he licked his lips. The king's chef was a
    master. Tor tilted his head to the right, a silent indication he
    wanted whoever was on wait service during the meal.
    "Yes?" Sally's voice spoke in his right ear.
    "Give my regards to the chef and tell him this is
    41
    Mate Test
    Amber Kell
    some of the best food I've ever eaten. Also, find out if he
    can be bribed away."
    "Tor!" The king's tone of outrage made him smile.
    Sally giggled. "I'll see what I can do. The usual
    package?"
    "Yes."
    "I can't believe you're going to try and steal my
    chef," Naron growled.
    "I heard once that all is fair in love and war." Tor
    smiled. He'd smiled more today than he had in the past two
    years. As much as he didn't want to be a king-consort, there
    was definitely something compelling about Naron. The
    king's rich voice and sense of humor appealed to Tor more
    than any man he'd met since his lover died.
    Tor imagined he could still taste the king's flavor on
    his lips. Damn if he didn't want another taste. Would it be
    outside protocol if he pounced on the man? After all, one of
    these lucky bastards would get Naron for life, so why
    shouldn't Tor at least get a taste before he left?
    The thought of Naron spending each day and night
    with another man in his bed unsettled Tor.
    "That's because he's the one," an insidious voice
    said inside his head.
    "Shut up, Baroy!"
    42
    Mate Test
    Amber Kell
    "You just don't want the truth because you're afraid
    of losing another lover. Trust me. This one will be much
    harder to lose. Dragonmen are a hardy breed. After all,
    they are distantly related to me."
    The smugness of his dragon made Tor want to
    punch him.
    "Temper ." Baroy's voice mocked him.
    "I thought you liked the food." Naron's concerned
    voice startled Tor.
    "Sorry, what?"
    "You're frowning over your food. I was wondering
    if you decided against stealing my chef."
    "No. I was frowning over a different matter. I'm still
    enthralled by your chef."
    "I'd rather you were enthralled by me," Naron said
    in a low voice.
    "Your Highness." Lord Mell's voice broke into their
    conversation. "Could I get your opinion on something?"
    "Of course." Noran brushed Tor's cheek with his
    lips, and whispered, "I'll see you later."
    Tor decided he didn't like Lord Mell. There was
    something in the other man's voice that made him uneasy.
    This was the type of man who would take Naron for
    everything he could then break his heart. It was in the
    43
    Mate Test
    Amber Kell
    king's best interests if Tor eliminated the other man from
    the running before he left. Maybe Naron would be better
    off with Gallywyn or Cant. He made a mental note to get to
    know the other two better, to determine which would be
    better for the king. They were both sitting on the far side of
    the table so he didn't have a chance to interact with them
    this evening, but he didn't like the thought of Naron being
    left with the creepy Mell guy when Tor left. The king
    seemed like a nice man who was following traditions to
    find his mate. Tor was a strong believer in the traditions of
    his people. He wondered why they didn't do a mate hunt
    like Jory's kingdom. He made a mental note to ask the king
    the next time he wandered by.
    "Its time for your phone call, my duke," Dillon
    whispered in his ear. The change from Crillon to his twin
    indicated the changing of the shift for the night. The twins
    never slept well if Tor was still up, feeling it was