bedeviled & beyond 04 - bedeviled & belittled by sam cheever Page B

eyes were gold, with black flecks. His skin was a deep golden color and his hair was midnight black, cut very short, military style.
    The short hair emphasized a strong jaw and densely muscled neck.
    A dusky stubble covered his cheeks and jaw. But it didn’t hide the dimples which made an appearance when he smiled.
    “Are you all right?”
    I blinked. “Huh?”
    He lifted a hand to my forehead and frowned. “You’re burning up.”
    “Tell me about it.” I murmured.
    He frowned just as a stream of fire flashed past his head.
    Oh yeah. Glynus.
    Return her to me right this minute, halfling!
    Well frunk me to Hades and back on a stick. Another halfling.
    ~SC~
    You realize we’re swimming in pee, dodging turd sharks right now, Glynus?
    She sighed in my mind. Yes, mother halfling.
    That Queen looks mighty pissed.
    She does, yes.
    What are you gonna do about it?
    She glanced at me and smiled, showing several rows of scary looking teeth. I was hoping you’d take it from here.
    Just great! The dragon barges into the enemy camp making demands and flinging accusations around and then she wants me to clean up the resulting mess.
    I glanced at the muscle-bound, incredibly yummy halfling who’d saved me from a fiery death and carried me into the Queen’s caverns on the back of his fiery red steed.
    Okay, that might have been a little too much.
    The fiery red steed was really a slimy lizard, but the incredibly yummy halfling part was right on the mark.
    I forced my mouth closed and licked my lips, doing a drool check. I was glad nobody but me was aware of the series of mini-orgasms my body was flinging at me whenever I looked at...or smelled...or heard...or heard about...him.
    Well...unless they noticed the vibrating and slavering.
    Step forward, halfling.
    I blinked and looked at the Slayer. He jerked his head toward the enormous dragon crouching at the back of the cavern.
    I widened my eyes in a “Who me?” look and he chuckled, flipping a hand toward the queen again. Sighing internally, I stepped forward. You owe me big time for this, Glynus.
    I know.
    I moved to a spot just outside the swing-span of the queen’s spiked tail and dropped to one knee, bowing my head. Your Highness. Thank you for allowing us to come before you.
    The dragon inclined her elegant head slightly. Her massive wings fluttered once, the only sign of her irritation. And I am thanked for my hospitality with accusations and hostility.
    I glanced briefly at Glynus. She is young, Your Majesty, and very worried about her parents. I beg you forgive her for her harshness.
    The dragon turned long, opal colored eyes toward my young friend and her lip curled slightly. She is just like her mother, that one. All prickly and aggressive. It is a shame.
    I bit my metaphorical tongue and blocked my mind to Glynus. The last thing I needed at that point was for her to distract me with her rantings. Her parents have been missing for several days now, Majesty. Have you seen them?
    The Queen nodded again. They came to me three days ago. We spoke of what happened to my heir and they informed me they had nothing to do with it. I found them very convincing.
    Then you believed them?
    They created doubt in my mind. Enough doubt that I chose not to engage them in war at this time. I am still gathering information and assessing my options.
    I felt as if I was conversing with the CEO of a multi-planet corporation. Do you have any ideas about who else might have wanted your heir dead, Majesty?
    There are some in my queendom who cherish the throne. Even now they plot to kill me. My Slayer protects the throne.
    I barely resisted reminding her that her sexy Slayer hadn’t done much to save her daughter but, glancing quickly at the Slayer in question, I couldn’t quite bring myself to tarnish his rep with his queen. I’d like to question your subjects. See if we can figure out who might have had something to do with your daughter’s death.
    The Queen cocked her head at me, narrowing