The impact of that statement took a few seconds to sink in, but Constantine got it instantly. “Dragon Breaker,” he said.

The other dragons gasped.

I nodded, praying that Rowan would understand when he found out I was the one who turned their eyes to him. “But it’s not like what you think.”

“Think?” Drake snorted. “We all know what the Dragon Breaker did. He killed four innocent dragons. The First Dragon bound danegeld to him for that crime, and told him he must repay the dragonkin for what he took from us, and yet the debt has not been repaid.”

“It’s not like that,” I started to say, but the dragons all began talking at once, arguing about whether or not they should involve someone as heinous as the infamous Dragon Breaker in the plan.

Everyone but Constantine. To my surprise, he smiled, leaning down to bite my lower lip, sliding his tongue along it to take away the sting. “Do not despair. Your brother’s actions have nothing to do with you.”

“He’s not guilty of killing those dragons. You have to believe me. Honestly, I think he did the wrong thing by going into hiding, but it was his choice. I just hope he forgives me when he finds out I’m the one who told you all about him.”

Constantine struggled for a moment, clearly wanting to believe me, but finding it difficult. “If he helps destroy Bael’s power, then I will be satisfied.”

I leaned into him, wishing there was another way. “Just don’t let the past bias you against him. He’s a nice man, and I know he’ll help us once I explain the situation.”

“For your sake, it will be so.”

“Thank you.” I pressed a kiss to his lips, feeling his fire roar to life.

His smile broadened. “Definitely I will let you use the nipple clamps on me tonight. And afterward, I will get on my knees and thank the gods and goddesses for sending you into my life.”

“Such a drama llama,” I said with a little laugh, and kissed him as I had wanted to ever since I met him.

The others were talking excitedly, asking a hundred questions, and getting no answers as Constantine and I left the room, arm in arm, with Gary following behind.

“Remind me to introduce you to Ramona,” Constantine said as we walked out of the front door.

“Who’s that?” I asked, wondering if I should be outraged. “You know that I’m not into threesomes, don’t you?”

“Ramona’s his blow-up sheep,” Gary said, pulling a little spinning wheelie on the sidewalk. “He keeps her in a special bag stuck under the bed. I thought someone at the brothel had left it there by mistake, but Connie said it was his.”

“Really, Constantine?” I asked as we followed Gary. “A blow-up sheep?”

“I was lonely,” he said, trying to look innocent, and failing. Dear goddess, how I loved him. “I didn’t know you. I didn’t know I would ever find you. I needed comfort, and Ramona was there.”

“A blow-up sheep,” I repeated.

“She’s quite comely. She has stockings and everything,” he countered, his mouth twitching.

“Do you seriously think I’m going to want to invite a blow-up sheep to romp with us when we’re filling the cream donut?”

“I would,” Gary said, and zoomed ahead. “Oooh, taxi. I’ll grab him, shall I?”

I sighed with a mixture of happiness and resignation. “That poor mortal driver.”

“We’ll tell him Gary is a movie special effects prop that we’re trying out. Now, about tonight… how do you feel about warming lotions? Feathers? Where do you stand on the subject of vibratory devices?”

We strolled on, happy as a spirit dragon, his mate, and a disembodied head could be.