The creature just snorted at him.
“You don’t want these maidens, anyway,” Patrick grumbled.
The dragon cocked his head curiously.
“They’re flighty, they’re finicky, and they make my life miserable.”
What could have been amusement flashed across the dragon’s eyes.
“There is only one among them I would consider worth it, and I hope someday she’ll tend my brood.”
This was met with a gurgle of sympathy from the large beast.
Patrick stopped and stared at the dragon as the epiphany struck him. “Eggs,” he whispered. “That’s why you need the maidens. You have eggs,” he called a little louder.
A deafening roar shook the castle as the dragon shot a ball of fire at Patrick. The great beast took wing before the attack could hit.
Diving out of the way, Patrick barely avoided the sizzling flames. He sprawled on the ground, steaming. It was a good thing he had dunked himself before coming out. Pushing both hands through his hair, he worked through his thought.
“Patrick!” Daniel yelled as he came pounding up to check on the downed man. “What did you say to him?”
Bewildered at the possibilities, Patrick looked up from the ground. “When did the dragon first show up?”
Daniel stared at him, puzzled. “About eight weeks ago.”
“And when did the dragon take the first of the girls?”
It took Daniel a moment to work out the math. “It’s been a little over a fortnight. Why?”
“Do you remember how long it takes to hatch eggs?” Patrick asked as he pushed up from the ground.
Concern crossed Daniel’s face. “Patrick?”
“Who’s the fastest we have in wings?”
“Zane,” Daniel answered without thinking. “Why?” He trailed Patrick as the lord practically ran back to the castle.
Patrick grabbed the closest guard. “Find me Zane. Now!” He sent the guard off running.
Daniel grabbed his friend’s arm, stopping in him the courtyard. “Talk to me, Patrick.”
A quick turn had him facing the man restraining him. “Suppose this dragon wasn’t eating the maidens,” Patrick posed.
“Okay.”
“Why would a dragon need women?”
Daniel just shook his head. “There was no telling what a dragon would need maidens for.”
“Eggs!” Patrick said the word like it was the answer to everything and turned back towards the castle, leaving Daniel standing there, shocked at the insane idea.
“Wait!” Daniel raced to catch up to Patrick. He fell into step with the frantic lord. “Explain.”
“What do you know about hatching eggs?”
“Nothing,” Daniel answered. “That’s women’s work.”
“Exactly,” Patrick pointed out. “If I’m right, the dragon needs someone to tend his eggs.”
“But, why would he want maidens?”
“Who do you think takes care of the children when mothers are busy?”
“Why not take the mothers?”
Patrick stopped at the bottom of the castle steps and looked at Daniel, shocked. “Would you take a mother away from her child?”
“Of course not!” Daniel said, offended.
“Just because he’s forgotten what he is doesn’t mean he’s a monster,” Patrick pointed out. Looking up the steps, he found Kathryn and a few of the other maidens watching them. He swallowed before turning his attention back to Daniel. “If my hunch is right, he didn’t eat the maidens.” The gasp from the girls was audible. “Find me this dragon before his eggs hatch.” He turned to go. “And send me Zane.” He looked up longingly at Kathryn as he mounted the steps. Their conversation was going to have to wait until later. “I have a letter to write.”
“I don’t think this is a good idea,” Daniel protested as Patrick gave Zane instructions.
Turning, Patrick faced the concerned man. “And what would you have of me?”
“We don’t even know if he has eggs,” Daniel retorted.
Patrick threw his hands out in exasperation. “Then explain his reaction. For heaven’s sake, he threw a fireball at me.”
“What did you say to him?”
“I asked him if he had eggs.”
“I still don’t see how the dragon stealing maidens means the creature has eggs. Are you sure you didn’t hit your head when you fell?” Daniel asked.
Patrick glared at his friend. “The fall wasn’t that bad.” Letting out a forlorn sigh, Patrick dropped himself into the chair by his table. “It’s the only thing that makes sense.”
Zane watched quietly as the two men debated.
“Patrick, he wouldn’t need to steal someone to take care of his clutch. His mate would do it.”
Patrick paused as he thought about that. “What if his mate couldn’t? What if his mate was hurt or, God forbid, dead? Oh, God!” He looked up at Daniel, horrified. “He’s lost his mate.”
“You don’t know that,” Daniel said, trying to calm his friend.
Pushing up from his chair, Patrick paced as his thoughts churned. “But that’s the perfect answer. Why else would a dragon that has never been an issue go rogue? He started with livestock. Food for his breeding mate. He killed the men of the castle after they banded together to hunt him down. He killed the rest when they came for his family. Maybe the lord’s son actually found his clutch and hurt his mate. He only started taking the girls after the son’s attack.”
Daniel watched Patrick pivot and pace back across the room. “So why take more than one?”
The concerned man turned that thought over in his head as his feet worried the floor. “What if…” Patrick made another turn of the floor. “What if he’s looking for someone who can take care of the eggs?”
“Then none of the maidens he’s taken are going to do him any good. Why hasn’t he asked us for help?” Daniel asked quietly.
Patrick stopped and stared at him. Obviously, Daniel hadn’t stopped to think about that question. The answer was so obvious. “Would you ask a castle full of strange men to help with your clutch?” The tone in his voice was almost sarcastic.
Daniel’s eyebrows went up in surprise. He paused for a moment as he thought before turning to Zane. “Go.” He waved the waiting man off. “Take the letter to the prince. Use what stealth you can, but this cannot wait until dark.”
Zane bowed himself out.
Daniel looked back at Patrick. “We’re basing this on a whole lot of ‘ifs’. I hope you’re right.”
“Do you have other suggestions?” Patrick asked, hoping.
Letting out a long sigh, Daniel slowly shook his head. “No.”
“Then I want every spare body out looking for that lair.” Patrick turned to head towards the door. “We need to find him before something really bad happens.”
A light tap on the open door drew Patrick’s attention away from the map he was studying. Framed by the wood was a beautiful sight. Warmth spread through him at seeing the woman plaguing his heart. “Kathryn.”
She smiled at him and stepped into his room.
Standing up, he went to her and took her hand. Her small hand fit into his perfectly as he caressed it. “I’m sorry I haven’t gotten back to you.”
A blush ran over Kathryn’s cheeks, and she turned her face down. “It’s all right, My Lord. You’ve been busy.”
Letting out a forlorned sigh, he looked down at their joined hands. “That I have.” He rubbed her soft skin again. Patrick loved the feel of it under his fingers. “But, I would like to finish our conversation from earlier.”