“Maybe,” she wondered aloud. “Perhaps. I’m not sure. I—”
Lex’s hand on her arm made her words cease. “In all seriousness, my Queen,” Lex started, “I like him. He’s smart, sarcastic, equally as angry and passionate about his people, a fearsome being to behold, and… I’ve seen the way he makes you laugh. If anyone deserves to see your happiness, it is one who can accomplish such a feat. And if he would burn this kingdom for you… You’d not find many others who would.”
“You would,” Aydra affirmed.
Lex gave her a crooked smile. “It would be my honor, of course, but you should know my duty as your Second would be to not disobey your orders which I’m sure would be to save your sister first. But as your greatest friend… I’m more inclined to think I’d be standing by your side with the torch as we burnt it to the ground ourselves.”
Aydra almost laughed. “Yes, that does sound like us.”
Lex gave her a wink and started backwards out of the room. “I’ll meet you out front when you’re ready.”
“Thank you, Lex,” Aydra called as Lex left the room.
“Whoa—”
Draven nearly barged into Lex as she turned the corner of the door, and she paused haughtily on the other side of him.
“Sorry. Didn’t realize you were up here,” continued Draven.
“Queen needed a bit of relief after you failed to satisfy her last night,” Lex told him swiftly. “I’m sure you can understand. There are some things a woman just knows how to do better.”
Aydra clapped her hand over her mouth to keep herself from bursting with laughter.
A sly smile rose on Draven’s face. “You’ll have to teach me then.”
“Secrets, Venari King. I’m not sure you’ve earned them.” Lex gave him a full once over and stroked her chin with her finger. “Perhaps you will have by your next trip to Magnice. We’ll talk.”
Draven grinned. “I look forward to it.”
Lex gave him a wink and then continued down the stairs, barking orders out to people in her way as she descended to the ground. Draven whirled around and met Aydra’s amused eyes with his own surprised gaze.
“I really like her,” he said happily.
Aydra chuckled under her breath. “She’s certainly been my amusement for some years now.”
“And you two…” his voice trailed as he shoved his hands in his pockets and raised a brow.
Aydra smirked. “What happened to it not being your business who shares in my pleasures?” she asked.
“Well that answers that,” he said with the sideways smirk that made her chest flutter.
She smacked his chest and shook her head. “You’re ridiculous.”
He took her waist in his hands then and pulled her against him, smiling as he leaned down a breath from her face.
“I have to finish packing,” she whispered.
“I know.” He nudged her nose with his. “But I actually needed to make sure Lex was lying and you were satisfied without her assistance this morning.”
She pulled back and bit back the laughter bubbling to the surface. “What do you think?”
“I think I need another round to be sure.”
Laughter emitted from her throat as he began kissing her throat. “Draven… Draven they are waiting for me—” she had to make herself say the words from her lips as he gripped her backside in his hand. “I can’t…” Her willpower was quickly fading, and her eyes rolled into the back of her head as his hand dove between her legs, gently caressing her over the fabric of her pants.
The glimpse of the bag on the bed brought her back to reality. She gripped his shirt in her hands and gave him a gentle nudge. “Draven, wait—”
He pulled back softly and gazed at her face.
