“Apparently it’s in some tomb way out in the desert. Quite an operation to get out there, and there’s got to be a reason they haven’t gone in to get it themselves yet.”
“Like what?”
“A curse, you stupid boy. Don’t you read books?”
I scoff. “I don’t believe in curses.” If I did, I’d have more to worry about than rousing some stupid ghost. I’ve just deflowered the future monarch.
“Well do you want me to put you in touch with them? I’ll want a cut, mind you.”
“Of course you will.”
“It’s only fair.” Zerth begins counting out coins with quick fingers, and I watch him carefully to make sure he doesn’t try to cheat me.
“Last time it was fifteen.”
He sniffs. “The price of gold has gone down. No point in hoarding gold when we’re all about to die of thirst, eh?”
I sigh. “I guess you’d better get me this job. How much is your cut?”
“Forty percent.”
“Not a chance, old man! Try ten.”
“Thirty.”
He has me over a barrel, and I know it. I hold out my hand. “Fine. Thirty, but you’re paying for travel expenses.”
Yalina
It’s almost disappointing when no one has noticed I was gone. How can my whole world have changed and no one can tell there’s any difference?
As Coltheis brushes out my hair she finds more tangles than she normally does, but if it makes her wonder, she says nothing. She avoids my eyes in the mirror as she always does.
I keep feeling phantom touches on my body as I remember last night. His hands firm on my butt, holding me close, a soft mouth against my inner thigh.
A trickle of moisture leaks through pussy lips he kissed and sucked, and I wriggle in place.
I’m distracted all day while I endure a meeting with my advisors and review the information about all my potential matches. I want none of them. But that doesn’t change the fact I must choose. Perhaps it would be easiest to just marry Prince Aurelion. After all, what is the difference between one suitor I do not love and another?
Days pass. All too soon it’s time to meet him.
His entourage arrives with enormous fanfare. From my balcony, I watch the people crowd along the boulevard and all down the adjoining lanes to watch. His golden carriage is so bright in the sun it’s hard to look at. The four white horses drawing it are perfectly groomed and dressed with rich purple sashes, their manes and tails plaited into elaborate decorations.
As they pass through the palace gates, a messenger scratches at the door. “May I send Coltheis to refresh your makeup, oh, Light of the Sun?”
I dismiss her with a wave of my hand. “There’s no need for that. Thank you.”
“Then should he be shown directly to the reception room?”
I hadn’t really given this part too much thought. “I believe Master Solen has made plans.”
“Very good, oh, Light of the Sun.”
I feel a little ashamed of the fact I’ve left everything to my advisors. They seemed keen enough to handle it all, though. Despite the fact that I dismissed the offer of having my makeup retouched, I go to the mirror, leaning forward to examine my face. What will the prince be like? I can’t help but think of a dragon shifter as scaly. I don’t think it would be nice to touch scales. In my mind, they’re stiff and scratchy.
Of course my imagination wanders back to my night with Kaelen, to the way it felt to run my fingers over his warm flesh and the way his muscles jumped under my touch.
Cross with myself for giving into it again, I straighten. It’s time.
