“She may consider it unfair, Your Highness.”
“There’s nothing unfair about the fact that I am the best qualified match for her.”
The man inclines his head. “We are agreed on that.” He clears his throat. “Might I ask…”
He trails off but I’m in no doubt about what he wants to ask me. I smirk. “Yes, yes. I have brought your gold. You were as good as your word, and the water supply is a lot healthier thanks to you. I have not forgotten.”
He bows—too low for anyone but the lowest servant.
I ignore the misstep.
“Thank you, Your Highness. I will go and find out what you want to know.”
“Good. Don’t get seen here. I don’t want Yalina knowing about our little arrangement.”
He bows his way out of the room and shuts the door behind him. So much the better. The man makes my scales crawl like I’m about to shed.
Shortly afterward, there’s a second knock and my servant enters. “Your Highness, I have the glider ready for you and the solha when it pleases you.”
“Excellent. While I am out, prepare battle garb. Ensure everything is well polished. I have a hunch I will be dueling tomorrow.”
Yalina has dressed in thin pants that show off every aspect of her curved behind as she walks. I make sure to let her lead the way as much as possible to enjoy the view. The shake of her ass as she moves is enough to make my mouth water.
“You were ready for this challenge very quickly,” she says.
“Ah, I was hoping for an opportunity after yesterday. This will be perfect.”
“Are we flying again?” She turns to me, and her smile is as bright as I could have hoped.
“It will be a little different from yesterday, but one thing at a time. I have prepared my royal carriage to take us to the place.”
She gives me a curious glance, but I don’t elaborate. I’d prefer to tease her a little more. The journey to the ridge is a calculated move too. I could have flown her, but I want to build anticipation. I also want the opportunity to talk with her more one on one, to prize more information. When we arrive at the place on a cliff overlooking the city, the wind whips at us as soon as we exit the carriage. Yalina gathers her hair into one hand to hold it out of her face as she steps nearer the edge looking down. “You can see the whole city from up here.”
I grin. My fearless mate will love this.
I gesture to the footman who is already preparing the glider, and he brings it over. “The mate of one of my brothers designed this modified kite so she could fly with him. It straps to your body and holds you up like wings.”
Her eyes widen as she turns to me. “Is it safe?”
“Perfectly safe, Solha. And I will be with you should anything go amiss.”
With a look of wonder she allows me to help her into the harness, and I tighten and check every strap. And yes, that gives me the opportunity to run my hands over her juicy thighs and waist, and I make the most of it.
Finally she slaps my hands away playfully. “I think you have checked those quite enough.”
I give her a wink. “When it comes to my future wife, I take safety very seriously.”
She rolls her eyes but does not correct me. I take that as progress.
I hold out my hand and lead her to the edge of the cliff. She hesitates as any sensible creature without wings might do. Then she looks around at me. “Well, what are we waiting for?”
“After you, Solha.”
She grips the straps around her shoulders, tenses, and steps off the cliff with a wild scream. The wind catches her, and I standstartled at her fierce beauty for a second before spreading my wings and leaping after her.
Her hair trails out behind, escaping the scarf and flying free. Her clothes billow around her, and the look on her face is pure delight. Lazily, I give a little flap and tuck my wings close to get ahead of her as she drifts toward the ground.
“This is amazing!” she shouts over the wind.
