“Ezkai General is allowed to have romantic and sexual relationships,” Daegel says. “They only are forbidden to marry, and have a family.”
I scoff. “So I’d be your mistress, then? A secret to keep? Once again, we’d be hiding and sneaking around, just like when I was your student?”
“It doesn’t have to be like that,” he says with a sigh. “And who says I can’t change the law? Kitajo had plenty of ideas that were controversial, and he managed to implement them so they’re the new norm. If you agree to my plan, and drop out, I will make you my Taaslord. Fuck, I will make you my damn queen. As Ezkai General, I’ll have the power.”
He speaks passionately, with such conviction it’s hard not to believe him. But something deep inside my stomach twists into a knot.
Pretty words coming out of his pretty mouth. What if he’s willing to tell me whatever I want to hear, just so I would relent and go with his plan?
I don’t know who and what I can trust.
Appetite lost, I rise to my feet and crack my neck. “Shall we train? It’s getting late.”
From the way Daegel eyes me, I can tell he senses my apprehension and sour mood. But he doesn’t pry, nor does he argue. He simply sets the food aside and stands. “Let’s do this.”
Daegel is an excellent fighter. Of course, I already knew that.
We go through various Ezkai drills, most of them familiar to me from our Ezkai training. But he also shows me some of the routines he practices himself in the morning. By the time we’re done, a thin layer of sweat coats my skin.
I’m definitely warmed up.
Lucky for us, Daegel knows how to build a fireplace. He gathers the branches from around us, and even finds the stone that sparks when you rub two of them together.
I plop on the blanket and take a piece of bread. “You know, I always wondered how come you haven’t bonded a dragon yet. A young, prominent Ezkai Major like you should definitely have a dragon.”
Daegel joins me on the blanket. The flame from the fire dances in his dark eyes. “You’re not the first to ask this question. Many people wonder the same.”
I pause mid-chew. From the way Daegel’s muscle ticks in his jaw, I can tell he’s not pleased about my question. How did I miss that it bothers him that he hasn’t bonded a dragon despite his station, rank, and abilities?
He looks away, focusing on the flame. After a long pause he says, “Even prominent Ezkai don’t always get to bond with a dragon. It’s so rare, and so complicated, it’s not a guarantee. Of course, throughout the ages, we came to believe that the strength of an Ezkai is what determines whether a dragon chooses them. But there are plenty of Ezkai Majors, and yet, very few of them have bonded a dragon.”
The haunted look in his eyes makes my heart sink in my chest. I can’t tell if it hurts him truly, or it’s his pride and ego that’s bruised that he hasn’t been chosen by one of the most beautiful creatures in the realm.
I reach for his forearm and squeeze it gently in hopes it can offer some sort of assurance.
I change the topic. “You haven’t told me yet how can I fight and fend off a dragon, and it’s almost bedtime.”
“How rude of me.”
Swiftly, Daegel gets on his feet and offers me his hand. I take it without a beat of hesitation. He pulls me to my feet. We standso close, our chests almost touch. The scent of him overwhelms my senses and for a moment, I can’t think straight.
He circles me. My heart thrashes against my ribs. Daegel comes to stand behind me. The heat that radiates from him warms my back. When he speaks next, his words reverberate right through me and send a shiver down my back.
“There are two things you have to know when fighting a dragon. First, they are extremely agile and quick. One moment the creature can be three miles away.” He snaps his fingers on the left of my head. “And in a blink of an eye, it’s right next to you.” Another snap on the right side of my head. Goose bumps skitter all over my skin when his hands both land on my hips. “Make sure you never turn your back on a dragon, or else you’ll die before you know it.”
His grip tightens and he whirls me around to face him. Despite the cold air around me, I’m hot all over. His palms rest on my hips, his skin scorching hot even through my leathers.
“Got it,” I say, a little breathless. “Never turn my back to a dragon.”
“Now, the second thing you must know is that there is only one way to kill a dragon,” he says. His voice is rough. He quickly wets his lips and leans down as if he wants to whisper the next words into my ear. “Behead the creature, and pierce their heart.” I shiver when his hot breath tickles me ear. “If you aim anywhere else, it will slow a dragon down slightly, but it won’t kill it. If you forget to pierce their heart after you behead it, it will grow a new head, and you’ll have a dragon coming after you seeking vengeance.”
Daegel’s lips brush my earlobe, and my breasts grow heavy. I bite the inside of my cheek to stop any sounds coming out of my mouth. When he takes my earlobe between his lips and brushes a tongue over it, I inhale a sharp breath. Finally, our chests touch.
He pulls me into him by the hips and his lips slide down to my neck. I grab his shoulders and dig my fingers in to keep myself steady. Daegel inhales deeply and hums with pleasure.
“You smell so good,” he murmurs against my neck. “It’s hard to keep my head straight. But we’re not finished yet.”
“Oh? There’s more?”
