Verin scowled deeper and growled.
“Stop growling at me when we're not in bed. You're turning me on,” I teased him.
That won me a grin. “Everyone needs sex and there are always those who want a similar arrangement.”
“I somehow doubt that your bed partners wanted only sex from you.”
“They assured me that they did.”
“And I'm assuring you that they said whatever you wanted to hear so they could touch that hot, dragon body.”
Verin chuckled. “It is hard to remain serious around you.”
“Good. Serious is boring.”
“There you two are,” a familiar female voice declared triumphantly.
I turned to see Queen Savassa, Verin's mother, come gliding up to us. She wore several layers of kimono-like gowns in shades of blue and had her hair braided in intricate loops atop her head. Ropes of pearls wrapped around the glossy black strands and a diadem that was a larger version of mine perched atop it all precariously. Her eyes went straight to my new accessory and widened before seeking her son's gaze.
Verin grunted in confirmation.
“Congratulations to you both,” Savassa said warmly.
“You're not upset?” I asked warily.
“Why would I be upset?” She looked genuinely confused.
“Because of my... situation.”
“Yoursituationwas never a problem for me, only Verin,” she said gently. “And it no longer seems to be a problem. If my son is happy, so am I. Welcome back to the Azure Court, Queen Elaria.” Savassa leaned forward and hugged me.
“Thank you, Queen Savassa,” I said in relief as she stepped back. “It's nice to have one person on our side.”
Savassa nodded thoughtfully. “Yes, I know of the spell but what is love if not a type of magic? It takes control of us and compels us to do things we would otherwise never think to do.”
“Most love develops on its own,” I argued.
“But were you not halfway there when this spell was cast?” Savassa shot back. “It seems to me that it has done for you what you both were too afraid to do for yourselves. It has broken through the barriers and brought you together, saving you months, if not years, of frustration. In that way, this spell is a great blessing.”
“Thank you, Mother.” Verin pulled his mother into a hug. “Your supports means a lot to me.”
“You always have my support, Son,” she chided. “You may not have my approval, but you always have mysupport.”
Verin went back to his usual response: a grunt.
“This time, however,” Savassa went on, “you have them both.”
Verin's expression warmed again.
“I will arrange a feast in honor of your new consort,” Savassa declared.
Verin rumbled angrily.
“Do not make those sounds at me.” She smacked his chest. “I am Queen of this court until you marry and it's expected of me to welcome a woman who may one day take my place. Propriety demands that I honor Elaria in some way. If I don't, your people will assume that I'm against the match.”
Verin grunted in acceptance—a lamenting sound.
“You've taken me around the whole palace and introduced me to several members of your court,” I reminded him. “Why does the thought of a feast bother you?”
