“Did she do that to you?” Ren asked.
“No,” I said. “I did it myself. I left the scrap in a tree, thinking it might distract her.”
“Smart. It probably bought you a few seconds.”
“Seconds that made a difference between life and death.”
“As these seconds you now waste could mean the same for our king,” Lord Juri snapped. Then he launched into the air.
Wincing, I shared a guilty look with Ren as we took our positions seven feet apart from each other, and I quickly donned my cloak. I grunted with the impact of Juri's talon, but this time, I didn't shout or close my eyes. I kept them open and enjoyed every minute of the flight back. A triumphant flight. I had done it. I had saved the King!
That mueyaru didn't know how lucky she was.
Chapter Four
“You did it,” the King said when he saw me.
“I always keep my promises.” I went down on one knee before the King and presented him with the pouch. “I got several tufts, just in case.”
“From the belly?” another Dragon man came around the King's chair and held out his hand.
“Yes,” I said as the King set the pouch in the man's hand. I stood up. “Are you the one who's going to make the potion?”
The man just waved at me distractedly as he hurried out of the sitting room.
“Yes,” the King answered for him with an indulgent grin. “That's Grenreth. He's the mage from my enclave.”
I leaned in and whispered, “Are you sure you can trust him?”
The King lost his grin. “I'm not sure about anyone anymore, but I have to trust him. He's the only one who can make the potion.”
I grunted. “Was he here when you got ill?”
“No.”
I nodded. “Then he should be safe. At least as far as the poisoning goes.”
“Indeed.” The King's haggard face softened again. “Sit down, Ru'din.” He waved at a chair. “Have a drink with me.”
“No offense, Your Majesty, but I'm not drinking or eating anything meant for you.”
King Cynric burst into laughter, wheezing through the end of it.
“All right, that's enough,” Lord Juri said. “You've overtaxed him. Come with me, and I'll see you paid.”
“Juri, this man just saved my life,” the King said sternly.
“Not yet, he hasn't.” Juri crossed his arms.
“He has done his part. Now it's up to Grenreth. Order us some coffee, please. The least I can do is share a drink with him.”
“Sire, I recommend you don't drink anything you haven't prepared yourself,” I said. “Or eat anything either.”
“So you propose he starves himself?” Juri snapped.
“Your Majesty!” Grenreth rushed in with a steaming mug before I could answer. “Quickly! We only have a few minutes of potency.”
The King straightened in his seat and took the mug. Meeting my gaze over the mug's rim, he winked, sending a thrill through my belly, then sipped at the potion.
