Rian chuckled. “How about tomorrow?”
“I'm working.”
“Do you never take a day off?”
“I do, but it's not tomorrow.”
“When is it?”
I grinned. “The day after.”
Rian frowned, his gaze sliding away, then nodded. “All right. I'll move my meeting.”
I blinked. “You're going to move a meeting just to take me out to lunch?”
“I think it's only fair since a meeting is what caused us so much trouble, to begin with.” He snatched up my hand and kissed it while holding my gaze. “And it's not lunch. We'll start with breakfast and go from there. I don't want to be limited by time as I was tonight.” He lowered my hand and added, “If you say yes.”
“Yes.”
Rian beamed at me and spun on his heel. He opened the door but then paused in the frame to look back at me. “Remember the hair, Galin.” Then he was gone.
I floated up to my room, barely remembering to close the doors behind me as I went. In a daze, I undressed, then climbed into my bed naked. The sheets were cool against my flushed skin, and I slid around against them in delight. Everything suddenly felt decadent. The world was a joyous place, full of potential. And my heart was full of hope.
Hope. I was nervous to feel it. But I wasn't a naturally negative man. My normal state was one of contentment. I hada happy childhood and parents who supported me in all of my pursuits. Life had gone pretty well. I never wanted for anything, having been born into a wealthy family, and I achieved whatever I set out to do. I decided to become a courtier, and I was accepted and made a lord. But the Dragon Court of Vix had slowly crushed my spirit. It had begun long before Rontor arrived.
My heart may be broken because of the Ricarri I loved, but he was also the one to free me. Ironic since he had made me his slave. I had been a willing slave, one bound to him through love and sex, and it had all been sex play for him. Still, I had subjugated myself to my lover, but instead of holding me down, Rontor had lifted me up.
Funny thing about being lifted; it gave you a great view of how low you had gone.
King Dhrostan had taken me to his bed many times before Rontor arrived at court to catch his eye. He even used me to slake his lust for Rontor when Rontor refused to go to his bed. And then Rontor took me. But he didn't just take. And, truth be told, I offered myself for the taking.
I don't know how it happened. Rontor seemed to instinctively sense what I needed. He ruled me with a firm hand and collared me in adoration. With King Dhrostan, I felt used. He took without giving, an uncaring partner only interested in his satisfaction. He would summon me, wave at the bed, and expect me to undress and bend over. He even demanded that Rontor share me when he found out that we'd been having a relationship.
And despite Rontor's protests, I had allowed it.
Thinking back on it made me feel ill. But it had been the last time I was with Rontor, and I knew it would be. I'd do it again, put up with King Dhrostan slamming into me and demanding that I watch him take Rontor. I'd do it just to have Rontor inside me once more. To see him staring down at me with a type of love. It wasn't enough for him, but it would have been enough for me.
Rontor knew better. He knew there would be someone who would love me completely, and he encouraged me to find that person. Now, I had hope that I would. Even if it wasn't Rian, this night had shown me that I could get over my heartache and find someone even better than Rontor. Someone who would love me as he loved King Dhrostan.
I was reverting to my natural state, feeling the joy return. Everything was working out for me in Vagasof. My shop was doing well, I had been accepted in the Argaiv community, I had new friends who weren't shifty courtiers, and now there was the potential for love.
Sighing, I snuggled under my blankets and smiled at the sound of the wind blowing snowflakes against my window. Winter was coming, and it was going to be the brightest season yet.
Chapter Nine
On the morning of my second date with the Dragon King, I woke to find the city wrapped in snow like a present, the sharp rooftops forming bows. That's what life felt like to me—a gift waiting to be unwrapped. Heart hovering in my chest, I sat in bed and stared out the window, over the city of Vagasof. If I tilted my head to the left, I could just make out the snow-covered spires of the Royal Castle of Sken.
Was Rian waking up? Was he getting dressed right now? Was he thinking of me? Was he wondering if I was doing the same?
I tossed back the covers and left my warm nest to venture into the bathroom. After performing my morning routine, I went to the wardrobe just to the right of the bathroom door and opened the mirrored door. I'd already chosen my outfit for the day and the pieces hung front and center, as eager for the day as I was. I pulled them out and set them on my messy bed. I wasn't one of those men who believed in making my bed every day. At court, the servants always took care of it and now, I simply didn't want to. I didn't see the point. I even delighted in the disorder, knowing it was mine and no one would come to interfere with it.
Smiling at the rumpled blankets, I pulled on my clothing—tailored trousers and shoes first. My shirt, waistcoat, and jacket took a little more finesse, involving withdrawing my wings, then lining up the slashes in my garments so that my wings could emerge through them. Once those were in place, I tied on a pale blue cravat and pinned it with a broach I'd brought with me from Nuri. In addition to giving me more freedom in fashion, Vagasof gave me an excuse to wear more jewelry. I had a collection of broaches that had gone unused in Vix. Trailing my finger over the little sapphire in the broach, I felt a sense of security. If I ever got in dire straits, I could sell my jewels. Maybe I should sell one so I'd have enough to buy a vanrussa.
I paused, mulling that over, then decided against it. I wanted to purchase a companion with coin earned from my inventions. It felt right. And besides, I didn't want to give up my jewelry if I didn't have to. There was no point when all I had to do was be patient. The Emporium was doing well. It was just a matter of time until I had enough to afford a vanrussa and its care.
Speaking of the shop, I wanted to check on the stock before I left. My employees knew I wasn't one of those orderly men who wanted everything perfect. My workshop told them that. The room was a lovely mess, everything where I needed it, even if that was out in the open. The shop was kept in immaculate condition, of course, as were the stock shelves and specific areas of my apartment. I insisted on a tidy kitchen and bathroom. A mess there could be unhygienic. But in areas that were in a constant state of movement, such as the bed or worktable, I didn't bother. It made sense in my head.
Normally, I would have a leisurely breakfast on my day off and maybe go for a stroll in the park. But after brushing myhair into shining glory, I headed out of my bedroom and past the kitchen. No breakfast alone for me today. Downstairs, I stopped to check the stock shelves in the workshop, making sure all the bestsellers had backups, and then went to the coat rack near the door to the shop. I pulled on my wing scarf, fussed with it a bit, then added my black velvet cloak. The cloak always made me feel dashing, so I was excited to be able to wear it during the day. I opened the workshop door to find Arena and Raef already at work.
