Would I? I loved his confidence. With it came a certain amount of commitment. Rian was invested in us, there was no doubt about that. And it was only our third date. I was practically married to the Dragon King. I should have been elated and in many ways, I was. My heart was lighter. But I wouldn't let myself celebrate until the mating actually occurred. From what I recalled with Rontor, the mating happened fast, often within the first few sexual episodes.
“When do you expect the mating to happen?” I asked.
That chased away Rian's smile. Not that he went grim, only pensive. “It often happens with the first sexual contact, but it can also take months.”
“Months?!”
“Yes.” He waved away my concern. “Don't worry about it. I can feel my dragon's interest in you. Youaremy mate.”
One of Rian's knights glanced over his shoulder at that. His wide-eyed stare met mine for a second before shooting forward. It looked as if Rian hadn't shared anything with his knights.
“And you've never felt certain before?” I asked.
Rian went silent.
“Rian?” I demanded.
“I didn't know what I do now.”
“So youhavefelt this way about someone before.”
“It wasn't like this. My dragon wasn't as interested in him. I believe I imagined what I wanted to feel.”
“Wasn'tasinterested? So your dragon was a little interested?”
“That was just because we were such good friends.”
“You're talking about the Dragon man you loved, aren't you?”
“Yes, of course.”
“What was his name?”
“It doesn't matter.” Rian looked away.
“I told you Rontor's name.”
“Rontor?” The knight not driving the sleigh turned to look at me. “NotCommanderRontor?”
“Yes,” I said. “Do you know him?”
“I know of him. He's . . .” the knight trailed off, his stare going to my right.
I looked over to see Rian staring at his knight with a lifted brow.
“Sorry, Your Majesty. It's just . . .” The knight glanced at me, then back at his king. “Well, Commander Rontor is one of the few non-Dragon warriors whose skills are so great that we study his accomplishments at the academy.”
“We did not study him when I attended the Warrior Academy,” Rian said stiffly.
“Begging your pardon, Your Majesty, but that was before he became Commander.”
Rian glared at the knight.
“I'll just see myself out of your conversation now.”
“Yes, I think that best, Sir Isak,” Rian said.
“Oh, who cares about Rontor's accomplishments?” I huffed. “I don't.”
