Seeing that the King was still standing, Geris hurried to his feet. He nodded sharply at me, then said to Rian, “This isn't the time for a social visit.”
“We've met with the new mages today,” Rian said. “They're on their way to Riscavik even as we speak. There is nothing more to do today, Geris. And we have to eat.” He went to the chair to the left of the throne and pulled it out for me. “My love?”
I glanced at Geris as I sat down and saw his lips pull back to bare his teeth. Yup. Rian might think there was nothing romantic between them anymore, but Geris didn't. I needed to get the fuck away from that Dragon before he tried to hurt me. And I had the perfect excuse. I could tell Rian I was uncomfortable and ask to leave. It wouldn't be a lie. I was very uncomfortable and in multiple ways. But with Vashana at my side, I felt braver, and I didn't want to leave. That would mean giving Geris exactly what he wanted.
So, I ignored the warning signs, sat down, and smiled when Rian started filling my plate, waving at the servers to bring me wine and water too. Geris fumed and served himself, his pale complexion going red. Then his nostrils flared and his eyes narrowed, going from Rian to me.
Right. We'd just had sex. And Dragon senses were legendary.
I grinned to myself. Then I said, “That's more than enough. Thank you, Rian.”
“He calls you Rian?” Geris growled.
Rian frowned, his hand going to my back, beneath my wings, as he shifted to look at Geris. I didn't see the look my lover gave his ex-lover, but it must have been terrifying because all the blood that had colored Geris's face drained away.
“My apologies, Your Majesty,” Geris stammered. “That's none of my concern.”
“No, it's not,” Rian said. “Now, I'd like you to tell Galin about the situation in Riscavik.”
Geris's expression stormed back into fury. “He's an outsider!”
“He is fated to be my mate,” Rian growled.
Jaw dropping, Geris stared at Rian. Then he whispered, “What?”
“I told you that I have extreme reactions to him,” Rian said. “You've just witnessed one. That can only mean one thing.”
“Not to be argumentative, Your Majesty, but you experienced such rages with me as well.”
Rian's tone gentled, “No, I didn't, Geris.”
“Yes, you did,” Geris insisted. “Do you not recall when Hapsham touched my arm, and you knocked him flat on his back?”
“I'd heard rumors about him pursuing you. I was merely defending what was mine.”
“And that time with Ransul? And Bern? And—”
“Enough, Geris!”
But he'd made his point, and that point had found its target. Not Rian, but me. It was all I could do to keep from rubbing my chest, over my heart. It ached as badly as if it had been physically struck. All those names. And Rian's face. He may not have lied, but he didn't remember correctly. And if this reaction wasn't unusual for him, Rian's assurance that we were mates was misplaced.
“I'm sorry, Your Majesty,” Geris said. “I'm merely saying that you can't be sure he's your mate until you actually mate him.And until then, I don't wish to involve him. There's no reason to.”
“The reason is thatIwish it,” Rian growled. “But more than that is Galin's profession. He's an inventor. He may be able to help.”
“How can an inventor help if mages have failed?”
“When magic is not the answer, we must turn to science.” Rian sat back to draw me in against his side as if he were physically pulling me into the conversation. “Now, tell him.”
Geris pressed his lips together, but only briefly. A small rebellion before he spoke, “The forest of Riscavik is dying. A rot is overtaking the trees. It consumes them from the roots up.”
“Rot?” I asked. “What does this rot look like?”
Geris blinked. “Uh, it's black.”
“Very descriptive,” I said dryly. “Does it spread in lines like vines crawling up the trunks or in a gradual, consuming rise upward?”
“I . . .” Geris gaped at me. “It spreads in lines. Does that mean something?”
