“You can't go now. What if a vegetation master is found?”
“Then they can return in the morning.” Rian fetched my scarf and cloak, then helped me slip into them. “Goodbye, Geris,” he said pointedly.
“Your Majesty!” Geris followed us out of the room.
“I swear to the Gods, Geris,” Rian growled, and he swung his head the man's way. “If you don't shut the fuck up right now and get the fuck away from me, I will banish you back to Riscavik forever.”
Geris blinked and went as still as a statue. He didn't even dare to agree.
Rian grunted and escorted me down the corridor to the entry hall, Rian's guards—the two on duty—discreetly following with twitching lips, and Vashana at my side. As we stepped into the vaulted entry room, uniformed men converged upon us and bowed to the King.
“A carriage,” Rian said without stopping.
The men rushed to the door, opened it, then one of them ran outside. The knights went out before us, scanning the courtyard as the King and I emerged. Vashana exited just behind them and did the same.
I felt good, and not just because I was leaving the stifling castle with its mood-ruining potential. It was Rian. He had shown me over and over that I was more important to him than Geris, this latest interaction, the best of the bunch. It was enough to quell my doubts, at least concerning the King's ex-lover. Well, on Rian's end. As the carriage pulled up before us, and Rian's knights went to their positions—one on the driver's seat and the other on the back ledge, I recalled the way Geris had glared at me. He had been painfully polite after our conversation about the rot infecting the forest of his enclave, but I knew his jealousy still burned inside him. And jealousy had a tendency of turning into a more violent emotion.
“Go on, Vash.” I waved the dog into the carriage ahead of me, then accepted Rian's help to climb inside myself.
As I settled on the bench, I motioned to the bench across the way since Rian would be sitting beside me. But Vashana whined and settled on my feet.
“All right, girl.” I stroked her head. “I understand. I like having you close too.”
Rian finished speaking to the driver, then got in, and closed the door. His expression was tight when he took a seat beside me.
“I hope you're not going to look like you flew into a beehive the whole evening,” I said.
The Dragon King scowled at me. “Excuse me?”
I chuckled. “You seem angry.”
He grimaced. “I am. I'm angry, frustrated,annoyed.” He paused to give me a look that expressed who he was annoyed at. “And especially worried. Most of the problems I have to deal with originate outside the enclaves. This is the first time I've had to solve something for my own people.”
“You're nervous,” I concluded.
Rian grunted.
I took his hand. “I don't think it's a magical issue. It sounds to me as if something natural has infected the forest. It's leeching the trees of nourishment. If it had been wet and viscous, it would be more troubling. But to cause a tree to simply die, well, there could be several natural causes.”
“You're saying it will be easier to deal with than if this were magical?”
“Yes, of course.” I nudged his shoulder with mine. “Magic has an origin. If this were a magical disease, it would mean that someone cast a spell to purposefully kill the forest around your enclave. That would mean an enemy. This way, you're battling something natural that isn't going to hide or act maliciously. No one is out to get you.”
“Yes, you're right. I can deal with nature easier than an enemy.”
“Nature follows its laws without exception. People, not so much.”
The King chuckled, slowly turning back into my Rian. “Great Gods, I've missed you.” He leaned in and burrowed into my hair, settling his face against my neck, and breathed in deeply. “Your sweet scent. Mmm . . . orange blossoms.” His hand slid under my cloak and over my chest. “Your body.” His hand moved up my chest and neck to cup my face, then turned me toward him as he lifted his head. “Your kiss.”
I turned into our kiss, unseating Vashana, who simply moved aside. Rian was one of us now, as far as she was concerned. He was mine, as she was. It made them kin. That thought brought a smile to my lips even as they opened for Rian. Then his tongue swept in, mixing the taste of coffee with the chocolate that lingered on my tongue. I groaned at the sharpness blending with sweetness. But Rian enjoyed it even more than me.
His arms went around me to pull me onto his lap. I went eagerly, cloak opening as I straddled him. Rian was hard in seconds, his erection pushing against my sacs, summoning an equally ardent response from me. Mouths slashing together, he stroked me through my clothes, seeking a closer connection. But he didn't try to undress me. Instead, when things got too heated, Rian pulled back. Panting, he drew me into a hug.
“I hate sleeping apart from you,” he growled. “If we could only get you over your fear, we could be together all the time.”
I eased back so I could look at him. “That's not true. I have to run my shop and build my inventions. I can't attend you all day.”
Rian blinked. “But . . . if you're my mate . . .”
