“Not a knight?”
“They could be knighted, yes. But they wouldn't be allowed to serve as my guards. Not unless I requested them. Which is not unheard of.”
“So, Dragons train to get a chance at a better life.”
“A different life. Life is good for all in the enclaves.”
“That sounds like something a nobleman would say.”
“Are you not noble yourself?”
I grinned. “My family is wealthy, but not noble. I was made a lord by King Throll when he accepted me into his court.”
“I believe I've said this before, but leaving court doesn't remove your status. Especially not if it was granted you by a Dragon king.”
I shrugged. “I no longer want the status. More relevant to our conversation—I was not born to it as you were.”
Rian snorted. “Very well, peg me as an elitist.”
“That's not what I meant.”
He lifted a brow at me.
“Well, I didn't mean it to sound so rude.”
Rian chuckled. “Is that an apology?”
“Of course not,” I huffed. “I did nothing more than point out the arrogance in your words.”
He made a face at me. “That rather sounds like something you should apologize for.”
“Well, I'm not.”
“Are you sure?” Rian nuzzled me.
Laughing, I pushed him away. “You can't tease me into being sorry.”
“Oh, I don't want you sorry, just . . .” He leaned closer and whispered in my ear, “remorseful.”
I shivered and turned my face toward his. He was so close that our lips brushed. I pressed them together, then whispered back, “Is that enough remorse for you?”
“Never.” Rian sat back and grinned, then his gaze caught on something and he said, “Ah, you will appreciate this more, I think. That's the library. It's also a school. There are classes that all Dragons are allowed to take, but also advanced studies that you must prove worthy of. Our greatest academics work there. I attended classes there too, but nothing advanced.”
“Perhaps we should consult your scholars on the beetle issue?”
“What beetles? There are no beetles today.”
“Not anywhere?” I smirked.
“No. They do not exist as far as you are concerned.”
“But they may have better books in there.” I looked longingly at the pitched roof of the central building, its dark beams so stark against the white walls. The architecture of Riscavik was nearly identical to that in Vagasof, though the stained glass windows here featured more dragons. A spectacular piece hung in the grand facade of the library, showcasing a red dragon. The colors were so bright against the plaster walls, especially with light shining through them from inside. It felt like a beacon, drawing me closer.
But we passed by.
“Geris already consulted the scholars,” Rian said to my sour look. “Did you really think he wouldn't?”
I grimaced.
