“I haven't seen you at dinner lately,” the King said.
Once he had pulled up the trees, King Shaleros helped me tackle the smaller clean-up jobs. I didn't tell him I could handle it myself. Why would I? He was there with me, and I'd take any time with him I could get. Plus, I could hardly believe a Dragon was helping me with gardening, much less a king.
The King finally did work up a sweat, but no sooner had he done so than he summoned refreshments for us. We were sitting on the steps again, drinking cold water and eating spiced cookies.
“Either I get there early so I can sit at a table or I'd have to stand.” I shrugged. “But if I sit at a table, no one will sit with me. I feel awkward. So I started eating in my room.”
“I was . . . I don't know why I didn't invite you to dine with me that night. But I didn't expect my court to be so cruel.”
“That's all right. Your kitchen staff made up for it.”
He frowned. “Yes, I saw that man bring you dessert. Then you were smiling again.”
“Yeah, we're lovers.”
“What?” the King growled.
I went still. I'd said it to get a reaction, but hadn't expected such a significant one.
He cleared his throat. “I mean, I didn't realize you had, uh—”
“Relax, Your Majesty,” I said with a smirk. “I'm teasing you. You know you're the only man for me.”
The Dragon King opened his mouth. Closed it. His lips moved as if he were speaking but no sound came out. He cleared his throat again. “Your intimate relations are none of my concern, Master Sebastian. You are, of course, free to have, uh, intercourse with whomever you wish.”
“Uh-huh,” I mimicked his scoffing tone. “You can't even say it. Come on, say the word. We can say it together. Sex.”
His lips twitched. “I can say sex.”
“Yes, but can you have it?” I waggled my brows at him.
“Enough, Sebastian,” the King said, but he said it with a smile.
“Yes, Your Majesty.” I leaned in to say, “Just to be clear, I haven't taken any lovers here. That whole thing about you being it for me is true. If I can't have you, I'll satisfy myself.” I lowered my voice to a sexy purr, “While I think of you.”
The Dragon King's pale skin went pink.
“Are you going to run away again?” I asked him.
His flush vanished. “I never ran away from you.”
“Yeah, all right.” I held up my hands in surrender. “You left before you hurt me.”
The King's eyes went wide, his jaw slack. “You knew?”
“It was hard to miss. You looked ready to kill. Thanks, by the way.”
“For what?”
“Not killing me.” I winked at him.
He made an amused sound. “I think you know I would never hurt you.”
“Sure. Now, I know it.” I softened my smile into something more earnest. “Now, I trust you.”
The Dragon King stared at me. After a few seconds, he said, “You will dine with me henceforth.”
I lifted my brows.
