“You're the one who suggested the outing.”
“And I also suggested you ask me because you're the top.”
“I'm not anything sexual to you yet.”
“Well, at least you addedyet,” I muttered.
The royal carriage rolled up to the base of the castle steps and one of the footmen raced over to open the door. The King'sknights got on—one standing on the back ledge and the other going to sit beside the driver. I still didn't move.
“Get in the carriage, Sebastian,” the King said.
“Nope.”
“Get in, and we can have aprivateconversation.”
I grimaced. “That better be code for an—”
“Don't speak that word to me in public again or I will end this right now.”
A shiver ran through me. A good one. I loved a dominant man. A man who took control. And this man controlled a fucking kingdom.
I got into the carriage.
“Good decision,” the King growled as he got in after me.
The footman closed the carriage door, then, with the clatter of hooves on stone, we rolled away from the castle. I glanced out the window, the shine of moonlight on water catching my eye, but then something occurred to me.
“You didn't tell the driver where to take us,” I said.
“Yes, I did. When I ordered the carriage.” He leaned back and regarded me coolly. “You were distracted by your tantrum.”
“I was not having a tantrum!”
He lifted a brow.
“I'm not wrong to want an apology for your bad behavior. I apologized when I behaved badly.”
“And yet, I'm not wrong to withhold one,” King Shaleros said smugly. “I am the King, Sebastian. I don't have to apologize.”
“You do if you want me.” I crossed my arms over my chest again.
He snorted a laugh.
“That was not funny,” I said.
“You're just so adorable.”
I dropped my arms. “I am not adorable!” I paused. “Well, I am, but I'm also mad at you.” I sighed, my shoulders dropping. “I know this is hard for you. And I know how it looked when you found me with Gunrel. I understand that it must have been infuriating, especially since it had taken a lot to bring you to my door.”
“You have no idea what it took to get me there,” King Shaleros said softly. “And then I found you with someone else. Half dressed.”
“I'm often shirtless when I work in the garden.”
He gave me a hard look.
“Yes, all right, I just said I understood.” I stuck my tongue out at him.
The Dragon King chuckled. Then his expression softened. “I'm sorry I overreacted, Sebastian.”
