Several seconds later, as he pulled his flesh free of mine, the Dragon King said, “And I shall come inside you whenever I wish.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” I said breathlessly and fell onto my side.
Through the leaves, I saw the King's face. It was striking, as usual, with the sun backing him to create a halo out of his hair. I could hardly believe that he had jumped for me. Shale had literally taken a leap of faith. Had he been on his terrace or further up? It didn't matter. The true jump had been in his mind. And it was far higher than four stories.
“You will attend me at dinner tonight. No more denying me your presence,” he said as he stuffed his limp, wet cock back in his pants.
“I wasn't—” I started to protest.
Shale slashed his hand through the air. “You will attend me, Sebastian. And then you will retire to my bedroom with me.”
“Yes, Sire.” I didn't dare grin, though I wanted to.
He nodded crisply, then strode away.
It took me much longer to get moving. I just lay there, under that low canopy of leaves, smiling through them at the sky. Every time I thought it was over between us, a miracle happened, and we were drawn back together. And by drawn, I mean the King decided that we weren't over. But I'd take it. I'd take him any way I could get him.
“Maybe we're meant to be,” I whispered.
Chapter Twenty-Three
I wore a new set of clothes to dinner that night—a new set sent by the King earlier that evening. I was grateful to have another option in the style of Latur. And the lighter fabrics were simply more comfortable in the warmer weather. Really, I should have gone into Enleran and purchased some clothes myself. I'd been there long enough. But I hadn't thought of it. And I couldn't have afforded garments like those gifted to me by Shale anyway. The new tunic was teal, with silver designs around the cuffs. Teal like the King's eyes. Was this his way of marking me? He hardly had to resort to such measures. As soon as the court saw me dining with him, they'd back off again. Except for maybe the Eljaffnas.
I grinned when I thought of them. They'd been cast into a dark light by their King's actions, but they didn't blame him. And they made the most of it. I admired that.
After entering the dining hall, I sought out Lord Casu. He was standing with his people, and they all welcomed me. I didn't want to shock them or lose this welcome, so I decided to warn them.
“The King and I have spoken,” I said.
They went silent.
“Has he rethought his stance on . . .” Casu waved a hand at me.
“Yes,” I said. “I'll be dining with him tonight. Hopefully, that will continue for a while, but who knows?” I snorted. “I may enrage him again.”
“Even rage is an improvement,” one of the women, Lady Hinla, said. “To see him come alive is, well, inspiring, Master Sebastian. I'm overjoyed that he has decided to continue his relationship with you.”
“Thank you, Lady Hinla,” I said. “I'm pretty happy myself.”
“And here he is,” Lord Casu whispered.
Our group turned in the direction Casu was looking and bowed to the King. Even the women bowed in Latur. No curtsying.
The King inclined his head to his courtiers, then held his hand out to me. I hurried to take it. Gripping me firmly, King Shaleros led me up the steps to his table, but when I tried to let go of his hand and take the couch beside his, he kept pulling until I stood before his royal seat. He sat down, then gave another tug on my hand.
“Here?” I whispered. “You want me to sit on your throne with you?”
“It's not a throne, Sebastian,” Shaleros said. “And it's made this size so I may invite whomever I wish to sit beside me. Be they honored guest or . . .”
“Lover?” I smirked.
“Sit. Down.”
I sat. Awkwardly. At the edge. Then I looked up to find the court gaping at me. So I pulled an armrest pillow over from the side of the seat and put it between the King and me.
He removed it and set it back where it had been, leaning across me to do so. As he leaned, he turned toward me to press our chests together, angled his head, and whispered, “You're mine now. We're past these games.”
“I wasn't trying to play with you,” I whispered back. “The court is shocked, so I . . .”
