“Happy,” the woman said with a wink. “A perfect performance to bring a date to, Your Majesty. If you happened to be considering that.”
I tapped the table decisively. “Then prepare my box for tonight. What time is the performance?”
The man nearly fainted from glee, so the woman had to answer. “It's at eight, Your Majesty. But we will, of course, hold the performance until you arrive.”
I could have protested such an extravagance, but I had learned long ago that people need to feel the difference between royalty and themselves. Their ruler had to be placed higher than everyone else. I had to accept what they offered or they would question my worthiness. Besides, I had no intention of being late.
“That's very considerate of you,” I said and stood up. “I'm looking forward to it.”
I walked the Deldin out and held my composure until they were beyond hearing range. With Deldin, that should have taken a while. But their ears had been fashionably bound. So,once they rounded a corner, I spun to face Mossemas, who always attended meetings with me.
“Where is he?” I growled.
Mossemas flinched and his wings drew in closely. “He has not returned yet, Sire.”
“What?” I snarled.
I didn't wait for an answer, just started for the entry hall. Two Dragon knights fell into place before and behind me. I would have overtaken the one in the lead, but he was clearing the path for us, and I knew he'd be nicer about it than I would.
Once we were in the courtyard, I didn't have to demand a carriage. The royal carriage rolled to a stop at the bottom of the main steps just as I descended them. Doubtless, Mossemas was behind it. He made sure everything ran smoothly for me. If I'd been in a clearer state of mind, I would have spared an appreciative thought for him. But as it was, I could only focus on Aras.
My mate. He was gone. He had left me and not returned as promised. Was he, even now, sailing away from me? If he was, I would shift into a dragon and hunt him down. Aras couldn't have gotten far. I would snatch him from the deck of his ship, just as I dreamed of doing all those months ago, and bring him back. Then I would make sure he never left again.
I jumped into the carriage and shouted, “To the docks!”
My knights had to run to get into their places on the back ledge and beside the driver. I didn't care. They'd be fine. I, however, was about to shapeshift into a half-dragon beast who would doubtless rampage across the city and then the docks.
Look, I know you're insane with mating magic, but you need to calm yourself,the Eye said.Your mate is a Hulfrin. That means he could walk away without suffering as much as you. Perhaps not at all. So, don't push him away before you've had a chance to explain who he is to you.
I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She was right. Her words made sense. I breathed again. Slowly. So slowly. Hold it. Now, release. Aras was a ship's captain. He had business to attend to that he had been kept from for five days. Yes, five. It was two more than the average claiming period. Did that mean I was feeling the effects of the mating magic more strongly than others? I didn't know. But this urgent clawing in my chest was enough to make anyone go mad.
At least the voice in my head wasn't adding to it. Ironically, she was keeping me sane. It was so unexpected that I started to reevaluate our relationship. Did she truly care about me?
Of course, I care about you,the Eye said.I am a piece of your goddess—your creator. She loves you and so I love you.
Those words changed everything. I had been feeling defensive and suspicious about the Eye. But with her flippant confession, I felt the truth. She was indeed a piece of our goddess and although that divine woman could be cruel, even to her children, she still loved us as any creator would. And that love infused her magic, which infused the Eye.
Now, you understand,the Eye said.You can trust me, Lyrandir. I want to be in the hands of a Dragon who can use my power as it's meant to be used, but I also want what's best for you. I may not be with you yet, but I've formed aconnection with you. You have access to my knowledge. Do you understand how fortunate you are?
Yes. Now I do,I said as I took a deep, calming breath.
Good. So you will believe me when I say that your mate has not left you. He is aboard the Tiger's Claw, performing his captain duties which you have kept him from. And . . . oh. He'll return soon, Lyrandir. It's best if you just turn around and—
What was that?I growled in my mind and sat forward.Why did you pause? Why the 'oh?'
Nothing. Aras is very busy. No point in you showing up. It will only make you look needy. No one likes a needy man.
I considered this. I didn't want to be one of those sappy, clingy lovers. I was a king. I did not cling unless it was to a mountain in my dragon form. I was the one who was clung to. And when it happened, it always annoyed me. I would be crushed if I so annoyed Aras. To have him look at me as I looked at those men . . . no. I leaned out the window to tell the driver to turn around.
That's when the carriage stopped before the Tiger's Claw, and I saw what the Eye had seen.
What timing. What perfectly horrible timing.
Lyrandir, it's not what it appears,the Eye said.
Too late. In the early stages of a mating, Dragons are especially volatile. It took a month, sometimes longer, for them to control their instincts. That's what I'd heard. And yet, I hadn't expected this. I considered myself to be an exceptionally strong Dragon in both body and mind. I had expected to gain control ofthe mating magic sooner than most. Maybe I would. It had only been five days, after all.
Five days and already my mate had betrayed me.
