“What? It pleases you that I don't know how to be with someone?”
“Yes. Yes, it really fucking does.”
“Why?” I gaped at him.
“Because it means that I'm the first.” Aras grinned. “I'm the first man you've ever found worthy of more. Of making aneffort. I've never been asked on a date before, but you've never been on one, have you?”
I cleared my throat. “I, uh, I've had lovers escort me to events and attend me at meals many times.”
“I don't think that's the same thing.” His grin broadened.
“No, it's not,” I agreed and sighed. “This is all very new to me.”
“It's new to me too,” he said. He chuckled and added, “Certain aspects.”
“Such as the domination?”
“Domination,” Aras repeated. “That's a strong word. I don't know if I'm ready to label what we do together as that.”
“All right. We'll find our way through our relationship together—both in and out of the bedroom—without labels.”Like, mate.
“Agreed.”
Before I could say anything more, the carriage came to a stop. Aras pressed a quick kiss to my lips, then opened the door and jumped out. I followed more slowly, giving myself time for a bright grin before I had to compose myself.
A new relationship. For both of us. We would be firsts for each other. Firsts and lasts.
Chapter Nine
The Renris Theater had been built by my predecessor, but I funded many improvements over the years, including the refurbishment of the grand foyer. Red and gold carpets extended down the main staircase and across the foyer floor, covering the hardwood boards beneath. Two polished oak bars, one to either side of the room, served the well-garbed guests drinks in fancy glasses while waiters circled the room bearing trays of little snacks.
The Deldin theater manager from earlier hurried up to me and bowed. “Your Majesty, I'm so thrilled that you came. Would you care to mingle a bit or go straight up to your box? I have refreshments set out for you and your guest there.”
“In that case, we shouldn't let them go to waste, and we'd like to relax in private before the show,” I said.
“Wonderful! This way, Sire.”
Aras lifted a brow at me as the man led us to a side stairwell, hidden by a red velvet curtain. A man stood guard there, and he bowed to me as he held the curtain aside. I winked at Aras before I stepped into the stairwell and followed our host up to the second floor. We came out into a quiet hallway, the sound of the tuning orchestra floating into it like a ghost.
“Here we are, Your Majesty.” The man opened a gilded door and waved us past him.
One of my knights went first. We couldn't have a non-Dragon see him shirking his duty. Once he cleared the room halfheartedly, he returned to the doorway and nodded. The other knight took a position just outside the door as I entered.
“There are several bottles of wine chilling here, Your Majesty,” the theater manager said as he indicated a long side table. “We heard that you prefer white, so we brought you a selection of our best and one bottle of red in case your guest preferred it.” He nodded to Aras.
“I'm good with either,” Aras said. “But that's very considerate of you.”
“I, however, prefer white,” I said. “And the food looks delicious as well.”
“Wonderful! If you need more or anything at all, just have one of your guards send a porter for me. I'll personally bring you whatever you require.”
“I'm sure this will sustain us through the performance,” I said. “But thank you.”
He bowed deeply. “There are viewing glasses just there.” He motioned at a table set between two heavy chairs in the outward curve of a balcony, facing the stage directly before us. “Is everything to your liking, Sire?”
The view was the best in the theater—in the center of the second-floor boxes. The second floor hung over the first so that the box was just a little back from the first row below, giving the perfect angle to view the stage. I looked from the wooden chairsto the seating at the back of the box—a long couch and two more chairs, those facing the couch. It was for relaxing before the performance and during intermission, but I had a feeling I'd be making use of that couch during the play as well.
I looked back at the theater manager—I really should learn his name—and smiled. “It's perfect. Thank you again for all your effort.”
