“We're where?” I looked out my side and saw only buildings—those white buildings that had seemed so simple from the sky. Up close, I saw even more details in their designs.
“The docks.” Kas waved toward his window.
I leaned over him to see a boardwalk of sorts, leading to several docks. They looked empty, but beyond them, further out in the bay, were many ships. “Why don't the ships dock at the docks?”
“The water isn't deep enough. The ships anchor in the bay and sailors come ashore in rowboats.”
“Oh. Right.”
One of Kaspian's knights opened his door. I thought the other would come around to my side, but he didn't. Kas got out and held a hand in to me. I almost told him I could get out on my own, but I remembered him telling me to follow his lead. I figured it was part of the mate thing, and I had agreed to have his back. So I took his hand.
Kas grinned at me as he helped me onto the boardwalk. “Now, remember to walk behind me.”
“What?!”
“I'll purchase a collar and leash for you, puppy. Then I can walk you properly.”
I snorted. “Not cool, Kas.”
He laughed and took my hand. “Demetrius, once my dread accepts you, you will be second only to me in status. At least, in this kingdom.”
“What?” My jaw fell open.
“Being the mate of a Dragon king isn't all bad.” He winked at me. “You must give me respect, but everyone else must respectyou.”
I made a huffing sound. “I can deal with that.”
“Good.” He looked around pointedly. “Because my people—soon to beourpeople—are already noting you. I'm sure word has spread about our mating. They're curious about the King's mate from another world. We must let them look at you. That's part of the responsibility of a monarch. You must be seen.”
“No pressure,” I muttered.
“Now, Mate, this is where the wealth of Aravult enters the kingdom.” Kas led me along the dock, absently nodding at the people who bowed to him while his knights kept everyone at least six feet away from us. “These merchants bring goods in from all over Serai, and my people trade with them. You see?” He waved at an open-air market where carts full of vegetables, fruit, fabric, and other items served as shops for visiting merchants to peruse. “A healthy trade is important for the entire kingdom. The goods bartered for here will be used or sold all over Aravult.”
“Uh-huh.” I stared at a group of pirates with gills, climbing onto the dock from a dinghy.
One of them spotted me and winked. Twice. The guy had—what were they called?—membranes. Eye membranes. Nictating—that's it! He had fucking underwater alien eyes!
“Holy fuck!” I jerked on Kaspian's hand.
“What is it?” Kas looked over at the sailors. “Oh, the Neraky again? You do have a fascination for the ocean-dwellers, don't you?”
“He double-winked at me!” I hissed, leaning in close.
“He what?”
“Double-winked. You know, withtwopairs of eyelids. One of them was clear.”
“Oh.” Kas cocked his head at me. “Yes. I believe it has something to do with eyes that can go from air to water. I'm not sure.”
“Uh-huh.” I lifted my brows as a batman walked by.
Not the superhero. Little B. This batman had wings like a bat. You know, the same ones I thought were demons. I got a closer look at those membranous wings—what's with all the membranes? They were dark, but the sun shone through them, displaying a pattern of bluish veins. His long, lean face made him even more bat-ish, his nose wide at the nostrils. Thick, dark hair hung in a braid to his waist, with beads woven in. I watched him until the knights behind me blocked my view.
Then I looked back at Kaspian to find him grinning at me. “Sorry.” I waved after the guy. “I'm assuming he isn't a demon. So, is he part Dragon?”
One of the knights snorted.
Kas shot him a quelling look before saying, “No, he's Tyasmoran. His race is native to this region. They prefer a warmer climate.”
