“Oh, yes. And even more so whotheyheard it from. Because the source is likely connected to those who are perpetrating this lie. They wanted you to focus on Dragons, andthey set their trap early. They've been planning this. This makes me even more certain that Dragons are not involved.” I shook my head. “And the Chelli is just the start. There is a lot of misdirection to wade through.” I stood up. “But I believe there is a reason why this has begun with the Chelli. Will you excuse me, Your Majesty?”
The King stood as well, bringing him too close again. “Where are you going?”
I backed up. “To see if we know the identity of the Chelli yet. Unless you have more information for me?”
“No, I brought you here to talk about the possible connection between this murder and the rumors I’ve heard.”
“I believe there is a connection but not in the way you thought. There's a lot more to this. You can count on me, Your Majesty. I will uncover the plot.”
King Tor'rien grinned. “I believe you will. And I will assist you.”
My whole body went slack with shock. “What? Why?”
“Because I wish to.”
“But, sire, you should stay here, where you're protected.”
“Do you know how many men I killed to become King—Dragonmen?”
I swallowed past the sudden dryness in my throat as I simultaneously pushed down the insane excitement his words stirred. What kind of man gets excited to hear about murder? A claw certainly shouldn't. But then it wasn't murder that the King spoke of. It was the Crown Tourney. The ultimate fight betweenDragon men. Their god had recently outlawed fights to the death in crown tourneys, but King Tor'rien had been on the throne for many years. The thought of him in a fighting ring, facing off with another Dragon—several of them from his implication—made my sacs clench. It was primal—a savage display of power that spoke to the blood-drinker in me. Eljaffna weren't, as a whole, a violent race, but we were literally bloodthirsty. We enjoyed watching others compete in brutal sports prone to bloodshed. Couldn't be helped. It was almost sexual for us.
And the King worked that kink.
Did he know? Was this his way of flirting? If so, it was bizarre, to say the least. But also effective.
I realized he was waiting for an answer. “No, Your Majesty. I don't know how many you killed to win your crown. I assume it was a lot or you wouldn't be bringing it up.”
“Eighty-four,” he whispered as he leaned down, bringing our faces together. “Eighty-four Dragons lie in the ground because of me. And I'm not including the sixty-three who conceded. I am more than capable of protecting myself.”
“I'm sure you are, Your Majesty.” I met his stare and didn't retreat. Enough of that shit. I had to show him I was an apex predator too, and he couldn't bully me with his sex appeal and masculinity. So, I lifted my face, bringing our lips within kissing distance. Just an inch and the act would be accomplished. I'd learn the feel of those royal lips. Instead, I inhaled so that when I spoke, my breath stroked him. “But your enemies are unscrupulous, cunning, and local. You'd be handing yourself to them on a platter if you attend me on my investigations.”
The Dragon King sucked in my breath and let out a soft rumble. It sounded pleased and called to something wild inside me that I didn't know existed.
I didn't move. Held his stare. Did the blue of his irises just lighten? No, it was filaments. Sparkling filaments of pale blue within the sapphire. Marvelous.
“I think I'll take my chances, Claw Shinkai. And I think those chances are very good with my brawn and your brain.”
“You are hardly a thick-headed brawler, Your Majesty.”
“No, I'm not.” He grinned, flashing his Dragon fangs—thicker than mine, but no less appealing. “As I suspect you are not a physically deficient man. But your mind is elite, superior to mine, as my might is superior to yours. Together, we would be unstoppable.”
A shiver rushed over my skin. He sounded as if he were suggesting more than a mere tag-along. More than a partnership even.
I shifted my head, almost brushing our lips together as I turned away. “Suit yourself, Your Majesty. I cannot stop you. After all, you are the King.”
“That I am.” King Tor'rien chuckled as he followed me out of the office.
Chapter Three
The King's Dragon knights, those posted outside his door, fell into step behind us as we left the office. They went into the lift with us and followed us out when we reached the ground floor. The knights guarding the lifter did not budge, only inclined their heads at the King when he passed. Then we were off in the royal carriage—a knight standing on the ledge in the back and one sitting beside the driver up front.
I tried not to be impressed. Oh, not by the knights. I knew the King didn't go anywhere without some of his King's Guard with him, and they were highly trained soldiers. No, it was the carriage that caught my eye.
As a lover of fine things, it was difficult for me to not run my hands over the velvet cushions and drapes. I wanted to inspect the embroidery on the silk that covered the carriage ceiling. Even the carpet was exquisite. But I couldn't gawk at the King's conveyance while he sat across from me.
Instead, I set my stare out the window, but I had great peripheral sight, and I knew he was watching me. He hadn't stopped since we settled in the carriage. It was unnerving. Anyone else, and I would have said something. But I couldn't tell the King of Rushao to fuck off.
I didn't even want to.
