Sir Foxren and Sir Lohawk were ahead of us. Foxren held the hotel's white door open for us, but Lohawk went inside first to scan the room. After a few seconds, he moved out of thedoorway for us to enter. The Dragon King barely noticed the security procedures. He was focused on me.
“The Okon flew in and swept people off in unison, taking all the captives at once. No one had a chance to put up a fight. And you can't track someone who flies. Even the Okons on the Talon Force couldn't find them.”
“How long ago was that?”
“Three days.”
I thought of Tara. She'd been tortured for three days. That sounded horrendous, but it was a short time compared to the years I'd been a captive. I already felt strong again, nearly healed. I hoped she recovered even faster than I did.
“Your Majesty!” A dark-haired man came around a counter to bow to the King. “I am Alven. I have your rooms prepared. The entire upper floor is yours. I'm sorry I don't have a royal suite for you, but our rooms are clean and comfortable, and I've reserved the best for you. May I show you to them?”
“Yes, thank you.” The King nodded.
Alven led us to a grand stairway opposite the entrance. Short and stocky, the human clerk took the stairs with a spring in his step. Raven and I followed while his knights brought up the rear. We came out onto the landing on the second floor. It was quiet up there and smelled of pine oil.
Alven took us down the corridor, opening doors as he went. “These rooms can accommodate three men each.” He handed some keys to the knights and then glanced at me. “Will your companion be staying with you, or will he need his own room?”
The Dragon King looked at me.
“With you,” I whispered.
“He will be with me,” the King said to Alven.
“Very good, Your Majesty. Our best room is right here.” He opened the final door and motioned us in. As the King passed him, Alven handed him a key. “If there is anything you need, please let me know. I can have a meal sent up?”
“Yes, and for my knights.” The King paused. “My drivers will need rooms and meals as well.”
“I've got them downstairs, Your Majesty. Don't worry. We will take good care of you and your entire entourage.”
“Thank you.” The Dragon King waited for Alven to bow and turn away before he shut the door and locked it. With a sigh, he took in the room.
I had gone from my treehouse in Hanhepi to Bara's mansion, and then to residing in the royal palace. But after sleeping in a tent, this room, as modest as it was, looked like paradise to me. The bed was large enough for both of us, a tall window let in the cool evening air, and there was an attached bathroom.
“This is perfect,” I said.
“It's not nearly fine enough for you.” The King frowned at the simple cotton bedding.
“For me?” I laughed. “The bed can fit my wings and you. That's impressive. And it's clean. The rugs are nice. Handwoven. And look!” I went to a table near the door. “They've left us fruitin a bowl. They've gone to extremes for you. Fruit!” I lifted a pear to show him before replacing it.
King Raventar chuckled and pulled me into his arms. “It's nice to have you with me in a room with walls.”
“You mean with wood walls as opposed to canvas?” I leaned back and grinned at him. “Privacy.”
“Yes.” His turquoise eyes sparkled.
“Is this good enough for our first time?”
The King cleared his throat and released me. “Eliel, we still have to question the Okon and find Nahel. If I mate you, we won't be able to leave this room for several days.”
“Fuck Nahel.” I took his hand and tugged on it. “And fuck me, Raven.”
He groaned and turned away. “You're not ready for that. Please, just trust me.”
Annoyed, I put my hands on my hips. “I determine what I'm ready for. And I say, it's time.”
The King hung his head, his leather tunic stretching taut over his broad shoulders. “Please, stop. It's hard enough to deny you without you speaking like that.”
“Then why try?” I flopped my arms. “We're in a nice room, not a tent.”
