“I don't think you should discount his vows of love,” I whispered back. “He seems to genuinely care for you.”
Tara glanced across me at her husband and smiled. “Maybe you're right. Maybe losing me has summoned love in him.”
I considered that. “When the King was injured recently, I was faced with the possibility of his death. It didn't summon love from me, but rather made me confront what I felt for him.”
The Dragon King's hand tightened on my hip. My gaze shot to his. I'd forgotten that Dragon hearing was excellent.Our whispering did nothing to stop him from overhearing our conversation. Only Turinoca remained in the dark.
Raventar bent his head and whispered in my ear, “Remind me to thank Nahel for wounding me . . . right before I kill him.”
Chapter Twenty-One
A little later in the evening, Raven left me with Sir Vanoak and took the other knights to help him with the Okon interrogation. Eventually, I went back to our room to rest. An hour or so later, the Dragon King came in, covered in blood.
At my look, he said, “They're still alive. I promised Turinoca a long night for them, and I keep my promises. But I couldn't leave you alone any longer.”
“I'm glad you came back.” I sat up on the bed. “They can finish things. Did you get anything from the Okons?”
“No. They say they're only transporters and don't know anything about altered warriors or magical weapons.”
“Do you believe them?”
“I don't know. My men will get the truth by morning.” He cleared his throat and looked down at his bloody hands. “I need to bathe.” He hurried into the bathroom.
It didn't take him long to emerge, hair damp and skin clean. He wore only a pair of undershorts. “You must be tired.” He climbed onto the bed beside me and reached for me.
Suddenly nervous, I flung back the blankets and launched myself out of bed. “Uh, no, not really. I'll just be a moment.” I hurried into the bathroom.
Taking deep, calming breaths, I turned on the faucet. After splashing water on my face, I looked up at my dripping reflection. With a sigh, I dried myself off, scrubbing the small towel mercilessly over my face. I could hear Raven moving about, probably worried about my hasty departure. What was wrong with me? I had decided to seduce him, but now that the time was at hand, I hesitated.
Something twisted in my belly. I wanted Raven. At least, I thought I did. But what if it were forever? Did I really want him forever? Earlier, I had been so certain that I needed forever with him. Without him, the future looked dismal. But what if I were wrong? What if he became cruel? What if this was all a ruse to lure me into loving him?
“Too late,” I whispered.
Flashes of Raven's kindness filled my mind, and I knew my fears were unfounded. This was Bara again, coming back to wreck my happiness. I wouldn't let his evil infect this relationship. I had to be strong and push past my fear. As soon as I was in Raven's arms, all of this anxiety would dissipate. I knew it would. Mere hours ago, I'd been desperate to bed him.
So what was holding me back now?
I looked down at my naked body. No silk, no jewels, nothing to enhance my beauty. Bara liked me dripping in beads, with glimpses of my body showing through transparent silk. But I didn't have any of that here, nor did I want to seduce the Kingwith Bara's preferences. Tonight, it was the real me. That's who I would be with him. Always.
“Be brave for just a little while,” I gave myself my own advice and then primped as much as I could.
My gaze went to a bowl I had left by the sink, and I smiled as I reached for it. After applying the powder in the bowl in a special place, I turned toward the door.
My wings rustled, betraying my nervousness as I opened the bathroom door. I had arranged my long hair to either side of my chest, and the waves bordered my nipples, the rich violet color brightening the pink buds. My waist was narrow, dipping into a V that would hopefully lead the King's gaze to my slim shaft. I had arranged the curls below—a shade darker than the hair on my head—to display my pale cock to perfection. It was already swelling with thoughts of the Dragon King's reaction.
Raven was abed, his chest bare above the covers that clung to his waist. Leaning against the headboard, he looked peaceful until I noted his eyes. Locked on the window, his stare was full of restless anxiety and a touch of anger. He shifted his gaze to me, and all of that fell away.
With a floundering crash, the Dragon King of Tabaa fell out of bed. Arms flung wide to catch himself, he nonetheless dropped onto his royal ass before me. Sprawled there in only a pair of loose shorts—now tented with an erection—he gaped at me.
I burst out laughing.
Raven grimaced.
I laughed harder. All of my worry and fear melted within that laughter. I bent over with it. My body came alive with it. And beneath my amusement was a deep happiness that I could make this powerful man fall onto the floor in awe. He truly loved me.
With that thought, my laughter stilled, and I straightened. Raven was smiling, one arm propped on the mattress to make his sprawl look purposeful. His gaze dropped slowly, moving down to my toes before rising. By the time he returned to my face, I had reconfirmed my decision to seduce him.
Hips swaying and hair sliding over my skin, I strode to him. My wings were lifted behind me to frame my body in white. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw them catch the moonlight and brighten. I didn't need silk or jewels. He thought I was beautiful as I was.
