I lifted my eyebrows. “Are we supposed to have sex while they drum?”
“Yes, precisely.”
I rolled my eyes. “Didn't you tell them that we need a few minutes?”
Raven chuckled. “They know, Mate. They're trying to give us privacy for when we are ready.”
“Privacy?” I frowned, but then my expression cleared. “Oh! So they don't hear me screaming your name?”
He burst out laughing. “Yes. Or me roaring yours.”
“Well, I suppose that's rather nice of them.” I pushed my stew around with my spoon. “Please don't take me back.”
Raven sighed. “My primary duty now is to protect you.”
I opened my mouth to protest, but he held up a hand to stop me.
“But I can't deny you, my foundling. You deserve to finish this, and I'm delighted that you want to help people. You will make a good King's Mate.”
“A King's Mate,” I whispered. “Great Gods, I haven't even considered what that means. I just wanted to be with you.”
The Dragon King grinned. “That pleases me greatly. And don't worry about your duties as my mate. They willcome naturally to you. When this is over, we can have your presentation and start our life together.”
“My what?”
“Your presentation to my dread.” He winced. “I keep forgetting that you don't know our ways.” He pushed my bowl toward me pointedly, then said, “When a king takes a mate who is not of his dread or race, they must be presented to the dread for acceptance. But don't worry, they will accept you.”
“What happens if they don't?”
“Then I would choose you and step down.”
“Wait.” I leaned forward. “What do you mean, you'd choose me?”
“If they don't accept you, I would either have to give up you or the crown. I will not give you up.”
“So, you could lose your crown because of me?”
Raven chuckled. “Eliel, rejection is unlikely. My dread will accept you, and you will become a duke of Tabaa and a Dragon of the Tabaa Dread.”
“I'll be a Dragon?”
“You have a piece of me inside you now. You're part Dragon.”
“I . . .” I glanced at my wing. “That's why I healed. It was you!”
“My immortality, yes. You have increased healing and strength now.”
“Increased strength too?” I thought about how I had fought Nahel and lost. “Not enough.”
“It will increase once the bond is settled.” Raven picked up my spoon and handed it to me. “Now, must I feed you myself, or will you eat?”
I scooped some stew into my mouth and chewed absently. Satisfied with that, the King went back to his meal.
“I'm a Dragon,” I whispered.
“Yes, Mate.” Raventar grinned.
“Can I shapeshift?”
