“Are we meeting Merrick in the dining room?” I asked.
“I’m afraid he can’t make it.” He held out his arm. “I’ll escort you to dinner this evening, my queen.”
50
LORANT
“I’ll skip dinner.” Reyla backed into her suite and started to shut the door.
I wedged my foot into the opening before she could finish closing it.
“I think not,” I said. “You promised Merrick you’d dine with his mother, and you will.”
“Merrick,” she huffed. “I promised Merrick I’d dine with him.” She stomped out into the hall and started toward the king’s suite. “I’ll tell him I’m not feeling well, that I can’t dine with her after all.”
“Are you scared?” I called out to her backside.
Stiffening, she came to an abrupt halt, though she didn’t turn back to face me. “What in all the fates do you think I’d be scared of?”
“Facingthe dragon.”
Pivoting, she rushed back over to me, not stopping until our clothing brushed.
My wildfire truly knew how to unnerve me. It was all I could do to remain in place and not put distance between us. She smelled sweet, faintly of flowers and fresh air, and it sunk into my skin, fusing to my soul.
She gouged my chest with her fingertip, which I supposed was better than one of the twin blades she wore strapped around her waist. Did she realize how badass those blades made her look? “There’s no dragon I’m not willing to challenge.”
Was that true? What about . . .
The thought slipped away, and I focused on the threat within this castle. “What about the queen mother of all dragons?”
Did she also realize how much I ached to remove those sheaths from around her waist and strip off her gown, how I’d give almost anything to carry her to her bedroom and love her body all night?
My fucking cock started to stiffen.
“Even that one,” Reyla grumbled.
“Yet you argue with me about dining in the same room with her. What do you think she’ll do? Mock you?”
“I’m sure she will, but I’ll shrug it off like I did when she told me she’d never like me.”
My growl ripped out. “She said what?”
The air around us chilled, tiny flakes of snow falling from the air.
“Neat trick,” Reyla said, gazing in wonder as the snowdrifted around her. “I imagine it comes in handy during the heat of the summer.”
My anger deflated and the room warmed once more. “It’s not a trick. I’ll have you know that it takes considerable skill to do something like that.”
She rolled her eyes. “I’m sure it does.”
“Do you truly think—”
“My queen . . .” Surren knew better than to say more than that. However, one word from her, and he’d challenge me. It was not only his job, but he also clearly cared for her and would do anything to keep her from feeling threatened.
I’d have to save my snarls for when we were alone.
“I apologize.” I sent a grand, sweeping bow her way. “King Merrick extends his kind regards. He wishes he could escort you to dinner himself, but he’s unavoidably detained.”
