Perhaps I’ll try to win him over with seduction.
The servant who’d carried Gerard’s robe ran forward. Gerard paced forward to meet him. He took the robe and turned away from the crowd so Elias could see his glorious, rounded arse.
Elias almost whimpered. Could this man be any more perfectly built? He didn’t bother hiding his pout as the robe covered that glorious body.
Taking his eye patch from the servant, Gerard fixed it over his eye. But unlike all the other dragons who had won their battles, he strode away towards the tents, not acknowledging the cheering onlookers when in human form.
Why did he not wave at the crowds? Why did he not linger in his glory?
And why did he not seek me out?
Elias’s throat tightened. Princess Senta had constantly glanced at Lady Juniper before the two had departed together. Prince Luther had made his way to the sectioned-off group, crowing his winning as he’d thrown his arms around Warden Onyx.
As a dragon, Gerard had looked at Elias. And he’d thrown a few glances Elias’s way before the battle. But he’d clearly not relished Elias’s presence. Or his support.
Elias took a slow breath and straightened his shoulders.
This is not a love marriage. Don’t act all hurt just because he doesn’t care about you now.
But Elias admired Gerard. A lot. He admired his ferocity and power as a dragon. He respected him as the dragon warrior. He even desired Gerard.
Meanwhile, all Elias got from Gerard was civil politeness and cold respect. Elias pressed his lips together.
It’s just a challenge. Getting him to like me is a challenge. I can handle challenges.
Elias watched the final battle of round one between Lord Morton and Lady Adrian. Lord Morton roared.
Elias’s hair stood on end. “I am glad we have made peace with the dragons.”
Beside him, Prince Ash Rosewood nodded. But his attention remained completely on his husband battling above. “Come on, Barrett! Come on!”
With a swing of his tail, Lord Morton knocked the other dragon. She floundered, rolling and exposing her belly to him. Lord Morton took the opportunity, driving his claws into her stomach. He flapped his wings and bore her to the ground.
Elias clapped and cheered alongside Prince Ash and the crowd.
After celebrating in the sky, Lord Morton landed, shifted, and approached Ash. He smiled gently down at the smaller man.
Ash gazed up at Lord Morton, arms going around his shoulders. “You were amazing!”
Lord Morton leaned down. He gripped Ash’s face with his hands and kissed him. Ash melted. Elias looked away.
The rounds continued. Duke Albert won his next fight. Beau applauded and blew kisses. Duke Albert smiled and pretended to catch the thrown kisses.
Elias had to stop himself from rolling his eyes. Or vomiting.
Gerard fought and won his next fight. Elias clapped and smiled at his betrothed, wanting to show how proudhe was. But Gerard only looked and inclined his head at Elias once.
Elias kept his face blank as he continued to applaud. He noticed a few of the others in the reserved area glance his way. Clearly they, too, had noted that Gerard did not seem to relish interacting with Elias. Still, Elias kept applauding and cheering.
Princess Senta beat Crown Prince Konrad in their battle. But if the dragon crown prince stung from the loss, he didn’t act like it.
He smiled and clapped his younger sister on the back. “Well, that’s what I get for spending hours on my arse in meetings instead of training.”
She shoved him. “You’ve gotten rusty! You should join me and Gerard for our early morning flights. We can practice fighting to help you improve.”
He laughed.
Princess Senta then looked to Lady Juniper, who ducked out and ran to join her betrothed. Prince Konrad glanced at the grandstand, face neutral. He did not yet have a betrothed.
