“Needs more sugar,” I tell him seriously. “Really, is there any dairy in this vegetable at all?”
Zan throws his spoon at me, and I catch it, snickering, before taking another bite and tossing it back to him more gently.
He rolls his eyes at me, but a little bit of the tension leaves his shoulders.
It’s not what I would have thought to choose for myself, but this is the food of my new home.
After the first few slow bites I devour it, because apparently I’ve worked up an appetite—over the course of today and possibly forever—until a familiar sense pings at the edge of my awareness.
“Teren’s coming,” I say.
“Coming in fast,” Zan agrees. “Finish eating.”
Part of me flares at the command, but I do it anyway. Just because I didn’t need to be told doesn’t mean he isn’t right—the way things have been going on multiple fronts, I’m going to need all the energy I can get.
When the knock sounds at the door, I go to open it only for Zan to dart in front of me.
That anger burgeons a little more as I raise my eyebrows. Does he think mating makes me a child in our relationship?
When I see Teren’s haggard face, I rush to him, only for Zan to literallysnarland place himself bodily between us.
Whatin the—
Oh.
Oh.
Zan may think he wants to go slow with me, but his dragon instincts sure don’t.
Despite whatever brought Teren here, I smile.
I clear my throat and tap Zan’s arm.
When he turns dark eyes on me I grab him by the hair and crush his mouth to mine, kissing him hard in full view of our audience.
This time, for once, it’s him who breaks away first for air, looking slightly dazed.
“Better?” I ask him with amusement.
“Sorry,” Zan mutters. “I didn’t realize I would...”
“Didn’t think you could getmorepossessive of me, did you?” I finish smugly.
At my tone, the darkness in his eyes finally recedes.
But he says in a low voice, “Oh, I knew.”
And when Zan takes my hand firmly, the strength I hold him back with is maybe a little bit for anchoring me in the moment rather than losing myself imagining just how possessive he can be.
“My apologies for the outburst,” Zan says to Teren.
“Well at least something is going right today,” Teren replies wryly.
“What news?” I ask. “I didn’t expect to see you until tomorrow.”
“Priests are in Crystal Hollow.”
Zan and I exchange a glance.
