“Yes,” Evander says.
“What if someone doesn’t want to be in a thunder? Not that I feel that way.” His hand is on my thigh, and I place mine on top of his. Because I don’t. If there wasn’t this whole queen thing loaming over me, I wouldn’t have a single question.
“Sure, lightning brothers can turn each other down. But they never do. We’re males and a bit likefurastina. Hmm, lemmings I think is the animal here on Earth. They just do what the next one does. Females, though? Females have been known to take a long time to have the lightning. And some even decide not to join the thunder. And that’s their right. It’ll be your right too. I think that’s why we’ve developed this way. Dragons from my realm can be... well, we’re difficult, you know?”
I purse my lips and give a slight nod, remembering my first day here with Kieren.
“You know. If the lightning were to happen for the female quickly, with the males thudding around setting trees on fire and acting like a bunch of dragonets, most reasonable females would leave. But this way, with having to wait for the lightning, it forces us all to get to know each other. Let us show you that we’re not complete mud monsters.”
“Mud monsters?” I laugh.
“Oh, you wouldn’t laugh about mud monsters if you were born in Elderglen. I was scared silly about them when I was a dragonet. And of course my older sisters knew it. They used to make up great tales about how mud monsters swallowed down dragonets for breakfast.”
“That sounds horrible,” I say, but I’m having a hard time keeping the smile off my face.
“You’ll like my sisters. My parents too. They’re not stuffy.”
I raise my eyebrows at him.
“Not that Kieren’s...Yes they are. Stuffy is being kind. Though there are some perks to being in the prince’s thunder. Having an ancestral here waiting with my robe. Not having to cook. I’m sure there are other things I can’t think of right now.” Evander ties his belt, hiding away his perfect abs. He grabs my chin with his thumb and forefinger. “I like the way you look at me.”
His other hand wraps around my shoulders, and his lips claim mine. He tastes of cream and smells of smoky almonds.
When our kiss ends, my stomach has settled. I grab the other half of my sandwich and take a bite.
“You know, I think you’ll really like Elderglen. It’s full of history.”
“I hope I get to see it someday.”
“Oh, you will. I can’t wait to have you on my back, the wind in your hair as I fly low over the tall grass. To hear your laugh bursting over the prairie as we buzz to my family’s tower.” There’s a serene smile on his lips.
“You miss Elderglen?” I ask. And I can’t help but think about Roark’s brother, Varek, hiding out there.
“It’s a wonderful place, where all my family is. But they have each other.” His chest heaves.
“And Kieren’s sister has only the three of you.”
“Yes.” He squeezes my thigh. “We’ll figure out how to keep her safe.” He kisses the side of my head. “Have you had enough to eat?”
“Yes.”
“Good, because I haven’t.” He tosses me over his shoulder and charges up the stairs.
60
RAINE
“Good morning, Leo.”
“Good morning, Miss Fischer.” He places my coffee in front of me after another staff member has helped me with my chair. “The gentlemen are out this morning.”
“Yes, Kieren has gone back to Crest Wing, Evander left for London, and Roark is checking on Mt. Tecorin today.”
“I have a castle scheduling question for you.”
“For me? Sure.” It’s weird. Leo’s never asked me anything about the castle.
“Being that the holiday is so important where you come from?—”
