I had to.
DAY TWO
After checking the palace defenses,a very necessary chore thanks to Roland’s betrayal, I considered keeping my distance from Taron. And I would have, probably, if not for the need, the desperation, to be near him. Distance was torture.
He didn’t seem to mind, following me around the palace of his own accord. We visited the throne room, where I met with one of the councilmen and the new commander of my armies.
“We should cancel the Firebound Festival,” Councilwoman Bauer said, her gaze bouncing between Taron and me. “They’ve begun setting up for the kickoff tomorrow, but with everything that’s happened…”
“Nein. There’s no better time for it.” I didn’t let myselflook at Taron, who watched me unabashedly. “Cedric, Nyla and Rainer are recovering from injuries. The Hoffmanns know they’ll be killed on sight, and Lorik is busy corralling the lot of them.” I focused on Commander Granger. “I’ll triple the number of guards on patrol and set up lookouts and traps along the perimeter.”
“Consider it done, majesty.” He nodded and escorted the council member from the chamber, leaving me alone with my human, who turned his attention upward.
For the first time since arriving in Ashmorra, Taron appeared stunned, studying the murals painted across the vaulted ceiling. Next, he examined the intricately carved stone walls and the banners illustrating the various dragon fire breaths.
“Now that would have been helpful when I was learning everything I could about dragons,” he grumbled.
“You never snuck into this room during your many trips?”
He shook his head. “I only had an hour each trip before the rift closed, so I trekked only to possible entrances and escape routes.”
Grabbing his hand, I led him to a display table inlaid with hundreds of tiny tiles that formed a mosaic of dragon history. “You can trace stories as if you are reading a book.”
He drew in a slow inhale and then immediately began scanning the table. “You know how to get to a mythology professor’s heart.”
Hopefully.Nein. Nein!
Adelaide had left a selection of teacups on a silver tray, each one distinct. Some with delicate handles. Others with hand-painted fruit. One appeared solid gold.
I chose one…and so did he. We toasted our victory, sharing a grin before I next took him on a tour of the royal gardens, which were sprawling and overgrown, a lush testament to centuries of careful cultivation. Black bloodblooms the size of fists climbed silver trellises, vines glittered with frost-kissed thorns of scarlet, and trees with fire-orange leaves seemed to dance flames in the wind. Dragon-shaped topiaries loomed here and there, trimmed to perfection and lightly steaming, as if they might breathe fire again at any moment.
It was a chilly morning, sharp with the promise of winter, and I’d dressed accordingly: leather pants, a long-sleeved tunic belted at the waist, and a thick fur mantle tossed over my shoulders. Practical, ja, and as anti-seductive as possible. Or so I’d hoped.
“I’ve been meaning to ask,” he said, looking me over. “Did you dress like any old soldier to discourage my attention?”
“Maybe,” I replied with a little snippy-snip in my tone. “Are you complaining?”
“Yes! Even this is too much.” Taron’s gaze lingered on me, heating, branding new parts of me I hadn’t known existed. And I… well, I wasn’t exactly winning our game of “don’t ogle your enemy,” either.
Sunlight loved him. It slicked his black hair with hints of blue, deepened the golden amber of his irises, and turned his skin to sun-warmed bronze. Sweat beaded at his temples, glinting like molten gold. Kissable scars peeked from beneath the collar of his tunic, taunting me. And that shadow beard? Criminally attractive. My fingers twitched with the urge to touch him.
We reached the heart of the garden maze: a hidden courtyard where a massive stone fountain gurgled gently in the center. The basin was carved to resemble coiled dragons whose tails looped around the edges, their mouths pouringpink water into the pool below. Mist rose in delicate veils, catching shafts of morning light and turning them to flame.
“I used to spar here with my sisters,” I said, letting out a wistful sigh as memories stirred, a sweet collection of merriment and challenge.
“Used to?” He glanced sideways.
“All but Adelaide avoid me now. Apparently, I’ve beencrankythe past few centuries.” I raised my fingers in exaggerated air quotes.
He chuckled, and oh, that rich, low laugh was addictive. I wanted to steal it, bottle it, and keep it on a shelf for rainy days. “You aren’t so bad. A little quick to temper but easily soothed.” Nudging my shoulder with his own, he winked at me. “Only takes a kiss or two.”
I gaped at him. “I demand you turn this boil of charm to a simmer, sir. Immediately!”
“How aboutwespar?” Taron shrugged off his fur cloak to reveal the full breadth of those unfair shoulders. With a wicked glint, he unsheathed a pair of short swords from across his back. The blades gleamed like twin flashes of lightning. “Maybe we’ll work some of that cranky out of youwithoutkisses.”
Hold up. Exhaust myself with the professor whose battle skill still haunted my dreams so that our desire finally evaporated?Don’t mind if I do.
I tossed aside my own cloak, the morning air biting at my arms as I caught the sword he threw. The weight was perfect, like it belonged in my hand. My muscles flexed in anticipation, and the fire in my blood flared.
