“They’re not in danger, sweet. Just uncomfortable. And uncomfortable is better than implementing the wrong solution because you rushed.”
She searched my face and sighed, some of the tension leaving her shoulders. “When did you get so wise?”
“I’ve always been wise. You were just too busy thinking about thermal air currents to notice.”
That earned me a splash of water to the chest, but she was smiling. “Impossible man.”
“Yourimpossible man,” I said before I could think better of it.
“I like that.” Her smile softened, and warmth passed between us.
We washed, helping each other. I loved being here with her, working soap through her hair, feeling her hands on my skin.
When we emerged from the bath, we found two outfits laid out on the bed. Dark pants and a tunic with elaborate silver embroidery for me, and a deep blue silk gown for Adele that shimmered when it moved. Matching shoes for both of us sat on the floor beside the bed.
“They’re fast,” she said, holding up the dress.
“Everything in Goldwing is. Efficiency is another point of pride.” I pulled on the pants, then the tunic, grimacing at how stiff the fabric felt. “Though comfort is apparently negotiable.”
Adele slid on the dress. It fit her perfectly, clinging toher curves before flowing into graceful skirts. Her hair was still damp, curling around her face, and the deep blue made her eyes look impossibly bright.
“You’re staring,” she said, but her cheeks flushed.
“You’re beautiful.” I closed the distance between us, unable to help myself. “Fates, Adele. You’re going to make every dragon in that hall forget how to breathe.”
“Good. Maybe then they’ll be too busy gasping to ask condescending questions.”
I laughed and kissed her, meaning it to be brief but getting lost in the taste of her. When I finally pulled back, her eyes were hazy, her lips swollen.
“We should go,” I said, though what I wanted was to peel that dress right back off.
“Punctuality is highly valued.” Her voice had gone breathy.
“Absolutely.” I offered her my arm, and we left our suite, following the sound of voices and the scent of roasted meat toward the grand hall.
The hall lived up to its name. A vaulted ceiling soared overhead, supported by columns carved to look like dragons in flight. Gold mosaics covered the walls, depicting the clan’s history in detail. Long tables had been arranged in a U-shape, and dragons in formal attire filled the seats, their conversation a low hum.
Every head turned when we entered.
Adele tensed beside me, but she kept her expression serene. I squeezed her hand and led her toward the head table where Trevare waited.
“King Raoul, Queen Adele.” Trevare rose, gesturing to seats positioned directly across from him. “Please, join us.”
The advisors flanking him looked less welcoming. They were older, their faces carved from years of politics, andthey watched us with the kind of scrutiny that made my dragon want to bare its teeth.
I kept smiling and pulled out Adele’s chair, waiting for her to sit before taking my own.
Servants appeared immediately, pouring wine and setting out platters of food. Everything had been arranged for artistic appeal. I spied multiple kinds of roasted meats garnished with herbs, an equally impressive display of vegetables cut into decorative shapes, and bread formed into intricate braids.
“We’re honored to host the King and Queen of Emberforge,” Trevare said, raising his glass. “To ongoing cooperation between our courts.”
“To cooperation,” I said, and everyone drank.
The advisor to Trevare’s left, a stern-appearing woman with silver streaking her dark hair, set down her glass with a sharp click. “I understand you’ve come to investigate the infant situation.”
Situation. Not crisis. Not problem. Another careful word choice.
“Queen Adele is an expert in atmospheric conditions,” I said. “We’re here to see if weather is in any way the cause and if so, offer solutions.”
