“How am I to acquire servants if I cannot enlist them with my charm?”
I almost asked “what charm?” “Over time, we’ll add people that we can trust with your secret.”
“Once I am grown, it won’t matter because I shall eat those who would betray me,” was his vehement promise. “Speaking of betrayers, when will you be taking that perfidious doctor into custody?”
“We don’t know that he’s responsible,” I said, even as he seemed the most likely suspect.
“My instincts scream that he is.”
“Mine, too, but we can’t simply kidnap someone based on a gut feeling.”
“Yes, we can.”
I pursed my lips. “Listen, Your Majesty, while you are really good at giving orders, you’ve yet to truly grasp how the world currently works. What you’re suggesting could get us arrested.”
“Only if caught.”
I exhaled loudly. “You are incorrigible and bossy.” I popped the plug in the sink to drain the dirty water and ran some fresh fluid to give Tigger a final rinse before scooping him into a towel.
“My attitude is exactly right for a dragon.” He nestled his head under my chin. “As my servant, you should listen and obey.”
“You keep saying I’m your servant, and yet I’ve not seen a single paycheck.”
Tigger made a noise. “As if I’d give you any of my wealth.”
“What wealth? You have no money.”
“Even if I did, I wouldn’t give it to you for you are already being richly rewarded with the honor of being in my retinue.”
“So you’re a cheap boss,” I teased as I carried him back to his room.
“Frugal would be a better term.”
“Same thing,” I scoffed, depositing him in the bed. I then headed to the sliding glass door and pulled it shut before locking it. I drew the curtains, too, in case we had another electronic visitor.
“Would you show me more respect if I offered recompense for your service?”
“Maybe.” I grabbed the blanket and tugged it over him. “Try to get some sleep. It’s been a big day for you.”
“The biggest,” he agreed, his eyes already starting to shut.
Just as I reached the bedroom door, he whispered, “Iolana, would you stay with me?”
He didn’t sound cocky in that moment, more like a child, lonely and afraid. For all his brashness, he remained a baby. A baby who’d been scared tonight and almost died. When he’d fallen from the cliff, he’d not known his wings would pop out. How frightening that must have been.
“Of course, I’ll stay.” Apollo would probably wonder that I didn’t seek him out, but in that moment, a little orange dragon needed me.
And I couldn’t say no.
Chapter Eighteen
I’d never tell Iolana how safe I felt having her beside me. She might refuse to carry a gun—silly squeamish woman—but she would protect me. I snuggled against her chest, and she cradled me with her hand. The steady thud of her heart lulled me to sleep.
I woke to find myself alone, and for a moment, my mouth went dry and my heart raced as panic filled me. It eased the moment she emerged from the chamber pot room.
“Morning,” she chirped. “You staying in bed or coming with me? I was going to head down to the kitchen and get started on breakfast.”
“I’ll come with you,” I declared, scrambling out from under the covers and scampering over the mattress.
