Heat scalded her cheeks. “I was admiring my view.”
He flashed a wicked grin at her before he dropped the fur. “My everhungry dragon. What am I to do with you?”
She squealed as he launched himself at her and rolled across the bed so that she landed on top of him in the center of the mattress. Cupping her face, he kissed her deeply.
“Who was at the door?” she asked.
He pulled back with a groan. “An elf.”
“I figured that. Care to elaborate?”
“An irritating elf.”
She smirked at his humor.
“It was another update. From what they’ve gathered from their spies and allies, we’re facing a number of mercenaries she’s put together. Only a handful of her own troops—probably because she’s afraid of officially violating our contract. They suspect Dythnal, Vaskalia, Ningyo and Cosaria have offered money for my head, but none of them are offering any soldiers to her, probably because they’re afraid of violating our treaties. Since she has my lands and army in addition to hers, those rulers don’t want to leave their territories and risk thinning their numbers for fear of her killing their commanders, and then invading their lands. Or of my regaining control and retaliating against them.”
“Makes sense.” The elves were helping because their lands fell between Meara’s and Dash’s. If the centaurs kept Dash’s land, then the elves would be surrounded by her troops on both borders. It would only be a matter of time before she’d attack them and try to conquer their lands, too.
“I suppose five kingdoms against you is better than seven.”
He shook his head without comment. But his expression said he was less than amused.
“Was there anything else?” she asked.
“They’re planning to march within the hour.”
Gasping, she started to climb off him.
He pulled her to a stop. “That’s why I didn’t want to tell you.”
“We don’t need to be the last ones out the door.”
He scoffed. “I’m the High King. They can wait on me.”
She gave him a droll stare.
“Can’t I pretend to be selfish?”
She kissed him. “You can pretend, beast, but we both know better.”
As she started to pull his tunic off, a dark shadow fell across the room, followed by a familiar deep, thrumming rhythmic sound.
Dash scowled. “Is that...”
“Dragon wings.”
They both scooted from the bed and ran to the windows. Dash opened the wooden shutters.
Tanis stood frozen as she saw the last thing she’d expected. There were several dozen dragons flying in the air over the elfin fortress.
“Do you know them?” he asked.
Yes, she did. “It’s my sister, Ragna... with her elite guard.”
“Is she here for you or me?”
That was a good question. “I don’t know. She’s never been particularly fond of me.” She glanced sideways at Dash. “You, even less so.”
