“You know it's true. Between you, your knights, and the crowd you attract, it would hinder my investigation.” I tapped my notebook. “Now, your turn. How did you find me?”
The Dragon King blinked. “No, we're not done with you lying. I don't care what reason you had; you don't lie to me. I hired you, Alchemist.”
“MasterAlchemist,” I reminded him with a smirk.
He snorted and shook his head. “Fine, I understand why you wanted to investigate alone, but you should have told me.”
“I didn't lie. I'll be analyzing samples as soon as I return to the palace.”
“You lied.”
“Yes, all right. Now, how did you find me?”
The King smiled at our server as he set a mug of steaming cider down. “Thank you.”
“I'll be right back with your meal, Sire.”
The King nodded, and the server left. I looked pointedly at Falken and took a bite of food. I was hungry, and he had barged in on my meal. Manners did not require me to wait for him to get his food in such a situation. This wasn't the Royal Palace.
“I have your scent.” He looked at me as if that explained everything.
“My scent? You tracked me like a hound?”
The King grimaced. “I am not a dog. But yes, I can track you. I know you. Intimately.”
“Ah, I see.” I took another bite and considered the ramifications. “How long will you have my scent?”
“How long?” He raised his eyebrows. “Forever.”
My fork dropped to clatter onto my plate, and I gaped at him in horror. He could find me. Whenever. Wherever. Forever. It was a terrifying thing for a Volper.
“Here you are, Your Majesty!” The server, who had the most horrible timing, set a plate of food before the King.
“Thank you.” The King kept his gaze on me.
“Uh.” The human looked back and forth between us. “You're most welcome, Your Majesty. Just wave if you need anything.” He hurried away.
The King leaned over his food. “Why does that upset you?”
“Why?” I blinked. “Why?” I snarled and leaned forward to close the distance between us. “How would you like to know that someone you've only had sex with once can find you anytime they wish—forever?”
Falken leaned back. “I won't abuse you, Sevarin.”
“I don't know you,” I hissed.
“We've been intimate.”
“So what?” I grabbed my fork and waved it through the air. “Sex is just a physical release. It certainly doesn't impart any kind of meaningful knowing.”
“It does if there's something more than physical between the participants.”
“Which there isn't. I just met you yesterday. We barely know each other. Sex did nothing to change that. It was a meeting of the bodies, not of the minds. I don't know you, and so I cannot trust you.”
“I see.” He lifted his mug, inhaled deeply, and sipped.
I ate my food.
“Your lab is ready,” he said, like an offering.
