“I said I was wrong.”
“That's not an apology.” Lord Orro looked me over again, but this time, there was arousal in his eyes. “You could make it up to me later tonight, and I'll make it up to you?”
The Dragon King growled.
The sound of the King's possessive anger was low, wicked, and primal. It hinted at teeth and blood. It promised pain. Everyone stepped back, including Lord Orro. Except for me. I cocked my head at the King, unsure how I felt about his defense.
“My apologies, Your Majesty.” Orro inclined his head. “I didn't know he was yours.”
Before the King could answer, I shrieked in fury and humiliation. Then I shouted, “I am not his! I do not belong to anyone but myself!” Then I turned around and stormed out of the hall.
I wasn't hungry anyway.
Chapter Twelve
The King didn't follow me. I was both relieved and disappointed about that. Then I was angry with myself for being disappointed. I didn't leave to get him to follow me. He was the last person I wanted to see after that barbaric display. Yes, all right, the barbarism began with me, but that didn't excuse what he did.
“Just because he's a king, it doesn't mean he can behave like that. That growl was practically a claim. I told him!” I slammed the lab door behind me and threw the lock. “I specifically told him I wouldn't be claimed. It's been three days! This is preposterous!” I flopped down on the cot and glared at the mugs on the counter. I wanted to smash the mug he had used because of its connection to him.
For a moment, I contemplated leaving. But this was my kingdom too, and I couldn't leave it to literally rot. The King had already paid me my consultation fee too. He'd built a lab for me. The Dragon King had been—
“Ugh! He's been nice.” I fell onto my side and curled up on the cot. “Reasonable even. He stood up for me. But that growl.” I sat up abruptly. “No! I will not lie here and pout like a youth.” I got up and went back to my work.
I worked with intense focus, pausing only to eat the meal that the King sent me. It only served to irritate me more, offeringmore proof of his manners. As I worked, my mind processed things in the background. I had been wrong. I shouldn't have reacted so violently to that Ricarri. Yes, he was a big lug, but that also meant he missed things others might notice. He had indeed insulted me by stepping on my tail, but he wasn't a Volper and didn't know to be wary of tails swishing on the floor. Granted, he lived in a Dragon court among Volper courtiers, so he should have been more wary, but he was right. I should have given him a chance to apologize.
I hated being wrong.
“Ugh!” I turned off the burner and stormed out of the lab.
It was late, but not so late that I'd expect a Ricarri courtier to be sleeping. The problem was—I didn't know where to find him. Luckily, in my wanderings, I came across a palace servant and asked him where Lord Orro's room was.
A few minutes later, I stood before the Ricarri's door. Grimacing, I knocked. And again. I was about to leave when Lord Orro jerked the door open.
“What the fuck do—oh. Hello.” He wore pants only, no shirt.
Unlike my suite, Lord Orro had only a bedroom, but there was a small dining table to the right of the bed and a sitting area before it. A shirt hung over the back of the loveseat.
After clearing my throat, I said, “I'm sorry to disturb you.”
“Not at all.” He leaned out and looked up and down the corridor. “Did anyone see you?”
“What?”
“Did anyone see you come here? I don't want to deal with the Dragon King's jealousy again.”
I frowned. Then I realized what he was thinking. “Ah, now you are guilty of assuming.”
“Am I?” He grinned, the minerals in his gray skin catching the light.
“I'm here to apologize, not for sex.”
Orro lost his grin. “Oh. Well, that's still nice of you. Would you like to come in?”
“Sure.”
He stepped back, and I stepped into the room.
“Would you like a drink? I have some ronjou.”
