Somehow, I made it to the toilet in my guest suite. After heaving up the contents of my stomach, I rinsed my mouth and splashed water on my face. Dragons don't get sick, so I couldn't brush it off as something I ate. It was Jucai. I knew it, and I had to be truthful with myself.
I didn't want him to fuck anyone else.
But I had ended things and given him no other choice. So, I removed the nautilus shell he'd given me and tossed it on the bedside table. Then I sat on the edge of my bed and stared at the fish beyond the glass, hoping they would calm me. I was so enraptured by the view that I didn't hear the door open. But then I saw it—the red fish. Bright crimson with trailing fins, it hovered before me as if trying to communicate. The spirit's warning sprang to mind.
I ducked, rolling onto the floor.
A man cursed behind me. I spun to my feet and found a hooded man dressed in black, his face covered. All I saw of him was a pair of blue eyes, the surrounding skin painted black. In his hand was a wide, curved blade. He swung it. I dodged and punched his wrist. He dropped the sword, but dove for me. Head in the belly, I huffed out my air and fell onto my back. The man pulled a blade and lifted it over my chest.
I bucked and tossed him away. We rolled away from each other and got to our feet. I should have shouted for help then,but I wasn't afraid. A Dragon can handle any opponent, even Dragons like me who have never picked up a sword. But my attacker defied logic.
He ran at me, and I punched him. I should have knocked him into a wall. Instead, he swayed back a little. As I frowned at my ineffective hand, the bastard kicked me in the stomach. Again with my belly! Winded, I fell back, and he was instantly there, straddling me. I caught the flash of a dagger a second before he sank it into my chest. Screaming, I tried to hold myself still. I could feel the blade against my heart. If I moved too much, it would slice through. A knife in the heart wouldn't kill me, but it would put me into a healing sleep, giving the man enough time to pick up his sword and cut off my head.
So, I yanked it out. Straight up. I should have been good for a few more punches after that. I wasn't. Blood gushed, and my strength went with it. As I floundered in shock, the man got up, retrieved his sword, and held it over my neck. I saw my death in his eyes. Still, I refused to look away.
But then something else moved in them—a reflection. With a roar, Bantar tackled the man.
The last thing I saw was the red fish hovering at the level of my face.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Dragons are immortal. We heal incredibly fast, making it difficult to kill us. Still, someone had tried. They had tried like a coward, sneaking into the palace to assassinate me. And they nearly succeeded.
How had that happened? I should have broken bones with that punch. But he shook it off as if it were nothing.Those were the thoughts that brought me back to consciousness. My thoughts and the sounds of an enraged Sea Dragon.
“—just stand there looking like an imbecile, help him!”
“He needs no aid, Your Majesty. He has healed. Please, look. His wounds are only pink marks now. Give it another hour, and the marks will be gone.”
“Someone attacked him inmypalace!” Jucai roared. “If not for this brave man, Nadar would be dead.”
“It was my honor to protect him, sire,” Bantar said.
“You deserve a reward, Bantar. I will see to it myself. And I will punish the palace guards!”
“Could you please keep it down?” I muttered as I opened my eyes.
“Nadar!” Jucai helped me sit up and propped pillows behind me. “How do you feel?”
I looked at him. When I lay beneath the assassin, staring death in the face, I had also seen Jucai staring back at me with wounded eyes. I saw the truth in his gaze and felt a deep regret for ending our relationship. We may not have forever, but that was precisely why we shouldn't squander a moment of the time we did have.
“Foolish,” I whispered.
“Nonsense! This wasn't your fault. That assassin took you unawares.”
I glanced at the physician and then met Bantar's anxious gaze. “Thank you, Bantar. You saved my life. If there is ever anything I can do to repay you, please tell me.”
Bantar opened his mouth.
I raised a hand. “No, don't answer now. Think about it. It's a genuine offer.”
“Master, it was my honor to be there for you. I'm relieved I arrived in time. I only wish I could have stopped him before he stabbed you.”
“You did more than my guards did, Bantar,” Jucai said. “And you were wounded for your efforts. From now on, you are no longer a slave, but an honored guest.”
“Your Majesty, that is too much!” Bantar's eyes went wide.
That was when I saw the bandage across his chest. I climbed out of bed and went to him. “Are you all right, my friend?”
