Jucai beamed at me.
“You're not concerned?” I asked.
“Concerned? This is proof that we are mates.”
I went to him and slid my arms around him. “Only yesterday, I vowed to Diaya that we couldn't be mates.”
“Diaya!” Jucai snarled.
Yeah, that wasn't the smartest thing to say.
“Hey, focus!” I cupped his face in my hands. “Nothing happened between Diaya and me, and nothing ever will. I only said that because I wanted you to know how much it was on my mind.”
“But you said you'd never mate me. Why?”
I looked away.
“Nadar, tell me. We need to be honest with each other, especially now.”
“We've already spoken about this. I think your world is beautiful, but I will miss mine greatly. I was born in a hot, sunny climate. The heat is in my blood.”
“As my blood runs cold with saltwater. Yes, it will take time for you to adjust. I would go to the surface with you if I could, but—”
“You're the King,” I finished for him.
“Will it ease your mind if I tell you we may visit the surface as often as you wish? We could even purchase a second home there.”
“Truly?”
“Yes.” He rubbed his hands up and down my upper arms soothingly. “Of course, Nadar. I want you to be happy.”
I chuckled. “This is what I mean—only yesterday I couldn't imagine mating you, and now we're talking about buying a home together.” I went still. “I guess I'll have to give up my job.”
“Will you miss that too?” Jucai watched me warily.
“I will, but life is about change. If I mate you, our dreads will be connected as well. That is the height of diplomacy. So I'll be doing my job.”
He chuckled. “And doing it well.” Looking around the room, he added, “I will have your things moved to my tower.”
“I rather like this room.” I looked over at the glass wall and remembered the fish. I needed to thank Duke Daha when I returned to Zaru—whenever that would be. Maybe I'd send him a letter.
Jucai sighed. “I already know you will twist me to your will. Very well, we will keep this room open for visits, but I want your things with mine.”
“Mingling scents.” Grinning, I slipped back into his arms. “Yet another sign of a mating Dragon.”
“A Sea Dragon mated to a Land Dragon.”
“Yes, the bird can live with the fish after all.”
“Only because the bird and the fish are magical.” Jucai kissed me, and it was magical, even without the mating urge rising.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Bantar and his friends wore expressions similar to those I'd seen on survivors of a landslide—shocked, confused, and glad to be alive. Jucai was standing behind his table, one arm extended toward Bantar as he explained why he had given the slavethe exalted position of royal guest. The Sea Dragons looked shocked themselves, wide eyes darting to me, then Bantar, and then the Sea King.
“There has been an assassin in our midst!” Jucai went on. “Someone is trying to harm our dread, and I intend to find them. I have already increased security in the palace and in our city. But I need you to be vigilant. A coward who sneaks through the shadows can kill anyone, even a Sea Dragon.”
Sea Dragons whispered to each other, their expressions shifting to worry. Most Dragons were unaccustomed to the emotion, and it looked as if it were the same for Sea Dragons. They simply couldn't fathom how someone weaker could kill them. I used to think the same. Not anymore. I'd experienced firsthand what a surprise attack could accomplish. Without Daha's warning and Bantar's help, the assassin would have succeeded.
