His eyebrows rise, an amused smile touching his lips. It’s Daegan who answers though. “Change of plans,” he says with a grumpy tone, like he’s annoyed I asked.
I don’t look at him. I simply look at Meela, then back at Raef. “Well, you know where to find me if you need me.”
“Yes, Ma’am,” Raef replies with a laugh.
I don’t glance at the other two, but as I stand and begin to walk away, I hear Yara. “Why would anyone need her?” she says with derision.
I don’t hear an answer as I keep walking, but as I follow Meela through the large exit to the hall, I glance back over my shoulder one last time and lock eyes with Daegan.
And then I slam into a large body.
I already know it couldn’t have been Meela as I whip my head forward, beginning to form an apology on my lips.
“I’m—” I stop myself as I look up into Adrian’s deep green eyes. “Adrian,” I say, breathless.
He holds onto my shoulders, steadying me. Not that I was going to fall or anything. “Elysande,” he says.
An awkward pause falls between us.
An image of the other night flashes in my mind, making me avert my gaze.
Him between my legs.
“You already ate?” he finally asks.
“Yes,” I say as I look at him once again. “We were just leaving.”
He doesn’t glance at Meela who stands behind him waiting for me, arms crossed and looking impatient.
“Oh. I wish I would have caught you…” He looks beyond me for a moment, then back at me. “Would you maybe want to meet me for lunch?”
I hesitate for a moment. “I’m sorry. I have a pretty busy afternoon planned.”
His face falls. He looks puzzled. “You do?”
I nod.
“Oh!” I say, and his face brightens. “Remember how you promised you’d teach me some moves?”
His brows knit.
“Self-defense, and all that?”
“Oh. I did, didn’t I?”
I nod as he rubs his chin.
“You still want to do that?”
“Yes.”
He glances past me again, looking irritable. “You know what? Yeah. Maybe that would be good. Especially because the dragon lord’s son can’t stop shooting daggers with his gaze whenever you’re around.” His eyes flick to something behind me once again.
My eyebrows arch in surprise. “What?”
He shakes his head. “Nothing. Yes, let’s do that. Are you free tomorrow morning?”
“Yeah. I’ll see you there.” I begin to walk past him, then stop and look back. “Oh, and Meela will be there too,” I add with a wide grin.
