relaxed a little, his sister wouldn’t recruit a phoenix, this meeting was just random coincidence. They were dangerous and volatile beings, but they were also honorable. He didn’t believe she’d help his sister without his sister lying about them, and she’d be too afraid of Cinder discovering the truth and coming after her instead.
Cinder sighed, “This is a bit public, when you restart your circuit would you mind if I joined you for a bit? It’ll be nice not to have to hide what I am for a while. It can get lonely.”
He frowned, “How do you know about that?”
Cinder smiled teasingly, “You do know that half the gossip in the kingdom is about you, your women, and you being the future consort, don’t you? Everyone knows that.”
He grinned, “Fair enough. We’d welcome your company on the road. I imagine it’ll be a week or so before that happens. Are there many of you here, in this realm I mean.”
She shook her head, “Long story, but no. I’m the only one as far as I know.”
She finished her stew and got up, “See you around.”
He nodded, and he couldn’t help himself as he stared at her thin waist, long fiery ringlets, and the tightest pear-shaped ass he’d ever seen in his life as she walked away. Gods, her legs went on forever.
He shook his head, and then finished his own meal. They were just about to get up, and head to the capital. He didn’t like it, but he’d let Stephanie talk him into getting married in a suit instead of his leather armor, and it needed to be fitted before the big event tomorrow after lunch.
Shar’s eyes went distant, and the color in her face drained.
“The king wants to see us, now. I think your sister already made her first move, and it’s going to be a problem. He knows, everything, and Daca is involved in it somehow.”
Muranth gaped at that news, but he recovered quickly as his heart filled with rage. He already considered the princess to be his, so of course his sister would take that tack knowing it would put him off balance. But… he was more controlled than she thought and wished he was, and he was going to take great pleasure in ripping her spine out, very soon. Or die trying.
But he was smart enough and patient enough to wait for the right moment. Losing his head wouldn’t help, no matter how angry he was in that moment.
They got up, and they left the inn quickly and headed for the edge of the village, where Shar could safely create a portal.
Chapter Four
The king studied them for several moments as they walked in. There was clear distaste on his face as he looked over Shar, and only slightly less so for Nysa and Willow. Of the princess, there was no sign, but also in the room were several guards, Benjamin, and a couple of sorcerers he’d never met.
He was far less worried about that implied threat than the thought the king would disallow him marrying his daughter. It wasn’t exactly arrogance. He knew his own strength, and they hadn’t brought nearly enough power into the room to make the four of them sweat.
Stephanie was his, and he’d claim her tomorrow, any other result was simply out of the question. It was more than just dragon instincts to protect what was his, it was his human instincts. He already loved her, had grown to love her, and couldn’t wait to share their marriage bed and consummate that love for the first time.
“Sit,” the king finally waved.
They took a seat on the couch and the king gaped for a moment when April became visible and sat on his shoulder.
Jonas asked sternly, “Would you verify what my daughter told me please, and explain how the hell Daca found out what I didn’t know?”
He grunted, “I am an elder dragon, and I did conquer my bonded in combat, with the exception of April who has been with me since birth. They will no longer prey on humans, and serving me they will defend your daughter, the rest of the royal family, and even this kingdom should I lead them to.”
He paused for a moment, “As for the other question, it’s a bit complicated. My sister and fallen queen, has been disgraced at home for her actions here. The prince’s advisor is likely to be my sister, and of course she knows because she’s been overseeing my walkabout, April reports