Page 32 of The Dragon King

I almost snarl at the mention of the indigo dragon. He has always been one to side with Inchel, and I’m really not in the mood to hear whatever it is he has to say to me today.

But I nod. “Fine.”

Fynola bows. “Anything else, your Majesty?”

“No, you’re excused.”

She hurries from the room, and I catch sight of the three guards in the hall before the door clicks shut behind her.

“Who was that?”

I turn, tension leaving my body as Tatha crosses the room. A towel is wrapped around her hair, and one of my shirts hangs down to her thighs. Her bare feet pad softly across the thick rug in the center of the room, and she props a hip on the edge of the table as she pops a piece of melon in her mouth.

Oh, to be that piece of fruit right now.

“Fynola. I’m needed in the council chambers.”

A flicker of fear crosses her eyes, but she banishes it immediately with a bright smile, crossing to me and raising onto her toes. I lean down to meet her halfway, pressing a kiss to her warm lips.

She says, “Do what needs to be done. The world goes on, even with the Challenge looming, and I know you have duties. I’ll find my way today. I’ll keep busy. Then”—she kisses me again, tugging my bottom lip between her teeth, sucking softly—“I’ll watch my Mate tear his opponent to pieces.”

A low groan rumbles from my throat. “Yes, Heilsi.” I cup her face. “Then you and I will celebrate as only dragons can.”

Her pupils dilate, and a spark of her dragon fire lights in the centers of her eyes. I smile down at her, pressing another quick kiss to her lips before stepping away.

“I’ll see you soon, Mate.”

My long legs carry me down the hall, but I keep my pace slow. The guard has changed outside my rooms, and Arvun and Undreth follow me. A third guard stays at the doors to my chambers.

I take my time, stopping to talk to staff I pass along the way, checking on the kitchens, making sure the cooks have everything they need for the upcoming Moneria celebration.

Let Kudrer wait.

I spend an hour walking through my castle before finally sighing, turning to my guards. “I guess I should see what Kudrer wants.”

Undreth nods, but Arvun chuckles, her eyes dancing with amusement. “Aye, your Majesty. Kudrer has quite the temper. He might be storming through the castle as we speak, looking for you.”

I match her smile, though it doesn’t reach my eyes. There’s so much I’d rather do than meet with the volatile indigo dragon.

But I am King. I have a duty.

Finally, approaching the council chamber doors, one is ajar, and I push it open, leaving my guards to stand post. The door remains open as I enter the room, my shadows peeling away from me in a show of power as my gaze lands on Kudrer.

“Ah, your Majesty. I’m sorry to pull you away from your Mate.” I fight back a scowl, keeping my face blank. “Congratulations.”

I nod, crossing my arms. “I hope this is not why you summoned me. You could have congratulated me at the Moneria celebration.”

A smirk of a smile curls up his lips. “Oh, no, your Majesty.”

When he doesn’t continue, I let loose the growl I’d been holding back. “So?”

He paces a slow circle around the room, his shoes clicking loudly on the marble floor as he passes over each of the embedded emblems representing the clans.

“A member of my clan submitted a visitor application this last round, and was denied.”

Another long pause has my temper rising, but I hold my ground. Keeping my face blank, I let my shadows expand, reaching for the light spilling through the towering windows.

Kudrer swallows. “I would like to know why, on behalf of my clan member.”

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