Page 25 of The Dragon's Mate Proposal

She pouted as I continued to chuckle, but I could see her lips twitching as she fought back her own laughter.

“Do you know,” she said, shaking her head. “I gave this look to the President once?”

I threw my head back and roared. “I’m sure he had a lot of questions.”

“Me too,” she said. “Blah, that’s so embarrassing though. Why did nobody tell me?”

“I have no idea. Too polite, perhaps?” I shrugged, moving away from the window and heading toward the largest building in town, the general trader.

“Maybe,” she agreed as we passed a shop full of trinkets, her attention shifting.

“Go on,” I said, pausing.

“What?”

“Look around. Maybe pick out something for the house,” I said, speaking without thinking about it. If I had, I might have stopped myself. “I’ll be in there, selling this, getting us some food and cleaning supplies, and a few other things.”

“Like what?” she wanted to know.

“A name, for starters,” I said with a shrug. “Nothing serious. Go on, come find me if you get bored. Otherwise, I’ll get you when we’re ready. There are a couple more stores across the street there. The end one always has neat wood carvings you might like.”

She was watching my face as I spoke, her features softening. “Okay,” she said. “Thanks. See you in a bit?”

“Of course.”

I watched her head inside, then marched across to negotiate the sale of the jewelry, and get that name, as I’d said. Pulling open the door, I held it with a hand as a second dragon followed me in.

“Thanks,” he grunted.

“No problem.”

I started to turn away, but the alarm bells going off in my head were telling me something was off about the other dragon, so I let him pass me instead. As he walked in, I realized it was his dress that was the problem. It was too fancy for town. He was someone to keep an eye on.

After he wandered through the store and out of sight, I went up to the counter and, after some back and forth, negotiated a deal that neither of us liked. Which probably meant it was fair.

I was halfway back to the door when the outsider came around the corner of an aisle, blocking my path.

“Who are you?” I growled as he came to a stop before I spoke.

“A watcher.” The cool blue eyes didn’t flinch.

“You work for the Sovereign,” I said, making a bit of an assumption. The crispiness of the clothing was too much for one of Kalann’s goons.

The other dragon dipped his head, the single braid of jet-black hair falling forward with the motion. I relaxed, tamping the beast inside me as well, relieved that I wasn’t going to have to throw down in front of Samantha. I didn’t want to risk her getting hurt.

“What do you want?” I said, speaking again before the agent could get his words out.

“Watching you,” he said. “Making sure everything is on the up-and-up with your agreement.”

I let my nostrils flare at the insinuation.

“This mating must be legitimate, Cade,” the other man said, not the least bit intimidated. Which was only to be expected. The Sovereign didn’t employ wimps.

“I’m well aware of that,” I said, irritation rising. “I was there when the terms were laid out, and I agreed to them as well. What I don’t appreciate is the implication that I would forget. I’m not stupid.”

The look I received in return didn’t seem so sure.

“So the Sovereign thinks I’m going to pull a fast one on her, does she?” I hissed, insulted.

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