Page 27 of The Dragon's Mate Proposal

He shrugged. “Probably making sure we don’t use you for toothpicks.”

I glared at him. “That’s not funny, you know, given that our people have been at war for most of the past year, and a lot of us did die at your hands. I know you didn’t mean it that way, but—”

“No, you’re right,” he said without argument. “That was out of line, and I’m sorry.”

The abrupt apology was unexpected. Although it was the first time it had really been necessary, it was still oddly out of character for him. He was very much an ‘I’m right’ sort of man. Dragon. Whatever. I wondered if he was being sincere then, with his apology, or just saying it to shut me up?

But the look on his face mirrored the words, and even his eyes seemed troubled, more dark than I had ever seen them. No, he meant this apology. Which of course, brokered the question of why? What had left him on edge?

He wasn’t telling everything. Something about that meeting had left him rattled as well, and it had to do with me. But what?

I longed to speak up, to demand that he explain everything to me. That he trust me. I wasn’t going to let myself be brushed aside.

But how did I demand that of someone I’d met the day before? I couldn’t. Not yet.

“Cade.”

We both looked up at a call from the back of the store.

“That’ll be Serphin. Our order must be ready,” Cade said, gesturing for me to follow. I did, taking in the well-stocked shelves of the trader. In rural human territory, it would have been called a general store. Because he did carry a little bit of everything. Basic foods to lumber and building supplies, farming implements and more. Whatever you might need was crammed somewhere.

“Did you get everything?” I asked as we approached the counter that ran the length of the back of the store.

Behind it, a tall dragon-man stood with crossed arms. He was older, though not elderly. Perhaps sixty, but a well-built sixty. His hair was more silver than gray, tied back in a ponytail.

“I did,” Cade replied, glancing at the other man, who I assumed was Serphin the trader. “Though it wasn’t easy. You drive a hard bargain.”

The trader snorted. “Only regulars get deals. Sometimes. Newcomers to the area have to prove themselves first. Don’t act surprised.”

I glanced at Cade, about to open my mouth to say he wasn’t a newcomer but had just been absent.

But Cade’s hand landed on my shoulder and squeezed. His eyes widened slightly, and I fell silent.

“Your stuff is out back,” Serphin said. “Thanks for your business.”

Cade smiled, not taking his hand off me. Instead, he drew me closer. “Thanks for the quick prep.”

I let myself be guided out back of the store, where a large sack with huge loops was sitting on a raised platform.

“Two questions,” I said, eyeing the odd contraption. “One, what’s with the bag?”

“So, I can carry it in my paws when I shift.”

All of a sudden, the huge, thick loops made total sense.

“Right,” I said, feeling silly for not figuring it out sooner.

“And the second thing?” Cade prompted as if he already knew.

“Why didn’t you tell Serphin you aren’t a newcomer? That your family has been here for years, and you’ve just been away?”

I watched his face as I spoke, noting the lack of sparkle in his coppery eyes, the tightness of his cheeks. His lips compressed, robbing them of much of their attractive fullness.

“Because,” Cade said. “I’m not ready for people to know I’m back. That anyone is living there again.”

“Why not?”

That time, he actually looked away, unable to continue locking gazes with me. Was he afraid of something I would see?

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