Page 51 of Dragon Detective

Her hooded eyelids lifted, and she gave me a smile that nearly drove the low simmer in my belly to a heavy boil.

“Hold that thought. We’ve got an exhibition to see.” She stroked her fingertip along my jaw before sashaying past me, her hips swaying, and her heels clicking on the pavement.

Because I couldn’t help it, I stared at her ass for a moment before hurrying to catch up with her, taking her hand and linking our fingers.

We rounded the side of the grange hall and joined the queue of people waiting to get inside. I’d bought tickets online already, but, for security reasons, they controlled the number of people viewing the items on display.

Royal orc guards studied each person who entered, though I doubted anyone would try to steal anything inside. Although that was how Bailey, the head librarian, met Katar, after an ancient orc manuscript was stolen from the library.

When it was our turn, they scanned our passes on my phone, and we went inside.

The orc king had brought a throne, and they’d mounted it on a small platform at the end of the room. He presided over the room from his gilded seat, surveying everyone below with a benign eye. His nephew, Katar, stood nearby, and he nodded when I caught his eye. He held Bailey’s hand. She was rubbing her belly with a slight frown on her face.

A few orcs dressed, oddly enough, in chaps, starched shirts, and leather vests, with cowboy hats on their heads, waited in a short queue to speak with the king.

“Orc cowboys?” Hannah asked me softly, leaning into my side.

“It would appear so. I heard a group was coming to Mystic Harbor to speak with the king while he was here, but I thought they’d do so during daylight hours.”

“Maybe this was the only time they could get. I’m sure he’s busy with diplomatic stuff. What sort of business do you think they hope to discuss with him?”

“I haven’t heard much. Just something about them bringing their version of orc horses and cattle to the surface and buying a huge tract of land to set up an authentic tourist ranching experience—orc style.”

“That sounds like fun.”

“Yup. People will stay for a weekend or longer and play old wild west while they’re there.”

“Authentic down to outhouses?” Laughter shivered in her voice.

“I understand they’ll offer modern conveniences, but people can wear antique clothing and go trail riding or even take rodeo and lasso lessons.”

“What does the king have to do with all that?”

“They’re hoping he’ll provide additional funding.”

“Ah, that makes sense.” Her attention was snagged by the first display, a glass case holding gleaming crowns adorned with precious jewels winking in the lights. Orc guards stood on either side of the case, their hands on their sidearms and their intent gazes scanning those gathering around to view the enormous wealth on display.

“Let’s stroll around.” I took her hand again and squeezed it. “You’re going to be amazed.”

We studied everything, marveling at the ancient books open to passages describing ancient orc warrior life to cases full of trunks overflowing with jewels, to golden flasks and enormous piles of jewelry. So much wealth on display. So much for humans and monsters alike to admire.

By the time we’d finished seeing everything, the orc cowboys had left, as had most of the crowd.

We went over to say hello to Katar and Bailey.

Katar was speaking with the king, and he made introductions.

“Very nice to meet you.” King Truceer nodded to us both. “You should visit the orc kingdom sometime. You’ll love it there. I could show you around.”

Such an honor. I bowed and after giving me a wide-eyed look, Hannah gave him a curtsy.

“We’d love to,” I said.

“Yes, speak with my—”

Bailey gasped, and we all turned to where she stood with Katar on the edge of the platform.

“My water just broke,” Bailey cried out, rubbing her belly.

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