Page 27 of Real Scale Blazer

“Thirty percent, at least. Though I’m still unclear on what a ‘metamorphic process’ entails.”

“It’s when heat and pressure transform one type of rock into—” She caught his slight smirk and rolled her eyes. “You’re teasing me.”

“Perhaps a little.” He reached out, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear before he could stop himself. Her breath caught, and for a moment, the air between them crackled with possibility.

Then a crash echoed from the hallway, followed by Darian’s voice. “Everything’s fine! Just a slight... decorative rearrangement of the antique vases. Carry on!”

Quinn jumped back, the moment broken. “I should go.”

“Of course.” Kai stood, fighting his dragon’s urge to pull her back. “But perhaps... would you be willing to show me your research sites tomorrow? To better understand the geological concerns affecting my kingdom.”

She studied him for a moment, suspicion warring with interest. “You actually want to learn about the geology? This isn’t just another excuse to hover protectively?”

“Can’t it be both?”

Her lips twitched. “Honest, at least.” She gathered her materials, considering. “Fine. Tomorrow morning, early. But no guards, no dramatic rescues unless absolutely necessary, and you have to actually listen to the science, not just pretend to while scanning for threats.”

“Agreed.” He bowed slightly, hiding his triumph. “Until tomorrow, then.”

As she left, Darian materialized from the shadows, grinning. “Smooth recovery with the flowers. Though turning them into a geology lesson wasn’t quite what Gerri meant by showing interest.”

“Shut up.”

“You know, most kings would have simply declared their intentions and expected compliance. Instead, you’re learning about metamorphic processes and crystal formations.”

“She’s different.” Kai moved to the window, watching Quinn cross the courtyard below. “She doesn’t want a king. She doesn’t even want a protector. She wants...”

“An equal?” Darian suggested quietly. “Someone who sees her mind before her potential as a mate?”

“Someone who understands that her independence isn’t a challenge to be overcome.” Kai pressed his forehead against the cool glass. “I’ve spent centuries commanding, controlling, protecting. But with her...”

“You’re learning to follow sometimes instead of always lead?” Darian clapped him on the shoulder. “Good. It’s about time someone taught you that lesson. Though I do have one question.”

“What?”

“Did you know those flowers increase psychic sensitivity in humans? Because she’s about to start hearing everyone’s thoughts in about ten minutes.”

Kai’s head snapped up in horror.

Darian burst out laughing. “Jesting! But your face...”

“Dungeon. Guard. Duty,” Kai growled, but his lips twitched despite himself.

Tomorrow. He had until tomorrow to figure out how to be what she needed—not a dominant alpha dragon, not an overprotective king, but simply a man worthy of her trust. His dragon grumbled at the restraint required, but his heart? His heart knew this was the only way.

Now he just had to survive a day of geological lectures without either accidentally insulting her profession or giving in to his urge to wrap her in protective magic every time she went near a cliff edge.

Simple.

Right.

TWENTY-TWO

Quinn hunched over her geological maps, spread across an antique desk in a quiet corner of the palace library. Her pencil tapped against a particularly puzzling seismic reading as she tried to concentrate. The constant parade of palace staff and advisors passing by, pretending not to stare while obviously staring, made focusing difficult.

“I swear if one more person walks past to gawk at the ‘fascinating human specimen’...” She muttered under her breath, pressing harder with her pencil until the tip snapped.

The palace walls hummed with what sounded suspiciously like amusement. “Your stress levels appear elevated, Dr. Quinn. Shall I activate the calming aromatherapy protocol?”

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