Page 26 of The Dragon of her Dreams

Anselm nudged me with his elbow. “Come on. Kayla asked me to go and get a plate of fruit for her to have in our room. She’s feeling a little queasy.”

“Hmm...” I managed to say with a smile. Did Anselm know his wife was expecting again, or was she still hiding the fact from her husband?

“The party went well last night,” Anselm said, walking beside me toward the dining hall. “Jaegar’s appearance has certainly set people’s gossip meters into overdrive.”

“I can imagine.” I sighed.

A true gentleman, Anselm opened the door to the dining hall.

Inside, there were a few people still sitting at the table, while the servants quietly removed plates and glasses from guests who’d been and gone.

“Good morning, daughter,” Dad said, getting up from the head of the table with a big smile. “I’m assuming you didn’t sleep well?” He reached out to kiss me on the cheek.

My insides flared with heat, and I rolled my eyes. “I just slept in,” I lied.

“Yeah right,” Jessa said from her place next to Mom. “Youneversleep in. What gives?” she asked, waggling her eyebrows at me.

I sat down at a spare place and reached for the roast potatoes. I didn’t want to admit it to anyone, but I was starving and needed something hearty and filling. “I slept in,” I repeated with a shrug. “No big deal.” I wasn’t ready for a family grilling on my newly blossoming love life.

Gods help me!

Mom glanced at Dad and reached for her juice glass. “And Jaegar?” she asked quietly, “is he also... sleeping in this morning?”

Heat flushed my cheeks again, and I closed my eyes to the shame with a grimace. “Mom!”

Jessa gasped aloud.

The sound made me open my eyes again and reach for the roast beef. I’d barely eaten last night, and it was catching up with me this morning.

“You slept with him?” Jessa whispered fiercely across the table, though there was no one except our family around.

“I’m going back to Kayla,” Anselm said, before taking his plate of fruit with him. “Good luck, sis.” His grin told me he didn’t feel sorry for me.

So, I grabbed my knife and fork and started shoveling food into my mouth, hungrier than I’d ever been. Much to my mental anguish and surprise, it seemed sex really did build an appetite!

My family stared at me as though they’d never seen me eat before. Which was partially true, I supposed. They certainly weren’t used to me enjoying my food with gusto.

“What?” I asked around a mouthful when no one was forthcoming.

“Oh... it’s nothing,” Mom said, reaching for the fruit platter.

“Come on, Van. Spill!” Jessa implored me.

I rolled my eyes. “Jessa... seriously? Here?Now?” I didn’t want to indicate that both of our parents were sitting right here at the table, but they should know that they were the main reason I didn’t want to say anything here. If Jessa and I were alone, I would have said more. In fact, I had questions.

“Oh, here he is!” Mom said with a big grin and a sidelong glance at me.

The hairs on my arms prickled up as the chair beside me was pulled out.

Jaegar sat down. “Apologies for being late,” he said, shifting in his seat and getting comfortable.

His voice was like silk as it slid over me, making me want to drown in the sound.

“Did you sleep well?” Mom asked, almost managing to sound simply polite.

“I did. Thank you.” Jaegar said, not moving to get any food.

I glanced at him and saw his hands folded in his lap.

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