Page 32 of The Dragon of her Dreams

“And he’s the center of everyone’s focus, too,” Charity said with a sigh. “I don’t really like that part either. I can tell he’s nervous, and it makes me nervous too.”

“But heisa dragon king,” Veronica interrupted, “or he could be. Surely that means that he’ll get used to us, and the kingdom, and everything? He has the tattoo, right? That’s how it works.” She sounded hopeful for my mate, which was nice to hear.

I shrugged. “I don’t know at this point. I just know that I’m grateful he came forward at all. Unlike you, Dragon Daughter, I’m thirty years old, not nineteen. I didn’t think my fated mate would ever find me.”

Footsteps down the hallway made us all turn as one.

“Speak of the devil,” Veronica whispered, jumping to her feet to greet her brother.

He rounded the corner looking well rested and a little ruffled. “Hey,” he said, nodding at the group.

“Feeling better?” I asked with a smile.

He nodded.

“How’d you find us?” Charity asked, sending me a sly look, before glancing back at Jaegar.

I had no idea why she’d ask him such a thing, but when he frowned and didn’t answer immediately, I got curious.

We waited with bated breath, the silence drawing out.

“I don’t know, I just started walking,” he said eventually.

Veronica laughed. “You just accidentally managed to find us on the eighth floor?”

He shrugged and didn’t say anything more.

“I think we’ll head back downstairs. Come on, Ronnie,” Charity said. “Dinner will be on soon, and I need a shower before I change clothes.”

“Change clothes?” Jaegar asked, an air of panic whistling around him like a fire sparking to light.

“Yeah, everyone dresses up for dinners in the castle.” Kayla answered. “But whatever you packed is fine. Stavrok and Lucy aren’t ones to stand on ceremony.”

Jaegar’s smile was tight as they left, then he turned to me. “I didn’t pack anything. The queen did everything for me.”

And by “the queen,” I was pretty sure he meant the Queen of the North. “Don’t worry,” I reassured him, “Aunt Cass isalwaysprepared,” I assured him. “She’s been in this game a long time.”

He heaved a heavy sigh and ran a hand through his long hair. “I don’t like not knowing what everyone expects.”

I stepped closer to him so I could touch him and placed both my hands on his chest, the heavy beat of his heart thumping beneath my palms. “That’s why you have me,” I said soothingly, “I grew up in this world and can help you navigate around whatever you need.”

He nodded and exhaled slowly. “Okay.”

So many questions were on the tip of my tongue, but I could feel how overwhelmed Jaegar was. So, instead, I offered something I’d never thought I would. “Since you’ve seen my kingdom now, do you want me to come home with you and see the Northern Kingdom? You know, when your family returns home?”

His eyes lit up and his hands moved to encircle my waist, pulling me closer in return. “Would you really do that?” he asked.

I laughed, glad to see him so perked up. “Of course, but I’m warning you, I don’t like being cold!”

His laugh was rich and warm, just like him, and it made my heart melt. “Well, we’re going to have to get you a really thick coat.”

I nodded and went up on my tiptoes, lifting my chin to kiss him. When he pressed his mouth to mine, I immediately began to moan and sigh. He tasted and feltsogood against me.

When he finally lifted his head, his eyes were glittering with silver and I could feel the hardness of his cock, pressing into my belly. “How long do we have until dinner?” he asked.

“Um... I don’t know,” I answered, no idea what the time was, my head swimming in desire. “A few hours maybe?”

His grin was wicked this time and my heart raced. “Time enough for me to feel your naked body against mine?”

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