Page 44 of Don't Fae With Dragons

I roll my eyes. “Yes, Port, I’m still here.”

Port and Max creep in, one after the other, and peer at me warily. “Um,” Max starts, “how are you ... doing?”

“I’mfine,” I sigh.

“You know, Mili said the same thing,” Port says, eyebrows raised.

I wave my hands airily, brushing them off, and Max smirks. “Charming.”

“Is she okay?” The words come out more earnest then I meant them, and I feel myself frown.

“She’s completely fine,” Port reassures me. He walks over to where I’m sitting and rests a hand on my shoulder. It’s grounding, and I find myself sighing under the slight weight of his palm. “I would venture to guess, though, that she’d like to hear from you tomorrow.”

In response, I nod, lips pursed together in thought. Max plops down on the chair across from me and I roll my head to face him. “Must you nearly break every piece of furniture you encounter here?”

Max scowls. “I’m not used to all this fancy stuff.”

I open my mouth to make some snarky rebuttal, but Port pats my shoulder firmly and I bite my tongue. “Let’s leave it for tonight, hm?” he murmurs. “We’re all tired, I’m sure.” I roll my eyes a little at his nearly-patronizing tone, and smirk to see Max making the same expression.

“As delightful as this has been,” I deadpan, “it’s about time I head to bed. You two ought to as well.”

“Are we up past our bedtime?” Max grins devilishly.

In response, I simply scowl and motion to the door. Max pretends to sulk and shuffles slowly away, and Port holds backlaughter. “Not funny, Max!” I call out, even though I’m close to chuckling myself.

Once they’ve left, I move to sit in front of the fireplace. I kneel low, imagining brushing my fingers through the fire as I might tangle them in Mili’s hair. Before long I’m fast asleep.

CHAPTER 30: MILI

Port told me I could find him in the small dining hall in the morning to talk through how I’m going to convince Cory of my plan. I dress in a padded leather bra that supports my breasts, black leggings, and I layer a lightweight, sheer blouse with fluttery sleeves and cinch my waist with a thick leather belt. Ready to train after our conversation, I make my way down the many hallways to the dining chamber. Luckily, I manage not to get lost. “Knock, knock!” I call out as I open the door, not waiting for a response.

Cory leaps up from a chair by the smoldering fire, and I feel my stomach drop. I’m not prepared to talk to him, andcertainlynot this early in the morning.

“Milica,” he starts.

I hold a finger up to stop him, and he scowls but holds his tongue regardless. I walk slowly over to him, secretly relishing the way his eyes widen and his jaw tightens as I get closer to him.

Once I’m in front of him, I have to stop myself from reaching for him as I say, “I’m sorry about last night.”

He exhales. “You don’t have anything to apologize for–”

“No, I do. I was –I was ungrateful, and bitter, and so, so angry. That’s not who I am, that’s not who I want to be. Especially not with you when you’ve been so welcoming to me.”

“You’re the faery healer of Ethelinda, of course I welcomed you.”

I feel myself start to frown at his detached words, but I force myself not to get upset. I don’t mean anything to him, of course I don’t –I’m just the faery healer, nothing more. We hardly know each other, anyways. It’s only sensible that he’s keeping things professional.

“Right,” I exhale. “And you’re the dragon guardian, which is why I need your help.”

“Can we discuss this after breakfast?” he asks with a dramatic sigh.

I cross my arms and watch with delight as his eyes flicker down to my chest. He looks back up at me, and I raise an eyebrow, faux-incredulous. “My eyes are up here, aren’t they?” I ask.

Cory rubs his face in his hands and groans as he steps back from me. “I can’t focus when you’re so close to me.”

Instead of staying away, though, I step in close again. He tries to step back, but I glare at him and he plants his feet in place.

“Thank you,” I say. “Now, as I was saying, I need you tohelp me.”

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