Page 41 of Dragon Heir

Will didn’t look too pleased but he seated me at my usual place and took up the spot on my left. Raines was quick to bring in a fresh plate and take away the used ones, and we dug into the meal. Enna topped both of us in appetite and I was full long before she’d finished her glutinous feast.

Finally, she pushed back her empty plate, cleaned to a shine by the spongy surface of a bit of bread, and patted her stomach. “Your manservant should open a restaurant.”

“I believe Lady Vargas made much of the meal,” Will commented as he stood.

Enna wrinkled her nose. “That witch? She should stick to cooking and skip the lectures. It’s not like I’ve ever done anything to her dragon hoard.”

I lifted an eyebrow. “Have you done something to someone’s dragon hoard?”

Enna laughed as she hopped to her feet. Her dark, playful eyes fell on Will. “Have I done anything, Lord Thorn?”

A faint smile appeared on his lips. “You have tried.”

My eyes flickered between the two. “So something happened?”

Enna folded her arms over her chest and nodded at Will. “I tried to get into this guy’s hoard a couple of years back. It didn’t work out very well.”

“You were rather reckless in your attempt,” he reminded her.

She shrugged. “I was young. How was I to know you had not one magic trap set up, but a dozen?”

“That is standard procedure for a dragon,” he countered.

Enna scowled at him. “How was I supposed to know that? I was just starting out raiding people’s homes.”

I blinked at her. “Do you still do that?”

Will stared at her daring her to answer. She sheepishly smiled at him. “Well, let’s just say I don’t do it for myself anymore, but if a client asks real nice-”

“And has the right coin purse?” I guessed.

She shrugged. “A girl still has to earn her living.”

“Then earn your living honestly this day by guarding my bride,” Will insisted as he turned to me. He clasped my shoulders in his hands and gazed into my eyes. “There are a few things I need to handle for the people under my care.”

“Like exterminating some rodents?” I guessed.

He nodded. “You can come with me, but it won’t be pleasant and may not be very quickly finished.”

I winced as my imagination ran away with itself. Visions of rodents exploding out of the ground atop columns of fire were the most prominent images. “Is that field far away?”

“Across the valley. I’ll have to fly to reach there and be back before nightfall.”

I bit my lower lip. “You’ll be careful out there? That cursed thing might not care who it goes after.”

He smiled and wrapped me in a tight hug. “I will watch my every step if you watch yours.”

I laughed. “I don’t have to worry about that. Enna will do some watching for me.” My bodyguard crossed her arms over her chest and rolled her eyes.

Will reluctantly drew us apart and looked me over one last time. “Be safe.”

I nodded. “You, too.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

To say I was nervous about Will leaving was an understatement. Will and I walked out of the dining room and discovered our first guests standing in the foyer. Allard stepped forward and bowed his head to Will. “I would like to offer my services to help your people.”

Will smiled and nodded. “I would be grateful for your expertise in any sicknesses.”

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