Page 28 of Dance with the Dragon Duke

Tomorrow snorted. “We both know I’m not capable of that.”

Dark twisted the knob, kicked open the door, and rushed her out of his hoard.

Chapter 7

Dark

The duke’s next morning was spent at a small nocturnal dinner party with the upper echelon of Lunar society. The Earl of Westarow had not attended, despite being on the guest list, so Dark and Tomorrow did not stay long.

That afternoon, they took in a music performance together at the theatre, appearing in public as a couple. By the next day, they’d made it into the local scandal sheets, though the column had less to do with them and more to do with human commentary on the barbaric practices of immortals courting without proper chaperones.

The following afternoon, Dark watched with building concern as Tomorrow napped the day away in his chair by the stove. Their busy days together had worn on her heavily, putting a furrow between her brows even in her slumber. She’d eaten a small lunch but had declined to join him for dinner.

She finally roused later while he readied himself for sleep.

“You’re welcome to share my bed again if you need to,” he told her, his words measured as he unbuttoned his waistcoat. She’d slept in the chair the evening before and had tossed and turned restlessly for most of the night.

“I’m fine,” she said, pulling the bear fur blanket up over her shoulders, looking small and frail in the big wingback. “And I don’t want to be a bother.”

“Suit yourself,” he said, stripping down to his under-linens before making himself comfortable. He’d remembered to leave a few candles lit and had strategically placed them closer to her chair.

As the call of sleep grew more forceful and he was moments from slipping under, he felt movement in the bedding at his side.

Tomorrow scooted beneath the covers, pulling his great scaled tail around her waist.

His amusement shook the mattress.

“Hush,” she said fondly, and side by side, they fell fast asleep together.

Dark awoke the next morning well-rested, remembering none of his dreams. He rubbed sleep out of his eyes before studying the woman in his bed blurry-eyed. She’d shed a few hairs on her pillow. He picked the little tufts off the cushion and squinted at them. It was possible that fae lost more hair than dragons, but the sight of those frail, powder-white strands made him worry that the stress of their scheme was deteriorating her already weakened body.

A small knock came at the door.

“Come in,” he called, once again expecting a maid.

Susan pushed inside, hefting two coal pails, her fair-hair bound up beneath a lace bonnet. “Morning.”

Dark chortled. “Now, I knowyoudon’t do maid’s work on the regular. What’re you doing here?”

“Caught me.” She gazed over at Tomorrow and her face fell. “I was worried about our girl and wanted to check on her. She napped through dinner last night.”

Dark exhaled through his nose, rubbing the fallen strands between his fingers. “You took the thoughts right out of my mind.”

“How long are you going to let her sleep?”

“As long as she needs.” He watched Tomorrow nuzzle into her pillow, tension tightening his chest.

“We’ve found a magistrate for you two.” Susan bunched up her apron and petticoats, protecting her sensitive mortal hands with the layers of fabric before pulling open the ash door on the stove. “Actually, it was Margot’s clever doing. She used all her best moves on a regular who works at the House of Judges. She learned that a Magistrate Balder will sign just about anything for the right price. We can get you an engagement agreement without all the waiting and hassle caused by the two of you not being of this province. With enough coin, we won’t even need a solicitor. Sooner you have that, the sooner we get this mess behind our girl and she can finally heal up properly.”

“That’s good work. Thank Margot for me,” he said without taking his eyes off Tomorrow. Her lips were parted in her slumber. They were dry and chapped.

“Get Tomorrow up and downstairs in time for lunch, and then you can both thank Margot and her glorious tits.” Susan changed out the coal in the stove and quit the room.

* * *

Dark and Tomorrow ate an early lunch in the parlor of the Gilded Boot, seated across from Margot. They chose the far table with banquette seating along the wall, surrounded by potted plants. It was the table the courtesans used for their more reserved clients.

Talking about bribing a magistrate certainly called for more privacy.

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