Page 55 of Dance with the Dragon Duke

“You’re probably tired of seeing beds right now, but that’s where I intend to take you.”

Chapter 13

Dark

Tomorrow sat on the edge of Dark’s fourposter in the Gilded Boot. They’d shared the wonderful news with Margot and Susan immediately. Now the courtesans were upstairs awaiting the arrival of the physician.

Tomorrow frowned at him. “When you said you intended to take me to bed, this isnotwhat I thought you meant.”

Dark arched a brow at her. “I need to be certain. Your wellbeing is not an issue I take lightly.”

Wings buzzing, Ruby floated near his head. She stuck her lip out at him in a pout before twisting to give him the cold shoulder.

Dark pointed his thumb at the fairy. “What’s she cross about?”

Tomorrow folded her arms in shared defiance. “Ruby is upset, and reasonably so, because you don’t believe she’s given me her immunity to blood magic.”

“Idobelieve it,” Dark insisted. “I just need to hear the all-clear from the physician’s lips. For peace of mind and nothing more. You’ve done fantastically, Ruby. I’m very proud.”

Tomorrow rolled her eyes at him. Ruby blew a wet raspberry at the side of his face.

With the heel of his hand, Dark wiped fairy spittle from his jaw. “I think I know what will help. Love bite?” he suggested, holding up a finger.

Ruby beamed at him. Mouth open wide, she bared her needly teeth.

“Ah,” Dark warned, “no blood, please.”

Ruby bit down on the pad of his finger. Sharp pain pricked through the digit. She left teeth marks in the callus there but drew no blood as requested. He sucked in a breath, shaking out the sting of it.

Her smile was smug as she glided over to her mistress to sit cross-legged beside her. Dark doubted there was much love in that bite, but it had served its purpose.

Dr. Bandile was as prompt as before. Susan and Margot escorted him into the room, then hung by the door, as eager to hear more good news as he was.

“A fairy child,” the physician cooed.

Ruby preened under his attention. Dr. Bandile set down his leather bag and opened the lip. She flew over to peruse the tools inside, chirruping at him.

“Does she like sweets?” he asked.

Dark shook his head. “Not unless your sweets are covered in frogs. Or blood.”

Dr. Bandile cringed.

Ruby dove into his bag, emerging moments later holding a metal tube that she clanked against a syringe. She paused, peering at her mistress as though they were sharing words with their eyes. The fairy’s next attempt at playing was gentler—and less likely to shatter the kind doctor’s equipment.

Tomorrow smiled at her familiar approvingly.

Dr. Bandile pulled out his stethoscope and took his time listening to her heart and lungs, his expression pensive.

Dark had been certain he was confident in his mate’s wellness, but the seconds stretched on for tiny eternities. The longer the thorough doctor took to examine his mate, the higher his worry mounted.

Susan and Margot held hands by the door. Apparently, he wasn’t the only one feeling distressed by the quiet.

Dr. Bandile stood finally, draping his stethoscope around his neck. “I’d still like to complete the rest of my examination,” he said, and his lips quirked, “but it’s a miracle. Truly.”

Margot and Susan let out a little cheer, and Dark’s chest compressed.

“Told you so,” Tomorrow said, and her grin was self-righteous.

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