Page 10 of Her Two Dragons

TORN BETWEEN DUTY AND FATE

Khalid

Something was different with the prince.

It wasn’t anything the med tent could fix, and Khalid doubted he could get Darius to even go in, let alone be looked over by one of the humans.

But there was something off. Khalid had a sinking suspicion it had to do with Michelle.

As soon as the human is in the med tent, we’re having a talk.

Darius’s scowl told Khalid more than words could.

I have to know what happened in that structure, Darius. I have to know whether I need to report something to the king.

All you need to report is that your prince is working on it. There’s nothing of note that my father would need to know.Darius’s scowl deepened as they walked.

“I really don’t think we need to go to the med tent. We’ve been walking for a while now, and there’s no pain. I highly doubt anything got sprained, twisted, or broken. Really.” Michelle looked between Khalid and Darius. “Honestly, the best thing would probably just be to get a snack, drink some water, and get back at it.”

“Dr. Brighton was adamant.” Khalid was used to taking orders from whoever was in charge, even if it meant that one day, he’d be taking them from the man he considered close enough to nearly be a brother. Dr. Brighton oversaw the dig, and in deference, he would follow whatever orders she gave. As long as it didn’t interfere with the orders of his king. “If there’s nothing wrong, there should be no harm in getting looked over.”

“I just don’t want to miss anything. What if they turn on the lights, and right there in the main room is something incredible, that I could’ve seen, if only I didn’t need to be looked over by the medics?” She pouted, her full lower lip sticking out more than usual.

A flitting image of Michelle after a searing kiss filled Khalid’s mind.

You kissed her.Khalid’s thought was projected almost as quickly as he realized it. His prince had kissed a human.

Not just any human. The one Khalid felt a draw to as well. He’d noticed it the moment he first saw Michelle. Or, more accurately, his dragon had.

The beast had nearly clawed its way out of his skin, trying to get closer to her.

Khalid had kept the dragon under wraps, intent on maintaining King Marcus’s law, the law that until very recently had been more of a solemn truth among all dragonkind. Mating with humans was forbidden. Period.

I don’t have to explain myself to you, Khal. And you don’t get to judge. I’ve seen the way you look at her.

Khalid considered glaring at the back of Darius’s head, but it wouldn’t have done either of them any good. And it would probably have just ended in a royal ass kicking.

“Are you seriously just not going to talk to me now?”

“I’m not ignoring you. Just lost in thought. Tell me all about what you found while we let the medics look you over.” Khalid smiled, gently steering Michelle into the tent. “Darius can go and pout that he no longer has a reason to be trapped with you.”

Michelle laughed, shaking her head slightly. “You think I should be tortured by getting trapped with you too?”

“Balance is important in life.” Khalid grinned as he pointed at another cot nearby. “Darius can get checked out way over there.”

Michelle rolled her eyes as she sat down on the cot and medics came over. “I’m really okay. I don’t need the whole camp thinking I’m some fragile creature who breaks easily. Would it make any of you feel better if I said I landed on my fat ass?”

Khalid’s dragon snarled, and it took everything he had to keep from echoing the sound. “Let the medic look you over. If there’s nothing wrong, it shouldn’t take long, and you can get back to work with a clean bill of health.”

Michelle rolled her eyes. “Fine. But you’re not hovering.”

Leave her be, Khal. I will let you know if there’s anything to worry about.

Khalid scowled as he strode out of the tent, irritated with both the prince and with Michelle. Darius had completely lost sight of their mission, and Khalid had no doubt King Marcus would blame him for it. The prince was still fairly young for a dragon, but he carried the weight of the clan on his shoulders, all the responsibility and power that came with being the next king. He bore it all without complaint.

Khalid helped where he could, knowing that Darius didn’t yearn for the crown like many dragons in the clan did, but he accepted his responsibility with the grace and honor his family commanded. He would likely turn away from his own mate, if the clan wouldn’t accept her, to maintain the peace and prosperity that the Lapis Lazuli Clan lived in.

If he had kissed Michelle, it would likely mean just that.

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