Page 101 of The Storm of the Empire

“Look,”I told Hazel.“Somewhere we can rest.”

“You think it will be safe?”she asked.

We hadn’t spoken in a long while, and I was shocked by the fatigue in her voice.

“I’ll protect you,”I teased.“Just please land before we fall out of the sky.”

She flew in over the trees to a clearing just north of the town, and we landed softly on the pine needle-covered ground.

I slid off her back and groaned as I stretched. I couldn’t imagine how she felt.

“Luka, we might have a slight problem,” she said from behind me.

I turned to find her gloriously naked. “I’m not seeing the problem…”

THIRTY-THREE

HAZEL

He suggestively took in my naked form, his mind filled with filth.

I secretly loved it.

“You are seriously incorrigible,” I huffed.

“What?” he protested. “It can’t be helped, you’re naked!”

“You’ve been hard since we left the temple.”

“I’d argue before.” His damn smile drew me in.

I wanted him.

“That’s the problem.” I placed my hands on my hips, then realized my mistake when his eyes tracked the way my breasts were thrust out in the process. “I ripped through my clothes, and we have no money.”

“I thought you dragons didn’t get bashful about nudity?”

“We don’t, but this is a strange town. I don’t know if there are any shifters in this region. I can’t just go strutting in naked while you’re fully clothed. It will draw attention to us.

Luka chuckled and closed in on me, wrapping me in his arms and nuzzling me with his nose. “Didn’t I say I would protect you? That includes from horny mountain folk. Okay?”

“Goddess save me.” I pressed my hand to his chest to push him away, but he didn’t relent.

“Just trust me. I will find you some clothes and somewhere we can stay for the night.” He seemed so certain, I didn’t have the heart to doubt him.

“For now, here,” he said and pulled off his jacket, tossing it to the ground and untucking his tunic, then whipping it over his head. He helped me into it, then unclasped his weapons belt and used it to cinch my tunic into a somewhat short dress.

He then slipped his jacket back on over his bare chest, and I swallowed at the sight. He lifted a brow slightly, acknowledging my reaction.

“Thank you.” I tugged at the linen until it felt right and then looked around. “What will we do about coin?”

“Leave that to me,” he said taking my hand. “This is what I do.”

We wandered through the trees into the town. It was larger than it looked from above. The streets were bustling with fae finishing their days and enjoying the evening. We headed for where there looked to be an inn, with drinkers sitting outside and packed within. The bar was full, and the maid serving ale was rushed off her feet. Luka strode up to the bar and leant over, catching her attention, then said something to her which was drowned out by the high spirits of several males along the bar.

After a brief exchange, the maid nodded, and Luka turned to me.

“Wait here,”he spoke into my mind to save shouting over the din while nodding to an open stool.

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