Page 7 of The Storm of the Empire

I groaned. “I walked right into that, didn’t I?” Luka’s smile was contagious, but I tried to fight it as I held my ground. “I’m not budging, Luka. You’re not a chosen.”

“You could choose me,” he argued so smoothly it almost threw me off.

“I am not the Goddess!”

“Says who? You look like one to me.”

“The blasphemy!” I rolled my eyes, refusing to let him know I liked the compliment. “If I were, I’d spare myself the ordeal of this conversation.”

“No, you would not. You’re having too much fun sparring with me. Think of how much more fun it would be with a sword in hand.”

A pulse of actual desire shot through my body at the mental image. Him sweaty and breathing hard as I worked him over.

His chuckle shattered the image, and I felt my face color at the knowing look in his eyes. How easily he derailed the conversation, but I wasn’t ready to give in to his charm yet.

“Why do you deserve to be the exception?” I asked, but I couldn’t help but feel he might.

He transformed in an instant. There were no more jokes. A realness took over his gaze, and he settled into a somber tone.“Because maybe it will give me purpose. A place here.”

“You have a place. You’ve been granted a special exception for weapons classes.” More than was ever granted to me. I had to fight for every inch granted to me, and he’d just breezed in here and was given it all. Typical male.

“But I don’t. Not really. I’m the fifth wheel, and I’m not even that useful.” He searched my face then turned away, getting a far-off look in his eyes. “I don’t plan on sticking around long, so please, indulge me for a little while.” There was a hint of something he held back.

I stared at him, lost for words as he said so much of what I felt. But he could leave. I couldn’t. Dragons had to stay in the capital.

Luka stood abruptly and held out a hand for me. “Come on, let’s walk.”

I took it without thinking it through, and before I knew it, I was being led through the crowd with his warm fingers woven through mine. Out in the square, fresh air felt like a balm to my overheated skin.

“If you could do anything, what would it be?”

“Fly in the army,” I said wistfully.

“Why?” He side-eyed me, asking something I’d never considered.

I thought for a long moment. “Because I don’t want to disappoint my parents. I’m a storm dragon, and it’s the highest honor in my family to be a flyer.” It was so much more than that, but that was the short of it. I was left my mother’s shoes, and I could never fill them.

“But what if you didn’t feel the need to be what anyone else wanted you to be?” He stopped, turning to face me. “What would you do then?”

“That’s a hard one.”

“Maybe you should consider what life looks like without a path forged for you. It’s what I have to do.”

“What would you do if you were me?” I turned it back on him, truly at a loss for what else I would do.

“If I could fly, I’d never be on the ground.”

“I don’t fly enough.” I sighed, longing to be back in my kingdom and able to fly like storm dragons were meant to.

“I can help you fly.”

“Help?” Before I could come to my senses, Luka had pulled me into the alley beside the tavern and pressed me into the ancient wall.

“Say you’ll let me train with you, and I’ll give you that kiss,” he breathed. His eyes were roaming all over me, even in the darkness. I knew he couldn’t see like I could in this light, but I still felt undressed by his gaze.

“You’re not chosen,” I reminded him indignantly, gasping as his lips skimmed the sensitive skin along my neck. I had to fight the urge to lean into him even as I prayed he would press a kiss there.

“Then choose me.” He inhaled as if scenting me, like he was one of my kind. This regular fae who was towered over by all the surrounding warriors had all the swagger and presence of a dragon when it came down to it, and it didthingsto me.

---