Page 19 of Wrath of the Dragons
Ryder nods. “I agree.”
“They’re due for another public appearance. They haven’t gone out together since the dinner in Ladislava. There are magical vendors at the night market since they’ve lifted the bans, so it would also be a show of support to the citizens,” Finnian says, and Saskia glances at him curiously. “Yes, I am quite a good advisor, thank you.”
“What’s happening?” Elowen whispers.
“Do you want to leave?” Gods know I do.
“They’re in our chambers.”
I give her a flat look. “We have other rooms to lock them out of.”
Saskia latches her hands on Elowen’s shoulders, but I still keep my hold on her. “Everyone spoke of how enraptured you were with each other at Starry Night, but rumors of unrest will begin if you’re not consistent with your appearances.”
Elowen coughs. “Well, I wouldn’t sayenraptured.”
“For months,” Saskia begins, dismissing her words with a wave ofa hand. “The people have watched the two of you fall for each other. We’ve been standing outside the world you escape into in each other’s presence.”
Elowen stiffens, and I rub her ribs through the dress. I know how her mind works, and she’s probably fighting the guilt over not volunteering for another public appearance before it was brought up. I spin her toward me to give her something else to focus on, a different emotion—anger.
“Come on now, angel.” I tilt her chin up with my free hand. “Was it not you who fooled the guard at the bridge crossing by pretending to be my doting wife?”
She purses her lips. “I’ll never forgive myself for manifesting this miserable fate.”
“That mouth,” I mutter, dragging my thumb across her lower lip. “We could go out again tonight, but I understand if you’re no longer up to it.”
She pushes away from my chest. “What are you insinuating?”
I sigh. “Do your performance skills stem from the pressure of a moment? If there’s no pressure, maybe there’s no talent.”
She glares up at me like she can’t believe I’d ever say such a thing.That’s it,I want to say.Fight with me, challenge me, be the version of you I adore. No more of those damn empty smiles and stay here with me.
“I know what you’re doing.” I hold up my hands in mock innocence “Need I remind you the guard at the gate wasn’t the only man I fooled? What about the attentive soldier from the tavern?” My smirk drops. “What was his name? Do you know it, Cayden? Your memory is better than mine and you couldn’t take your eyes off us. It’s too bad you snapped his neck; he was quite charming.”
Of course I remember him. Watching her flutter her lashes at an Imirath soldier was one of the worst sights I’ve ever witnessed. It made me want to throw her over my shoulder and burn the tavern to the ground, mission be damned.
She taps a finger against her chin.Don’t fucking say it.“Evrin!”
Ryder, Finnian, and Saskia must note the way the room chills tendegrees and quickly exit the library, muttering something about meeting us downstairs after they get ready for the market. I slowly lower my hands while we glare at each other. The tension between us is palpable, and so alive it’s practically bouncing off the walls.
“I’m going to remember this, Elowen.”
“Is that supposed to be a threat?”
I chuckle humorlessly, remembering how close she sat to him, the way I had to sit there while he put his hands on my woman. I take a step closer, and her breasts heave against the fabric of her gown as her breathing quickens. I don’t respond right away, opting to trail my fingers across her collarbone and up her neck, making her tremble as I cradle her head. “I’m going to treat you so well that every man you ever encounter will become a faceless blur in the back of your mind because there’s no room for anyone but me. I’m going to remember this, and remember him, because one day you won’t.”
She steps forward until she’s pressed against me, staring up with more fire in her eyes than I’ve seen in days, and I tighten my hold in her hair. “You sound quite sure of yourself for a man who practically locked me into a betrothal.”
“You can despise our betrothal all you want, but if you’re going to state your hatred for it at least be honest.”
“Between the two of us, honesty is notmyweakness.”
I shake my head while leaning down to bring our faces closer together. “You hate our betrothal because it’s exactly what you crave in the depths of your soul. You want to be mine, and I’m no stranger to waiting for you, so you take as much time as you need to accept it because I’m not going anywhere.”
She scoffs. “Your arrogance truly is astounding.”
“I don’t speak out of arrogance.”
“Then what’s making you say this?”
