Page 62 of Prince of Tides
“A lot of people are looking at us,” I said softly as we came in for a landing on the fortress's interior, the beach no more than a couple of hundred feet away. I could hear the soft splash of waves against the shore in the background.
“They’re looking at you,” Rip corrected, extending a wing for me to climb off. “Well, most of them are. I’m sure some are glad to see me back.”
I debarked the dragon, patting him on the side. “Thanks for the ride. I forgot my wallet, though.”
Rip snorted, amuchmore intimidating sound when it came from a dragon, and then he swiftly changed back to his human form. “I’m sure I can think of a way for you to pay your fare,” he said under his breath.
My cheeks reddened at the carnal undertones, knowingexactlywhat he meant. “Behave,” I chastised. “We’re in public.”
“Not just public,” he said, coming up to take my arm. “This is the Coral Palace. Better be on our best decorum.”
“Says the guy who was just insinuating I should suck his dick for cab money,” I fired back.
“I never said such a thing,” Rip denied innocently. “You must have something on the brain, though. I won’t argue if that’s how you want to pay.”
“Pervert.”
“Guilty.”
I chuckled, following his lead as he took us up a set of broad stairs to twin bronze doors. A single guardsman came to intercept us.
“Hello, Roez,” Rip said.
“Good day, sire,” the guardsmen said.
“How are you? How’s Lily and the little one doing?”
The guardsmen clearly fought back a smile. “Doing great, sire. Thank you for asking. She’s taking to being a mother like an angel.”
“Good, glad to hear it. How is being a father?”
Roez was silent for a second. “Life-changing, sire. Life-changing.”
“So I understand,” Rip said, clapping the guardsman on the arm. “Tell your sergeant to have you relieved immediately. I want you off duty for the next seven days. I don’t want to see your face anywhere around here unless it’s with your mate and child in tow. No argument. Got it?”
Roez came to sharp attention. “Yes, sir!”
“Good. Now, Suh is in the War Room?”
Roez nodded. “Last I was informed, yes, sir.”
“Good. Please have someone inform him we will be there shortly,” Rip said.
“Of course. Where shall I inform them you are going first?”
Rip moved past Roez, pulling me along. “To see an old friend,” he said quietly as Roez rushed past to open the door.
I walked at his side as we entered the palace, trying not to let myself get too distracted by the beautiful tapestries displayed on the walls.
“You know everything about that man,” I noted.
“Roez is a good guardsman,” Rip said. “Just became a father less than a week ago. He shouldn’t be back on duty yet. He should be at home, enjoying this change in his life. I’ll have to make sure I spell that out to his sergeant. He shouldn’t have been back yet.”
I looked away, smiling broadly at the care in Rip’s voice. I had never seen theprinceversion of him before. Already, I liked what I saw. A lot.
We walked along a corridor, passing numerous others as we went. Rip exchanged greetings with all of them by name, though he didn’t spend any time chatting as he had with Roez. It was clear he had somewhere he needed to be.
When we came to a door marked with a red cross, I suddenly knew.
