Page 122 of Royal Captive
“ELLIS!” I screamed, no longer caring what anyone thought of me.
The gardener and half a dozen others came running, but I only had eyes for the giant, looming shadow of the dragon that soared over me, flying with desperation and nearly crashing into the lawn in his haste to get to me.
The fuck, Eve? I thought you were dead or dying! Yelling like that!
“I can hear you! I can hear you!” I threw myself against his broad chest, warm scales heating against my skin.
He jerked back, wings twitching.
What? No you can’t.
“Can,” I shot back smugly, meeting his golden eyes.
Then what was I just thinking?
“Something about jerking off and burning down the forest,” I parroted dutifully, unable to keep the shit-eating grin off my face.
Ellis reared back, nearly trampling the gardener.
I don’t know whether to be ecstatic or mortified.
“Both,” I suggested cheerfully. “You said magick works in mysterious ways. Maybe you’re recovering?”
He snorted, causing two guards to gasp and flee the embers that shot straight out at them.
Did I say that? I’m so smart.
My heart felt full to burst. What other surprises did life have in store?
“Come on, dragon boy. Let’s ride.” I hopped up onto his back, his head twisted around to give me a fang-filled grin.
Yes, my queen.
We’d figure this out.
We’d live our lives.
And every day, we would choose to be happy. But, it was ten days after that when new magic occurred.
“Happy day of birth!” a fae male joyfully bellowed as we gathered for my celebration.
The crowd cheered and I laughed as the fae male blushed, not realizing how odd his turn of phrase sounded. Turns out that the fae never celebrated birthdays, but the refugees had been enthusiastic learners. In turn, we’d very much enjoyed adding their fae holidays to our calendars. You didn’t need to twist my arm to have another reason to celebrate.
Calten shooed most of the well-wishers away from the table and the massive cake that had that same table bowing in the center. One large torch stuck in the middle of the sugary confection.
Nessian frowned as Viana elbowed him, pointing up the skies.
Ah, that meant his sister was off flying with Ellis, again.
“Now, Ellis!” Calten called out.
The large dragon swooped down overhead, and with a burst of fire lit my birthday candle. The crowd cheered, children waving at the large dragon who was nothing more than a large flying dog in their eyes. Lyra, his sister, was a small figure next to him, her large wings nearly as big as she was.
Fae magick did weird things, but it was settling here nicely.
Good luck blowing that out!
“Make a wish, Queen Eve! Make a wish!”
