Page 37 of Court of Rivals
Stepping out into the hall, I close the door behind me feeling a rush of emotions. Sex is probably the exact thing I need to get this feeling to go away. To stop thinking about the three asshole princes, to stop wanting things that don’t make sense. My thoughts stray to what they look like bare chested, all strong arms, broad shoulders, and flat stomachs full of rippling muscles. Their nice asses as they walk away.Fuck. Where are my thoughts going? I’m not attracted to jerks, so I’m not sure what’s going on.
Maybe itismy connection to Ebron. That’s got to be it.
“You know… you don’t have to have company for the night. I was just thinking you might like getting a little space from the academy and seeing the city.”
I turn and flash a smile at him. “I guess we’ll see where the night takes us.”
Roland finishes into his pocket and hands me something. “Money from the king to spend. There will be more coming, of course, given that you’re now his ward.”
“Money? Nice,” I say, not minding it one bit and tucking the pouch into my pocket.
We start heading out of the academy. I’ve never been in this area before, so I try to watch where we go, knowing that there’s a good chance I’ll be heading back by myself tonight, if I don’t snag some good-looking man to keep me company.
“So, if I’m really horny, does that mean my dragon is really horny?”
There’s a sharp intake of air, and a look of pure shock, before he manages to cover it up once more. “Unless you’re usually… horny, yeah, it’s probably your dragon. Things have actually been a lot worse for all of us since your dragon came. We’re thinking the females will probably be going into heat soon.”
“Oh, I had no idea.”
“You haven’t noticed the looks from the other men?”
I look at Roland, frowning. “No.”
His brows wrinkle. “Do you have any sense of self-preservation at all?”
Strangely, his tone isn’t rude, just curious. “All I’ve sensed from the men is a general consensus that they hate me.”
He pushes open a door and we head into a courtyard and toward the gates enclosing the academy. “Hate and desire often walk hand-in-hand.”
“Not for me.” Well,that’snot entirely true. My thoughts stray to the three handsome princesyet again.
As we begin to explore the city, I find myself shocked. I could see that Elarwyn was massive when we flew overhead, but nothing could quite prepare me for walking in the city. There are tall buildings that seem to have multiple small homes in them. Businesses and markets at random places, not just in the market square. And people areeverywhere, even at this time of night.
It’s overwhelming.
“Here,” Roland says, pointing to a large building. “This is the tavern the dragon riders tend to hang out at.”
“Nice,” I say, even as a bubble of nervousness explodes inside of me.
The other dragon riders won’t be happy to see me.But I’m not here for them. I’m here to have my own night of fun.
“But once we get in there, you should know I’ll probably just stick to the other riders,” Roland says, as if he needed to tell me.
I can’t help but call him a coward in my mind, even though I understand. I have a target on my back, and it’s not exactly a surprise that he doesn’t want one on his back too. Especially when it seems he’s not all that popular to begin with.
We head inside and, sure enough, the second we step foot in the massive room, Roland walks away from me. Most of the dragon riders are in the back end of the room gathered around a table with a card game going on, and another area where they’re throwing darts. Women in scantily-clad outfits hang all over them, and it’s clear the men are thoroughly enjoying their company. A fireplace burns nearby casting shadows across the group of large men clad in leather.
Ignoring them, I head for the busy bar. A couple of women chat at a nearby table. A whore tries to coax men into the back, moving throughout the room, and tired-looking farmers and soldiers crowd around the bar. I make my way through them, stealing a stool the second one of the men gets up.
Sitting, I wait as the barmaid spots me and heads over. “One pint of ale,” I say.
She nods, but then glances around. “Aren’t you here with anyone?”
“Not really,” I say.
She whistles low. “A girl like you is sure to bring trouble…”
I smile. “I don’t mind a little trouble.”
