Page 41 of Court of Rivals
When we reach my door, he opens it up. I expect him to walk away then, but he strides in. Going to my fireplace, he puts another log on the ones already burning and spends some time poking at it, like he’s the only one in the world that can get my fire going.
Typical man.
“I can make my own fire,” I tell him dryly.
He glares at me, but leaves the fire alone. Again, I think he’ll leave, but instead he starts striding around the room. He picks up the drawing of my family and studies it for far too long, then drops it back in its place. Then, he circles to the book of poetry called Words of Love. His expression darkens, but he says nothing.
Picking up my wooden cat, he asks, “Who made this for you?”
“Arthur,” I tell him simply.
He sees the locket with hair in it. “And whose hair is in this?”
“Arthur’s,” I answer again.
He drops it like it’s on fire, before spinning back to me. “Let’s have a serious conversation here.”
A serious conversation? With this asshole?No, this is going to be him manipulating and mansplaining to get what he wants again, I’d bet money on that.
“How long have you wanted to be a dragon rider?” Those deep blue eyes of his move over my face, lingering, before his expression becomes more guarded.
I cross my arms over my chest, and his gaze darts to my chest. “Since Ebron asked me to be his rider.”
“Days ago?” he says flatly.
I nod.
“Then, this isn’t some life-long dream. Something you’ve desperately wanted. You’re only doing it because Ebron wants you to be his rider, but what if he could be just as happy with another rider? You could simply… go home. Step back into your old life. Be with your family. Doesn’t that sound nice?”
It’s weird. That should sound nice to me, shouldn’t it? But the thing is, ever since I started this adventure with Ebron, I’ve felt more alive than I’ve ever felt in my life.
“Wrong.” He looks surprised. “I think being a dragon rider is what I’m meant to be.”
He gives a humorless laugh, brushing back his long dark hair. The muscles in his arm swelling as he does so. “You weren’t meant to be a dragon rider, Harper. You were meant to marry some farmer, have a bunch of babies, and enjoy your small town life.”
“And you were meant to be a prince, sitting in court with a smile on your face and a crown on your head.”
His expression hardens. “No, I’m a Stormvale. We’re born to be riders.”
“Only because dragons choose you.”
I see it in his face. He hates that I’m right. “What if we paid you?”
“Excuse me?”
He doesn’t look disturbed by my reaction. “What if me, and my brothers, paid you to simply leave? We would handle Ebron for you. You’d go home ridiculously wealthy. Then, you could have whatever safe life you wanted.”
“I don’t want a safe life.”
His brows rise. “Everyone wants a safe life.”
“Do you?”
He pauses, then swallows. “I’m different.”
“So am I.”
I take a step toward him. “Is it really so crazy that I’ve got a dragon rider’s heart just because I have breasts and a vagina?”
