Page 49 of Court of Rivals
“Now, when you come into the ball, you should know a couple of things. First of all, you being the only female dragon riders is going to bring you attention from men and women alike. They’ll all want you, like some kind of prize, so don’t confuse their need for something new and exciting with them actually caring about you as a person.”
Ouch.Well, that hurts a little, but I’d rather have the warning than think any of these people sincerely like me or want to be around me. All of this is still so new to me, I don’t want to make more mistakes than I have to.
“You should also know that it’s hard to truly embarrass yourself at one of these parties unless you hit the liquor too hard. Mostly, everyone will be drinking, eating, dancing, and talking. If you stick with me, I’ll introduce you to as many people as possible and try to guide you on the little unspoken rules that take a lifetime with the nobles to learn.”
“Thank you,” I tell him, and I sincerely mean it, even though I’mtemptedto ask him why he’s not just dropping me at the door like usual. But I don’t want to risk reminding him about what a liability I am, because I’d be lost without him.
We reach more big doors with guards. They open the doors at our approach, and we step into another land. A land of fairy tales and magic. A land of beauty. The ball room is bright white, with sconces burning on all the walls and two fireplaces dancing with flames. Pale blue fabric spills from the tall ceilings down onto the white marble floors below. Beautiful women in beautiful dresses are being spun around the floor by men in finely tailored suits, and more finely dressed people stand around the room drinking, eating, and laughing.
But the thing that draws my eye the most is the back wall. There are raised steps that lead to a throne. The king occupies the throne with a glass of liquor in his hand and women all around him, laughing far too hard. But if the king notices thatthey’re faking their enthusiasm, he doesn’t show it. He just sits there, looking kingly and noble in a room that absolutely suits the huge, imposing man.
It’s all so beautiful. Beautiful in a way I’ve never seen before.
“I’m going to be out of place.”
Roland stares at me with a funny expression, tilting his head. “Harper, you’re the most beautiful girl in the room.”
My cheeks feel hot as he leads me and snags us both a glass of champagne. Waiters with little trays move about the room, and Roland gets me a bite of everything they offer. I taste the softest dumpling filled with fine cuts of meat, quiches, different kinds of cheese with honey, nuts, and dates. Everything is different and fun, and Roland and I laugh as we try different things.
People approach us too, and he’s right. Men and women alike want to know about the “only female dragon rider.” The men leer. The women seem to be trying to pick me apart. It sours my mood just a little, but the champagne warms my belly making it all feel less important.
At last, he turns to me, a twinkle in his eye, probably from the three glasses of champagne we’d managed to drink. “Would you do me the honor of joining me in a dance?”
I smile. “I’m not a very good dancer, and I’ve never danced like this before.”
He returns my smile. “Luckily for me, I’m a really good dancer, and, on the dance floor at least, all a woman needs is a good leader to be amazing.”
“Really?”
“Trust me,” he says, offering me his hand.
I take it, and he leads me out onto the floor. To my surprise, what he says is true. As awkward and unsure of himself as Roland seems to be, he’s confident on the dance floor as he moves me through various steps. I’d have thought it’d be clumsyand stiff, but we’re smooth as we move about the room, his hands always there to guide me.
As I look at him, I feel a wave of desire that I’ve never felt before with Roland. Suspicion rises inside of me.
Ebron, I think, projecting my thoughts the way I’d been instructed.
Yes, he sounds amused.
What are you doing?
Seducing a few of the female dragons. The ones I think may become my mates.
Is that why I feel… so funny?
There’s laughter in my mind.Sorry, I’ll try what I can to not have you feeling so much of what I feel.
Thanks.
No promises.
My gaze moves back to Roland. He’s not a bad looking fella, even though I prefer my men with more of a backbone. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Of course.”
“Okay, so I know we talked about how dragon riders are effected by their dragons’ arousal, but I’m just finding it hard to believe that every one of you are just walking around sprung all day. So, I have to ask, are all dragon riders as horny as I am? And if you are, is there a trick to handling it?”
His eyes go wide as they move to my face. “What?”
