Page 86 of The Dragon King's Assassin

The Dragon King chuckled. “I carry a few in case of emergency.”

“In that case, no, it's not enough.”

“Why do I get the feeling that I'm being conned?” His smile turned tender as he pulled another coin from his pocket and slid it over to me.

“Because you're not a stupid man.” I lifted the second coin. “This one's for me. Finder's fee.”

“Uh-huh. I thought as much.”

I put both coins in the inner pocket of my jacket. “It's a pleasure doing business with you, Your Majesty.”

He suddenly went grim. “Don't tarry, Lock. I'm giving you as much time as you need to speak to this friend of yours, but I won't appreciate it if you abuse my leniency.”

“Understood. I'll be as quick as possible.”

“Good.”

We began to eat in companionable silence and it all felt very unreal. The smart thing to do would be to keep my mouth shut and enjoy the perks he was giving me, but I wasn't that guy. I ate a bit, drank my coffee, then sat back and stared at the King.

“Yes?” Taroc lifted a brow at me.

“This feels strange but good. Thank you.”

“We've dined together before.”

“Technically, yes, but I've never sat down across from you to eat. I always remain standing.”

He frowned, made a few pensive sounds, and said, “I'm sorry. I really have treated you like a pet, haven't I? From now forward, when I dine, I'd like for you to join me. At the table.”

I grinned. “Thank you.”

Ren whined.

“Ren, I'm sorry, but dogs don't sit at the table,” he said.

She whined again.

“That was Lock's entire point.”

She widened her eyes at him.

“Oh, very well.”

Taroc pulled out a chair, and Ren bounded over and onto it. Thankfully, the King had large chairs, and Ren's fluffy body fit as long as she sat up. Head lifted and tail wagging, she yipped.

I looked from her to Taroc, who was only a few inches taller than Ren with her on that chair, and shook my head. “And I'm back to being treated like the dog.”

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