Page 27 of Seduced By the Dragon Lord (Dragon Lords 2)

“They sound like they’re enjoying themselves,” Tristan observed, sipping from his mug.

“Indeed.” Orik drew deep from his. Was Jessie illuminating them on his earlier behavior? Only now did he consider that he might have been too hard on her. After all, she had been trapped on a ship for a long time, alone, with no fresh air or sunlight. How would he have fared in that situation, when he knew what it was like to be trapped?

Admittedly he’d been a little unnerved by the strange occurrences in their little garden alcove. Now he wondered if it wasn’t just the wind that had moved those flowers toward her, or her calm and buoyant energy that had drawn the fish out of hiding…along with the pixies…andthe nobit…

Shehadclaimed to have a way with nature. That didn’t necessarily mean she was to be mistrusted. Still, there was something about her that gnawed at him.

“How goeth the search for Xanthia?”

Orik glanced at Tristan for a long moment as his mind shifted subjects. Xanthia. The witch who had saved June’s life by extracting the magic of a dragon’s soul and stitching it to hers. When everyone had been distracted by June’s wondrous transformation, Xanthia had slipped away and remained in hiding ever since.

“The hunt, er, search, is ongoing,” he replied. Not a single servant or guard had spotted her departure that evening, even though her brilliant white hair was difficult to miss, day or night. Perhaps their initial treatment of her had not been as hospitable as it could have been. When she’d first arrived at their gates, she’d come bearing a warning regarding a rogue coven of witches, but because she herself was a witch, and therefore not to be trusted, Orik had deemed it necessary to house her in a secure cell while they’d questioned her. “I’ve assigned Rayu to head up the search.”

Tristan nodded with approval. “Rayu is a good tracker. If anyone can find her, he can. I’d like to reward her for what she did for me. For June. She must know I’m indebted to her. Do you think she recognized you as The Destroyer? Could that be why she ran?”

“What’s The Destroyer?”

Orik glanced up, and his jaw practically hit the floor. “Wow.”Did I just say that out loud?He barely registered the other two ladies file in behind Jessie. Jessie had been transformed into an elegant, drop-dead-gorgeous lady, more fetching than any he’d crossed paths with before.

He lumbered to his feet.

The black gown cascaded down her body in fine waves, shorter in the front to show a captivating peek of her legs. The bodice was cut in a deep V shape, displaying the luscious curves of her bosom. Her hair had been swept over to one side in a loose braid, exposing her neck. The little gold earrings that dangled from her lobes set off the specks in her extraordinary eyes.

He reminded himself to blink. She was utterly breathtaking.

When he glanced down at her footwear, he almost laughed. She wore a pair of clunky high-heeled boots with a glossy finish. To telegraph her rebellious spirit?I even find those sexy.

As he stood agog, she grinned and did a slow turn for him. “What do you think?”

He had not yet regained the use of his voice. The reverse side was just as stunning with the fabric slung low, her back nearly bare but for the crisscrossing straps. When she glanced at him from over her delicate shoulder, she seemed too pleased with his dumbfounded reaction.

He cleared his throat and schooled his features. “You look acceptable.”

Her expression fell for a moment and she faced him fully, punching her hands into her hips. “You might want to wipe your mouth. You’ve got a little drool, just there.” She tapped one corner of her own full mocking lips.

Tristan bellowed with laughter. “I like her already.”

June and Edel glanced between Orik and Jessie, their expressions too interested.

Thankfully, he was saved from the moment when several servants glided in carrying trays of steaming food, and they all took their seats at the table. Orik chose one as far from Jessie as he could. No one commented.

As always, the meal smelled delicious, but when the first dish was presented, Jessie became visibly uneasy, staring at her seared meat with a strange expression. June seemed to understand instantly. “Are you a vegetarian?”

Jessie looked apologetic. “Pescatarian. I’ll eat fish and seafood, but no land-dwelling animals. Sorry, I should have mentioned that earlier. I wasn’t thinking.”

“My dear,” Edel said with gasping motherly concern, “What do you survive on if you don’t eat meat?”

“Fruits and vegetables. Grains. Anything that grows from the earth...” She was struck by a look of horror. “Um…youdohave fruits and vegetables here, don’t you?”

June was quick to reassure, “They’ve had to incorporate more of both into the menu for me. Apparently, dragons are serious carnivores. Who would have thought?” Then she addressed a nearby server, requesting several meatless entrees for Jessie. A few minutes later, several dishes arrived filled with roasted vegetables, fresh fruit, and aromatic rolls of bread.

“So tell me about yourself, Jessie.” Edel picked up her utensils and sliced into a hunk of tender meat.

“Not much to tell, really. I own a small sporting goods store in the suburbs of Pennsylvania. We specialize in extreme sports gear.”

“Impressive,” June replied.

Orik asked, “What are extreme sports?”

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