Page 28 of Seduced By the Dragon Lord (Dragon Lords 2)

“Are you kidding?” Jessie exclaimed, appearing delighted to enlighten them. She ticked off a list of items using her fingers. “Mountain boarding, white water rafting, hang gliding, ice climbing, parasailing, bungee jumping, canyon swinging.” She shivered with pure glee. “So many. I could go on and on.”

He wished she would. Her lively eyes sparkled with passion, and he found it impossible to look away. He felt he could listen to her speak on this subject forever, though he had no idea what she was talking about. It appeared none of the others did, either.

Seeing their blank faces, June explained, “These are activities humans engage in for a rush of excitement and a sense of danger.”

“Ah,” they all said in unison, then Edel added, “That sounds like interesting work.”

“It is. I enjoy it very much.”

Orik’s collar suddenly felt a little tight around his neck. She’d never return to her beloved shop. Tristan gave him a look, and Orik gave a barely perceptible shake of his head. Now was not the time for revelations. Not when Jessie looked so happy. The idea of disappointing her turned the food in his stomach to lead.

“Do you have family back home?” Edel continued her questioning.

She shook her head. “Not anymore. My mother died when I was young, and my father passed two years ago from cancer.” A rawness entered her voice. Orik felt for her, knowing the devastation of losing a parent so young. He’d lost both. And then another in adulthood: King Mar.

“I’m so sorry,” June replied, reaching out to place a compassionate hand on Jessie’s arm. “Tristan and Orik recently lost their father as well.”

Jessie’s head snapped to Orik. “Father? As in singular? So are you brothers?”

Tristan said, “Yes.” At the same time Orik admitted, “Not by blood.”

Edel explained, “Orik came to live with us when he was very young, close to the same age as my boys, so he fit in almost instantly.”

Tristan jumped in. “Instantly, you say? He was a snot-nosed little brat for the most part.” But there was a teasing note to his tone that betrayed a very obvious affection. Grinning, he faced Orik. “You balked at the slightest extravagance.”

Orik shot back, “And you were a spoiled prick.”

“Lear was so jealous of you,” Tristan merrily continued. “He was the favorite until you came along.”

“None of you were favored above any other,” Edel protested.

Orik and Tristan shared a look of disagreement.

“At times, each of you required extra attention. Orik just needed a little more in the beginning, is all. But I’ll tell you this: From the moment I saw him, I knew he was mine to care for.”

A hard lump formed in the back of Orik’s throat, and he lost the ability to speak for several moments.

Tristan punched him in the arm. “And so we’ve been stuck with you ever since.”

“Lucky for you. How many times have I bailed you out of one infraction or another?”

“Can’t count that high.”

“Not without using your fingersandtoes.”

Edel cleared her throat, the conditioned warning quieting them both. “Manners. Remember our guest.” But Jessie was grinning widely, clearly enjoying their playful banter.

“It’s all right. I grew up around rowdy men who weren’t big on manners, and I don’t offend easily. Actually, I think that’s the sweetest story I’ve ever heard,” she mooned, meeting Orik’s gaze.

There was something in her mirth that drew him in and forced a dopey grin from him.

“How is it you came to be adopted by the royal family in the first place?” she asked.

A pall fell over the table, and Orik lost his smile.

Jessie glanced around, registering the sudden shift in mood. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.”

“It’s no secret,” Orik replied. “My parents were killed when I was a lad.” He met Jessie’s gaze with a hard stare. “By witches.”

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