Page 93 of Claimed By the Dragon King

Pride fills me and I turn to Aurdyn, only to catch him rolling his eyes. “Dwarves,” he grumbles.

I smile and pull him close. “I get the feeling they’re growing on you.”

“I certainly hope not,” he grumbles. “If they are, it is your fault.”

Laughter escapes me at the scowl on his face, but I notice the slight quirk of his lips as he holds back a grin.

“They’re good people,” I murmur.

“They helped you when I feared you would die after you collapsed.” His expression sobers. “King Davin does not know this, but because of that, I would have helped them even if he hadn’t begged.”

His words melt my heart even as sadness spears through me. I wish we had more time. And because I do not know how much we have, I intend upon making the most of each moment.

I stretch up on my toes and wrap my arms around his neck as I whisper in his ear. “Do you have any idea how much I love you, my wonderful, arrogant Dragon king?”

He captures my mouth with his own, branding me with his kiss as he walks us toward the bed.

CHAPTER55

AURDYN

The Dwarves, for all their grumbling about having to build their own shelters, have now taken to openly thanking me for the bounty of food as I walk past them on my way to King Davin’s tent.

As soon as I push through the flap, he jumps up from his chair, face red as a beacon and angrily waving a scrolled parchment as he walks toward me. “What is the meaning of this?” he barks. “The Innkeeper just delivered this to me. He said you told himIwas covering the bill for you and your warriors after you kickedmymen out.”

“And my men are feeding your people,” I growl. “Besides, I will not have my mate sleeping outside in a pitiful tent in this weather.” I cross my arms over my chest. “She is the one who convinced me to aid you, or have you forgotten that?”

He studies me with a piercing gaze. “The gods certainly blessed you with that one, didn’t they?” He arches a teasing brow. “Or did you call upon some dark entity to help you ensnare her?”

I narrow my eyes and growl low, smoke puffing out of my nostrils. “Choose your words carefully, Dwarf King, or they may be your last.”

“No need to get upset.” He raises his hands in mock surrender. “I was merely teasing you, you know.”

I try but fail to hide a smirk. It is amusing to tease King Davin. I sweep my gaze around his tent. “Did you get what I asked you for?”

“Aye.” He walks toward a trunk, next to his bed. Opening it, he pulls out a suit of armor fit for a queen. For all my dislike of them, in general, there is at least one good thing about the Dwarves. They certainly know how to craft weapons and armor.

He holds it out to me and I take it, shocked by how light it is. “Is this L’omhara?”

“Yes.” Pride crosses his features. “Light as a feather, yet strong enough to repel any blade or arrow.”

A kingly gift, indeed, and perfect for my queen. “This will do.”

“This will do?” he asks incredulously. “I just gave you a set of armor that costs more than the worth of this entire village, including the mines, and all you have to say is: this will do?”

I level an irritated glare at him.

“Far be it for me to expect something so simple as a ‘thank you,’ but I suppose the seven hells would sooner freeze over before a Dragon ever thanked anyone,” he grumbles to himself, and a faint smirk curls my lip as I leave his tent.

I call over my shoulder as I step outside. “Have it delivered to my room at the inn.”

I’m halfway back to my T’kara when Brovyn walks up to me. “Our scouts have just returned.”

“What did they find?”

“The Mages are leading Ruhaen’s army this way,” he gestures to the woods. “There is a clearing in the middle of the forest that lies in their path. Perhaps it would be best to meet them there, instead of waiting for them to come to Arganth.”

His advice is sound. It would mean less destruction here and less civilian casualties if we met them on neutral ground.

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