Page 45 of Enchanted Queen

I spun slightly to better see her, putting one leg up to rest my arm on it. “I am sure I made my intentions clear earlier.”

It is... odd that she made an advance toward you. Then again, maybe not.

“What do you mean by that?”

She and Zaire... shared a moment.

My eyebrows reached for my hair. Zaire slept with Morana? Before or after he was betrothed to the queen? Just when I thought I couldn’t like him any less. “And he and I are so similar?”

She made a noise which sounded an awful lot like a laugh.No, but you both radiate power. It is not so hard to believe that in Dra Skor culture, we are drawn to power, driven by our need to protect.

“I am nothing like him,” I assured her.

She squinted her dragon eye at me.It must be your style tonight then. The Dra Skor style which was the lure.

I was wearing no vest tonight, and the top two buttons of my shirt under my jacket had been left open. Though it was definitely cooler attire, I still felt far more exposed than usual. And it was only two buttons. “Imagine what would have occurred if I had unbuttoned one more button.”

Pandemonium for certain.

I laughed. “You do seem to keep notes on my clothing choices.”

I thought we already established this.

“Established what?”

My affinity for pretty things.

I placed a hand over my heart. “Doth my ears deceive me, or was that a compliment, Queen Esta?”

She snorted.Please. You know what you look like. And are far too charming for your own good. Which you also likely know.

“That may be. I have already secured an invite to the after party.”

She rolled her eyes.I am not all that surprised. But be careful.

“Why?”

A green eye was on mine as she said,For one, you might get stepped on. Two, Zaire will likely be there, along with the rest of my advisors. They will be watching you.

“And will you be there also?”

What concern is it of yours?

I looked at her eye, the only one I could see from my angle and thought for a few beats. I gestured to her head with my hand. “Look. I know what the weight of a crown feels like. That’s all.”

And this pertains to me going to the after party how?

“Because I don’t want to see you lose yourself for the crown,” I explained.

Like you did?She inferred.

I gave her a nod. “Yes. When all the dust settled and my father was finally gone, I had no idea who I even was anymore. I still don’t, if I’m truly being honest, but I’m slowly finding my way back.”

She was quiet a moment.I don’t fully remember what my human form even looks like anymore. I have to look to my brother and mother to know I was a mixture of their looks. So in a way, I am afraid I am already lost.

Morbid as it was, hearing her voice that made me want to kill my father all over again. “I am sorry.”

I do not need your sympathies.

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