Chapter 12

The solicitor wasn't wrong. The deeper we dug into Lord Saario's life, the more we found to dislike. But for all that he was terrible, he was also stubborn.

Baldric taught me how to use my magic to affect a house's song in such a way that the people inside felt entirely unwelcome in their own home. Then, every night for two weeks, I snuck into Lord Saario's house with a grumbling dragon on my heels and applied what I'd learned.

On the fifteenth day, Lord Saario broke and called for his solicitor.

The sulky young lord didn't even question why the solicitor already had ownership transfer papers drawn up—or why Baldric and I were also present—he just signed everything set in front of him with barely a glance.

When he ran out of paper, Lord Saario perked up. "That's it?" he asked. "It's my sister's problem now?"

I didn't think I could like the young man less, and yet. From Baldric's quiet, rumbling growl, he didn't care much for Lord Saario, either.

"Your sister is now the official landowner," the solicitor confirmed.

Baldric's magic rose, and the young lord abruptly dropped into unconsciousness. The solicitor didn't even blink.

She calmly handed me one of the pages from the stack. "Here's his confession. I'll ensure Lady Saario is notified of the change and of her brother's crimes. The knights might do a cursory investigation, depending on how loudly Lord Saario complains, so I've warned the relevant parties to be aware."

I did not miss her pointed look. "We'll be careful."

Baldric stood and picked up Lord Saario like a sack of grain. The young man's skin was pale and waxy, and he had dark circles under his eyes, but I couldn't dredge up even a drop of sympathy.

We left the solicitor's office with the help of Baldric's magic. As we headed for the trees, he asked, "Do you want to come to the capital with me?"

My nose wrinkled. I loved flying, but the trip would take several hours, and it was cold. Plus, I didn't want to be anywhere near the king or his knights. "You're sure you'll be okay on your own?" I asked instead of answering.

"I'll be okay, but I'll be better if I know you're waiting for me, warm and safe."

I nodded and handed him the confession. "Then I'll stay and start on dinner while you deal with Saario." I pointed a stern finger at him. "Do not antagonize any knights while you're away."

His teeth gleamed with his smile. "But what if I need a little snack?"

* * *

Every flight mademe just love the air more, and when Baldric landed in front of the manor's heavy front door, I was tempted to tell him that I'd changed my mind about the trip. Between the oilskin and his body heat, the cold barely bothered me.

But I had other plans, so I slid from my seat and pressed a kiss against one of the scales on his neck. "Be careful."

He rumbled an affirmative at me, then waited for me to step back before picking up Saario in one massive claw. With a sweep of wings and magic, Baldric launched himself into the air.

I watched until he was out of sight.

The temperature was a lot less pleasant without a dragon to keep me warm, so I hurried inside, and my magic hummed happily as I crossed the manor's threshold. I was getting stronger now that I was using my magic more often, and I could keep the entire house clean without having to visit the individual floors or rooms.

I tidied up and worked on dinner, then I went to change into the dress I'd retrieved from my cottage but hadn't yet had an opportunity to wear.

Tonight, I was going to win, one way or another.

* * *

I'd brushedmy hair until it shone, and now I was in Baldric's study attempting to read, but mostly I was listening for the front door. The moment it swung open, I tugged my dress lower, smoothed down my hair, and returned my attention to the book in my hand.

Baldric approached the study with unerring accuracy, but he paused at the door. A low rumble rolled through the room. "Zenira?"

I blinked and looked up in faux surprise, as if I hadn't been aware of him since he'd arrived. "Yes?"

"What are you wearing?"

A smile curled over my lips despite my attempt to contain it. "Oh, this?" I shifted, and my cleavage threatened to escape its confines. Perfect. "This is the dress I went to retrieve the day I got caught out in the rain."

I gestured to the Knights Bandits board I'd set up. "Care for a game before dinner?"

When I peeked at him, Baldric's gaze was heroically on my face, but it kept slipping lower. "Whatever you'd like," he agreed.

I pressed my lips together to hold in a laugh when he nearly tripped on an end table while crossing the room. I'd set up the board so I would be playing bandits first—and so Baldric would have an excellent view of my chest.

I leaned forward to adjust the pieces as he settled into his chair, and he groaned low in his throat. I smiled serenely. "How about a little wager?"

His gaze sharpened. "What did you have in mind?"

"If I win, I get to move in and stay as long as I want."

He swallowed, and his voice was rough when he asked, "And if I win?"

"What do you want?"

"You."

"Okay."

The arms of his chair creaked as his hands tightened around them. "You don't know what you're agreeing to."

"I trust you."

His eyes flashed and magic curled around me like a cozy blanket. "Careful, witch."

"Do we have a deal, dragon?"

He nodded, and we began playing. After a few moves, I fanned my face, and asked, "Is it warm in here?"

Before he could answer, I popped the first button on my straining bodice. He moved his piece without looking at the board.

I was winning tidily when Baldric decided to employ my own tactics against me. He stood and removed his jacket, leaving him clad in a thin linen shirt. During my next move, he slowly rolled up his sleeves, revealing his forearms.

I swallowed and barely avoided moving directly into the trap he'd laid. Then I retaliated by tracing a finger along the edge of my bodice while he considered the board—or tried to.

I narrowly won the first game, and we traded pieces.

As I was getting ready to move, Baldric removed his shirt. After I finished gaping at him, I tipped my chin up and raised my eyebrows. "So that's how it's going to be?"

His smile was deliciously wicked. "What? It's hot in here. You said so yourself."

My smile matched his. "So I did." I already knew where I was moving, so I spent a few moments ogling Baldric's chest while biting my lip. When his hands clenched, I set my piece in place. "Your move."

"Witch."

I grinned. "Dragon."

When the tide of the game started turning against me, I waited until it was Baldric's turn, then stood. "It is hot in here," I murmured. I'd found that my magic could affect clothing if I concentrated hard enough. With a spike of power, my dress slithered to the floor, leaving me clad in a nearly sheer chemise and half corset.

Baldric's growl shook the pieces on the board. One of his bandits shifted far enough to count as a move. "I see you've played, so it's my turn."

He didn't even glance at the board.

I leaned over and considered my options. The arm of his chair snapped under his hands with a sharp, shrill note. I magically fixed it and smoothed the room's melody back into harmony.

"You're getting stronger."

"I am," I agreed. I made my move, then met his eyes with a coy look. "I can remove my chemise without removing the corset first. Want to see?"

"Yes." The word sounded like it was ripped from somewhere deep in his chest.

"Okay." I returned my attention to the game.

"Zenira," he growled.

I studied the board. Even with all of my distractions, I was still going to lose. But it was going to be close.

My chemise joined my dress on the floor. The half corset wasn't as comfortable without the extra layer of fabric, but the minor discomfort was worth it for the fiery heat burning in Baldric's eyes.

I smiled saucily at him. "Make your move, dragon."

He stood so quickly he bumped the table, toppling the pieces. "I forfeit. You win." He rounded the table and scooped me up, and I laughed in delight even as I snuggled against the warmth of his bare chest.

I cupped his cheek and turned his face down to mine. "Since I won, does that mean I get to move in and stay as long as I want?" He'd agreed to the wager, but I wanted to ensure he'd meant it.

His expression softened, and his arms tightened. "Yes. I'll help you move in whenever you're ready. And then I'm going to do everything in my power to ensure you want to stay forever. You're mine, witch."

I smiled at him and pressed my promise against his lips. "And you're mine, dragon."