Chapter 12

TWELVE

K ai moved instinctively, pulling Quinn against him and spinning them both away from the falling debris. His dragon surged close to the surface, protective instincts flaring at the threat to his mate. A growl rumbled in his chest as crystal shards rained down where they’d been standing moments before.

They ended up pressed against a wall, his body caging hers. Her hands gripped his shirt, and he could feel her heart racing. The position brought their faces inches apart. This close, he could see flecks of gold in her brown eyes, count each quick breath that passed her slightly parted lips. His dragon memorized every detail, filing away the specific shade of pink that colored her cheeks, the exact pattern of her quickened pulse.

“I can handle myself,” she murmured, but her voice lacked its usual sharp edge.

“I’m aware.” His came out as more of a growl than actual words. His dragon pushed against his control, demanding he close the remaining distance between them, claim what it knew was theirs. The scent of her—minerals and determination now mixed with a hint of attraction she probably didn’t even realize she was broadcasting—made his head spin.

For a moment, neither moved. He watched her eyes drop to his mouth, then snap back up. A flush crept up her neck, and the sight sent a surge of satisfaction through him. She might deny their connection with words, but her body recognized its mate. His dragon preened at the evidence.

A minor tremor broke the moment. Quinn cleared her throat, pushing gently against his chest. He stepped back immediately, though it physically pained him to do so. The loss of contact left him cold despite the warmth of the palace.

“Right. Well.” She smoothed her clothes with hands that trembled slightly. “Thanks for the... catch. But I should get back to my actual work. You know, the scientific kind.”

He watched her walk away, unable to completely suppress a smile as she muttered under her breath about “overprotective dragon kings” and “ridiculous magical dating schemes.” His sensitive hearing picked up every word, including a particularly creative description of his “stupidly perfect hair” that made his dragon preen.

“The council awaits your return, My King.” Darian’s amused voice came from behind him. “Unless you’d prefer to continue watching Dr. Quinn’s retreat?”

Kai shot his friend a look that would have terrified anyone else. Darian merely grinned, immune to royal intimidation after centuries of friendship.

“She’s exactly what you need, you know,” his advisor continued, moving to stand beside him. “Someone who sees past the crown to challenge the man beneath it. When was the last time anyone dared speak to you with such... candor?”

“She denies the very existence of magic,” Kai pointed out, though he couldn’t keep the fondness from his tone. “And apparently considers me an ‘overgrown lizard with control issues.’“

“She’s not wrong about the control issues.” Darian dodged the half-hearted swipe Kai aimed at him. “Come on, admit it. You enjoy her defiance. Your dragon certainly does.”

Before Kai could respond, another crash echoed through the palace, followed by Quinn’s voice: “I said I don’t need an escort! I’m a geologist, not a princess!”

The sound pulled at something primal in his chest. His dragon urged him to go to her, to protect, to claim. But centuries of discipline held him in place. She needed time to adjust, to come to terms with her new reality. Pushing too hard too fast would only drive her away.

“The council will want answers,” Darian said, his tone growing serious. “They sense the change in the land’s magic. Your connection to her is already affecting the kingdom’s stability. It’s only going to get worse the longer you two are not bonded.”

Kai nodded, running a hand through his hair. “The tremors are clustering around her quarters. The magic recognizes her, even if she doesn’t recognize it.”

“And you? How long do you plan to wait before telling her the truth?”

“What truth would that be?” Kai’s voice held a warning edge. “That she’s my fated mate? That the stability of an entire kingdom rests on her accepting a magical bond she doesn’t believe in?”

“That you’re falling for her,” Darian corrected quietly. “Magic and duty aside, your dragon has chosen her. The sooner you accept that, the sooner?—”

Another bout of creative Earth cursing interrupted him. This time, Kai couldn’t resist following the sound. His dragon practically purred with satisfaction as they rounded the corner to find Quinn setting up what appeared to be complex measuring equipment. She’d tied her hair back more securely, but rebellious strands still framed her face. A smudge of dirt marked one cheek, and her tongue poked out slightly as she concentrated on calibrating something.

She looked beautiful.