Chapter 21

TWENTY-ONE

E ncouraged by her softened demeanor, Kai tried another of Gerri’s suggestions. “Would you... explain your research to me? I’d like to understand what you’re discovering about our land.”

The smile that lit her face made his heart stutter. For the next hour, he sat beside her as she enthusiastically detailed her findings, her hands gesturing animatedly as she described fault lines and tectonic movements. He understood perhaps a third of what she said, but watching her passion ignite made up for his confusion.

“...and the crystalline formations in the eastern range suggest a completely unique form of mineral evolution, possibly influenced by the ambient magic in the environment. It’s revolutionary! None of my Earth colleagues would believe—” She stopped abruptly, seeming to realize how long she’d been talking. “Sorry. I’m rambling.”

“Don’t apologize. Your enthusiasm is...” Beautiful. Captivating. Absolutely adorable. “...informative.”

She snorted. “You understood maybe ten percent of what I just said.”

“Thirty percent, at least. Though I’m still unclear on what a ‘metamorphic process’ entails.”

“It’s when heat and pressure transform one type of rock into—” She caught his slight smirk and rolled her eyes. “You’re teasing me.”

“Perhaps a little.” He reached out, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear before he could stop himself. Her breath caught, and for a moment, the air between them crackled with possibility.

Then a crash echoed from the hallway, followed by Darian’s voice. “Everything’s fine! Just a slight... decorative rearrangement of the antique vases. Carry on!”

Quinn jumped back, the moment broken. “I should go.”

“Of course.” Kai stood, fighting his dragon’s urge to pull her back. “But perhaps... would you be willing to show me your research sites tomorrow? To better understand the geological concerns affecting my kingdom.”

She studied him for a moment, suspicion warring with interest. “You actually want to learn about the geology? This isn’t just another excuse to hover protectively?”

“Can’t it be both?”

Her lips twitched. “Honest, at least.” She gathered her materials, considering. “Fine. Tomorrow morning, early. But no guards, no dramatic rescues unless absolutely necessary, and you have to actually listen to the science, not just pretend to while scanning for threats.”

“Agreed.” He bowed slightly, hiding his triumph. “Until tomorrow, then.”

As she left, Darian materialized from the shadows, grinning. “Smooth recovery with the flowers. Though turning them into a geology lesson wasn’t quite what Gerri meant by showing interest.”

“Shut up.”

“You know, most kings would have simply declared their intentions and expected compliance. Instead, you’re learning about metamorphic processes and crystal formations.”

“She’s different.” Kai moved to the window, watching Quinn cross the courtyard below. “She doesn’t want a king. She doesn’t even want a protector. She wants...”

“An equal?” Darian suggested quietly. “Someone who sees her mind before her potential as a mate?”

“Someone who understands that her independence isn’t a challenge to be overcome.” Kai pressed his forehead against the cool glass. “I’ve spent centuries commanding, controlling, protecting. But with her...”

“You’re learning to follow sometimes instead of always lead?” Darian clapped him on the shoulder. “Good. It’s about time someone taught you that lesson. Though I do have one question.”

“What?”

“Did you know those flowers increase psychic sensitivity in humans? Because she’s about to start hearing everyone’s thoughts in about ten minutes.”

Kai’s head snapped up in horror.

Darian burst out laughing. “Jesting! But your face...”

“Dungeon. Guard. Duty,” Kai growled, but his lips twitched despite himself.

Tomorrow. He had until tomorrow to figure out how to be what she needed—not a dominant alpha dragon, not an overprotective king, but simply a man worthy of her trust. His dragon grumbled at the restraint required, but his heart? His heart knew this was the only way.

Now he just had to survive a day of geological lectures without either accidentally insulting her profession or giving in to his urge to wrap her in protective magic every time she went near a cliff edge.

Simple.

Right.