Chapter 33

THIRTY-THREE

“ I don’t care about diplomacy.” Ice crystals formed in the air around Kai as his control slipped further. “Someone tried to murder her in my own palace, at my own table. They made this personal.”

“She’s strong, Kai.” Darian’s eyes flickered to Quinn’s still form. “She’ll pull through this.”

“She shouldn’t have to.” The words came out raw, exposing the depth of Kai’s feelings. “I should have protected her better. I should have tested her food myself, should have?—”

“You can’t watch her every moment.” Darian gripped his shoulder, one of the few people who dared touch the Dragon King in this state. “And from what I’ve seen, she wouldn’t thank you for trying.”

A ghost of a smile touched Kai’s lips, despite his rage. “No, she wouldn’t. She’d probably throw something at my head for suggesting it.”

“Precisely why she’s perfect for you.” Darian’s expression turned serious. “We’ll find who did this, brother. And when we do...”

“When we do, they’ll learn why dragons ruled the ancient world through fear.” Kai’s eyes blazed brighter. “Leave no stone unturned. Check every servant, every noble, every advisor. Trust no one.”

After Darian left to carry out his orders, Kai settled into a chair beside Quinn’s bed, his large frame coiled with lethal tension. Reina worked through the night, her magic pulsing in waves of silver light. Outside, the moons of Nova Aurora crossed the sky, casting shifting shadows through the frost-covered windows.

Hours passed, but Kai didn’t move from his vigil. He watched every rise and fall of Quinn’s chest, memorized every flutter of her eyelashes. His dragon nature screamed at him to hunt, to track down whoever had hurt her and tear them apart. But he couldn’t leave her. Not now. Not like this.

He reached out, brushing a strand of dark hair from her face. Her skin still burned with fever, but Reina assured him the worst had passed. The poison would have killed a normal human by now. But Quinn... his brilliant, stubborn Quinn... fought back with everything she had.

“I cannot lose you,” he whispered, the words rough with emotion. “Not when I’ve finally found someone who challenges me, who makes me question everything I thought I knew. Not when you’ve awakened parts of me I thought died centuries ago.”

He leaned closer, his voice dropping lower. “I know you’re not ready to hear this yet, but you’re mine. My mate. My match. And I’ll burn this kingdom to the ground before I let anyone take you from me.”

His dragon rumbled in agreement. A thousand years he’d waited for her, and now that he’d found her, nothing would stand between them. He just had to figure out how to win her heart without overwhelming her with the intensity of his feelings. Quinn wasn’t a woman to be conquered—she had to come to him willingly.

Guards came and went throughout the night, delivering reports in hushed voices. Even Lydia came for a while but he told her to get some rest. He’d watch over his mate.

The investigation was proceeding, but whoever had planted the poison had covered their tracks well. The kitchen staff remembered nothing unusual. The wine had been tested, the remaining food examined, but no trace of the poison remained.

This had been planned. Calculated. Personal.

Dawn painted the sky in shades of purple and gold when exhaustion finally claimed him. He drifted off with his head resting on the edge of her bed, one hand still clasping hers, his dragon senses still alert for any threat.

The soft brush of fingers against his hair pulled him from sleep. He lifted his head to find Quinn watching him, her eyes tired but alert. His heart lurched at the sight.

“You stayed.” Her voice came out rough, barely above a whisper.

Kai straightened, his body protesting the awkward position he’d slept in, but his eyes never left her face. Relief and possessive joy warred in his chest at seeing her awake. “I’ll always stay.”

She tried to push herself up, and he moved to help her. But she held up a hand, stopping him. “I’m not a damsel, Kai. I can sit up on my own.”

A familiar warmth spread through his chest at her stubborn independence, even as his dragon bristled at being prevented from helping her. “I never thought you were.” But he remained close, his entire body coiled and ready to catch her if she faltered. “Though you might consider allowing someone to help you after being poisoned.”

“Poisoned.” Quinn managed to prop herself against the headboard, though the effort left her pale and shaking. Her analytical mind already working through the implications. “Someone really tried to kill me.”

“Yes.” The word came out as a growl, his eyes flashing gold. “And when I find them, death will be a mercy they don’t deserve.”

She studied his face, taking in the evidence of his sleepless night—the tension in his jaw, the dangerous gleam in his eyes. “You’re angry.”

“Angry doesn’t begin to cover it.” Ice crystals formed in the air around him as his control wavered. “Someone tried to take you from me. In my own palace, at my own table. They didn’t just attempt murder—they committed treason.”

“Because I’m your guest?”

“Because you’re mine.” The words escaped before he could stop them, his dragon’s possessive nature breaking through his usual restraint. He saw her eyes widen and quickly added, “My responsibility. My...” He struggled to find a word that wouldn’t frighten her away.

“Kai.” She reached out, surprising him by laying her hand over his where it gripped the edge of her bed. The touch sent electricity through his body. “I’m not afraid.”

“You should be.” He turned his hand over, capturing her fingers with his. “I’m not a gentle man, Quinn. Especially not when someone threatens what’s mine.”

“What’s yours?” One eyebrow arched challengingly, though he noticed she didn’t pull her hand away.

Before he could respond, a knock interrupted them. Darian entered, his expression grim but his eyes noting their joined hands with carefully hidden interest.

“Report,” Kai commanded, reluctantly releasing Quinn’s hand.

“The kitchen staff have all been questioned. No signs of coercion or memory tampering, but...” Darian’s jaw tightened. “We found traces of dark magic in the kitchen. Whoever did this had access to forbidden arts.”

Kai’s entire body went rigid. “Ordan.”

“It’s possible.” Darian crossed his arms. “The magic signature is similar to his, but there’s no direct evidence. He hasn’t been seen near the palace in months.”

“He doesn’t need to be here to cause chaos.” Frost spread from Kai’s feet across the floor. “Double the wards around the palace. Triple the guard rotations. I want?—”

“Stop talking about me like I’m not here.” Quinn’s sharp voice cut through their planning. “If someone’s trying to kill me, I deserve to know why.”

Kai turned back to her, seeing the determination in her brown eyes. His dragon preened at her strength even as he worried for her safety. “The truth is complicated.”

“Then uncomplicate it.” She fixed him with that penetrating stare that never failed to make his heart race. “No more half-truths, Kai. No more protective evasions. I need to know what I’m up against.”

He exchanged a look with Darian, who nodded slightly and left the room, closing the door behind him. Kai moved closer to Quinn’s bed, fighting the urge to gather her into his arms.

“The truth?” His voice roughened. “Someone is trying to kill you because of what you mean to me. Because you have the power to either save or destroy this kingdom, though you don’t know it yet. Because there are those who would do anything to prevent a Dragon King from finding his true mate.”

Quinn’s breath caught. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying that from the moment you arrived, I knew who you were. What you are.” He sighed and dropped his chin to his chest. “There’s something I need to show you.”

“Bring it in,” she said.

“I have to take you to it. And we’re not going until the healer declares you healthy.”

Quinn leaned to the side and hollered at the closed door, “Someone get me the doc. She has a declaration to make.”