Chapter 43

FORTY-THREE

T he page fled as soon as the books were restored, face flaming. Quinn collapsed against Kai’s chest, giggling.

“Poor kid. Probably traumatized by catching the king in a compromising position.”

“Hardly compromising.” But his arms came around her, holding her close. “Though if you’d like to discuss actually compromising positions...”

“Down, boy.” She patted his chest, still laughing. “Some of us have mysteries to solve before we can focus on... other activities.”

“Other activities?” His growl vibrated through her. “Such a clinical term for?—”

“Don’t you have kingly duties to attend to?” But she softened the deflection by stretching up to press another quick kiss to his lips. “Go rule things. I’ll find you when I’ve sorted through the rest of these reports.”

“Promise?”

The simple question carried layers of meaning: Promise you’ll be careful. Promise you won’t face danger alone. Promise this thing between us is real.

“Promise.” She met his gaze steadily. “We’re in this together now. Magical destiny or not.”

He stole one more kiss before reluctantly releasing her. “Together,” he agreed. “Though perhaps we could discuss this further over dinner? Somewhere without prying eyes and falling books?”

“Are you asking me on a date, Your Majesty?”

“I believe I’m past seeking permission to court you.” His smirk made her knees weak. “But, yes, if you prefer Earth terminology, I’m asking you to dinner. Properly this time, without political agenda or assassination attempts.”

“Wow, you really know how to sweep a girl off her feet.” But she couldn’t hide her smile. “Fine. Dinner. But I reserve the right to bring my research notes.”

“I would expect nothing less.” He backed away, still holding her gaze. “My chambers, two hours after sunset?”

“Your chambers?” Heat pooled in her stomach. “That’s not very proper for a king.”

“Fortunately, my intended isn’t known for respecting propriety.” With a final heated look that promised all sorts of improper activities, he strode from the library, leaving Quinn to collapse back into her chair on shaky legs.

“Well,” she muttered, touching her tingling lips. “So much for professional distance.”

But as she turned back to her investigation, she couldn’t quite suppress her smile. The mystery of Bhesna and the kingdom’s instability still needed solving. But maybe, just maybe, she could have both—the scientific challenge that had drawn her to Nova Aurora, and the unexpected love that made her want to stay.

Besides, she thought with a grin, what was the point of dating a dragon king if you couldn’t combine research with romance?

The rest of the afternoon passed in a blur of research interspersed with increasingly distracting thoughts of Kai. Quinn had just connected another suspicious pattern in the security reports when Lydia burst into the library, arms full of clothing.

“Emergency fashion intervention!” Her friend declared, dumping an array of fabrics onto Quinn’s carefully arranged papers. “Your AI walls told my AI walls about your dinner plans.”

“The walls need to mind their own business.” Quinn rescued a crucial map from beneath a flowing silk dress. “And so do you. I’m working.”

“You’re having dinner with the king. In his private chambers.” Lydia wiggled her eyebrows suggestively. “After that hot little library scene earlier.”

“You saw that?”

“Honey, half the palace saw that. The betting pool on when you two would finally admit your feelings has reached astronomical levels.” Lydia held up two dresses. “Now, are we going for ‘sexy scientist’ or ‘dragon-slaying temptress’?”

“I’m wearing what I have on.” Quinn gestured at her cargo pants and fitted research jacket. “It’s just dinner.”

“In his chambers.”

“For work.”

“Right. Because that kiss screamed ‘professional meeting.’“ Lydia tossed both dresses aside and pulled out a third - a deep blue number that somehow managed to look both elegant and practical. “At least try this one. It matches your compass pendant.”

Quinn touched the leather band on her wrist, her father’s gift a constant reminder of home. “Fine. But I’m keeping my boots.”

“Of course, you are.” Lydia’s expression softened. “You know, it’s okay to let yourself have this. The romance, the fairy tale, all of it.”

“It’s not a fairy tale.” Quinn traced the pattern of dots on her map, thinking of Kai’s kisses, his protectiveness, the way he supported her work even while driving her crazy. “It’s better. It’s real.”

“Look who’s getting sappy on me!” Lydia clapped her hands in delight. “Finally! I was starting to worry your heart had fossilized from all that geological study.”

“Very funny.” But Quinn couldn’t help smiling. “Don’t you have your own romance to worry about? I saw how you were looking at Darian during the council meeting.”

“Please, that’s just professional appreciation of his tactical genius. And his arms. And his really nice?—”

“Ladies.” Reina’s serene voice cut through their banter as the healer glided into view. “I believe we’re making a scene.”

Sure enough, several scholarly dragons had emerged from the stacks to watch their fashion explosion with poorly concealed interest.

“Perfect timing!” Lydia bounced over to drag Reina into their circle. “Help me convince Quinn that proper date attire doesn’t include sample collection tools.”

“I’m not taking my tools,” Quinn protested. “Just my notebook. And maybe one small geological scanner...”

Reina’s violet eyes sparkled with barely suppressed humor. “Perhaps a compromise? The blue dress, but with a special pocket sewn in for your most essential equipment?”

“That’s... actually not a bad idea.” Quinn eyed the dress with new interest. “You can do that?”

“Of course. We often modify formal wear for practical purposes.” Reina’s elegant fingers skimmed the fabric. “Though perhaps we should focus on the more pressing matter of Bhesna’s potential involvement in recent events?”

Trust the healer to cut straight to the heart of things. Quinn quickly outlined her suspicions, including her confrontation in the garden.

“I noticed something similar during the last healing ceremony,” Reina mused. “Bhesna’s energy felt... constrained. As if she fought invisible bonds.”

“Magical bonds?” Lydia perked up. “Like someone’s controlling her?”

“More subtle than that. But yes, there’s definitely outside influence at play.”

Quinn’s mind raced with the implications. “So someone’s using her as a decoy while they work behind the scenes. But why use Bhesna?” Quinn paced, her boots clicking against the crystal floor. “Why not just attack directly?”

“Because this isn’t just about physical damage.” Reina’s voice turned grave. “It’s about undermining trust, fracturing alliances from within. A kingdom divided is easier to conquer.”

“And I’m the perfect wedge.” Quinn stopped pacing as realization struck. “The human outsider, the king’s potential mate - accepting me could split the court, but rejecting me could destabilize Kai’s magic further.”

“Which means whoever’s behind this is playing a longer game than we thought.” Lydia’s usual cheer faded to determination. “So what do we do?”

Quinn glanced at the setting suns streaming through the library’s windows. “First, apparently, I have a dinner date with a dragon king. One where I need to explain that his advisor might be an unwitting pawn in a magical conspiracy.”

“Very romantic.” Lydia thrust the blue dress at her. “Here. At least look spectacular while delivering bad news.”

“And perhaps,” Reina added softly, “remember that you need not carry this burden alone. The king’s strength is greatest when matched with yours.”

“Now who’s getting sappy?” But Quinn took the dress, warmth blooming in her chest at her friends’ support. “Fine. Help me get ready. But the boots stay.”

“Of course, they do.” Lydia grinned. “How else will you kick evil dragon butt while looking fabulous?”

Later, standing before Kai’s chamber doors in her modified dress (complete with hidden notebook pocket), Quinn took a deep breath. Beyond those doors waited not just dinner with the man—dragon—she’d grown to care for, but another step toward whatever future they’d forge together.

“Together,” she whispered, touching her compass pendant for luck. Then she squared her shoulders and knocked, ready to face whatever came next.

After all, she’d traveled across galaxies for the adventure of a lifetime. She’d be damned if she let little things like magical conspiracies and complicated romances stop her now.

The doors swung open to reveal Kai, and all thoughts of conspiracy fled at the heat in his eyes as he took in her appearance.

“You look...”

“Overdressed?” She tugged at the flowing fabric. “Blame Lydia. Though Reina did add pockets for my research tools.”

His laugh wrapped around her like a caress as he drew her inside. “Only you would accessorize evening wear with scientific equipment.”

“Says the man wearing a sword with formal robes.”

“Touché.” He pulled her close, nuzzling her hair. “Though I notice you kept the boots.”

“Non-negotiable.” She tilted her face up to his, smiling. “Problem?”

“On the contrary.” His voice dropped to a growl that sent shivers down her spine. “I find your dedication to practical footwear oddly appealing.”

“Careful, Your Majesty.” She wound her arms around his neck. “Keep talking like that and we might never get to dinner.”

“Would that be such a tragedy?”

Her answer was lost in his kiss, and for a long moment, mysteries and conspiracies faded into insignificance. They had work to do, dangers to face, a kingdom to protect. But right now, in this moment, Quinn let herself simply feel—the strength of his arms around her, the heat of his mouth on hers, the rightness of being exactly where she belonged.

The rest could wait until after dinner.

Maybe.