Saving Herself

Isla knew her duty to the In-between, and not only because of the fee she paid at regular intervals because she’d been putting that duty off. She fielded a fair amount of criticism for refusing so many offers. Reaver families would have loved to elevate their status by bringing her in and riding Papka’s dynasty-class coattails.

Honestly, it was exhausting. When she’d been little, both Mum and her older sister had explained just why she was so popular at school. Everything had become awkward, both for her and for the boys who were under pressure to make a good impression. During summer courses and at academy, she’d quickly earned a reputation for snobbery.

Which was just sour grapes, really. And stupid. It wasn’t as if choosing a partner would have made all the rest any happier. But because she abstained, she was somehow the problem.

Her lineage, her ambitions, her connections—they kept most men at a comfortable distance. She was universally disinterested in the many packets that arrived with bids for her cooperation. Early on, Mum shredded and burned them to ash. Later, they piled up in Isla’s inbox—unopened, unwanted. These days, she was a little more polite about refusals. Her staff issued a standard letter, all very grateful, all very diplomatic.

But her years of single-minded devotion—to her books, to her craft, to her mentor—added up to a lack of firsthand experience. She’d been saving herself since always. For Hisoka-sensei. Who was either blind to her charms or pretending he was. And forays into fictional romances weren’t the same as having one.

She wasn’t entirely sure she was having one now.

Maybe she should check.

“I’ve never don’t this before.”

Lapis hummed. “Won’t matter.”

“Have you?”

“Doesn’t matter.”

Which was vexingly evasive. She hated answers that didn’t. So she pulled back, even though she hadn’t secured her prize. “What does that mean?”

He nibbled gently at her earlobe, which was definitely interesting, in a we-will-readdress-this-topic-at-a-later-time way. Then he sighed. “Isla, my dear, could we possibly deal with one variety of curiosity at a time?”

She redirected her focus, because they really should stay on-topic.

Lapis was beautiful. It was the unattainable sort of beauty for which dragons were famous. They were often compared to elves or ascribed eldritch qualities, especially in the sorts of romances Isla reviewed.

Again, she had to rein in wandering thoughts. Was she avoiding the facts? That wasn’t like her. Wait. Was she missing something? But surely … not? All those times when they’d discussed the romantic bits of their books. Or written love scenes together. Even going so far as to stage them, hiding in armoires and whatnot. In all those times, never once had Lapis kissed her lips.

“Why have we never done this before?” she asked.

“Why have we stopped doing this now?” he countered, a trifle sulky.

And she let him draw her in, even though she’d never really considered Lapis before. When they’d met, she’d been eight years old and quite seriously in love with Ginkgo. And not long after, her affections had locked onto Hisoka-sensei. Lapis was around as a friend of the family, in much the same way as Harmonious Starmark or Adoona-soh Elderbough.

Yet here he was, jewel-like eyes half-lidded and … and he was kissing her.

Which meant she was being kissed. For the first time. And, oh. She wanted something more. “Would you mind …? Will you hold me?”

“May I?” He sounded pleased to be asked.

“Err … well, yes.” And as she was carefully crushed into silk and surrounded by familiar scents, she murmured, “Where’s the ring gone? I’ve lost track. Do you have it?”

“Mmm. Do you want it?” One of his hands supported her as he bent her back. His other tugged at her hip until they were flush.

He kept her off-balance, effortlessly in control.

And it occurred to her again that he was beautiful … but more importantly, that he was not the sort of person to toy with a woman. Papka had tried to tell her, to warn her. She’d been imposing on Lapis. Thoughtlessly using him. Never truly seeing him. And yet he murmured her name.

“Err … what?”

Lapis managed to look patient. “I am declaring myself.”

“Well, yes. But should you? We’re friends. We’ve always been friends.”

“Friends to lovers has always been one of my favorite storylines.”

Isla was floored. Again. “Oh, for …! You’re so soft for unrequited love!”

“As are you.”

“But … I have Sensei.”

“I am aware. As for myself, it has to be you.” His gaze didn’t waver. “You could have me back. I’m not sure the same can be said for Hisoka, but you must choose for yourself.”

Isla shook her head. “Am I breaking your heart?”

“That remains to be seen.”

“I … Lapis, I don’t want to be the kind of woman who loves one person but kisses another.”

“Does that mean you want to kiss me again?”

She was so used to being frank with him. “I might. Is that terrible?”

“No, my dear. It’s promising.”

His next kisses were gentle, coaxing, and they made it difficult for Isla to form thoughts. She murmured, “Are my knees actually weak? It’s a real thing?”

“Isla.” He was smiling, and there was the ring, trapped between his fangs. “Come, my dear. Take what is yours.”

“You can’t be mine.”

“I can be. In some respects, I already am.” Was that his tail wrapping around her ankle? “If you will allow it, I’ll use all my wiles to woo you to my side. And then I’ll grant you the constancy you deserve.”

“Just to be clear … do you mean to say that you love me?”

Lapis fluted sweetly.

“But you never said!”

“I would hardly intrude upon a friend’s good fortune.” He patiently explained, “Your heart was set on Hisoka, and there is none finer. I admire him myself. You hardly needed me and my burgeoning admiration making things awkward.”

“What changed?”

“With all due respect, my dear, very little has changed. Except your notice. Ah, and the kissing.” His lips touched hers, and his tone went all husky. “While I was willing to place your happiness before my own, this is more to my liking. May I court you, Isla Ward?”

She shook her head. “I’m not in love with you.”

“Leave that to me.” He touched her hair, where his crystals sang. “A dragon can be persuasive.”

When Isla sailed into the ballroom upon Lord Mossberne’s arm, she had a smile on her face and a new ring on her first finger. The press was there in force, and she heard the snap of shutters on every side. But Lapis ignored the paparazzi. All his attention was directed her way.

“I should tell you that my intentions have been made clear, at least to any dragons in the vicinity.”

“How is that possible?” she whispered. “Did you say something to them?”

“Your lip color.” After all the kisses they’d shared, Lapis had needed to retouch her lips. And at that time, he’d added the same shade to his own. “It’s an old trick that allows for stolen kisses. You can always tell when two dragons are entangled, because they paint from the same pot.”

Isla tried to smile for the cameras. But under her breath, she asked, “You’re going to kiss me in public?”

“Perhaps.” He tucked her arm through his, then tweaked the crystal ring she’d won. “We both have duties this evening, but I will fit in occasional romantic gestures. As long as we both touch the ring, none the wiser.”

“Gestures?” she wondered aloud. “Things dragons do?”

“Things I like. Things you like.” Lapis blandly pointed out, “I have the advantage of knowing exactly what makes your heart race. Your taste in reading is quite telling.”

Isla felt suddenly vulnerable. And somewhat defensive. “Don’t even pretend we don’t have similar tastes. How else could we …!”

Lapis bent to bestow a careful kiss that wouldn’t disturb her makeup.

She was so stunned, she lost her train of thought. But there were no shutter sounds, no gasps, no whispers. Glancing around, Isla asked, “Did nobody see us?”

“When a dragon does not want to be seen, he rarely is.” His open expression and crooked smile were almost boyish. “Ah, the things we could dare!”

“You’re … you’re having fun.”

He lifted her hand, kissed each of the rings he’d placed there, and urged, “See to your duties, and I’ll see to mine. But I will find you every so often, to make certain you are also enjoying the evening.”

“What will you do?”

“I wonder,” he countered, tone light. “There are traditions to uphold, customs that might surprise you, and little tokens that may find their way into your hand. I could teach you the steps to a dance, tempt you with drinks and delicacies, or smuggle you into any available armoires.”

She had a thousand questions, but before she could frame the first, he lightly tapped a finger against her lips.

“Tonight is mine. Enjoy it with me.” Lapis quietly vowed, “I will not leave you wanting.”

And without a backward glance, he strolled toward a knot of ambassadors, beginning his evening’s rounds. Leaving Isla in a state of unaccustomed disarray. Was she really going to let Lapis Mossberne seduce her? Some shred of feminist pride rebelled, but her romantic inclinations put up a good fight.

In the end, she decided that yes, courting games appealed. She wanted to be adventurous for once. But she didn’t want to be a first draft heroine this time around, sitting back and waiting to be swept off her feet. Lapis may have bragged about knowing her favorite tropes, but she knew his, too. And intimate understanding gave her certain advantages.

With a flash of fingers that sparkled prettily thanks to the addition of a dragon’s treasures, Isla began to weave sigils.

Why should she leave everything to Lapis? Games were meant for two to play, and seducing a dragon? Oh, that felt like winning.