Chapter Nine

The Renris Theater had been built by my predecessor, but I funded many improvements over the years, including the refurbishment of the grand foyer. Red and gold carpets extended down the main staircase and across the foyer floor, covering the hardwood boards beneath. Two polished oak bars, one to either side of the room, served the well-garbed guests drinks in fancy glasses while waiters circled the room bearing trays of little snacks.

The Deldin theater manager from earlier hurried up to me and bowed. “Your Majesty, I'm so thrilled that you came. Would you care to mingle a bit or go straight up to your box? I have refreshments set out for you and your guest there.”

“In that case, we shouldn't let them go to waste, and we'd like to relax in private before the show,” I said.

“Wonderful! This way, Sire.”

Aras lifted a brow at me as the man led us to a side stairwell, hidden by a red velvet curtain. A man stood guard there, and he bowed to me as he held the curtain aside. I winked at Aras before I stepped into the stairwell and followed our host up to the second floor. We came out into a quiet hallway, the sound of the tuning orchestra floating into it like a ghost.

“Here we are, Your Majesty.” The man opened a gilded door and waved us past him.

One of my knights went first. We couldn't have a non-Dragon see him shirking his duty. Once he cleared the room halfheartedly, he returned to the doorway and nodded. The other knight took a position just outside the door as I entered.

“There are several bottles of wine chilling here, Your Majesty,” the theater manager said as he indicated a long side table. “We heard that you prefer white, so we brought you a selection of our best and one bottle of red in case your guest preferred it.” He nodded to Aras.

“I'm good with either,” Aras said. “But that's very considerate of you.”

“I, however, prefer white,” I said. “And the food looks delicious as well.”

“Wonderful! If you need more or anything at all, just have one of your guards send a porter for me. I'll personally bring you whatever you require.”

“I'm sure this will sustain us through the performance,” I said. “But thank you.”

He bowed deeply. “There are viewing glasses just there.” He motioned at a table set between two heavy chairs in the outward curve of a balcony, facing the stage directly before us. “Is everything to your liking, Sire?”

The view was the best in the theater—in the center of the second-floor boxes. The second floor hung over the first so that the box was just a little back from the first row below, giving the perfect angle to view the stage. I looked from the wooden chairs to the seating at the back of the box—a long couch and two more chairs, those facing the couch. It was for relaxing before the performance and during intermission, but I had a feeling I'd be making use of that couch during the play as well.

I looked back at the theater manager—I really should learn his name—and smiled. “It's perfect. Thank you again for all your effort.”

“It was our greatest pleasure to see to your comfort, Your Majesty.” He bowed again. “If there's nothing else you need, I'll leave you to enjoy the play.”

“Thank you.”

The man left with a huge grin and my knight followed him to the door, but only to shut it and then stand before it.

“Take a post outside,” I said.

Sir Alfain didn't argue. Probably because he didn't care. My knights guarded me because they were bound by our laws to do so, but they didn't put any extra effort in. So Alfain just bowed and left. He was from one of the wealthiest families in the Vacrond Enclave. The same enclave I was from. I distinctly remember him throwing rocks at me while I fought one of his friends. The rocks did nothing to stop me from killing that friend. I'd often wondered what Alfain felt when he looked at me. Was it pure rage or was there some embarrassment in him as well? After all, he personally knew how hard they had tried to keep me off the throne. And despite those efforts, I won.

Aras looked from the departing knight to me. “Ex-boyfriend of yours?”

I was so shocked that I just stared at him for a second. Did he not remember what I'd told him about . . . oh. Right. A joke. As soon as it registered, I burst out laughing. My delayed reaction made Aras jump, which made me laugh even harder.

Aras grimaced, then smirked at me. “You need to laugh more. You're very handsome when you laugh.”

“Maybe I prefer to look menacing.” I waggled my brows at him and headed for the mini buffet. That Deldin really had gone all out. There were eight savory appetizers, two trays of mini desserts, and three baskets of assorted bread and crackers to go with the many pots of butter and spreads. “What would you like?”

Aras joined me but didn't say anything. I looked up to find him grinning at me.

“Let me clarify. What food and wine would you like?”

“Oh.” He feigned disappointment. “Honestly, I don't care as far as wine goes and the food all looks good. You choose.”

I glanced at him. The edges of his eyes twitched. This was part of establishing how we'd be together. Aras wanted me to take control, even when it came to food. Fascinating. Well, if that's what my mate wanted, I would provide it.

“That's my favorite.” I pointed at a bottle of white. “Why don't you pour the wine while I select the food?”

“All right.” Aras opened the bottle and poured two glasses while I made several little plates of food for us.

Balancing the plates on my arm, I took them to the couch and set them on the low table before it. Aras joined me, handing me a glass before he sat down. Then we gorged ourselves on tiny food, refilling our plates several times even though I'd brought a lot to the table.

“These theater people know how to cook,” Aras said after the third round.

The lights blinked.

“But they don't know shit about lighting,” he added.

I burst out laughing.

“What? Didn't you see that flicker? They need to new light spheres.”

I laughed harder.

“What the actual fuck?” Aras growled.

“Give me a moment,” I gasped, trying to get my laughter under control. “I'm sorry.” I wiped at my tears and leaned forward.

“That was supposed to happen, wasn't it?” Aras drawled.

I nodded, let out one last chuckle, and said, “It's the signal for everyone to get to their seats because the performance is about to begin.”

“Oh.” He tucked a length of midnight hair up and around his perky ear.

I stared at that ear. Funny how something as simple as an ear could hold my rapt attention. It was a perfect ear, unique to his race. I suppose it was one of the things I enjoyed about him. Aras was from one of the races that didn't resemble Dragons. Not fully. So many others did—Raltven, Humans, Eljaffna—they all looked very much as we did, just smaller. Then there were the races who were similar to us but with wings or metallic skin or gills—the Okon, Ricarri, and Neraky. But the Hulfrin, although Dragonoid—with several Dragon features such as eyes, lips, and noses—were part of the third class of race on Serai. They, like the Deldin, were more unlike Dragons than the opposite. And that ear was a perfect example.

The inner ear was pale pink skin, but it transitioned to fur at the rim, and that fur tufted at the tip of the ear, the black blending with Aras's horns, located just a little above and behind his ears. So pretty, but I couldn't stay fascinated with his ear for long, not with those cheekbones nearby. Under the thin layer of fur on Aras's face laid a bone structure that any Dragon would envy. High cheekbones, a stubborn jaw, and a regal nose.

Aras turned to face me. “So, should we change seats?”

“Yes.” I grinned and stood up. “And don't be embarrassed. I thought that was adorable.”

Aras grimaced and got up as well. “I don't think I've been called adorable since I was little.” Then he smiled. “But I'll take it as a compliment from you.”

“You should. It's such a contrast to your normal persona.” I grabbed my plate and glass, then took them to one of the grand chairs near the railing. It was upholstered in red velvet. It seemed as if everything was red. An odd choice. You'd think they'd want a more calming color. But I suppose an excited audience was a good thing.

“Persona?” Aras sat down next to me and set his plate down on the little table between us, keeping his glass. “That makes me sound like an actor.”

“I mean your personality.” I waved at him. “All this. It doesn't look as if you'd do something adorable. And that makes the moment all the more precious.”

“Ah, like when you, the big bad King of Gavemor, throw a temper tantrum?”

I snorted. “I did not throw a temper tantrum.”

“Oh, yes, you did.” He sipped his wine.

“You were kissing another man after we had exchanged promises of fidelity.”

Aras lifted a brow at me.

Before I could get into a childish argument that would only have proved my immature tendencies, the lights dimmed. I had a few moments to glance around the crowded theater and see that most of the stares were on me instead of the stage. I didn't hide in my castle, but I didn't attend a lot of public events either. My appearance was of note. I understood, but it also made me uncomfortable. Especially after everything the Eye had said.

So, as the lights went out, I swung a look behind me at the door. I'd have to keep my senses alert and not get lost in the performance. Goddess knew I couldn't count on those assholes to watch my back.