Chapter Twelve

“I haven”t seen you at dinner lately,” the King said.

Once he had pulled up the trees, King Shaleros helped me tackle the smaller clean-up jobs. I didn”t tell him I could handle it myself. Why would I? He was there with me, and I”d take any time with him I could get. Plus, I could hardly believe a Dragon was helping me with gardening, much less a king.

The King finally did work up a sweat, but no sooner had he done so than he summoned refreshments for us. We were sitting on the steps again, drinking cold water and eating spiced cookies.

“Either I get there early so I can sit at a table or I”d have to stand.” I shrugged. “But if I sit at a table, no one will sit with me. I feel awkward. So I started eating in my room.”

“I was . . . I don”t know why I didn”t invite you to dine with me that night. But I didn”t expect my court to be so cruel.”

“That”s all right. Your kitchen staff made up for it.”

He frowned. “Yes, I saw that man bring you dessert. Then you were smiling again.”

“Yeah, we”re lovers.”

“What?” the King growled.

I went still. I”d said it to get a reaction, but hadn”t expected such a significant one.

He cleared his throat. “I mean, I didn”t realize you had, uh—”

“Relax, Your Majesty,” I said with a smirk. “I”m teasing you. You know you”re the only man for me.”

The Dragon King opened his mouth. Closed it. His lips moved as if he were speaking but no sound came out. He cleared his throat again. “Your intimate relations are none of my concern, Master Sebastian. You are, of course, free to have, uh, intercourse with whomever you wish.”

“Uh-huh,” I mimicked his scoffing tone. “You can”t even say it. Come on, say the word. We can say it together. Sex.”

His lips twitched. “I can say sex.”

“Yes, but can you have it?” I waggled my brows at him.

“Enough, Sebastian,” the King said, but he said it with a smile.

“Yes, Your Majesty.” I leaned in to say, “Just to be clear, I haven”t taken any lovers here. That whole thing about you being it for me is true. If I can”t have you, I”ll satisfy myself.” I lowered my voice to a sexy purr, “While I think of you.”

The Dragon King”s pale skin went pink.

“Are you going to run away again?” I asked him.

His flush vanished. “I never ran away from you.”

“Yeah, all right.” I held up my hands in surrender. “You left before you hurt me.”

The King”s eyes went wide, his jaw slack. “You knew?”

“It was hard to miss. You looked ready to kill. Thanks, by the way.”

“For what?”

“Not killing me.” I winked at him.

He made an amused sound. “I think you know I would never hurt you.”

“Sure. Now, I know it.” I softened my smile into something more earnest. “Now, I trust you.”

The Dragon King stared at me. After a few seconds, he said, “You will dine with me henceforth.”

I lifted my brows.

Before I could speak, he added, “They will not be dates. Nothing has changed.”

“Great! I”m looking forward to our not-dates. I have a feeling they”ll be better than real dates that I”ve had.”

He snorted. “You”re so irreverent for a human.”

“For a human. Always that amendment,” I said. “If you think about it, we have less to lose. Might as well do as we please with the time we get. You know?”

“I believe most of your people look at it contrarily. They are careful not to endanger themselves and lose the few years they have.”

“So, talking to you like a normal person is dangerous?” I lifted a brow.

“Some might see it as such.”

“Ah, but you just told me you”d never hurt me.”

“I must amend that to; I will never kill you. You are far too amusing to kill. I will, however, punish you if you disrespect me. I am a king after all.

“You”re not my king.”

The Dragon King leaned to the side and gave me a stern look. “I am your king for as long as you are in my kingdom.”

“Are you sure? I don”t think that”s how it works.” I pressed my lips together to keep them from twitching.

He shook his head. “Irreverent.”

“It”s hard to be reverent when you”re sitting here shirtless and sweaty. Both of which I heartily approve of, by the way.”

“I would think you would be more reverent over my lack of dress.” The King smirked.

“Oho! Now, you”re getting cocky.” I laughed. “I”ll tell you what, Your Majesty. I”ll be happy to worship you with all the reverence you desire.” I leaned in to grin, then added, “In your bed.”

And that”s where I lost him.

The Dragon King cleared his throat and stood. “I need to get back to my duties. If you require help again, send for one of my knights. I”ll instruct them to assist you.” He bent to fetch his tunic and sash, then hurried away.

I didn”t say anything until he was long gone. And it started with a curse. “Fuck,” I muttered. “I cut him flush again.”