Chapter Thirty

That night, the Dragon King and I went to the dining hall together. We strode down the aisle between the low tables holding hands, and everyone in the room stared at us. They had to know that we”d been ensconced in the King”s tower for the last four days. That wouldn”t have been so shocking with any other king, but with Shale, it was worthy of gossip. And it was all because of me. I had put a smile back on Shale”s face, and even if this was all the happiness he got, I”d be grateful that I was the one who gave it to him. He was making me pretty damn happy too.

The courtiers bowed as we passed by and for once, the King inclined his head at them. Yet another shock for the Dragon Court. They processed all of this as we went up to the dais and settled on Shale”s couch together. Shale smiled at me, then nodded at a servant. The servant grinned broadly at the King, then at me, before hurrying off to tell the kitchens to send out the food.

“What was that about?” Shale asked me.

“What was what about?” I shot back.

“That smile from the servant. She looked as if she knew you.”

“She does. That”s Kiva. I know a lot of the servants. Don”t you?”

“I . . .” He grimaced. “I”m ashamed to say I do not.”

“You should be ashamed,” I teased in a mock-chiding tone. “What kind of king doesn”t know the name of every person in their kingdom? It”s embarrassing.”

Shale snorted. “I should at least know the names of those who serve me daily. But to be honest, humans pass through here so quickly. I”ve never bothered.”

I frowned. So quickly? “I suppose my life will be over in the blink of an eye for you.”

“Don”t say that.” He took my hand and kissed it. “I”m sorry. You know I didn”t mean you.”

“But you did.” I shrugged. “It”s all right. I told you before, I have no illusions about us.”

“Let”s not worry about this now.”

Before I could reply, the food arrived, and then Shale was filling my plate instead of his own, choosing the best cuts of meat and plumpest vegetables for me. This was shocking enough that a whispering circled the room, eyes shifting our way and away. Even Shale”s guards glanced at us several times.

“Thank you,” I whispered when Shale moved on to his plate.

“You”re welcome.” He glanced at me. “I”ll learn your favorites soon enough. Until then, you don”t have to eat what you don”t like.”

“Learn my . . . uh, thank you, Your Majesty.”

The King frowned at me.

“What?” I asked.

“You don”t have to use my title. You know that.”

“We”re in public,” I whispered. “You said I had to when we”re in public.”

“But now you”re my consort.”

“I”m your what?”

Shale frowned. “I suppose you”re my concubine since I haven”t asked you to be my consort or made an announcement. But you will be my consort.”

“I don”t know what either of those are.”

“You don”t know what a concubine is?” He grinned.

“I mean, I know what the words mean, but I”m not sure what the titles mean here. With you.”

“Being my concubine means you”re committed to me,” he said. “You”re mine alone. But I could take other concubines or even lovers.”

“I don”t think I like that option.” I crossed my arms.

Shale chuckled. “Then would you like to be my consort?”

“And that means?”

“We are committed to each other. You also get more respect as my consort than you would as my concubine.”

I dropped my arms. “Like I”m your boyfriend?”

“It”s a little more serious than that.” Shale leaned in. “Sebastian, if you betray me as my consort, I can execute you.”

“Shit. That went dark.”

He grinned. “I don”t expect you to betray me.”

“Well, not now,” I huffed.

Shale burst out laughing. Silverware clattered and conversations ended abruptly.

“Is that a yes?” Shale finally asked.

“Yes,” I said with a smirk. “So, what happens if you betray me?”

“You can leave without repercussions.”

“That doesn”t seem fair.”

“Nothing is fair when you”re with a king.” He stroked my bangs back.

The look on Shale”s face was enough to slice into my breathing. I stared at him as I tried to remember how that worked. Did I inhale now or exhale? What was inhaling? What did the word inhale mean?

“No,” I finally whispered. “Nothing is fair.”