Haru grunted and took the box from where it rested in Adrian’s lap. He stared at the crystal for several seconds before closing the lid and securing it. “Most dragons were the same. We didn’t know the Firestone existed, let alone that it held the goddess. But once Caelan told me of it and how she touched their lives, when he explained it was her prison, all I wanted to do was see it shatter.”
“And now we’re supposed to let Ruben touch it. Inspect it,” Adrian sneered, his upper lip curling. “I don’t like him. He’s slimy. Evil. You can feel it each time you’re in the same room as him. I’ve not met many people like him, but he’s the type where you take one look and know that the world would be better off if he was at the bottom of the ocean.”
“Yes, he inspects the shard, but Cael was quite clear. We can’t let him keep it. Make the swap before you part ways,” Vitor pressed in a hard voice.
Adrian slid his fingers into his sleeve and pulled out the blood-red crystal that had been shaped and carved to be identical to the actual shard of godstone. To his eye, it matched the shard perfectly, but Haru had been able to tell the difference between the two with only a glance. Adrian was glad they’d found a skilled craftsman to make it so quickly.
After a couple of minutes of winding through yet another exclusive and expensive neighborhood, they neared their destination. As soon as Vitor had sent the message to Ruben that Yujian had acquired the shard, Ruben had demanded a meeting first thing the next morning. And that was only after Vitor had refused to allow Ruben to meet them at their hotel.
Adrian tucked away the fake shard and peered out his window as the fancy homes slid by. The shining sun and cloudless blue skies did nothing to improve his grim mood.Damardor had tainted his view of rich people. So far, all the rich people he’d met were scheming bastards who cared nothing for anyone but themselves and worried just about how to make their lives best.Fuck the rest of the world.
“Remember, don’t agree to anything less than a partnership that allows you to see the facility and to meet the mastermind behind this,” Vitor instructed. “Ruben Deinum is smart, but this is grander than even he is capable of. I know there must be someone else pulling the strings. If you must, walk away. If he wants this shard so badly, he will chase after you.”
“Also, we are not to let the shard out of our sight,” Adrian added.
Vitor stopped at a guardhouse next to a gated driveway. “Yes.” He rolled down his window and gave his employer’s name. They needed only to wait another moment before the gates opened and they were permitted inside.
“You have nothing to worry about.” Haru slipped into his Yujian accent and breezy manner. “I have everything under control. We are close to finding Shey. This will be nothing.”
Adrian swallowed a groan. It was as if the dragon were trying to curse them with bad luck. The glare he got from Vitor in the rearview mirror proved that the spy had the same thought.
After they arrived at the lavish house, the butler ushered them through room after extravagant room, as if it were required by his boss that he show off Ruben’s wealth and power prior to taking them to their destination. The mansion was opulent and yet understated. It didn’t have the same gaudy flair they’d witnessed at Matthys Drost’s house. Regardless, both places made him long for his apartment in the palace. Nowthatwas understated elegance without being gaudy.
Yet, probably what made it feel most like home were the people he saw there every day. He missed following King Caelan through the palace as he traveled to meetings, chitchatting aboutnonsense with Drayce. Eno would catch him up on what was happening with the royal guards. Even Rayne could be counted on for a tidbit of interesting gossip.
Then there were their weekly dinners. No matter how busy things were in all their lives, they made a point of all five of them getting together for dinner in someone’s private apartment. Sometimes other people would join, such as the chancellor or the head of the royal guard, but Caelan had always made a point of explaining that these were casual family meals. Not a time for politics or work.
Haru hadn’t gotten the chance to join one of their meals like that. He’d come in time for Rayne’s wedding. Immediately after, they’d been on the road, heading for Caspagir and beyond. Haru needed to spend some family time with his cousin before he flew back to the Isle of Stone.
Adrian glanced at Haru from the corner of his eye. His expression was lackadaisical, as was expected of Yujian, but there was a tension around his lips and in his eyes. Something about this job had him worried.
Forcing a bounce into his step, Adrian moved closer to Haru and clung to one of Haru’s arms while pasting a super-sweet grin on his lips. Haru’s eyebrows jumped, and he grinned.
“Yujian!” Ruben’s voice boomed as they entered yet another beautiful room with tall windows and sleek furniture. The robust man with steadily graying hair set aside a tablet on a nearby table and rose to his feet. The butler stiffly bowed to them and hurried out of the room, leaving his charges with the master.
“Ruben, it has been too long. I’ve been exploring more of your city and find it very quaint.” As Haru spoke, he pulled his arm free of Adrian’s grasp and wrapped it behind his waist so he could pull Adrian flush against his side. “Of course, you recall my precious treasure, Mitso.”
“Naturally. He looks as lovely as ever. Have you been enjoying your time in Bellcairn?”
“Thank you, Mr. Deinum. Bellcairn is very nice. The food is much better here than in Aswa.”
Ruben’s smile tightened and his eyes widened at Adrian’s oh-so-casual mention of the New Rosanthe capital city. Yes, they needed to lay it on thick for Ruben. He and his boss needed to believe Yujian was extremely well traveled and well connected.
Haru tapped the tip of Adrian’s nose with his free hand. “You know that trip to Aswa was only a brief one. We didn’t get the chance to find the very best restaurants. We’ll go back soon to find their most delicious food.”
“Promise?” Adrian demanded, struggling to give his very best flirty pout, but dammit, he was out of his depth with this character.
“I promise, my treasure,” Haru purred. It felt more like Haru was making that promise than Yujian, causing Adrian to shiver.
“Now, Yujian, when you contacted me, you said that you’d gotten your hands on the first of the shards that I requested.” Ruben’s voice forced its way across the room, breaking up their moment and pulling Adrian’s glossy lips into a frown. The man had to be the center of attention.
Haru winked at Adrian and turned his gaze to the other man. They resumed walking across the thick carpet to stop next to a sleek and smooth wood and leather chair. Haru sat and pulled Adrian close as if he couldn’t stand to be parted from his treasure.
“I acquired the godstone shard from the Isle of Stone, as you requested, but I’ve put a hold on the shard from Caspagir,” Haru began. There was a new hardness in his voice as he switched from playfulness to business.
Ruben twitched as if Haru’s words had caused his brain to lock up. “What? Why?”
“Because gaining them costs me a great deal of money and time. I do not make a habit of wasting either of those things. While one of those things is easy to amass, the other is not.” Haru flashed him a tight, closed-lipped smile that left Adrian thinking that he was gritting his teeth at the man. “I possess one shard to prove to you that it was a task that I could accomplish. However, if I cannot get what I want, what is the point of continuing?”
