“No. I mean, yes. But not…” Rux gripped the phone tighter. “It’s just dinner. I cooked. I wanted…we wanted…” Every word sounded wrong.
His dragon snarled.Tell him. Ask properly.
Rux closed his eyes. “Please. It would mean a lot.”
“Okay.”
Rux’s heart stone throbbed so hard he nearly dropped the phone. “Okay?”
“Yes. What time?”
“Seven? I’ll text you the address. Or I can pick you up if you want. I don’t want you to feel…”
“Seven’s fine. I’ll drive.”
“Right. Yes. Good.” Rux was babbling now. “Do you…is there anything you can’t eat? I mean, I asked before, but I want to make sure…”
“Rux.” Sam’s voice carried the hint of a smile. “I’m sure whatever you made is wonderful.” The line went quiet for a beat. “See you at seven.” The call ended.
Rux stood frozen in the library, phone still pressed to his ear, while his dragon roared with triumph.He said yes. Our Treasure said yes.
Mabon appeared in the doorway. “Well?”
“He’s coming.” Rux couldn’t stop the grin spreading across his face. “He said yes.”
Urien materialized from the hall. “When?”
“Seven.” Rux checked the time. “That’s ninety minutes. I need to finish the chicken. And set the table and…”
“We’ll help.” Mabon was already moving toward the dining room.
Rux’s dragon settled, finally satisfied. Their Treasure was coming to their home.
/~/~/~/~/
Rux pressed his forehead against the library window, watching the empty drive. It was six-fifty-eight.
His dragon paced inside his chest, restless and agitated. They’d waited a century for their Treasure. Another two minutes shouldn’t matter, but it still felt like forever.
Mabon straightened Rux’s collar for the third time. “Stop fidgeting.”
“I’m not…”
Headlights swept across the gravel.
Rux’s heart stone blazed so bright he pressed a hand to his chest, willing it to settle. Through the window, he watched Sam’s compact sedan pull up beside the Range Rover, looking comically out of place against the estate’s sprawling facade.
Sam killed the engine but didn’t immediately get out.
“He’s nervous,” Urien murmured from somewhere behind Rux.
“So am I,” Rux admitted.
He couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt so uncertain. Dragons didn’t get nervous. They took what they wanted, hoarded what they valued, and protected what was theirs. But Sam wasn’t a thing to be taken.
The car door opened. Sam stepped out, smoothing down a blue button-up that made his eyes look impossibly warm even from this distance.He wore blue. Rux’s chest tightened.
“I’ll get the door.” Urien moved past him, heading for the front entrance.
