Page 101 of Hunt Me

“Life would be rather mundane if I weren’t. But you are aware that I am only jesting, and you are posturing. We will be married by the week’s end—end of discussion.”

“And you know this how?”

“My heart is still beating in my chest.”

“Barely,” she huffed. “You should have consulted me about handing off our offspring to them.”

“For the next offspring, I will,” he said in an amusing tone.

“There will not be a next offspring.”

“Why not?”

“So that they may avoid the auction block. The next offspring might be offered to a dragon.”

Luka joined Matilda at the center of the room and put a finger to her lips. “Do not speak so casually of dragons. We live in peace only because they blessed it so. When the skies darken, not from the setting sun, but from the belly of the winged beasts, then all hope is lost for all of us—royal or peasant alike because there will be no escaping them.”

Matilda gulped. She’d heard whispered stories about dragons and the Great War that happened far before her time, but the subject was so taboo that it’d be considered a crime to speak of dragons publicly. Ancient texts about the Great War existed; however, rumors said they were locked away and heavily protected.

Matilda placed her hand on Luka’s chest and spread her fingers. Initially, he flinched. The threat of having your heart ripped out would put anyone on edge. Eventually, he relaxed under her warm palm.

“I am not pleased by what you’ve revealed or that I was not included in this discussion; however, if you are certain unifying our bloodline with the wolves will bring peace and save our people from war, then I will trust you.”

Luka’s shoulders slackened in relief but tensed seconds later when his beloved smiled at him. “If those flea-bitten wolves mistreat my adult child in any way, do know that I will scorch Moonshire to the ground. Do we have an understanding?”

He nodded. “I expected nothing less. We have an understanding.”

“Lovely. Let’s go.”

“Where are we going?”

“To the galley. The baby is stuffed, but Armando prepared sweet cream rolls, and I must get my hands on one or two or three of them.”

“Six. You will eat six,” he said, grabbing a more tasteful robe from the wardrobe, wrapping it around her, and tugging the belt tightly.

“Three would have sufficed, but six might be more realistic.”

“David begins training with Ezra tomorrow. Shall I let him know that you will be in attendance?”

Matilda chuckled. “Is this your olive branch?”

“Nothing would keep you away.”

“Gracing them with my presence would be the highlight of their day, wouldn’t it?” she teased.

“I cannot speak for them; nevertheless, you are the highlight of my days and nights.”

Matilda sighed. “You’re such a romantic. But I guess you must be since you are so unsightly.”

Luka balked. “How dare you call me ugly.”

“You should make me pay for such a transgression.”

A sinister smile spread on his lips.

“I shall.”

“In the galley?”