Page 63 of Dragon King’s Duty Bride

“Oh, no.” Lucas closed his eyes. “I am so sorry.”

The dignitary turned and Spirit trotted in as if she had been formally announced. She made a beeline for Lucas but unfortunately, the dignitary stood directly in her path.

She headbutted him, but at her size, it wasn’t violent, but it was undeniably dramatic when he tried to twist away. The dignitary windmilled and tripped. He sat down rather abruptly on the polished floor.

Silence fell until Spirit bleated cheerfully.

Sia moved first. She hurried forward to grab the goat while she offered apologies with practiced grace. Her expression was a perfect blend of concern and barely concealed amusement.

Lucas extended a hand to help the man up. “You have been,” he said gravely, “greeted.”

The dignitary stared at the goat and there was a pause. Then, to Lucas’s astonishment, the man began to laugh. It was a rusty sound, as though unused for years.

“I have negotiated with kings who release war hounds,” the dignitary said, brushing off his sleeves. “But never one who deploys goats.”

Lucas inclined his head. “We favor more… unconventional diplomacy.”

Sia’s laugh bubbled up again, softer this time. “We are negotiating trade agreements and livestock management simultaneously.”

“She’s a cute little thing, I’ll say that.”

The agreement was signed and Sia caught Lucas’s eye across the table, her expression triumphant. He allowed himself the smallest smile.

Once the meeting was over, they went to meet with the barn manager and began to plan how to have the barn reinforced. Despite the best efforts, they failed to prevent three more minor escapes.

But each time, they worked side by side, strategizing, improvising, stifling laughter in corridors, and calming startled officials. And each time Spirit found her way back to Lucas.

Always back to him.

Late that evening, when the castle had finally quieted and Spirit lay curled in fresh straw while apparently only temporarily contained, Lucas lingered in the barn. He sat down beside her when he thought he was alone.

She lifted her head and gave a sleepy bleat before she climbed into his lap.

“You are a menace,” he told her softly as he stroked her fur.

She pressed her tiny nose into his palm. He smiled and kissed the top of her head.

“You adore her,” Sia commented softly from the door. She startled him, but he should have known that if there was a special moment anywhere near the castle, she was around.

“I’ll deny this ever happened.” Spirit shifted deeper into his arms as she prepared to go to sleep.

Lucas glanced up at Sia, straw dust catching in the lamplight between them.

“She is,” he admitted, “unexpected.”

Sia’s smile softened in a way that made his chest feel unsteady. “The best things usually are.”

Spirit snored faintly when he settled her back into the straw. He would reinforce the barn but he would also likely endure further diplomatic embarrassment.

Lucas glanced at Sia’s face. Happiness glowed from her and he wanted to see that always. Guilt pricked his heart that he still hadn’t revealed his true self to her yet, but baby steps were warranted. He never wanted to do anything to disrupt her love.

But as Spirit bleated softly in her sleep and Sia laid her head on his shoulder as they watched, Lucas accepted that some disruptions were worth every bit of chaos.

Even if they bleated.

Chapter 22

Sia