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I groan. “Can we please change the subject?”
“It’s officially been 8 hours since the time the trulls last flayed someone,” Orcus offers.
Maddox grimaces. “Actually, I was going to wait until after dinner to tell you, but a certain snake insulted Harald and Lagertha. Let’s just say the trulls will all have new boots before the week is over.”
While I know Basil was a nuisance, I still cringe at the image the news paints. My murderous little friends wield the sharpest—or maybe dullest—toe nails to get the job done. I can’t say I feel too bad though. Basil has been undermining Orcus’ command ever since he became king. At least this way, Orcus won’t be to blame.
“How’s the training going?” Zyla pours herself a goblet of wine and Callum snatches it out of her hand. She snarls at him as he takes a sip. He hands it back to her but she doesn’t take it. Instead, she grabs his cup and pours another drink.
“I don’t think I’m built for fighting,” I confess. Hours and hours have gone into teaching me to defend myself. While I can throw a punch effectively, I still hate doing it.
“You could be built for it if you’d just punch like you mean it.” Orlena and Maddox share an exasperated glance. They’ve been doing the bulk of my training because Orcus can never seem to focus on fighting when we’re on the mat together. That and I think the other soldiers complained about walking in on us more than a few times.
Zyla grins. “Daisy has a gentle soul.”
“See?” I say to Orcus. “Besides, why do I need to know how to fight if you abolished the royal fights?”
“Because,” he places his arm on the back of my chair and leans into my space, “someday someone may get brave and try to take what’s mine.”
I boop his nose. “Aw, grumpy, I love you too.”
His eyes flash and in the next instant his lips are on mine. The collective groans from our guests breaks through my lust, and I push him away with a warning look. A strong, sensual stroke brushes over the bond. I shove a bucket full of sunshine in his direction and that big smile of his, the one that makes my heart skip a beat, bursts across his face.
I love his happiness too.
Twin, ear shattering screeches fill the air. All of us slap our hands over our ears and look up, watching Prometheus and Septima approach. Prometheus’ pretty blue scales are so vibrant now that it’s full grown. Under Septima’s tutoring, the dragon has grown mentally as well. They land a hundred feet away and the ground tremors beneath their taloned claws which grasp at the earth.
While the others continue the conversation, I push away from the table and head to greet them. This is, after all, a family affair and Prometheus is like my giant deadly baby. Septima isn’t too bad either. The large dragon studies me with eyes that are wise beyond its years, and I dip my head as a sign of respect. The dragon blinks and then slowly returns the gesture. Prometheus’ golden eyes sparkle and the dragon lowers its head for me to place my palm over.
“Hey there, little one.”
I’m bigger than you are.
“Well, you’ll always be that tiny baby to me.” I rest my forehead on Prometheus and together we inhale, drawing air in for six seconds, and together we exhale. The warmth from Prometheus’ breath wraps around me, an embrace I’ve come to love.
Mama.
“Are you hungry?” I pull back and scratch the spot under the dragon’s jaw.
Always.
I glance at Septima. “And you?”
Goat?
“I had them bring twelve, six for each of you.”
Septima releases a pleased rumble.You are a good queen.
A grin tugs at my lips. “Thank you, Septima.” The kitchen staff is placing the meal on the table and three hands from the stable are ushering the goats over. I take a moment to take it all in. Edgar is telling another story to his kids, this time the tale just for them. He’s so happy my chest clenches. Zyla and Orlena are whispering to each other and Callum and Maddox are watching the exchange with open curiosity. Orcus is distracted by some animated story Oretta is telling him, otherwise I’m sure Maddox would be looking anywhere else. Orana and Oraya are greedily grabbing their food and Orshana is watching it all with a watery smile.
Our eyes connect and she lifts an eyebrow.Are you joining us?
Nodding, I say goodbye to the dragons for now and take my place at the table. Orcus’ hand immediately finds my thigh and Zyla and Orlena check in with me, making sure I’m okay before continuing their conversations.
“And look, Daisy is back, I’m sure she agrees with me.” Oretta side-eyes me. Her dress is frilly beyond belief, but she’s the only ogre I know that can pull it off. “Don’t you think he’d look superbly kingly in a jabot?”
“I don’t know, that’s more a vampire get up, don’t you think?”
