Page 43 of In the Embrace of Dragons

No, what I feel for Vizarios is very much the opposite. I see how he hurts, how he lashes out to protect himself, how he refuses to let anyone in. I want to care for him, to help him, but he has made it quite difficult. And now I must protect the queen, too, who I have come to care for deeply as well.

“You need to mate again.” I don’t say it as a question because I know it to be true. Vizarios claimed her that day, and he has only satisfied his needs once with me. Surely his scent glands have refilled again.

As if in answer, Vizarios scratches his groin. “It itches,” he whines, finally pushing open the door. Inside, he falls onto a couch, groaning. “And that’s why I went to her! But?—”

“But you have been nothing but rude to her for weeks, except when you, apparently, want to conceive an heir.”

Vizarios moans miserably. “That was not how I intended it to come out. My brain is too addled.”

I lean forward. “If you want to relieve your ache, you will have to make up quite a bit of ground, I think.”

He drops his head into his hands with a groan. “I am not going to crawl to her begging!”

“I don’t even think that would work if you did it,” I quip.

Vizarios glares daggers at me. Instead of following him inside, though, I spot one of the night guards heading toward us down the hall.

“It’s time for me to go,” I say, because I have plans tonight. I know one angry human who will want to vent her frustration.

“Where are you going in such a hurry?” Vizarios asks, his frown growing deeper.

“To spar with the queen.”

“You are still training her?” he grouses, but it has little teeth.

“You wish me to isolate her even more?” I ask. Vizarios lifts his head as the night guard takes up his position. “That will certainly make her want to open her legs for you.”

He looks rather miserable at this reminder of his failure, but he issues no further objections, so I bid him farewell and depart.

Besides, I am... interested to see Nissia tonight. I want to hear her thoughts on the events of the day, and perhaps I can help advocate for my king when he is so incapable of advocating for himself.

It is one small thing I can do.

NISSIA

Myduty. That bastard.

He’s right. It is my duty. But that doesn’t mean I have to let him walk all over me.

The part I hate most is how my body reacts to that suggestion, to the idea of having Vizarios in my bed. On that pedestal, it felt as if I had seen someone else, a different dragon who I could have possibly grown to love, and who could have grown to love me in return.

That is not Vizarios, though. I was sorely mistaken. He sees me only as a tool.

After Vizarios leaves, Zephala is quiet as she dries and oils my hair like I’ve shown her. She takes her time, though, and the attention and care are a balm on my soul.

“Thank you,” I say quietly, my eyes feeling tight.

“For what?” Zephala smooths down some of my baby hairs, using one of my creams to keep them in place.

“For not... saying anything. About earlier.”

She snorts. “He may be the king, but that doesn’t mean I have to respect him.” She steps away from me to survey her work. “You were fierce with him, and I like that about you, my queen.”

I don’t know what to say to that compliment, so I just hug her. Surprised, her arms lie limp at her sides, until she slowly hugs me back.

When there comes a knock at the door, Daina barks in excitement, and I’m pleased to find Ragnakor waiting for me. His heavy brows rise, and his stern mouth lifts on one side.He is handsome in his own way, built thick and strong and big as an ox. I remember how he held down Vizarios with so much power and authority, and yet he is also kind and soft.

I suppose he contains multitudes.