Page 53 of In the Embrace of Dragons

I remember how it was there on the pedestal during the ceremony. How those reptilian eyes had bored into my soul while he was inside me. I’ll never forget that, and it’s hard to be better than my base urges. This is a dragon who has treated me like dirt on his shoe from the first moment.

Still, I think of those eyes, the way his body moved, how he claimed me, and my skin buzzes all over.

After Zephala has tied on my bonnet and then left for the night, I pull up my shift and find my way down between my thighs, where that buzzing is at its most powerful. It doesn’t take much to wind me up as I recall how wonderful Vizarios felt, how perfectly he fit, how impossible my climax had been.

And then... that image is joined by the vision of Ragnakor on top of him, grunting as he took Vizarios roughly, sharp teeth bared. My hand speeds up, and soon I’m writhing and shaking, almost too erratic to finish myself off. I manage to crest, but it’s only a fraction of the bliss I felt during the ceremony.

I wonder what would happen if I gave in, if I let Vizarios into my bed. Would it be so bad?

Furiously shaking my head, I curl up under the blankets. No, he will have to show me that he truly cares about me, that I’m more to him than just my value as a bed partner. I need to know he feels some of what I feel before I cut off even a small piece of my heart for him.

My thoughts stray to Ragnakor. Someone like him... he would be safe for me. I know I’d be able to trust him. He would never lie to me or discard me when I wasn’t useful anymore.

But he’s not mine. He loves Vizarios the way I wish someone loved me.

I bury my face in my pillow, and it takes ages to fall asleep.

The following day,Vizarios is busy all day with work, leaving Daina and I to fend for ourselves.

“What will you do today, Your Majesty?” Quillion asks as I emerge from my quarters that morning.

“I want to teach Daina to be a hunting dog.”

“Hmm.” He nods agreeably. “The stablehands might be of help.”

I’m grateful for the tip. Together we head to the stable, where I find the dragon who had given me the puppy once upon a time, and ask him what he knows about training dogs. He offers to assist me, and I happily accept.

By that afternoon, my new dog is eating out of my hand, following as many commands as her little mind can handle. She gets distracted easily, which is adorable, but she tries her hardest.

I’m crouched down, getting her to sit on her back haunches, when I hear a voice over my shoulder.

“I see you took my advice.”

I get to my feet to find Vizarios in a long gold robe that makes his greenish blue scales glimmer. He stops in front of me, Ragnakor standing a few paces behind him.

“It was sound advice,” I admit. “Start early. She learned a lot so quickly.”

“Dogs are smart.” His voice deepens, and he takes a step closer. “You were wise in getting one. She will make a good companion.”

He’s talking about my dog, but the look in his eyes says something profoundly different.

“I think so, too. She wants to be a good dog. Don’t you, Daina?” I pick her up, kissing the top of her head.

Vizarios’s brows jump. “You’re treating it like a baby.”

“And why not? She’s as cute as a button, and so small still.”

I think perhaps he’s going to dress me down for how I’m treating my dog, but instead, hesmiles.

“You will make a good mother.”

I freeze where I hold the dog. Ever since I was a girl, I’ve known that having children was in my future, as it is in the future of all royal women capable of it. I knew when I married Vizarios that would mean havinghischildren.

But somehow, in that one sentence, everything shifted direction. His eyes are softer than before, that usual spark of obstinance muted.

Reflexively, I hold out the dog, offering her to him. She wriggles a little, and Vizarios stares at her.

“Hold her,” I say, a surprising amount of command in my voice.