Page 70 of In the Embrace of Dragons

I watch, entranced, my hand still held in Vizarios’s long, clawed fingers as the music begins, and those beautiful dragons on the stage launch into their dance.

“Oh,” I whisper as they move in perfect synchronicity, bodies gyrating in an undeniably erotic fashion. The music, too, is sensual, a savory tune played from long, elegant instruments I’ve never seen before. It is so foreign and yet so beautiful that I can’t look anywhere else, and there is a steadily building warmth in my belly the longer I watch.

What would it be like if it were Vizarios dressed this way? Or even... Ragnakor? I exhale sharply at the thought, that warmth spreads downward until it’s firmly between my legs. Beside me, Vizarios sniffs the air, and his lip curls into a smile. He leans toward me, his hand leaving mine to loop around my back.

“Do you like it?” he asks, his tone sultry and thick.

I nod rapidly. “I like it very, very much.”

Ari, who sits on my other side, shoots me a mischievous look.

“So, this is what it’s like in dragon country?” she asks. “An extremely warm welcome.”

It is marvelous and beyond thoughtful of Vizarios to organize all of this for us on such short notice. I find myself leaning into his arm, and his hand rubs along my shoulder, a gesture of affection I didn’t realize I was so starved for.

How I’ve longed for Vizarios to return my feelings, to crave intimacy with me the way I’ve craved it from him. I have had not one, but two mugs of beer—apparently hand-crafted by the ogre people—and so I luxuriate in his touch. It feels, perhaps, like it might be safe to open myself up to him, and that the version of Vizarios he has shown me these past few weeks won’t discard me the way he has before.

Perhaps he’s truly changed, and I can trust him. I hope so, because I’m drifting farther into his embrace just as he brings me closer with his arm. He leans down and nuzzles my hair with the side of his face.

“Thank you for enjoying this with me, my queen,” he murmurs. “I’m glad it pleases you.”

I shudder at the way he says it, as if there are other ways he might please me. Perhaps he can sense what I’m thinking, because his clawed hand drifts up my neck, his fingers tangling in my hair. It’s such a familiar and possessive touchthat I almost can’t breathe, too afraid of shattering the moment.

There is no denying the truth that I want him, that I’ve wanted him for a long time. Perhaps Zephala and Ari are right and allowing him in could be healing for us.

“Vizarios,” I say quietly, and his head tilts toward me. “I... I want to try again.”

His breath hitches. “Try what?”

“To be together.” I gently set a hand on his thigh, and he stiffens under my touch. Then he relaxes and draws me even closer.

“I would be most grateful for the opportunity.” His voice is low and hungry, but still polite. “Should you give me a chance, I will not stray from your side.”

I nod, squeezing his thigh.

“Then let’s share a bed tonight.”

His tail sticks out straight behind him.

“Yes,” he whispers. “Yes, please.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

RAGNAKOR

Iwatch with pleasure as Vizarios gets to know the queen’s friend better, behaving as politely as he’s capable of. While the dance goes on, Nissia drifts closer to his side, and soon his arm is around her shoulders, casually draped there.

Ari notices it, too, and shoots me a knowing smirk, then goes back to watching the performers.

Soon, Vizarios’s hand is under Nissia’s hair, his claws winding through her curls. It looks as if the dance is working its magic on her, and after a time, her arm shifts position under the table so she can, I imagine, touch his thigh.

Then, the dance is over, and the king is clearly trying hard to not appear overeager for what might come next. After they talk quietly for a few more moments, Vizarios rises to his feet.

“Thank you again to Lady Ari for coming to Selvumrrest.” He slaps his tail as he bows to the queen’s friend, who gets to her feet and bows in return.

“Thank you for the warm welcome,” she says primly, a knowing smile on her face.

After Ari and Nissia exchange hugs, Vizarios takes his wife’s hand. “Now, we must depart for the night. I hope you enjoy your stay in our land.”