The Dragon's Consort

Chapter 17

ZARA

"Hey!"

Zara turned to look, purely on instinct, not realizing what she was turning to face. She shoved the drenched black hair from her face, it clung to her skin as if was trying to suffocate her. Her eyes met distant blue ones.

Armos stood on the banks of the lake, mouth hung open, ready to catch flies. His breathing was quick and irregular as he looked her up and down, realization dawning in those crystalline eyes.

"Sarros?" his voice warbled.

Armos was shaking and shuddering, his pupils narrowed as they bore into her chest. She could see him try to pry his gaze up but they kept returning to their devious place. She could almost hear the marathon of thoughts that flickered behind his eyes.

She quickly covered herself, her body caving in as she took a few steps back, slowed by the water. She retreated under the surface, hiding everything below her jaw.

"Can you stop looking at me like that," she hissed, face heated, embarrassment washing through her.

He blinked, as if being brought back to reality, "hmm?"

"Can you stop staring at my,-" she paused, lower her volume, "y'know."

He drew in a large breath, steadying himself he stopped trembling, but he did tear his gaze away, "I am sorry to tell you, but those are a rare commodity."

Classic Armos, trying to use humor to escape his own feelings. He was quite predictable in that sense. But she would not indulge him, despite the fact that this was perhaps the largest shock he would ever experience.

"I am aware, but can you pull yourself together. You're making me uncomfortable," she muttered.

He hung his head, "I'm sorry, my queen."

"Please don't call me that. I am not your queen," she huffed.

He raised a brow, "then what am I to call you?"

"Sarros. Just Sarros," she maintained, "pretend as if nothing has happened."

"How am I supposed to do that?" he asked, tone desperate.

"You can figure it out Armos," she scoffed, "just keep your mouth shut."

He sat himself down on the banks of the lake, staring into the water. He was whispering to himself, or perhaps to his dragon.

"Wait... Did Sephira realize this?" he questioned, "is that why you had that argument?"

"Yes, she knew the second she saw me," Zara sighed.

He paused, before giving a half-smirk, "I was right, you did look feminine."

She growled at him, "you are insufferable."

"I am just being honest," he reasoned.

"Well you're honestly an ass," she snarled, sounding ruder than expected.

"Well that makes two of us, you've kind of been a bitch lately," he frowned.

"Yes I have been. I am terrified Armos! You've lived long enough to know what they did to Queen Astrid; to know what they had planned for me," she breathed.

He swallowed, "I understand."

"Please Armos," she pleaded, "I beg of you to keep my secret."

"My queen, I would never betray you," he regarded her face carefully.