Dragons of Arreous (The Dwarf Princess' Dragon Prince)

Basic Needs

Ailashiel was going to cause a political incident, a war, something bad.

As the Waynah prince walked away, it was all the Dragon prince could do not to follow him, not to challenge him, not to punch him in his condescending face.

Our alliance will not last very long at this rate, he thought glumly. Even his mother wouldn't be able to blame him, not when he explained how this dick of a leader had been treating his sister—the Dwarf princess... Ailashiel's princess.

No, he told himself firmly, reining in the shimmer that begged to be loosed. Yet, as much as he tried to convince himself that she was not his princess, all of his instincts screamed otherwise.

After holding her in his arms, feeling her response to him, smelling her scent inches from his lips, he now knew it was more than mere attraction. This female called to him on an elemental level, and he knew it was only a matter of time before he answered that call. Which, again, meant that he would be causing some kind of incident in the near future.

Especially if she remained so open to his advances. Especially if she liked to be his good girl.

Wayden, Ailashiel prayed, give me strength, and help me not to be an idiot for once in my life. Help me find restraint.

"It's nice," the subject of his musings said, turning a forced smile toward him, "knowing I can break a hold. I didn't expect to learn so fast. You're a great teacher."

The other things he wanted to teach her—

He returned her forced smile with one of his own, "You are a fast learner, so eager to please. Such a good girl." He lowered his voice on the last two words, watching. Again, she reacted, her lips parting on a gasp, her pupils dilating.

Fuck.

"You're shimmering," she noticed, brows drawn. "Was it because of Derykar?"

"No," he barked out a laugh, "definitely not because of him."

She studied him, then slowly turned to look around them. All of the other males were busy—or trying to appear busy—and so were not paying them any mind. It bewildered Ailashiel that these males could be so oblivious to this smart, kind, voluptuous female, especially when a stranger flirted with her so openly.

"I don't see any danger," Kaet said slowly, the words trailing off in such a way as to encourage him to speak.

Ailashiel considered her, saw the spark of intrigue in her eye, and realized she knew he wasn't being completely truthful. "It's not always about danger," he admitted quietly after a glance proved no one else was within hearing range. "But I can't fully explain. Not yet."

She nodded, a real smile curving her lips this time, "Thank you for not lying to me."

Her words squeezed his heart, her smile melted him. He had only known this female for a short time but already  knew she was dangerous to his still-mending heart.

***

The Waynah village was a lot more rustic than Ailashiel was prepared for. The houses were sized for the people that lived in them, but the were made of very... earthy materials. Thatch, mud brick, reeds, and wood starred as the main hodgepodge of building materials.

A door nearby opened, showing a barefoot, pregnant female. Ah, so the houses include dirt floors. Wonderful.

How difficult would it be to convince Kaet to leave this?

His feet stopped moving as the thought crashed over him. Next to him, the female in question also stopped, turning to look at him in worriedly. "Are you okay?"