Treasured by the Dragon

Ch 8: Living

I nudge the door open, my eyes peering past the frame.

The room isn't much bigger than my bedroom. Tall, thin windows line the back wall, revealing the stars sprinkled across the sky. The fireplace and a few sparse shelves filled with trinkets occupy another wall. The rest are bursting with books and scrolls.

In the center of the room is a round table with a handful of chairs scattered about it. A large map is spread over the top, though I cannot see what location it details.

With nowhere left to look, I glance up at the dragon lord, who stands by the table with Killian at his side. Cephias's arms are crossed over his broad chest, the muscles flexing as his fingers rap with impatience.

"So, how could you tell I was out there?"

The quick beat of my heart muddles the indifferent and playful tone I present. I'm unable to hold his gaze, which is as dark as dried blood.

"I've grown accustomed to your scent and know it well."

His face remains stoic despite the way his lips hug his words. Killian clears his throat and looks to a corner of the room.

"Oh," I say with a blush. "I hope I don't smell too bad. You'd tell me, wouldn't you, Killian?"

My laughter is uncomfortable. I need to bring Killian's calmer head back into the conversation.

"Can't say, my lady. I'm not familiar with your scent."

Oh? Is this just a Cephias thing? Why do I find that thrilling?

"What did you do with Andre?"

A growl remains in the dragon lord's voice, and it chases away my frivolous thoughts.

"Don't worry, he's fine." I wave my hand to dismiss his concern. "I just reminded him that there are more important things in life than babysitting me."

I shrug and brace myself for his next attack, but the only response I get is a squint of his eyes and a few mumbled words about dealing with my innocent guard later.

For a moment, the three of us stand in silence. Killian keeps his gaze far from us and toward the back corner, while I look straight at the floor, unable to withstand how Cephias's glare burns holes into my skin.

Finally, the dragon lord speaks. "Are you going to help us or not?"

"Huh?"

I look back up to find him with his hands now braced against the back of a chair, leaning over the map on the table. Killian has returned his attention to the center of the room, and I dare to close the gap between us.

"What exactly are you looking for? All I heard was that you needed to do trading."

My eyes dart around the map, searching for clues to orient me to the location.

"Our hunters bring in a lot of game," answers Killian with an even, practiced tone that reminds me of my old tutor. "We need the meat, but not all the furs that come with it. We usually trade the furs with a nearby village. In return, we get produce. Two of our people, Patrice and Cedric, perform the trades while acting as a reclusive couple living in the mountains. No one's asked questions, though I worry this plan may spark suspicions."

He sighs and looks to his nephew, but Cephias holds his gaze steady upon the map. Killian then continues.

"Even with our monthly trades, we have an overabundance of furs that we've been stockpiling for emergencies. And now we have one. These furs may be our best option for collecting Lord Irving's money."