Destroyers and the Dragons

Page 50

     "So you admit I am in love," he demands.

     "I admit you are in love," I retort. I can feel Rose unlatching my armor as I stand there. She pulls the tunic and breeches from the pack and smiles.

     "Did you see this?" she says taking the tunic to her brother. "Your favorite warrior embroidered hearts while traveling with you." I step out of the shin guards and place all my armor on its stand. Pine elbows me at the mention of hearts and I shove him in return.

     "I did not miss this?" I mutter. I am suddenly flung backwards onto the bed. I land hard and am reaching for a knife when Evergreen crushes my lips with a kiss. When he finally pulls away he smiles.

     "I declare as king that my War councilor is never to leave me again," he says.

     "Fine next time I'll take you to meet the family," I growl.

    "I look forward to meeting the in-laws," he retorts all haunted looks are gone. Life has returned to him in just a few short minutes.

     "Well I guess I'm back a month early," I say pushing myself to a sitting position as Evergreen wraps himself around me. Absently I wonder if this is what it would feel like to be a child's favorite stuffed toy. "I would like a nap and some food. Your friends rode through the night and didn't stop for anything."

     "Of course, go to sleep," Evergreen says fluffing a pillow and rearranging himself. I lay down and catch Pine's grinning face as he shuts the door. I wake to find Evergreen still wrapped around me and propped up on his elbow watching me.

     "Do you know that when you sleep you look like an angel?" he asks after kissing me.

     "I can't say anyone's ever told me that," I reply. "Probably because the other men were kicked out of bed after we'd romped."

     "I am the only man you've let stay in your bed?" Evergreen asks.

     "Yes, it would be hard for me to kick a King out of my bed," I say. My stomach growls and I decide it is time to find food. "Let's go find something to eat, I'm starving." I pull Evergreen behind me as we descend the stairs. Rose meets us halfway.

     "I was coming to get you for dinner," she says. The three of us sit at the head table as the meal is served. I watch as a councilor comes over and whispers in Evergreens ear.

     "If you wish to speak with your king make it public or go away you annoying fly," I snap. The hall falls silent.

     "It isn't anything to concern yourself with demon," the councilor snaps.

    "I am War councilor for your King and you will give me the respect I am do, or I might cut out your wagging tongue," I retort with venom. The stupid man pales and then sputters.

    "Are you going to let her address me like that, my liege?"

     "I will allow her to address you as she sees fit. Do you honestly think I can control her?" I glance at Pine who is laughing silently. "And seeing how we are on the subject, your clan hasn't shown up yet. You might want to see where they are or you might be the first in my cells." The coward retreats to his seat next to one of the pretty women and the halls conversations resume. Rose smacks my arm a minute later.

     "You are horrible," she says choking on her own laughter.