Page 70 of The Heart of the Dragon

When he climbed in and settled at the back of the tub, he pulled me between his legs so we could both stretch out. While the hard planes of the muscles of his chest and abs were no pillow, they were even better. Because he brought the heat I loved so much.

I smiled. "I guess with you here, I won't have to worry about the water getting cold."

"Nope. And with you here, I won't get lonely."

My thoughts sobered as I opened my eyes again. "Lonely? You? I thought you liked being alone."

"I do. Usually. And especially when my dragon is trying to be an asshole." He tightened his arm around my waist and pulled me tighter against his chest. "It's an unusual feeling for me, but I like having you around."

My heart constricted in my chest. How would I ever guard myself against falling for this man if he continued to do things for me? And I really liked the nice things he had to say. He often called me smart. That wasn't a trait that many others focused on as a good thing.

But there was a lot unsettled to deal with.

Chapter

Twenty-Seven

Magnus

I could sensethe new tension coiling through her small body, and it manifested in tight muscles and a racing heart. I braced for the questions I knew were coming.

"When I go with you to the fae realm, how much danger will I really be in? Is it as bad as Kitra has made it sound?"

"It's probably worse than you are imagining. I'm sure my saying that doesn't help or reassure you in any way, but you need to know the truth. It's dangerous for an experienced fae, so for you it will be tenfold. You could be hurt or worse. Although I will do everything in my power to keep that from happening."

"That sounds crazy."

"Because it is crazy. The fae are a vicious race. Not all, but enough of them that you always have to watch your back. Going through that portal with me will not be a vacation in any sense of the word."

"What about you?"

"What about me?"

"Do you want to go back? Why would anyone want to live like that?"

I hesitated. I really wanted to answer that question in a way she wanted to hear. But I had decided I would be as truthful as I could with her all things considered. Which was absolutely NOT my nature.

"I want my revenge. I'm going to kill my uncle for what he did to me. What he has done to countless others."

She was quiet for a moment after that, and I chose to honor that silence with my own until she was ready.

"Honestly, I don't blame you for that. It sounds like he abused you with that spell and he deserves every bit of your retribution. But what about the rest?"

"What do you mean the rest? Taking care of my uncle is end game for me."

"That seems rather narrow thinking. Would you be keen to return here knowing that your family is gone? And your uncle, he's a king, right? What happens to his kingdom after he dies? Does he have any children? Will they inherit the throne?"

"Fortunately not. It's the one grace the Gods gave all of us for having to endure him. That he wouldn't have an heir to pass that evil to. And as for the kingdom. I guess technically it could fall to me."

She swiveled around to look at me, sloshing water over the sides of the tub in the process. "Uhm. I think that's information youshould have led with. What the hell? If you kill him you will be king? You're a prince?"

I shrugged. "Maybe? It's not that big of a deal. Under normal circumstances, and in most fae kingdoms the king is but a figurehead. It's his court that holds all the real power. They are the day-to-day decision makers. And my entire family is a royal of some sort, though in most cases it’s a technicality."

She eased back around and settled her head on my chest. I grabbed the wash towel and some soap and proceeded to wash her. She seemed to think helping her with a bath was some sort of hardship for me, when in fact, it was more of a gift to myself than it was to her. I got to explore her body in a whole new way and that suited me perfectly. I could catalog all her markings, note the knots of tension that would need my attention later, and enjoy the soft, pleasing curves of her body up close and personal.

It was the perfect way to spend a quiet morning before the chaos of the rest of the day began. And it always did.

"Will you be the kind of king that shares his power with a court?"

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