Page 25 of A Thieving Curse

“Morning, Alex.” Lucas snatched a piece of bacon off a tray Meredith was setting on the table. She swatted at his hand, but he stuffed the bacon in his mouth, anyway.

“Getting in trouble already?” The beast smirked at Lucas.

“It’s never too early for trouble.” Lucas winked.

“Is that true, Meredith?” the dragon-man asked. The conversation was too comfortable, too familiar. Raelyn felt like she was trapped in a bizarre dream.

“It’s never too early to get grounded, either,” Meredith said as she set a pitcher of water on the table. “So behave.”

Lucas slouched. “Yes, Mom.”

The monster reached for the bacon, and Meredith slapped his hand. Raelyn barely suppressed a gasp. But the dragon-man only chuckled, snatching a piece when Meredith moved to sit next to Lucas. She gave him a look of reproach while Lucas hid a snicker behind his fist.

“How are you this morning, Peter?” the beast asked.

The other man eased into the chair opposite Lucas. “Touch stiff in my knee. Storm’s coming.”

Jasper sat down last, on the monster’s left. “You’ve been saying that for two days.”

“It’s close now,” Peter said as he shoveled scrambled eggs onto his plate. “Probably tonight.”

The others filled their plates, so Raelyn did likewise, although with much doubt and hesitation. It felt rude to place food on her own plate, and she had to forgo the bacon because it was in front of the dragon-man and she couldn’t bring herself to ask for any.

The monster’s red eyes moved to her. She shifted uncomfortably under his observation. “And how did you sleep, Princess?” His voice was quiet. The others stilled and watched her sidelong.

“Fine,” she murmured, averting her gaze to her plate.Other than the nightmares.

“Alex, what’s the difference between a diadem and a tiara?” Lucas asked, his mouth full.

The monster waved a hand. “How should I know? Ask the princess.”

Lucas looked at her expectantly.

“Oh.” Raelyn took a drink of water. “They can look similar, but any woman can wear a tiara if she can afford it. Royalty wear diadems.”

“Huh. Thanks.” Lucas continued to shovel in food like he’d been starved.

After a few minutes, the monster said, “How’s your hand and ankle?”

Raelyn touched the bandage on her hand. “All right.”

“Still can’t look at me, hm?” The dragon-man sounded dejected.

She looked across the table, but her gaze landed on the flames reflected in his horns. His wings fluttered, the movement and sound so similar to the manticore’s wings her chest spasmed. She turned her attention away again.

“She’ll get used to you,” Meredith said gently.

No, I won’t.

“Wait, you’re scared of Alex?” Lucas laughed. “I mean, I guess I might understand if he was in dragon form, but—”

“Dragon form?” Raelyn bit her cheek, wishing she hadn’t said anything. Thiswasn’ta dragon form? What was this form, then?

“He’s much more intimidating as a dragon,” Lucas said around his fork.

“Lucas,” Peter said roughly.

Lucas’s eyebrows lifted. “What?”

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