Page 35 of Monsters In Her Head

Ryu grunted in response.

How would he explain to his brother that the little human woman was causing him distress? It was hardly drake like to be so worried about his place with someone that was supposed to be a means to an end. They were together simply to join their causes against the Plumus not because they had fallen for each other.

Technically, Ryu could have ended the first arrangement they had made. The princess’s body for her and the handmaiden’s life. Now that they had a different sort of arrangement.

Ryu would be lying if he said he didn’t enjoy their time together. He’d never found someone so responsive to his touch, so eager to take his cock in any orifice he wanted even if that meant she didn’t come in return. Not that Ryu had allowed that to happen. It was a matter of pride making the human princess scream and squeal her release, digging her nails into any part of his body she could grab a hold of. He had the crescent shapes on his scales to prove it.

Ryu hadn’t asked for anything in return for his help against Plumus. Though there was an unspoken agreement. Ryu had assumed if they proceeded with this tentative truce then they would become allies after the Plumus issue was resolved.

Now...Ryu wasn’t so sure.

Maybe she was keeping her distance because she wanted to break off their previous agreement?

A stinging thwomp hit his head.

Ryu spun around with a snarl. “What was that for?”

Desmond smirked. “I was saying your name and you never answered me.” Desmond’s lips turned down into a frown. “This must really be bothering you if you’re thinking that hard on it.”

Turning back to the map, Ryu sighed. “It’s not the Plumus’ troops. Though we do need to get a count and figure out how they are getting in without the king protesting. I don’t think Fergus would let himself be put in such a vulnerable position if he knew.”

“I agree.” Desmond bobbed his head. “If it’s not Plumus then what’s bothering you.”

Ryu didn’t answer. Not sure how to explain what he was feeling.

Desmond leaned against the edge of the table, his tail smacking the ground next to them. “Maybe a certain human female who has certainly caused quite a stir around here?”

Ryu grunted in answer.

“Ah, so it is because of the princess. I should have known.” Desmond chuckled, shaking his head. “What did she do now?”

“She’s avoiding me. That’s what.”

Desmond frowned. “Are you sure? Maybe you’re just coming and going at different times?”

Ryu’s hand curled around a wooden figure on the table, the edges of it biting into his palm. “I’m sure of it. There’s no other explanation.”

Nodding, Desmond hummed. “Well, if you don’t think you caused any reason for her to avoid you I would ask her, better yet... ask Ira.”

Ryu’s head jerked up at the suggestion. “Why should I ask him?”

The door to the war room opened and the very brother they were talking about walked in.

“Ah, speak of the drake.” Desmond pointed his tail in the direction of his brother. “Ira, our dear king wants to know why his princess is avoiding him. Do you know anything about that?”

Brows pinched together Ryu watched the expression on his brother’s face shift from pleasant to completely blank. Which only meant he was hiding something.

Ryu’s tail slapped the ground in an agitated rhythm. “Well, brother? What say you?”

Ira cocked his head to the side, blinking at him, giving nothing away. “She didn’t tell you?”

Teeth grinding together, Ryu stepped toward the drake. “Tell me what?”

Striding languidly up to the table, Ira studied the map with feigned interest. He stroked his jaw, humming under his breath while picking up one wooden piece off the table and placing it in another place.

The asshole was doing this on purpose, dragging out the answers that Ryu so desperately wanted.

“Do not test me, brother. If you know something, explain.” Ryu growled, stalking around the table to invade his brother’s side.

---