Page 34 of Always Say Yes to a Dragon

“It might be fun.” More importantly, it might provide Niemrin an opportunity to meet humans. Available humans who were potentially interested in a dragon. We’d both hoped to find a mate in Kilinis, but Niemrin couldn’t do that if he was hiding in his office, pining over someone else’s mate.

“You’re supposed to be the public face,” he said.

When we’d claimed Kilinis, we’d agreed to play to our strengths. I was more outgoing, and Niemrin was better at coming up with long-term plans, so I was supposed to do most of the social events while he worked behind the scenes.

We hadn’t accounted for how fearful humans were. While discussing the initial proposal over the phone—a medium I had quickly learned was less fear-inducing than in-person conversations—Max’s voice had relaxed when I’d mentioned bringing a human date.

Most humans were still wary of me, so I assumed at some point I’d end up bored and hanging out at the bar by myself. Perhaps showing up with a human on my arm might make people less afraid of me? I hadn’t considered that before.

“This is important.”

“Important enough fortwodragons?” he asked.

“I’m going to invite Elle. I think she’ll be more comfortable if there’s another familiar face.”

“Familiar? She barely knows me.”

“Please?” It was a thin justification, but picturing Niemrin staying later and later at his office every day, while I got to enjoy everything a social life and a mate offered, made my stomach churn with guilt.

“Where’s this party?”

“Accutrust Bank.”

Niemrin was silent for a long moment. “Fine. Whatever. I’ll go.”

“Thank you.”

“Even though she’s barely met me,” Niemrin said.

“She’s never met anyone else there. She’ll appreciate seeing you again.” I hoped.

We exchanged a few more words before hanging up. I’d take a short flight around the city to work off some of my nervous energy, then I needed to find Elle an apartment.

Elle’s neighborhood was worse in person than it had looked online. No one had maintained her building in years. There were overgrown shrubs, broken sidewalks, and the whole thing desperately needed a coat of paint. I shuddered, thinking about the inside. She couldn’t spend another night here.

Shockingly, the crumbling concrete stairs to her second-floor apartment held my weight. When I knocked on her door, it flew open, and, just like every time, the sight of Elle stole my breath. She was perfect, sparkling and fierce, even in this wholly unsuitable place.

She stepped outside and shut the door quickly behind her.

“You choose to livehere?” I blurted out.

Her face flushed crimson. “Everywhere else is too expensive.”

Ah. So my idea to give her a better apartment in exchange for tomorrow would go over well. And the changes I’d made to increase affordable housing options would help Elle’s neighbors, who didn’t have a dragon mate.

Well, aprospectivemate. I was trying not to get ahead of myself.

I opened my mouth to ask another question, but Elle cut me off. “Let’s go.”

“You don’t want to show me inside?”

“No! I mean—” She licked her lips. “I don’t think that’s necessary.”

Fine. If she accepted my offer, I’d see her apartment when my staff helped her move tonight. My wings came up to circle us. “If you say so.”

She tucked her small hand in my arm. It was so small and delicate and soft under my scales, I almost lost my breath as I led us to the waiting car.

“You brought a town car tothisneighborhood?” she asked.

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