Page 44 of Always Say Yes to a Dragon

I guess I could too, for a while, but Jen? Mama? Everyone else I knew? Forget it.

Az shrugged. “Other companies are more than willing to pay their fair share for the privilege of doing business in a dragon-claimed city.”

Though Az’s stance remained relaxed, the other couple tensed. I wrapped my fingers around Az’s arm before he scared them, although I couldn’t suppress my own heady rush. Perhaps my dragon wouldn’t let people like Oliver and Elizabeth run roughshod over Kilinis.

I didn’t know what I should do tonight besides hang on Az’s arm and look pretty, but steering the conversation into more comfortable waters seemed like a good idea. “Voyage just came out with a newgame, right?” A first-person shooter—not my preferred style, but it had good reviews.

“Yes.” Oliver relaxed and turned toward me before launching into a detailed explanation of their newest graphics engine.

By the end of the conversation, Az, Oliver, and Elizabeth had agreed to meet Monday to discuss the terms for opening a branch of Voyage Games in Kilinis.

“I thought bringing you might put the other humans at ease,” Az murmured in my ear, his hot breath caressing the sensitive skin. “Usually they can’t stand talking to me for more than a minute or two.”

I hummed noncommittally. Part of me felt triumphant, like I’d earned my keep with Az’zael, but my smile didn’t reach my eyes. Was I just here because I was human?

After that, names and faces blurred together. Most attempted to include me in the conversation, often looking to me for reassurance of Az’zael’s mood, like I was the dragon-whisperer.

We slowly drifted toward the hors d’oeuvres table, and I hoped I could try one of the tasty-looking snacks to go with the few sips of champagne I’d allowed myself from the flute I’d picked up from a passing server.

An attractive couple in their thirties approached, and I sighed internally and braced myself for another round of small talk.

“You must be Az’zael. I’m Jack, a finance manager at Accutrust Bank.” The dark-haired white guy in a tailored suit extended his hand. His forearm flexed as he shook Az’zael’s, like he was trying to squeeze it extra hard. A second later, Jack winced.

Az’zael introduced me, and Jack introduced his fiancée, Tiffany, a short, curvy Black woman wearing a tasteful black dress and her hairpulled high, so her curls fell from the crown of her head in an elegant waterfall.

On autopilot after so many introductions, I smiled blankly at the couple.

“I’ve heard all about you from Niemrin. I work for the public library, and we’ve crossed paths a few times,” Tiffany said, extending her hand to Az.

He shook it, inspecting Tiffany closely. “Yes, I think Niemrin has mentioned you.”

A muscle in Jack’s jaw flexed.

I looked Tiffany over again, wondering what undercurrents had just bubbled up.

“Oh, I’m sure there wasn’t much to tell. He just likes to spend time at the library.” Tiffany twisted a ring on the fourth finger of her left hand. It was the biggest engagement ring I’d ever seen, almost as large as her pinky nail.

“Yes. Helovesbooks.” Az grinned.

Jack wrapped a proprietary hand around Tiffany’s waist. “Enough aboutthat. Az, have you invested in AI yet? Accutrust has a few AI-heavy funds you might be interested in. It’s going to blow up soon, and you should get in on the ground floor.”

Tiffany rolled her eyes and pulled away enough to address me quietly. “Sorry about Jack. He loves techy stuff like that. Your necklace is beautiful, by the way. Is it from Az’zael’s collection? Niemrin told me dragons keep extensive jewelry collections.”

“Yes, it is,” I said, not sure whether to say anything else.

Az’zael’s head turned sharply to us. “Niemrin told you about his jewelry collection?”

Az’zael was so particular about jewelry. Did Niemrin talking about his collection to Tiffany mean more than idle chatter?

“Um.” She shot a glance at Jack. “Not really.”

Jack looked like he’d swallowed a lemon.

“That’s lovely that y’all know each other,” I said, trying to extricate all of us from the sudden tension. “Jack, are you involved in partnering with Kilinis for the new housing developments?” Az’zael had been pretty light on details when he’d talked about this party. I hoped I hadn’t gotten anything wrong, and that my clumsy question would keep the evening running smoothly.

Jack smirked, seeming pleased that the attention was back on him. “I wasn’t directly involved in the deal, but my work means the bank is always flush enough to help the community.”

“Hello, Tiffany. I didn’t know you’d be here,” a male voice called out from behind me.

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