Page 84 of Always Say Yes to a Dragon

I spent the two-hour drive texting with my mom and making sure she got herself situated in the apartment. Sutton was north of Kilinis and much more established, thanks to Az’s parents. I probably looked like a total idiot as we drove past beautiful architecture, public art, and a thriving downtown. Would Kilinis look like this in a few years?

The town car pulled up in front of a gated estate on the outskirts of the city, and my palms began to sweat. As the car navigated a long driveway to a massive house, I tried not to hyperventilate. Az tugged me closer.Heliked me, and that was all that mattered, right?

When we got out of the car, a servant in an honest-to-goduniformshowed us to our rooms. I wondered if Az’s parents were as generous with their staff as Az was, but I didn’t get the chance to wonder for long. The room they showed us to struck me stupid. Not room,rooms.A sitting room, a bedroom complete with massive bed, and a luxurious bathroom.

I hadn’t expected anything as mundane as a pull-out couch, but I’d never stayed anywhere as nice as this. Not even Az’s penthouse was so ostentatious.

“Are you alright?” Az’s voice broke intomy shock.

“Sure.” I approached the bed. Yep. It was as massive as it had looked from a distance. Big enough for two dragons to fit comfortably.

“It’s one of the best guest suites in the house.” A tentative note entered his voice, one I recognized from early in our relationship, from whenever I’d tried to refuse an extravagant gift.

“It’s beautiful,” I assured him. “I’m just a little overwhelmed.”

Az’zael stepped toward me, and I cuddled into his chest. His wings came up to wrap around us.

A loud knock sounded at the door. He didn’t move.

“Should we get that?”

“It’s probably my sister.”

I shifted my weight. “So shouldn’t we answer?” It seemed rude to leave her hanging.

“If you want.” He heaved a sigh and released me.

When he opened the door, Tikalass swept inside, wearing an elegant dress of shimmering gold silk and holding two wrapped packages. She took me in with a critical sweep of her catlike eyes, lingering on the curve of my neck. Then she sent Az a pointed look.

Az winced.

I cringed. I didn’t know what Tika expected, but clearly the jeans and blouse I’d worn for traveling wasn’t it. At least I knew how formally to dress for dinner.

“What do you want?” Az asked Tika.

“Mom and Dad want us to come down for drinks.”

Az bared his teeth. “We just got here. Elle needs time to get ready.”

Tika shrugged. “You know how they are.”

“Yeah. I do.” Something unspoken seemed to pass between the two siblings.

“It’s fine. It won’t take me long to get ready.” I gave them a tight smile.

Tika looked aghast. “Not long? But your hair? Your makeup?”

I blinked. “I’m notthathigh maintenance.”

“You should be,” Tika said. “How else will they take you seriously?”

I blinked. “Right. Okay.” Was being late agoodthing? For the thousandth time, I wished there was a dragon etiquette handbook. Though I’d asked Az many questions, they were mostly about himself.

I should have asked about his parents again, but that first time hadn’t gone well. I’d always gotten the sense that he was looking forward to having someone by his side when he dealt with them. I just wish I knew what to expect.

“Go, get ready. Take as much time as you need,” Az said.

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