Page 92 of Always Say Yes to a Dragon

“It’s large and diverse.” Udar preened.

“And boring,” Az growled.

I squeezed Az’s hand. “Are they all books on the Dewey Decimal System, or would there be something I’d want to read?”

Udar’s eyes flared hot, and he shot Az a look of intense jealousy. Az smirked.

I wanted to sink into the floor. I’d hoped to put Udar in his place, but yet again my idea had backfired.

Udar’s eyes fixed on my necklace. “Is that the Rúndiamhra Síoraí set?”

Az had given me jewelry withnames? How expensive did a piece have to be before it got a name? I took several shallow breaths.

Ignoring Az’s glare, Udar continued, “A fine set like that should really have a bracelet.”

Az’s claws pricked my shoulder. “The Rúndiamhra Síoraí only has a necklace and earrings,” he said.

“You know, the jeweler is still alive. You could finish the set.” Udar’s eyes tracked to my bare wrist, then my hand, where the grip on my fork had turned tight, my knuckles white.

What the hell was up with dragons and matching sets?

Az bared his teeth at Udar.

“I’m quite happy with the set as it is,” I said tightly.

What was Az supposed to do, call up the jeweler and demand more pieces?

Christ, he probably would if I asked him to.

“Oh, it’s a very nice set. I can see that. I just thought you’d like to know there are other, finer, moreextensivesets on offer tonight.” Udar seemed oblivious to the daggers Az was shooting him.

Did Udar think I could be bought by a few baubles?

“She has quite anextensiveselection already,” Az said through clenched teeth. “And we’re just getting started.”

My lips flattened into a thin line. DidAzthink I could be bought by a few baubles?

Well, why wouldn’t he? That’s how we’d met, wasn’t it? I’d practically stamped a price on my forehead.

“One can never have too much,” Udar said with a toothy grin.

“You know, humans have a saying: money can’t buy happiness.” I forced the words through pinched lips.

They both laughed like I’d told the funniest joke in existence, the sound booming around the room. Az’s parents and sister paused their low conversation long enough to glance our way before going back to ignoring us.

“Don’t be absurd. Of course money buys happiness,” Udar said.

I gaped at him. That was the most misguided thing I’d ever heard. But when I turned my attention to Az, to suggest he maybe go easy on Udar—no wonder he was miserable ifthatwas how he viewed the world—Az was nodding like heagreed.

I didn’t get it. If all Az valued was money, he’d have married another dragon, or an heiress or something. It was on the tip of my tongue to point out the contradiction, but a dinner party with his family, where his brother was already being an asshole, wasn’t the time.

I forced my questions down and pasted on a smile instead. “I’ve never had much money, but I can always find ways to be happy.” That was the whole point of Mama’stell me something goodquestion. Having money smoothed the way, but it wasn’t the end-all, be-all.

“Sounds like your human doesn’t know the standard she should demand.” Udar gave Az a cutting glance. “You always were an expert bargain hunter.”

Az straightened in his seat, smoke billowing from his mouth and nose. “Don’t you dare call my mate cheap. Elle knows exactly how much she’s worth, and she’d never settle for less.”

Stomach churning, I froze in horror. Were my boyfriend and his brother about to dissect my value over dinner?

---