Page 38 of A Forgery of Fate

“You mean you’ve been banished.” I leaned forward with interest. “Are you a criminal there?”

He glared. “During my absence, my domain has fallen into disrepair. I must return as soon as possible. But to do so, I need the assistance of a human.”

“Me,” I said. That much was obvious. “The answer is no. I promised you a painting, not a reunion with your grandfather.”

He gave me an incredulous look. “Is that what you think I want?”

Then he laughed—a deep and rumbling sound that made the walls judder. I crossed my arms. “What’s so funny?”

“You really do have quite the imagination,” he said. With one last chuckle, his humor drained away, and the half dragon turned solemn once more. “I haven’t finished yet. You are a wanted criminal, are you not? Sought after for art forgery, theft, violence—”

“Iwas attacked,” I protested. “I’m not a violent person.”

“Perhaps, but the moment you leave my property, you will be pursued, caught, and put in jail for the remainder of your life.”

“That seems rather harsh,” I griped. “I think the sentence for art forgery is really only a decade.”

“Most prisoners don’t survive the full term of their sentence,” Elang reminded me. “Madam Yargui will certainly see to it that you do not.”

He was right. And in that instant, the rest of my protest died on my lips.

“I have the means to ensure your safety,” he said, “andyour family’s. In exchange, I ask that you help me break my exile so I may return to Ai’long.”

I looked up at him. Those strange eyes of his—one light, one dark—were unexpectedly intense, but I didn’t trust them.

Never make a deal with a dragon,the old tales said.They are cunning, mercurial creatures.You will never win.

But what about a deal with a half dragon?

I finally reached for my tea. It was still hot.Impossible.

“Explain to me how a human would help you return home,” I said carefully. “I know your lore. No mortals are permitted in the dragon realm unless they are specifically invited by the Dragon King himself.”

“Or unless they are wed to a dragon.”

I swore I had hallucinated his reply. “What did you say?”

Not a muscle in Elang’s jaw twitched. He was calm, too calm. “It so happens that the Dragon King’s stipulation for my return is that I fall in love with a human—and bring my bride with me to Ai’long.”

His gaze fell on me. “That will be you, Tru Saigas.”

Chapter Ten

“Me?” I spluttered, almost springing out of my chair. “Are you out of your mind? I don’t even know you. How can you be in love with—”

“Don’t be dense, krill.” Elang looked cross. A red flush dusted his human cheek. “Don’t imagine I wouldchooseto take someone like you as a bride. It would be for appearances only. Until our business is complete.”

Business?Yesterday he wanted to kill me, today he wanted to marry me. I was starting to think that the mishmash of bloods going up to his head had warped his senses.

“I’m not going anywhere with you,” I said. “I know the stories. Dragons disguising themselves as humans and seducing innocent men and women, luring them from their homes, then turning them into concubines and never letting them leave Ai’long.”

“Wheredoyou get your stories?” Elang balked. “First, you’d be my equal, my wife—not a concubine. And second, it’d be temporary.” He muttered something incomprehensible before expelling an exasperated breath. “It is an elegantsolution. One that permits me to return to Ai’long and allows you to accompany me.”

The man had gall. “What makes you think I’dwantto accompany you?”

“You are entitled to refuse,” he replied. “Only understand that, in that case, you and your family will leave my property in the morning. The governor’s prefects will arrest you, and Madam Yargui will take your mother and sisters away.”

“That’s blackmail.”

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