Page 19 of Dragon Unleashed
When he has both, he uncaps the bottle and pours a double shot. I watch as he tips it back and gulps it. Before I can catch myself, I’m struck stupid by the sight of his throat moving around the liquid, his Adam’s apple bobbing. The amount of muscle in his throat alone is—
“Not bad. This Captain Morgan knows his ale.”
I snort. “That he does.”
When he refills the glass and offers it to me, I shrug. “When in Rome.”
His eyes narrow. “This is sarcasm.”
I swallow down the burning treat and grin. “Ah, so they have that in your world.”
When the pizza is done, we eat on the couch. Two slices for me and the rest for the, apparently, starving dragon.
“That was adequate,” he says when the last crumb has been consumed. At my expression, he grins. “Sarcasm.”
I toss my napkin at him. He catches it, but his smile turns serious.
“This has been an enjoyable evening, Paige.”
My cheeks heat for no good reason. “Thanks.”
“But the fact is I have a kingdom that needs me. And I very much would appreciate your help in getting me back there.”
Right.
“Look, I get it. This sucks for you.”
“It is not ideal,” he says carefully.
Not ideal.Mustbe a politician.
“But this isn’t something I can figure out in one day.”
“You said yourself the library will have the answers.”
“Sure, but we can’t just ask the question.”
“I don’t follow.”
I sigh. “What happened tonight—it's dangerous. If anyone finds out...”
“You will get into trouble.”
“Yes. But so will you.”
He straightens, his chest puffing out. “I can handle myself.”
I roll my eyes. “I’m not challenging your obviously superior strength, okay? But the people that work here are literally sworn to do whatever necessary to keep the stories contained.”
“I’m not some story,” he scoffs. “I’m a living being.”
“You’re a threat,” I say, gentler now. “That’s how they will treat you.”
“I can take care of myself,” he repeats. “But for your safety, I will not provoke them. Yet.”
His words conjure images of another time, one I’m too young to remember but are nonetheless stamped inside my brain, thanks to Hoc’s stories.
“What is it?” he asks at my expression.
