Page 7 of Taming
Just last winter, I sold the Prince my most prized possession: a Minue Quail. A tracker creature that you can’t even find in this part of the Kingdom.
I am a true asset to the Prince. He’s lucky to do business with me.
“What about that batch of pixies you gave the Prince for his birthday that turned out to have rabies?”
“It was a gift!” I nearly yell the words as I quicken my pace away from his accusing words. Rime rumbles at the insulting man, and for once, I agree with the little creature. “And it wasn’t rabies. They were just more feral than I realized.” The huffing aggression of my voice dwindles down into a quiet sound of uncertainty.
Rabies.What a ridiculous thing to say. I am a professional tamer. The Prince likes me because I am the best.
And I’m single. That probably helps a little. But mostly because I’m the best.
I’m still fuming over the baker’s words when I stalk through the castle gates. The wordsBlessed Minden, Saved by the Solstice Queenswoop into the stone above the gates in proud letters. Two armed men draw their swords on me immediately with their attention held firmly on the purring dragons at my side. Kain’s big talons extend when he steps forward and he stares up daringly at the men. Heat and smoke slip through the dragon’s sharp teeth as he narrows his green eyes on the guards.
“Prince Linden is expecting me.” My chin tips up a little higher and the two men pass quiet looks between them. “I’ll wait.” I add a casual smile, my arms folding, making the chains clink against each other. I hold a stance of assured carelessness.
One of them backs away slowly. The man before me is tense. Wide shoulders so stiff I can’t help but cough aggressively to see how fast he’ll react. Very fast in case you were wondering. I have to pull back as the tip of his blade swings up to my apparently assaulting cough.
“Calm down. Just allergies, not venom.”
And that’s how we’re standing as the Prince saunters out. His hands are in his pockets and there’s a look of amusement in his eyes that make them shine like emeralds.
He looks like his mother, or so I’m told; the Queen who was loved by all, the one who died too young. People love mysterious, beautiful, and strong-willed women. Perhaps that’s why her memory lives on.
Or perhaps it’s something else.
“Are you causing problems for my guards again, Arlow?” His warm tone is like a mixture of honey and whiskey. Sweet but strong. It’s a sexy sound of someone who’s used to getting what he wants.
His entrance doesn’t deter his guard’s defensive stance in the least.
“I don’t know what you mean, My Prince. We were just having a conversation.” My index finger runs the length of the blade poised near my lips. “You didn’t tell me this one was such a flirt.” My gaze flickers to the brooding guard, and he shifts beneath the force of my stare.
Goddess, I love getting out of the house. I forget sometimes how fun it is to play with innocent villagers.
“You were flirting with my friend, John?” The Prince turns his confident gaze to his guard and John finally lowers that damn sword.
“Not at all, my lord.”
“Are you saying she’s not pretty enough for you, John?”
Poor fucking John.
“That’s not what I’m saying at all, My Prince.”
“So, youwereflirting with her?”
John’s head lowers and he’s quiet for a few seconds. It’s just long enough that I feel bad for him.
“I actually brought you something of interest. I didn’t come to cause trouble, I promise.”
The Prince’s gaze rakes down my body, not at all interested in the three pacing dragons at my feet.
“I somehow doubt that very much.”
Blond locks fall into his eyes as he takes a step closer to inspect me as if I am the thing he really wishes to buy. Low and menacing growls fill the air between us, and his gaze finally falls to the crimson dragon who’s standing protectively in front of me.
“He’s cute,” the Prince says with a nod to Kain.
Fire erupts from the beast’s snout, and he clenches his jaw shut with an abrupt and angry snapping sound.
