Page 28 of Under the Dragon's Spell
Michael laughed softly. "Adrian pretty much said the same thing. You might do well together after all."
After all? I wanted to ask him what he meant by that, but that moment, the waiter appeared again to take our orders. I had him bring us a bottle of their best wine and whatever food they recommended to go with it. Then I sent him on his way. This conversation was more interesting than food to me right now. And far more interesting than looking at the waiter's butt again. The sentiment surprised me a bit, but I didn't linger on it.
"Did you and Adrian talk about me?"
"A little." Michael grinned. The little bastard. He wasn't just going to tell me. He was going to make me ask.
I could magic him into submission.
But I'd foolishly challenged myself not to do that.
"I'll tell you what we talked about when you tell me what happened to William."
"William?" I raised an eyebrow at him. "You care about that? Fine, I can tell you. I advised him to leave. He took that advice."
"Why? He needed the money."
I waved my hand dismissively. "I paid him a nice sum to make the decision easier for him." After all, money was of no concern to me.
"Why did you want him to leave?"
"He seemed tired. He has three kids he needs to look after. He doesn't have the time or the energy to bear me a child. Mother was foolish to invite him in the first place."
"I see. I suppose that was nice of you."
"You say that like you didn't think I could ever be nice."
Michael looked at me with a bit of horror in his eyes, as if he was afraid he'd mortally offended me somehow. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to—"
"Don't worry. What you think of me matters little." I could be nice to humans the same way a human could be nice to a starving animal. I didn't see any need to be cruel to them just because they weren't quite on my level. I could be nice to Adrian. Probably. Part of me wanted to be. The same part of me that knew I had to protect him from my mother. Adrian wasn't as exhausted as William, but he was just as fragile. And he was mine.
That last thought came unbidden and startled me a little. Had I already claimed him in my head? At this point, it felt like instinct.
I looked past Michael out the windows of the restaurant. I longed to return to our island and change into my dragon form. Everything seemed simpler, clearer, when my mind wasn't confined to a human-like body.
Suppressing a sigh, I turned my attention back to Michael, just as our wine was brought to the table. Good. Ireally wanted a glass of that right now. I thanked the waiter who poured for me and then took a sip. I didn't actually care much for wine, but at this moment, I would have welcomed alcohol in any form it took. Sadly, I had a higher tolerance to the stuff than humans did. This bottle wasn't going to get me far.
For now, I drained the glass.
Michael watched me, but didn't say anything. He was a wise man, in some regards.
"I told you what you wanted to know," I reminded him. "It's your turn now. What does Adrian say about me?" I wanted to hold my breath, but forced myself not to.
Michal smiled. "He likes you."
I refused to let myself smile back. Refused to acknowledge that surge of warmth I felt hearing those words. "Of course he likes me. I'm rich, good-looking and powerful."
"I don't think he cares about your money or any of that. He's… I bet he's furious right now."
"Furious?"
"You don't get it, do you? Helikesyou, and you're out here dating another man."
"He has no reason to be jealous."
A flash of hurt crossed Michael's face so briefly it was gone before I could truly process it. Inadvertently, I had insulted him by suggesting he wasn't attractive. He was attractive. But it was Adrian who I wanted.
"Are all dragons like you?" he asked.
