Page 183 of I Dream of Dragons
Or in case it’s true, and tonight I’ll lose not only Jai, but also Remi.
The less you have to lose, the easier it is to let go, right? It’s not fear that prevents me from asking Remi the question. Certainly not.
Okay, I’m such a bad liar.
In my black, dragonscale gown, dripping black jewels, I turn away from the window and all thoughts of Remi. If my brother was killed and turned into a small dragon, well… that still calls for revenge.
Is he happy? In dragon or spirit form, wherever he is? I have wondered about it, just as I have wondered about my parents and Jai.
“You’re all set, my lady.” Daria gives the skirt of my gown an unnecessary tug and presses something hard into my hand.“This you can hide in your bosom. It’s sheathed. It’s the best I could do on such short notice.”
A small, slender dagger, from the feel of it, encased as promised in leather.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
“Be careful,” she says, her gaze shifting to the door. “Nobody has ever been able to put even a scratch on him in all this time.”
She doesn’t have to say his title or name. We both know she means the king. And I know. Hoping to kill him with this nonmagical blade is madness.
Is this the right moment to trust in the prophecy? Trust I’m the one supposed to kill him?
If the mark worked both ways, I could plunge this dagger into my own heart and take his life together with mine, but he barely feels my wounds, if at all. If the bond was completed, if he took my mark… would it work, then?
Would the king accept my mark?
What if I asked for it in front of everyone? Would he still back away?
Claim him, and then slay us both.
Armed with the small dagger safely tucked between my breasts and so many dark thoughts, I exit my room.
I find Jai waiting outside, dressed in a sleek black suit with a long overcoat, a simple gray shirt stretched over his muscular chest.
He looks tired. Pensive.
Gorgeous.
He grabs my hands, pulls me to him—then pushes me back to the wall, caging me with his muscular arms. His head dips, his mouth finding mine.
I kiss him back, winding my arms around his neck, luxuriating in his deep, smoky taste.
“Got rid of my usual bodyguards?” I smile at him when we break up for air, though I’m secretly relieved. “Where are Arkin and Tru?”
His broad shoulders stiffen. “I don’t have anything to do with Tru and Arkin anymore. Tru admitted that he tried to kill you.”
The admission is a punch to my chest. Still, I manage a nod. “So you found out…”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Tru is your friend. He thought I meant to kill you.”
“Nobody touches you,” he snarls, his voice a deep rumble in his chest. “I’d have killed him if Arkin hadn’t shown up. I can’t fucking believe Tru went behind my back to end you. And Arkin took his side? I can’t trust them anymore.”
I hesitate. “You need allies, Jai. Don’t cut them out of your life.”
He gives a bitter laugh. “What life I have left.”
“You have all your life before you,” I tell him.
