Page 21 of Scaled Hearts

“Do you like the offerings?” I ask, sweeping a hand out.

There’s a tureen of soup, one of likar stew, a plate of bread topped with jam and thin slices of dried tara meat, another plate of whole roasted gallus, sliced thistle slathered in a jellied sauce, rice wrapped in grape leaves, boiled sweetmeats, and various bready desserts and pies.

I could see the way she eyed the spread. She must have never seen so much food before. If I was correct, I suspect she worked for the orcs in their mines. The orcs were a stupid, cretinous race who cared for little else but mining the mineral out of the earth and waging war.

If she was under their thumb, it makes sense she was given little to eat. She looks strong and confident but I suspect it’s been a long time since she had a good meal.

I don’t know why I care about that. What does it matter if she’s got enough to eat? Caring about another is beneath me. I don’t even care for my own kind. What effect does this tiny wisp of a girl have to make me suddenly start tocare? I don’t understand.

I felt, at most, fond affection for my servants before I was turned. I was never romantically entwined with another, either.

Living for centuries as a dragon has only made me more self-centered. The Hearthkeeper would be disappointed in me if she could see me, I’m sure.

Was I selfish? Yes, but life itself is about being selfish. I don’t need to care about Kelly for her to be my mate. I scold myself for such pathetic thoughts and shake myself out of my reverie.

“Come,” I indicate the table. “Join me, won’t you?”

Kelly hesitates. I can see it in her eyes. She is most likely worrying that I poisoned the food, or that it isn’t what it seems.

“The food is delicious, I assure you. Taste it for yourself.” She lingers for a moment and I sigh, growing impatient.

“Get over here. Now,” I order. She gives me a look, chin held high and takes her time coming over to the table. Once she reaches the empty chair though, I stop her. “No.” I push my chair back a little, spreading my thighs. “You will sit on my lap.”

She gives me an incredulous look, freezing in place. I watch her eyes dart back and forth between the empty chair and mine, as though trying to decide what to do.

I watch her, curious. Will she obey like the good girl I know she can be, or will her indomitable will overtake her, will she defy me?

Either way, I will have my way in the end.

10

Kelly

“Come,” Angurus pats his knee. I gape at him, mouth open before gritting my teeth and curling my fingers into fists. If he thinks I’ll degrade myself by sitting in his lap, he’s utterly insane. There’s no way. I don’t have much but I have my dignity.

It doesn’t matter that his dark elf form has me nearly weak in the knees. I didn’t know allthatwas hidden away. If I had known, I might have agreed to the terms much quicker.

Nevertheless, I’m uncomfortable with the thought of lowering my dignity by sitting in his lap. He can take that idea and shove it. I had quite enough of obeying this man’s orders at the moment.

As I linger, his crimson eyes narrow at me and I tremble. Perhaps I’m being hasty. There’s no need to anger the dragon. Besides, I still had my sister to think of.

Life had never given a single damn about what I was comfortable with anyway, so why should it start now? I would do anything for Kara, so I swallow, tentatively approaching.

I must have spent too long dithering because Angurus grabs me by the waist and yanks me towards him, throwing me into his lap where I land with a quiet ‘oof.’

I have to shuffle a little to get comfortable and as I move, something hard pokes me in the lower back. Did he have a dagger in his pocket? I shift again and realize that isn’t a dagger at all. His body is responding to mine.

I should be offended but instead, much to my dismay, I feel aroused. I loathe to admit my attraction to his elven form, but it’s there, bubbling under the surface.

It’s pointless to deny that objectively, he is quite attractive. I think any female who looks at him would instantly swoon.

His long hair is icy white, except for the streaks of crimson near the temple that match the color of his dragon scales. His body is large and muscular and having his torso on display is quite distracting as I attempt to calm my racing heart.

“Eat!” Even his deep voice sends sparks up and down my spine. It’s just as deep and rumbling as it was in his dragon form. “You need to eat,” he adds, a touch more gentle.

I am suddenly aware of my own hunger in response to the delicious scents wafting from the table. Everything looks delicious and I turn my attention to the food.

The orcs never fed us well. They’re greedy and selfish, giving themselves the choicest selection of meat and grain and leaving us with the scraps.

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