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Caedmon’s lecherous grin made my skin crawl. “I had the pleasure of being at this delightful creature’s Blessing Day.” His eyes moved to Theron. “I do believe your parents were there that day too, though you were not in attendance.”

Theron’s mouth twitched. “They were indeed.” He looked over at me. “It was such a special day.”

“The lady has certainly grown in a rather pleasing way, has she not?” Caedmon’s eyes moved over me.

Rook was still standing nearby, watching the entire scene transpire, his eyes moving from Caedmon to me, and with every word Caedmon spoke, his gaze became more lethal. As though sensing the animosity being directed at him, Caedmon turned and spread his arms wide.

“Norahi, you’re still here too then!” He said with a chuckle. “How’s slavery treating you?”

Rook’s eyes were still that deep navy blue, and he tilted his head with a cynical grin. “I’d say about as well as it’s treating you, My Lord. Your lands are still barren are they not?”

Caedmon laughed, baring a mouth of sharp, browned teeth. He gestured to Rook with his taloned fingers. “You’d know all about being barren, wouldn’t you, Norahi?” Caedmon turned back to Theron. “Unless of course the King has decided to release you from the Accord?”

Theron rubbed a finger across his lip as he grinned. “Certainly not.”

“Ah.” Caedmon clasped his hands behind his back as he turned back to Rook. “Still not allowed to fuck then, is that right?”

“You still seem to have a rather vested interest in my cock, Your Grace.” Rook raised an eyebrow, looking Caedmon up and down. “Is that a hint of envy I detect?”

Caedmon’s laugh rasped out of him. “I know the needs of a male and I know what happens when those needs are not met.” He gestured to me. “I’m told you’re this delightful creature’s training partner. Must be agony, feeling that body in your arms and not being able to do a thing further.”

“That’s enough!”

Three sets of very surprised eyes turned to me as I sprang out of my chair. Fury blazed through me as I looked at Caedmon.

“How dare you insult a member of the King’s court in this way,” I said, becoming aware of more sets of eyes turning my way as the courtiers around us began to listen in. “And to speak this way in front of a lady? My Lord, I do not know what kind of manners are taught to a dragon but they cannot be of any note if this is how you speak.”

Theron laughed out loud and clapped his hands together. “Caedmon, I believe you have met your match.”

Rook’s gaze was one of dismay and admiration, and he shook his head a little as I glanced over at him.

Caedmon let out a rasping, throaty chuckle, but his eyes betrayed him. He was livid. “She is a delight, Your Majesty. A true delight.”

“I am nothing of the sort,” I replied, my head snapping back to meet Caedmon’s disgusting yellow eyes. “You insult this house, this court and me with your words, and you should be ashamed.”

Theron burst into applause, joined by a few courtiers. Caedmon’s smile wavered a little, and he bowed deeply as I took my seat.

“Forgive me, madam,” he said, “and forgive me, Sire. I came to establish our friendship and instead insulted your royal house.”

Theron reached over and took my hand, his eyes staying on Caedmon. “I accept your apology, and I’m sure my -“ He broke off and looked at me, his eyes widening in theatrical shock. “Oh dear, we didn’t want to announce it yet, did we?”

Rook’s fury flared so heavily I gasped. Theron completely misunderstood my reaction, and swiftly raised my hand to his lips.

“It’s alright, dear one, we will hold off a little longer,” he assured me. Music started to play, and Theron held his hand out, gesturing to Rook. “Rook, come, why don’t you and the Princess open the dancing for us?”

Rook didn’t hesitate for a moment, stepping forward to take my hand from Theron. His grip was tight on mine as he led me onto the dance floor, and the crowd parted to let us pass. I felt the stare of a thousand eyes on me and it was so deeply uncomfortable.

But then Rook put his arms around me, and I gazed up at him as I put my hand on his shoulder, and then he was sweeping me across the dance floor. Everything else seemed to melt away as he gazed down at me with those startling navy eyes.

“You’re rather light on your feet,” I said to him, trying not to think about the barest touch of his hand against the skin that was visible in the low-cut back of the dress.

He smiled down at me. “How do you think I climb that tower every night?”

I suppressed my smile. “You know Theron is just showing us off,” I said, looking around the room at the watching courtiers. “Showing his people his possessions.”

“Mmm.” Rook’s response rumbled low in his chest. “I saw the lovely ring he gifted you, and the announcement he wishes to make?”

I rolled my eyes. “Never mind about that, just more of his games.”