Page 13 of Court of Secrets and Flames (Dragons of Tirene #2)

Chapter Thirteen

With my dreaded walk with the king over, I enter my chambers, glad to be alone. In here, there’s no pretending. No fake smiles. No measured words. No panicking that at any moment, I may slip up and incur the king’s ire.

I’ve only been in my quarters for a few minutes when someone knocks on the door.

Apparently, my solitude today will be short-lived.

I stride across the chamber, happy that I can at least open my own unlocked door.

Cracking the door open, I find Rhiann standing in the corridor with an armful of garments.

“Good afternoon.” She breezes inside, depositing the clothing on one of the couches. “Your presence at your first dragonriding lesson is requested. Please dress in the proper attire.”

I perk up, almost scared to trust my good fortune. “Thank you. May I ask who will instruct me?” Please don’t be King Jasper. I don’t think I can stand another minute in his presence today.

“Prince Knox.” She says his name like the answer is obvious. “By the time you change, he’ll be ready for you.”

My heart gives a silly little leap. Whether it’s because I’m going to ride a dragon or because Knox’s going to teach me, I can’t be certain.

“Oh, well I guess I’d better get ready.” I reach for the stack of clothing. “When you say ‘proper attire,’ do you mean trousers?”

“Of course. But they’re not just trousers. Breeches, really, because they’re more formfitting.” Rhiann launches into the basics of dragonriding attire like she’s explaining it to a five-year-old. “These outfits are lined with flame-resistant fire feathers, but they’re also lightweight and comfortable. Flying solo, you may not have much need for it, but it’s a good idea to get in the habit of wearing the right clothing when you’re with others or are just around the dragons in general.”

“What a brilliant invention.”

“Indeed.” She offers me a rare smile as she helps me don the clothing.

I trace the intricate stitching of my new black and gray uniform. The shirt and breeches are tight against my skin, leaving no room for wind to cut through.

The fire feathers lining the sleeves give the outfit an exotic touch, and I can’t wait to test them out. If they’re made to protect against dragonfire, surely they’ll withstand my own fires too. And there’s no better place than a non-burnable dragon paddock to try. This outfit is more than mere fabric. It’s a symbol of metamorphosis, a testament to the person I’m becoming.

Once I’m dressed, Rhiann makes quick work of braiding my hair, and we part ways in the hallway.

My heart thunders, and my palms dampen with nerves. As I head to the fire paddock, I attempt to convince myself that it’s because I’m going to ride a dragon for the first time. Possibly one of the dragons who, less than a week ago, almost cooked me to a crisp.

But that’s not the reason for my trepidation. Not entirely.

The closer I get to the dragons, the stronger I can sense their emotions. I’m not used to this by any means, but in the last several days, I’ve at least grown accustomed to the feelings in my head that aren’t mine.

I reach the fire paddock to find Knox already there, leaning against the fence with his arms crossed. His shirt is back on, thank goodness, but the rolled-up sleeves and open collar reveal the sweat still glistening on his forearms and neck.

I probably need to refrain from giving in to the temptation of walking up and licking the salt off his skin.

“Well, if this isn’t déjà vu, I don’t know what is.” His lips quirk up in a cocky half grin. “Me waiting on you to arrive for a lesson.”

My jaw drops, and for a moment, I don’t know what to say over this joking version of the prince. Apparently, training with his men agrees with him. I make a mental note of that for when he inevitably returns to the grumpy, more serious version of himself.

“Lark Axton, speechless?” He takes a few steps toward me and lowers his voice. “I don’t know what delights me more, you at a loss for words, or seeing how fuckable you look in that tight outfit.”

My face heats, and I’m thankful for the fire-resistant clothing because gods above, I’m about to combust. “Knock it off, Your Highness .”

A low growl rumbles from his chest. “Hearing you call me ‘Your Highness’ while you’re blushing and wearing said fuckable outfit just moved to the top of the list of my favorite things.”

Stumbling back, I glance around to confirm no one is nearby. “What in the three hells are you doing? If the king overheard you?—”

“Relax, Duchess.” His smile widens, a predatory glint in his dark brown eyes. “He’s in a meeting, which means we’re alone for at least three hours.”

My heartrate spikes at the implications of his words. “I’m here for a dragon riding lesson, Knox. Nothing more. Besides, what happened to the importance of maintaining our distance in public?”

He studies me long and hard before heaving a sigh. “You’re right. But fuck if I don’t want you despite the risks.”

My heart clenches at the mixture of yearning and sadness that crosses his face. “I know.”

We enter the paddock in silence, and my breath catches as we approach several dragons.

“Unlike you, I can’t sense a dragon’s emotions. But I’ve been around them practically my entire life, and I’ve become pretty adept at reading their body language.”

Not a hint of cockiness in his declaration. Just fact.

“That explains why you were so at ease around the alicorns at Flighthaven.”

He nods. “Dragons and alicorns aren’t so different really. They’re both powerful, highly intelligent creatures. As long as you respect them, they’ll typically respect you.”

“What about riding them? Is it similar?”

“Similar…yes. But not entirely the same. Dragons can be more temperamental. And of course, they’re much larger. It’ll be an adjustment going from riding alicorns to dragons partly because of their massive size, but you’ll get used to it pretty quickly.”

Spurred by the sheer excitement of riding a dragon, questions tumble from my lips for another ten or fifteen minutes.

“All right, are you ready to get started, or do you have any more burning queries that won’t keep?”

“Actually, just one more. Then I promise I’m set.”

“Out with it.” He puts a hand on his hip in mock exasperation. “Time’s wasting.”

“Sorry, I’m just excited.” I can’t stop the grin that’s trying to break free. “Is there a certain dragon that you ride, or do you ride them all?”

“Since I have wings, that’s often how I fly. But I’ve ridden a few of the dragons. Typically, I ride Tanwen.” He indicates a green dragon about twenty feet from us. “We sort of have a connection. An understanding, if you will.”

“Like a friendship.”

“Exactly.”

“So who am I going to ride today?”

When I catch a glimpse of movement in my peripheral, unease ripples through every part of my body.

It’s the orange dragon who very easily could have incinerated the day after I arrived at the palace.

I lower my gaze. The dragon’s probably just passing by.

Except he isn’t.

The ground shakes as the enormous creature draws nearer…and stops in front of me.

“There’s your answer.” Knox’s mouth twitches in amusement. “I think he just decided for you.”

“Oh.” I swallow hard, determined not to be afraid, or at least determined to lock down my fear so that I’m not projecting it to every dragon within miles. “Does he have a name?”

He shrugs. “Orange?”

I wrinkle my nose. “Please tell me you’re not serious. The dragon you ride has a regal name like Tanwen, and you call this one Orange?”

At least Knox has the decency to appear sheepish. “To be fair, I’ve never ridden him. And many of the dragons here aren’t named. If it makes you feel better, you can name him. The others too…kind of seems fitting anyway, since you’re a dragoncaller.”

Enthusiasm bubbles beneath my ribs. “All right.” I get the distinct sense that “Orange” is watching me, though every fiber of my being screams at me to not lock eyes with him. “I’ll have to think about it, though.”

Knox gives me a few pointers for getting on a dragon, and although he’s an excellent teacher, I don’t know how I’m ever going to pull it off. He scales Tanwen’s foreleg and somehow vaults onto the green dragon’s back with ease.

My jaw just about hits the ground. “That was something else.”

Knox’s laugher rings out across the paddock, causing several dragons to glimpse our way. “Did you just give me a compliment?”

“Don’t flatter yourself.” I smirk at the prince, but my amusement fades when I start to soak in the size of the dragon I’m somehow about to ride. “Any tips for what to do first? You did that at lightning speed.”

“Well, you start by?—”

The orange dragon chuffs, then lowers his foreleg.

“Did you just…” I gape at my ride, finding his golden eyes zeroed in on me. “You did. I…thank you.”

Though I haven’t completely gotten the hang of the whole communicate with dragons thing yet, I take a moment to concentrate on our connection. I feel my mind brush his, then do my best to project my gratitude.

He blinks twice and yawns.

“All right, Duchess. Start climbing.”

I don’t spare Knox a glance as I start the ascension up the dragon’s leg. If this were a race, I wouldn’t win any awards for speed or poise, though I do eventually manage to plant my rear on the dragon’s back.

I grab onto a ridge of scales near his shoulders and hunker down. “Now what?”

“Hold on tight.”

I roll my eyes. “Wow, so helpful. Thank you for that excellent advice.”

Tanwen launches into the air, and the orange dragon follows.

We soar high above the canopy of trees, gaining altitude until the dragons and buildings below look like dots.

If my smile grows any wider, my cheeks are going to be sore. “This is amazing!”

Knox maneuvers Tanwen to fly abreast with Orange. “You know, I have to say, this is night and day compared with the first time you rode an alicorn.”

I snort. “Are you talking about the time I fainted, or the first time I actually flew?”

“All of it.”

“Hey! I improved. It just took a little time.”

He joins in my laughter. “True.”

We fly in silence for a while, and I soak in the beauty of the landscape below. For the first time since I’ve come to Tirene, I’m completely…relaxed. Free. Content.

Several minutes later, I realize these emotions aren’t mine. Not entirely, anyway. My emotions are melding with the dragons’.

After another half hour or so, we land in the fire paddock.

It takes me a hot second, but I manage to climb off without cracking my skull or breaking a leg. I make a silent vow to work on my mounts and dismounts.

Despite my clumsiness, I’m still grinning like an idiot. I don’t think I’ve stopped smiling since the flight began.

“I was wrong, you know.”

I pivot to face Knox. “About?”

“Earlier when I said you calling me ‘Your Highness’ while blushing and wearing that outfit was my favorite thing.” He twirls his finger in a circular motion to indicate my attire. “That’s not my favorite anymore.”

“Oh?” I raise my eyebrows. “Then what is?”

“Seeing you happy.”

My heart stops. Skips about three beats. Then beats double-time, followed by what I swear is a giddy little dance in my chest.

“Knox,” I breathe. “You can’t say things like that to me.”

“I know I put you through all kinds of shit with the lies and bringing you here. And it seems like my brother might have something up his sleeve regarding you, and that fucking terrifies me. Hells, he might even be into you, and the mere thought of you with another man, my brother or otherwise, drives me crazy. We’re in one hell of a mess, but once we get out of it, I’m going to hold onto you, and I’m never letting you go. I’ll do whatever it takes to prove to you that what we had was real.”

I shiver when his thumb ghosts along my lower lip. I’m not sure if I move or he does. Maybe we both do.

His mouth is on mine before I can figure out the logistics.

My lips part, and his tongue plunges inside. Teasing. Tasting. Devouring. I wind my arms around his neck and tunnel my fingers through his silky hair, not realizing until that moment how much I missed stroking the soft texture. When he groans, the vibration hums through my entire being, and I melt into him.

This. I’ve missed this feeling of closeness. His hard body pressed tightly against my softer one. The playfulness of his teeth nipping my lip, and the intimacy of our tongues tangling together.

He’s everything I want and everything I can’t have. Forbidden. At any moment, we could get caught. The king himself could walk in here and find his brother and his bride all over each other.

“This is a bad idea.” I start to pull away, but he yanks me back until our bodies are flush against each other.

“I know.”

He never stops kissing me. Instead, he flicks a wrist, and ice forms over the doorknob. At least no one can get in now. We’d have to come up with one hell of an excuse if someone realized we’re in here.

But in this moment, however long it lasts, there’s nothing else. No deceit. No politics. No regrets. There’s just his mouth on mine, and the warmth of his body seeping through our clothing and into my skin.

I want to revel in it, to stay here forever, even though I know we’re on borrowed time. This stolen slice of paradise won’t last.

But Ziva curse me if I’m not going to make it count.

I’m not sure how long we remain standing there with our lips locked, bodies entwined. He takes his mouth away only to press soft kisses that tug at my heart to my cheek. My forehead. My nose.

His mouth returns to mine for the sweetest, most exquisite kiss before he finally releases me.

In these stolen moments, I almost forgot about the mess we’re in, but reality comes rushing back to remind me.

As soon as we separate, the haze clears from my mind. Struck with the sudden need to put distance between us again, I turn and rush from the room.