Page 56 of I Dream of Dragons

What is he fighting for?

“What are you doing here?” I ask. “Shouldn’t you be with the king?”

“I’ve seen the king.”

“And?”

“And you and I have to talk. Now is our chance.” He grimaces. “I’ve lost a lot of blood. At any moment Phaethon can take over.”

“You should be in bed. At the infirmary. Recovering from all that blood loss.”

“Then let’s.”

“Let’s what?”

“Get into bed. Together.”

My breath trips, and inexplicably I feel both hot all over and have this insane desire to laugh. “Jai…”

He reaches for my hand, takes it. His hold is firm. “Will you invite me inside?”

I suppress my laughter and ignore the heat igniting my blood. “Won’t you come inside, Jai?”

“Why, thank you.” He smiles down at me, that devastating boyish smile, dimple and all, and I find myself smiling back. He lifts his other hand to touch my face, and his brow creases, smile fading. “Look at you, you’re still in your wet clothes. Haven’t you had a bath? Dinner? Have you just arrived here?”

I nod and tug him into the room.

“How did this happen?” Now he’s frowning, dark brows knitting. “Before we talk, you need food and a bath.”

“So do you.”

“Fine.” Releasing me, he goes to the still open door and hollers, “Maid! We need a hot bath and some food in here.”

A snicker escapes me. “What are you doing?”

“You’re blue with cold, still wet, and look exhausted. You need someone to take care of you. Let me be the one to do it, let me…” He turns back toward me and stops. “Are you okay?”

A strange sting bothers my eyes. That offer, to look after me, is killing me.

“Rae…” His rough voice softens as he pads back to me. He rubs his hands up and down my arms. “Tell me what’s wrong.”

“I was with the king earlier,” I whisper, for lack of anything else to say.

“And the bastard didn’t call for someone to draw you a bath or dress you in dry clothes?”

“He was upset.”

“Upset?”

“I… sort of ignored him when we landed on the terrace. They were taking you away and I followed. I didn’t realize it was him and I didn’t think…” I bite my lip because it trembles. “I didn’t think of decorum. It was stupid of me.”

“Fuck, Rae.” Now both hands are on my face. “Did he hurt you?”

“No. No, of course not. He wouldn’t.”

“Are you sure?”

I nod. I have no breath left to speak. The way Jai is looking at me… like I’m precious, more precious than anything else in the world.