Page 5 of The Dragon King’s Claw (The Dragons of Serai #17)

The King's Dragon knights, those posted outside his door, fell into step behind us as we left the office.

They went into the lift with us and followed us out when we reached the ground floor.

The knights guarding the lifter did not budge, only inclined their heads at the King when he passed.

Then we were off in the royal carriage—a knight standing on the ledge in the back and one sitting beside the driver up front.

I tried not to be impressed. Oh, not by the knights. I knew the King didn't go anywhere without some of his King's Guard with him, and they were highly trained soldiers. No, it was the carriage that caught my eye.

As a lover of fine things, it was difficult for me to not run my hands over the velvet cushions and drapes. I wanted to inspect the embroidery on the silk that covered the carriage ceiling. Even the carpet was exquisite. But I couldn't gawk at the King's conveyance while he sat across from me.

Instead, I set my stare out the window, but I had great peripheral sight, and I knew he was watching me. He hadn't stopped since we settled in the carriage. It was unnerving. Anyone else, and I would have said something. But I couldn't tell the King of Rushao to fuck off.

I didn't even want to.

Yes, I admit that the more King Tor'rien flirted and flashed those sexy eyes at me, the more I reconsidered my stance on the risk of dating a Dragon.

Being with the Dragon King would be an even greater risk.

A man with that much power could make demands of me that I was unwilling to meet.

And yet would be forced to. Because you don't deny a Dragon King.

Not even if he's your lover. Especially not then.

That thought was sobering.

I glanced at the King, confirmed what I already knew about his staring, and gave him my most stern, let's-keep-this-professional stare. Instead of looking away, the King smirked at me. He smirked!

I looked away. There was nothing more that I could do. As I said, he would do as he liked, and I couldn't stop him. Damn it all, why did that send another shiver over my skin?

After an eternity of awkward silence, with me pondering my attraction to the King while he continued to stare at me, the carriage stopped before the Hall of Talons. A few officers congregated outside the Hall. They all went still when they spotted the royal carriage.

I sighed. “I don't suppose you'd like to wait in the carriage?”

The King smirked again.

“That's what I thought.”

A knight opened the carriage door, and I got up before the King could.

He chuckled as I climbed out and blocked the door so I could scan the area before letting him out.

He may not take his security seriously, but I did.

I did not want to be the claw who got the Dragon King of Rushao killed.

Once I was assured that it was safe, I stepped aside.

Then, in a flow of silken hair and embroidered clothes, the King emerged. Every Talon within sight fell into a bow. The Dragon King swept up the steps, hair billowing in the breeze, and paid no notice of the respect he received.

“At ease, everyone,” I said. “The King is here to observe an investigation. That's all.”

King Tor'rien glanced at me over his shoulder. At first, I thought it was in response to what I'd said. But then I realized he was waiting for me. I nearly rolled my eyes. Could he not even open the door for himself? But as soon as I drew abreast of him, he opened the door. For me.

I lifted a brow at His Majesty before striding into the entry.

The sound level was moderate. Perfectly normal.

A few minor criminals were being processed, their names and descriptions noted, and blood samples collected with enchanted crystals for storage.

Once the Talons had your blood, your identity could be verified.

And if you left any blood at a crime scene, you might as well have left a signed confession along with it.

A Hulfrin in magic-suppressing cuffs snarled at me as I approached the front desk.

But then he saw the King. His snarl died a terrible death, freezing on his face before transforming into terror.

He cringed away from us, into the iron grip of a Tyasmoran talon who bowed to the King even as he held the Hulfrin.

“The King is here to observe,” I repeated. “Everyone relax.” I headed down a hallway, past gaping talons and a few claws. “This way, Your Majesty.”

The King and his knights followed me. We were almost to my office when the Chief Talon came striding down the hallway to us.

“Your Majesty!” Chief Ahsan bowed. “I am Ahsan, Chief of the Talons. Welcome to the Hall of Talons. I'm so sorry. I had no warning of your visit. I would have—”

The Dragon King held up a hand and stopped the Chief's babbling. “It was a moment's decision, Chief Ahsan. I am interested in Claw Shinkai's investigation. I hope my appearance hasn't disturbed your officers.”

“Of course, it hasn't, Your Majesty! We are your Talon Force.” His skin flushed beneath his clear Brujai scales.

He was usually an intimidating man, with the bulk of the desert people and those vicious horns that ran down the sides of his head.

But not when facing a Dragon. Speaking to the King, my chief looked like a stammering boy.

“You are most welcome at any time. Would you care for a tour?”

“No, thank you. Claw Shinkai and I would like to continue our investigation.”

Now it was our investigation? I widened my eyes at the King. His lips twitched, but he didn't look at me.

“Of course. It's your prerogative to participate in any investigation. It is your laws that we uphold, after all. I . . . uh, could I ask what has piqued your interest in this case?”

“No.” The King brushed past the Chief.

I gaped at him. Then I shrugged at Chief Ahsan who scowled at me as if the King's rudeness was my fault. Annoyed, I hurried past the Chief and grabbed the King's wrist.

I only meant to stop the King before he walked past my office. The knights didn't seem to understand that. They grabbed me by my shoulders and yanked me away from His Majesty.

What happened next felt like a turning point. As if the Gods had decided on a path for us, and my wants didn't concern them. This is where you are headed. Stop whining and accept it.

The moment his knights grabbed me, the Dragon King spun our way, growling and baring his teeth.

His eyes lit as if fire had bloomed behind the irises, and he rushed us.

Before I could utter a sound of surprise over the knights' rough handling of me, King Tor'rien had their wrists in his hands and was twisting them off my shoulders.

Simultaneously. Grab and flick. It was expertly done.

Very impressive. A shove, and the knights went stumbling away, one of them crashing into the Talon Chief, who tried to steady the knight and failed.

They tumbled to the floor together. The knight was up seconds later.

The Chief took a little longer to gain his feet.

But when he did, everyone turned to gape at the King. Including myself.

Face twitching, the King straightened and smoothed his silk shirt. I stared at the red and yellow trennors embroidered with wings out on the front panels of his shirt. Fire birds. They were the kingdom's animal—its symbol—and they were also perfect for the King. Beautiful, magical, and deadly.

“Do not touch him,” the King said.

It took me a second to process that he had spoken to his knights about me. Dear Gods. What the fuck is happening?

“Yes, Your Majesty,” the Dragon knights said in unison.

“Claw Shinkai?” the King prompted.

“Huh?” I swung my head away from the knights to stare at the King.

“Why did you grab my wrist?”

“Oh! Uh, you were about to pass my office, sire.” I waved at the door.

He grimaced at his knights. “Well done on saving me from Claw Shinkai's assistance.”

The knights glanced at each other before inclining their heads to the King.

Meanwhile, the Talon Chief backed away.

What a day. I shook my head and opened my office door. It was far from boring, but I wasn't sure if that was a good thing anymore. Just as I went inside, Talon Fren came running up. The Dragon knights went on alert again.

“Stand down!” I shouted at the knights. “I need to speak with that man.”

The knights looked at the King. The King nodded.

Talon Fren saw what he was rushing into and backpedaled to a stop. “Uh, Claw Shinkai?”

“It's all right, Talon Fren. Did you discover the victim's identity?” I waved him forward as I noted the Chief had vanished. Unbelievable. That was the man in charge of the safety of the city.

Talon Fren came forward, but with every step, his jaw fell further. Then he bowed deeply. “Your Majesty.”

“What have you discovered?” the King demanded.

“Uh, here is the identity.” His hand trembled as he offered me a sheet of paper.

The King took it before I could.

I pressed my lips together and sought calm. He said he was going to assist me, not take over.

“Good work, Talon.” The King put a hand on my back and pushed me forward. “Claw Shinkai, we have what we need.” He handed me the paper.

Correction: I thought he was handing me the paper when he was actually giving it to one of his knights.

“Sir Vasren, inform the driver.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Then the King was pushing me past gaping talons and out of the hall. Everyone went silent again as we passed, people falling into hasty bows. I was getting vexed. Very vexed.

By the time the King and I settled into his carriage, I was angrier than I'd ever been.

Considering how much it takes to make me angry, this was quite an achievement.

But the rarity of the emotion meant that I was unprepared for it.

To be plain, I didn't know how to deal with what I was feeling.

And that was a terrible state to be in while sitting beside a Dragon King.

Yes, he sat beside me this time. Yet another vexing occurrence. Especially since I liked it.