Page 29 of The Dragon Warlord

“Yes. I’m sorry, Warlord. I know you won’t like that, but we have rules here.”

“And now you’re conflicted between following what you know and doing what won’t rile your alpha.” I shake my head. “I’m the one who should be sorry.”

This is a situation though. One I don’t know how to handle because other claims on him irk me in a way that’s unexpected.

“I can’t promise I won’t have an emotion about something you tell me, especially if I don’t like it. We’ll just have to face those times head-on like warriors, okay?” I say.

“Okay, Warlord.”

“So lay it on me. Do I have to give my permission?”

“You do, but Warlord, may I make a suggestion?”

“That would be helpful.”

“Today—what happened—that’s an idea of what you’re in for with our bond so unstable. The rules might seem unfair to you, but they prevent murder.”

That hangs in the air for a solid five minutes as I’m confronted by the truth of it. I wanted to murder his parents. Oh, Gods. This is awful. I let the throb of my arse calm me. The dragon lord made sure I’d feel his discipline all the way until tomorrow. Am I going to be forced to admit the wisdom in that? He’ll never hear it out loud.

“If it helps, dragons like melikebeing possessed in every way. None of it upsets me, Warlord. Seeing you upset is far more upsetting to me.”

River’s words ring with another truth: He knows that I’m already affected most by what will upset him. But it goes both ways. He’s affected most by what will upset me.

I know that has to be the bond at work. Bond or not, it’s sweet that we care about one another so much in a short time. Arguably, an unhealthy amount, but it’s care nonetheless.

“I will do right by you, River.”

“I have no doubt, Warlord.”

“I guess … let’s follow the dragon ways until the bond settles some more. I’ll work on it,” I promise him.

“I know you will, Warlord.”

He’s got too much faith in me.

The night is upon us, and we’ll have to part for as long as possible. I can’t bring myself to until he yawns.

“Time for bed. I want you to sleep, River. I should too.”

“Your alpha did order you to get some good rest,” he says.

I perk a curious brow. Is that cheekiness I detect? I like it. “Get to bed, River. I’ll be in to check on you in a few hours.”

“Yes, sir.”

4

River

The Warlord shifts in his seat. It’s been a rough week for him. Father is relentless and the Warlord doesn’t give in to authority all that well, which makes sense with a Warlord’s personality.

He growls. “There’s no comfortable way to sit on my arse at this point. Will you fetch me some herbs, Riv?”

We’ve gotten better. That bout of discipline, small as it was, went a long way to settling our bond. That’s not to say it’s settled, but we’re through the stuff that was preventing us from doing anything other than lounge in his room. We’ve developed enough trust that I can leave to fetch him things. It’s short-term for the moment, but that’s huge for us.

We can make it through the night.

“I can do that, Warlord. The closest apothecary isn’t far.”