Page 235 of The Spider Queen

You said nothing about beach living.

Thane chuckled.Must’ve gotten lost in the midst of all the other stuff—like saving the world.

I forgive you.

Auri swooped down, circled the courtyard, and then landed. She released the dragon spell that anchored us to her. Thane slid down her side and then reached up to help me dismount. Even when my feet were on the cobblestone, he didn’t let go of me.

We backed up, giving Auri room to transform. She was naked in her human body, but her long, golden hair dropped past her bottom to shield her skin. Though it was probably more for our benefit than hers. Auri wasn’t modest. Come to think of it, most of the magical beings I’d met had no issue with nudity.

Auri smiled. “The one downside to being a dragon.”

“I don’t think it’s a downside,” I said with a dry laugh. “I’m sure there are those that appreciate the view. Like Gabriel for instance.”

She snorted. “That fallen angel is too busy trying to be on top to usually realize I’m walking around nude.”

Thane coughed to cover his laugh. “Don’t let him hear you say that. The fallen angel has pride issues.”

Auri’s eyes flashed with wicked devilment. “Why do you think I put up such a good fight, but then inevitably give in? The man is truly delicious. Don’t you think?” She addressed the question to me, clearly not caring that I was pledged to Thane—now and forever.

“I think I’ll abstain from answering.”

Thane’s grip on my hip tightened. “Wise decision.”

Auri sighed. “I don’t know if I envy you or pity you.”

“Pity us?” Thane remarked in surprise. “What makes you say that?”

“Immortal monogamy. Seems kind of boring.” On that pronouncement, Auri turned and flounced toward the door, long gold hair streaming behind her.

I looked up at Thane. “She might have a point. How do you keep sex interesting for thousands of years with the same partner?”

His eyes flashed. “Stick around and I’ll show you.”

Chapter 52

“Where does she think she’s going?” I asked in amusement as we followed Auri through the ebony-floored hallway. Magic torches flared, and bright light filled the long space.

“Her family and my family are old friends.”

I looked at him. Our hands were linked, and he didn’t seem inclined to let me go. “Old friends?”

He smirked. “There might have been a betrothal. Many generations back. Way back. Nothing came of it. Luckily it didn’t spark a feud. And to this day we remain friends.”

Where were they when Xan got out of control?

The dragons had their own issues—the dragon king died, and there was no rightful succession. Auri and Argentum’s mother eventually won the crown. But it took years and far too much blood.

Will I get history lessons? And diagrams?

Thane smiled.And sword lessons. You won’t always want to fight in your spider form.

And here I thought as a twenty-one-year-old college dropout, the lessons would stop.

He didn’t laugh like I expected him to.

What?

You gave up a lot to be with me. I sometimes forget you had an entire life of your own. Your own dreams, your own interests. I yanked you out of it. I’m sorry.