Page 8 of Wrath of the Dragons (Fear the Flames #2)
“Oh, yes. A meal is not complete without wine.” I prop my chin on my clasped hands.
“Bring me a bottle of your most expensive. Something that’s collecting dust in the cellar.
The king and I haven’t toasted our betrothal yet and this seems like the perfect opportunity.
” I turn to him, though if he’s bothered by my request, he doesn’t let it show. “How does that sound, lamb chop ?”
“If it’s to celebrate our betrothal then bring me your most expensive whiskey as well.” His mouth twitches. “Anything for you, peaches. ”
I scrunch my nose and hum, smiling as if the term didn’t curb my appetite.
Though that doesn’t matter, considering Cayden orders for me after the server lists off the chef’s specials, annoying me further by choosing the correct options to my exact specifications.
I pluck a piece of warm bread from the basket and dip it into a small dish of oil and red pepper flakes to avoid speaking to him as the waiter leaves.
His gaze is glued to the side of my face, but I ignore it in hopes of vexing him.
It’s not hard to find something to look at.
The night sky is visible through the glass domed ceiling adorned with enchanted candles twinkling above to act as stars.
My dragons fly above as if they can sense where my gaze rests, and the knot in my chest loosens as they calmly swirl through the clouds.
The whole establishment looks like it belongs in the Vareveth castle now that the servants have worked tirelessly to transition the appearance.
I glance over my shoulder, watching two manmade waterfalls flow on either side of our table and gather in a pool in front of us filled with silver fish.
The server returns to place the bottles and glasses on the table, but Cayden chooses to uncork them himself.
I force myself to look anywhere other than at his fingers wrapped around them, but he slides the crystal glass in front of me, bringing attention to the exact thing I’m trying to avoid.
The golden rings on a few of his fingers reflect the dim light around us, and the cuts on his knuckles send a wave of nostalgia rushing over me.
“What is your opinion on divorce?” I ask before taking a very needed and very large gulp of wine.
“I think it’s a mutually beneficial agreement between two parties that wish to be free from the torments of a crumbling union.” He swirls his whiskey. “However, I don’t think much on things that have no relevance in my life.”
I laugh softly, as if Cayden had said something amusing, as the server returns with our dinner.
Taking a sip of wine, I lean into him. His eyes soften slightly when he looks at me, knowing this is fake but wishing it were real.
It makes me take another sip and another until my glass is empty and he pours me a second glass.
I know there is no getting out of this union, and I suppose I consider myself lucky in a way.
Most royal marriages are arranged when the heirs are infants and are notoriously unhappy, but there’s a petty part of me that wants to twist the knife a bit.
“Through our marriage I gain an army, and you gain a crown and the allegiance of the woman bonded to five dragons. This is a political union, so what’s to happen when the war is over and none of the benefits apply any longer?
” I cross one leg over the other, tilting my head.
“Most would say divorce is the obvious course of action.”
“Most people are idiots and disregarding their opinions has served me well so far.” He scans my features like he’s trying to figure out what’s truly going on in my mind.
“You speak as if this were a betrothal of convenience, yet you were anything but. How many men must conquer a kingdom to have the woman they want?” My shoulders stiffen, and he never stops assessing me.
“I never said you weren’t worth it. I’ll spill whatever blood I must, Elowen. ”
I suck in a sharp breath and drink half my glass, letting the familiar light sensation flood through me as the alcohol takes effect. “I’m sure the crown embellishes the outcome.”
He traces his fingers along the back of my neck, bringing his face so close to mine we’re almost nose-to-nose.
His eyes have flecks of gold despite the pupils nearly dominating them.
“If we were merely a political agreement, I wouldn’t have committed the details I adore about you to memory.
I wouldn’t have tasted you and realized I was starving.
I wouldn’t know where to touch you, how to touch you, or give a fuck about any of it and yet I do, and I can’t stop. ”
Oh gods.
I can’t do this.
Without thinking of the consequences or how it might look, I try to shove away from him, but his hands shoot out to clasp my wrists and tug me forward until I’m pressed against his chest. His lips graze my ear, making me want to arch into him like a cat in the sun.
“Play nice, angel. People are watching.”
“You said you don’t care what they think.”
“But you do.” He slides his hands to my sides, making me shudder as he caresses my aching bruises. “And I wanted you closer.”
I want to give him a biting remark, but it gets lodged in my throat.
I turn toward the table to try to locate my wine.
He’s always had a way of making me forget everything else in the world exists.
He tilts my chin back toward him and I’m trapped.
Lost in him. Helplessly treading water in the middle of a stormy ocean.
“If the roles were reversed, how do you think I would’ve reacted to you bringing up marriage?”
I shake my head, the pain in my chest sharpening. “Don’t do that.”
“Answer the question, El,” he states with unyielding resolve.
“You didn’t bring up a betrothal when we were at the inn or any other better suited moment,” I hiss. “You didn’t speak of a future—”
“I didn’t speak of a future with you because I’ve never planned my future beyond getting revenge, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t want you to be in it.”
“You brought it up in a banquet hall drenched in blood moments after my uncle betrayed and attacked me and plotted with your king to send me back to my father.”
He sneers when I bring up Eagor. “When we were at the inn did I not say I’d never let you go?
For months, have I not said I’ll do anything for you and to have you?
What did you think that would entail for people in our position?
” I bite the inside of my cheek to stop myself from succumbing to my emotions.
“Nothing in this world will ever be more valuable than you in my eyes. I did what I had to do to keep you safe, and I will not apologize for something that I don’t regret. ”
I don’t bother holding myself up anymore, letting the exhaustion crush me into his chest and taking advantage of being able to hide from the world for a few moments.
He continues stroking my side with one hand, and I swear I feel a slight tremor in the other when he rests it on the back of my head to keep me pressed against him.
The darkness comforts me, as does his scent of teakwood, amber, and leather.
I know he’ll keep me safe; it’s never been a question of that, but people get a taste of power and let it lead them like a hound chasing a scent.
I’ve always allowed myself to love, but I’ve never believed it was meant for me.
It’s so much easier to give and expect nothing in return.
“You know me, El. Come back to me.”
I’m right here, I want to say, but I’m not. I’m lost in the maze of my mind with staggeringly high walls crafted from doubt and betrayal. “Do I?”
“More than anyone.”