Chapter Twenty-Six
Dragons are immortal. We heal incredibly fast, making it difficult to kill us. Still, someone had tried. They had tried like a coward, sneaking into the palace to assassinate me. And they nearly succeeded.
How had that happened? I should have broken bones with that punch. But he shook it off as if it were nothing. Those were the thoughts that brought me back to consciousness. My thoughts and the sounds of an enraged Sea Dragon.
“—just stand there looking like an imbecile, help him!”
“He needs no aid, Your Majesty. He has healed. Please, look. His wounds are only pink marks now. Give it another hour, and the marks will be gone.”
“Someone attacked him in my palace!” Jucai roared. “If not for this brave man, Nadar would be dead.”
“It was my honor to protect him, sire,” Bantar said.
“You deserve a reward, Bantar. I will see to it myself. And I will punish the palace guards!”
“Could you please keep it down?” I muttered as I opened my eyes.
“Nadar!” Jucai helped me sit up and propped pillows behind me. “How do you feel?”
I looked at him. When I lay beneath the assassin, staring death in the face, I had also seen Jucai staring back at me with wounded eyes.
I saw the truth in his gaze and felt a deep regret for ending our relationship.
We may not have forever, but that was precisely why we shouldn't squander a moment of the time we did have.
“Foolish,” I whispered.
“Nonsense! This wasn't your fault. That assassin took you unawares.”
I glanced at the physician and then met Bantar's anxious gaze. “Thank you, Bantar. You saved my life. If there is ever anything I can do to repay you, please tell me.”
Bantar opened his mouth.
I raised a hand. “No, don't answer now. Think about it. It's a genuine offer.”
“Master, it was my honor to be there for you. I'm relieved I arrived in time. I only wish I could have stopped him before he stabbed you.”
“You did more than my guards did, Bantar,” Jucai said. “And you were wounded for your efforts. From now on, you are no longer a slave, but an honored guest.”
“Your Majesty, that is too much!” Bantar's eyes went wide.
That was when I saw the bandage across his chest. I climbed out of bed and went to him. “Are you all right, my friend?”
“Yes, master. The physician tended to me. I'll heal soon. My kind don't heal as fast as Dragons, but it’s still fast.”
I hugged him, careful not to touch his wound. “Please, take the King's offer. You showed more valor today than most warriors I know.”
“I am no warrior.”
“That is precisely why your act was so courageous. Please, I cannot have you picking up after me now. It would shame me.”
Bantar looked from me to the King. “I would feel awkward as a guest here. My friends are all slaves.” He looked back at me. “I know you wish to reward me for what I did, but elevating me in such a way will only alienate me. Neither my friends nor your dread will accept me.”
“Do you have many close friends here?” Jucai asked.
“Three whom I would die for, Your Majesty.”
“I shall make them my guests as well. You don't understand the service you have done this court today, Bantar.
Nadar is not only a man whom I admire, but he's also a diplomat. His death would have strained our budding relationship with . . .” Jucai trailed off and looked at me with sudden understanding.
“Yes,” I said. “It has already occurred to me that they did this to stop our kingdoms from becoming allies. Whoever is behind all this, they don't want Ilshi to be friends with Zaru.”
Jucai straightened. “You see, Bantar? You not only saved Nadar, but you also saved your kingdom from war. Allow me to thank you and announce your heroism to the court. I am sure they will accept you, but in case I'm wrong, you will have your friends with you to enjoy the benefits of your bravery.”
“I am honored, Your Majesty. Thank you.” Bantar bowed.
“Good.” Jucai smacked his shoulder. “And thank you, Master Physician, for enduring my insults and doing what you could for our diplomat.”
“It was my pleasure, Your Majesty.” The physician, a Neraky man, bowed and left.
“Tell your friends, Bantar,” Jucai said. “I will notify the Master of Palace Slaves as soon as I finish speaking with Lord Nadar.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Bantar bowed again and left.
At last, I was alone with Jucai. I turned to him and opened my mouth to tell him what a mistake we'd made, but he spoke first.
“Why didn't you summon me?!”
“What do you mean?”
“I gave you a summoning shell. Why didn't you use it?”
“I didn't have it on me.”
“Yes, I know!” He snatched it from the bedside table and fastened it around my neck. “You are not to take this off. Never, Nadar!”
“Jucai, stop.” I grabbed his wrist. “I need to say something.”
“I didn't summon my slaves,” he blurted.
Blinking, I went still. “What?”
“When we returned from Zaru, I went to my bedchamber, but I couldn't summon a single slave to relieve my lust. I didn't want any of them.”
“But you look so calm. I mean, I heard you yelling at the physician, but now you seem calm.”
“I . . .” He cleared his throat. “Handled things myself. It provided temporary relief. Then I heard you were attacked, and my hunger vanished. For the first time since I awoke, my body found something more important than sex.”
Holy fuck! I was more important than sex! Then I thought, I nearly died. I had better be more important than sex! Still, it's a big statement coming from him. All right, I'll choose to be flattered.
“So, your need will return soon?” I pressed my lips together to keep from smiling.
“I assume so. But I only one person can satisfy me.” He took my hand. “I need you, Nadar.”
Again, I tried to say something, and again, he spoke first.
“Before you say anything, know that I am not demanding that you stay forever. Just until we can . . .”
“Work through our desire?” I grinned.
“Yes, that. I want to get past this craving I have for you. To do that, I need to be with you. I need you now and tonight and tomorrow morning.”
“And perhaps in the middle of the night?” I smirked.
“Are you teasing me?”
“I wouldn't dare.”
“Then what say you?”
“I say, take off your clothes, Jucai. I'm going to ride you until we're both too tired to move.”
The sound of tearing fabric came as the Sea King rushed to divest himself of his clothes.