Chapter 8 #2
“This is the home of Sun Whale, and it’s a big global business these days.” Rylana shrugged.
“It’s a wonder that you keep giving up the opportunity to work for such a prestigious and powerful company and instead toil away in a little diner.”
Rylana held up the last piece of her bacon—her perfectly salty, slightly smoky and sweet, and sumptuously coffee-touched bacon. “A wonder, indeed.”
Jildarin squinted sternly at Sylin. “Rylana is a loyal and dedicated business partner who values helping dragons teach lesser species about our varied and magnificent culture.” He gazed fondly at Rylana.
“I value helping one dragon, anyway.” Rylana smiled back at him.
“Those gooey eyes you’re making at each other are a signal for me to depart.” Sylin took her plate to the dining room, where customers were starting to trickle in.
As much as Rylana would have enjoyed continuing to gaze with fond adoration at Jildarin, Gniknik walked into the kitchen with the first orders. She finished her meal and helped plate food for the paying patrons.
“I went to see your father last night,” Jildarin said when they had a moment alone together.
“Because that book says you need his approval to court me?” Rylana asked.
Jildarin hesitated. “I am uncertain about the proper course forward. I desire to… kiss you again. And more.” He looked at her.
“But I wish to respect you and do what is expected for your kind. At the same time, I am wrestling with uncertainty in regard to my clan—my mother and my kin. My brother has advised me to only have a most clandestine relationship with you, but that would make me feel like it is wrong to spend time with a human, even though you have been much more supportive of me than any female dragon has been. Whenever I think of having to hide a relationship with you from my kin, I burn with defiance and want to roar and breathe fire on any who object to me doing as I wish. To us doing as we wish. But… when I am more rational, I grow concerned that things exactly like what happened last night could continue to happen. Or worse. You are brave and strong, but a female dragon is powerful and easily vexed.”
“I’ve noticed,” Rylana said around an emotional lump that had formed in her throat as he spoke.
“I not only went to your father because I seek his permission, but because… I thought perhaps he might have advice on such matters. Unfortunately, my own father passed long ago, and my uncle was killed in the Ore War. Though there are other elder males in the clan, we’ve not traditionally been close, and they may be befuddled by my desire to have a relationship with a human. ”
“I can understand longing for a father figure, especially as a guy, but I don’t think my dad is ideal for that position.”
“He did not forbid me from courting you.”
“Maybe he’s okay then.” Rylana smiled.
“He did say I would have to prove myself if I wanted him to bless our union.” Jildarin’s jaws parted, as if he were in his native form and displaying his fangs. “A dragon should never have to prove himself to a human, but, since he sired you, I was tolerant of his ignorance.”
“That’s kind of you.”
“Yes. I informed him of the many victories and accomplishments I’ve had in my life, including defeating entire enemy armies, but, of course, winning the Golden Whisk should have sufficed.”
“That’s the culmination of your victories?” Rylana might have weighed defeating an army above winning a cooking contest, but she, of course, was not a chef.
“Thus far. Creating a unique meal for the queen of the elven realm was also a highlight.” His eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “When you write to the king, perhaps you should mention that Jildarin-grozanarav of Clan Killcrusher would be interested in hosting him at the Dragon Diner.”
“I did assume I should mention your name in the first line of the letter, thus to ensure the lackey would send it along to the king without delay.”
“Yes. Were the dwarven king to dine here, I could add his name to my plaque. We’ve been visited by many new patrons since the queen’s meal.”
“The addition of the rooftop terrace with a view of the lake and beautiful foliage might have helped too.” Rylana suspected that was drawing people more than a plaque with a name on it.
“The terrace and pergola were excellent ideas to increase business.” Jildarin nodded at her. “I am certain that people are also vastly impressed, knowing that the offerings created by a Golden-Whisk-winning chef enticed the elven queen to dine here.”
“I agree that they’re impressed by the food you make.”
“I do ensure that is also excellent.”
“Yes, you do. For the record, you don’t need a plaque full of names to get people to come.”
“Certainly not.”
“But I’ll mention in my letter that you would like the king to dine here.”
“Excellent. Ask him for a list of his favorite foods, but inform him that I am practiced in appealing to the dwarven palate. Should he have requests or not, I can assuredly construct a meal to engage his taste buds while satisfying his entire body. I particularly excel at roasting tunnel rabbits, sautéing subterranean creek crabs, and tenderizing even the tough and stringy mountain murdok into an excellent stew. Those are dwarven staples. He’ll understand all about them, but go into as much detail as you believe appropriate to entice him. ”
“Is it all right if I mention the horn somewhere among all those details?”
Jildarin’s eyebrows might have twitched slightly at her dryness. “After inviting him to the diner, yes.”
“I’m glad you’re here to coach me on the proper ordering of affairs in letters to royalty.”
“You are glad I’m here.” His eyelids drooped, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
“Yeah, I am.” Rylana leaned close and would have kissed him, but Gniknik returned to the kitchen. “Chef, there’s a, uhm, quite sultry female elf here to see you. Rolf is offering to take her to a booth while describing superior goblin services—and expected goblin tips—but I think she’s a—”
Jildarin’s head snapped up, and he looked toward the front room. “Killaynia.”
He growled and strode into the hallway.
“—dragon,” Gniknik finished and looked at Rylana.
She grimaced. She didn’t recognize the name. Hopefully, this wasn’t another fertile—also known as horny—female dragon who wanted Jildarin to mate with her.
“She didn’t say anything about me, did she?” Rylana asked.
“No,” Gniknik said. “And, if I were you, I would consider that a good thing. The look she was giving Rolf could have descaled a triggerfish. I don’t know if he’s very brave, very foolish, or just determined to make extra coin before his new baby arrives.”
“All of those, maybe.” Rylana decided to stay in the kitchen and let Jildarin handle the visitor.
Thus far, no roars of outrage had come from the dining room. That was a good sign.
Despite her decision to stay put, Rylana only squelched her curiosity for a moment before leaning through the swinging door to peer toward the dining room.
Cheerful chatter came from the full booths and bar stools, so the dragon couldn’t be threatening anyone, but where was she?
Ah, there. Jildarin and the shape-shifted dragon stood near the front door.
She was beautiful with pointed elven ears rising from lush golden hair.
She had full pouting lips, a perfect nose, arched cheekbones, and curves any man would love to trace with his hands.
She faced Jildarin and reached out to rest a hand on his shoulder as she gazed at him without speaking.
Or was she communicating telepathically?
Jildarin’s face was masked, so Rylana couldn’t tell what he was thinking.
His stance wasn’t inviting, but he didn’t push her hand away either.
Was it possible some less offensive and demanding female dragon was visiting? One who might actually tempt him to mate?
Tamping down jealousy that wanted to surge up, Rylana told herself not to be foolish. All she should be worried about when it came to female dragons was if they had plans to kill her.
After the blonde pointed out the window, Jildarin nodded, gave orders to Rolf to keep the service going, then walked out the front door with her. Neither he nor the dragon looked back toward the kitchen—toward Rylana.
“That’s fine,” she told herself. “I have a letter to write.”
Only after the dragons were gone did it occur to her that she hadn’t gotten a chance to ask what her father had asked Jildarin to do to prove himself.