Chapter 26 #3
“Knowledge was lost during that era. She may not have known the horn’s true abilities.
Or she may have known and chosen him to save his brothers from him—and because he was clearly the most ruthless of the three.
Since those ancestors of mine are all dead, we will never know, but I will start the tradition of again wearing the horn to all meals. And ale tastings.” Ekton winked.
“A good plan,” Rylana said.
“I believe my diplomat offered you a reward.”
“I don’t need a reward.” Rylana glanced at Jildarin. “Though we would appreciate it if you and your troops didn’t mention that someone tried to poison you in our diner. We were hoping that having you eat here would be good for our reputation and future business, not have the opposite effect.”
Rylana looked toward the lingering crowd, caught the food critic scribbling in a notepad, and sighed. Too bad she couldn’t have the peacekeepers tote him away.
“I’ll mention only that the meal was fabulous. Oh, the rockballs. I almost forgot.” Ekton held the horn to his chest. “Weren’t there more servings that were interrupted?”
“There are more servings.” Jildarin lifted his chin. “I will continue the dinner service for all who desire it.”
“And who aren’t on the floor, grabbing their bellies.” Did Rylana hear voices out front?
Yes, Zalani called back that the healer had arrived. Thank the gods.
Jildarin frowned over his shoulder at Rylana as he headed for the kitchen. She smiled and blew him a kiss. He probably wasn’t that familiar with the gesture, but he must have gotten the gist because he changed his frown to a half-lidded sultry gaze before stepping out of view.
Rylana sighed with longing, then noticed Ekton looking at her and rushed to straighten her face. Hopefully, she hadn’t been too gooey-eyed with Jildarin.
“I do insist on giving you some reward,” was all Ekton said.
Rylana started to shake her head again, but a thought came to her. “You said you’re one of my father’s best customers, didn’t you?”
“For almost twenty years, we’ve sent our ore and other goods on vessels owned by Sun Whale Shipping.
Every month without fail. Others have sought to entice us away by offering cheaper rates, but dwarves recognize quality and also stay loyal unless they’re given a reason to question their allegiance.
Your father has never given me a reason. ”
“He must value you as a customer.”
“I have no doubt.”
“Would you be willing to ask him for a favor? It would be on my behalf. I’ve asked him myself, but I’m just his daughter, not an outstanding customer of twenty years whose business he doubtless wants to keep.”
Ekton’s bushy eyebrows rose.
“I wouldn’t wish to put words in your mouth,” Rylana said, “but Jildarin and I want to, uhm, I’m not sure what dwarves call it, but we want to enjoy each other’s company.
” Her cheeks warmed, and she felt like Mya trying to circumspectly explain the shapes of her baked goods.
“Jildarin read a book on human courting practices, and he thinks he needs my father’s permission before we can date.
My father is taking advantage of that and giving him tasks that only a dragon could do.
To prove himself. Jildarin shouldn’t need to prove anything. He’s magnificent.”
“His rockballs are magnificent. He seems a little pompous and crusty.” Ekton’s eyes crinkled at the corners.
“All dragons are pompous, but he’s less so than most, and he’s also…” Rylana spread her arms, groping for words to explain that Jildarin was wonderful and that she loved him. She didn’t want to bare her soul to a dwarf she’d only met an hour earlier.
“He bought her a bedroom set, allows her to sleep in his lair, and lets her fly on his back,” Sylin offered.
Ekton’s eyebrows rose again. “He sees you as his mate then, surely.”
“We can’t be mates, because there are female dragons he’s supposed to, uhm, inseminate, but we do want to be able to… enjoy each other’s company,” Rylana said, repeating what seemed a safe way to put it.
“Horizontally.” Sylin’s eyes were crinkling now too.
Rylana glared at her.
“I suppose it could be vertically too,” Sylin added. “Against a wall or tree or gnomish commercial oven. Dragons don’t lack in strength and stamina, after all.”
“You’re not helping,” Rylana whispered.
“I’m sure the king isn’t a prude,” Sylin said. “As we speak, he’s finishing off a boob-shaped scone.”
“And it’s delicious.” Ekton saluted them with the last bite before popping it into his mouth. Sparing Rylana from further torture trying to explain her relationship with Jildarin, he waved and headed for the hallway. “I’ll speak with your father.”
“Thank you,” Rylana called after him.
“You’re not going to thank me?” Sylin asked.
“No, you’re despicable.”
“You’ll recognize my value more after he speaks with your father, and your dragon has permission to enjoy your company. On ovens and elsewhere.”
“Despicable.”
“Don’t forget you owe me some meals for my security services tonight,” Sylin said before heading out the back door and disappearing into the night.