Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-Five
VIZARIOS
Iam rather pleased to see Ari and Nissia walk away together chattering, their heads already leaned in toward one another so they can speak without being heard.
I could see right away the recognition, the reuniting of people who have known each other forever.
It made me wonder who I’d be without Ragnakor at my side.
I’m swiftly forgotten as my wife and her friend depart. A heavy hand lands on my shoulder and squeezes, and I already know it’s Ragnakor.
“I think this was a wise choice,” he says unprompted. “Someone that can remind her of where she comes from and bring balance.”
I’m surprised to hear he has so many opinions about my decision.
“It was thoughtful.” He says this more quietly as he releases my shoulder. “I imagine the queen will not want to spar tonight.”
I chuckle. “No, I don’t think so.”
“You look envious,” Ragnakor says. “Because now you’ve realized you’ll have to share her.”
I wince at the barb of truth in his words. I did not anticipate that consequence, no. But ultimately it will be better for all of us if Nissia has companionship.
“Then share her I will,” I say.
He nods in agreement.
The following morning, the queen does not come and meet with Syzari. Ragnakor passes me word from Quillion that Nissia has decided to go on a ride with Ari to show her around.
“That’s all right,” Syzari says, though she seems a bit put out. “We really have made all the plans we can for now, at least until you approve our communications to the wardens.”
We are asking them to offer accommodations and incentives to human workers. Many will resist the idea, and some will probably call me an idiot behind closed doors. But those like Kalara may be open to our plan if it means more bodies to work. Everyone needs wood and stone and iron for trade.
I read through all the letters Syzari has put in front of me, though my mind is wandering as I scan the words. I wonder what Nissia is doing now, and when I might see her again. Will she eat dinner with me tonight, seeing as she missed breakfast?
Finally, I set down the missives and get to my feet instead, heading to the door.
“Your Majesty?” Syzari asks.
“My apologies, I’ll have to work on it more tomorrow.”
With that, I step out, where Ragnakor is waiting.
“Do you think we might be able to catch up to them?” I ask.
“Pardon me?” He follows as I head back to my rooms, where I’ll change into my better riding clothes.
“The queen and her friend. How far do you think they’ve gone?”
Clarity dawns on him. “I see. You hope to catch up.” He touches my arm, slowing me down. “But consider another plan.”
I pause. “What is it?”
“Prepare for her return. Let’s arrange with the kitchen for a fine dinner. Open that beer you were gifted a few moons ago by Orgrin.”
The ogre-people do like their beer, and gave us plenty of it, though we never asked.
He’s probably right, and this is the best way to proceed. Let my queen have her time alone with her friend, then welcome her home with pomp and circumstance.
“All right.” I exhale a long breath. “Let’s do it your way. Perhaps a show to go with dinner?”
Ragnakor gives me an approving nod. “You could bring in Verdaza dancers. Give her a chance to see a traditional event.”
Oh, I do like the idea of a performance as sensual as Verdaza.
“Perfect.”
Now I ought to decide what kind of meal might sway my queen’s heart.
RAGNAKOR
I have instructed the stable boys to take the queen’s horses once she reaches the castle and bring the two humans in through the front doors.
There, they will be shown into the great dining room, where one side will be decorated—in a rather hurried fashion—for the Verdaza dance.
The head of staff was able to find a troupe that could perform tonight for the right amount of money, and the king was happy to pay it.
He has spent the afternoon in the kitchen, overseeing the meal.
“She likes the dark meat cut of chicken,” he’s telling someone when I peer inside. “And sweet potatoes. We have those in season, right? With nuts, too.”
I can’t stop him from overmanaging the staff, so I stay silent and chuckle under my breath. We move on to checking the decorations, and then the stage is set.
Just before sunset, the front doors open.
“What’s going on?” the queen is saying as she follows a guard into the hall. “Why can’t I untack my own horse?”
“My apologies.” Vizarios approaches her and extends a hand. “I wanted you here.”
Suspiciously, she takes his offering, and the king pulls her toward him. “You wanted me for what?”
“To welcome Ari properly to Selvumrrest.” He tucks Nissia’s arm around his elbow, then glances at the queen’s even shorter human companion. “Will both of you come with me?”
I follow along behind as he leads the two of them into the hall, and everyone sits for dinner. The stage is empty, but the sight of it catches Nissia’s attention.
“What’s this?” she asks, gesturing at the paper lamps and traditional decorations.
“For later.”
I watch as the meal is served, and the queen’s surprise grows as her favorite foods are all brought out.
“I didn’t know what Ari would like,” Vizarios says, “so I picked what I know you like, and hoped maybe she shared it with you.”
Nissia doesn’t speak, and she looks frozen to the spot. Then, her hand lifts and gently lands on top of his. I can’t hear them from where I stand, but I can read the words on her lips: Thank you.
I close my eyes and exhale. All is going as it should.
NISSIA
I still don’t believe that Vizarios would do something so selfless, something that is purely about caring for me.
He did it in secret to surprise me, and it is the most glorious, lovely surprise to see Ari again.
I’m devastated that it’s under such circumstances, and that she’s lost the only person she had left in this world, but I’m glad that we can grieve together.
Dinner isn’t all that my husband has planned for us.
Soon, the candles around the dining room are put out, and those on the stage are lit.
We all turn our attention to it as dancers glide in, and I’m shocked by what they’re wearing.
The males have little more than a scrap of leather covering their groins, and the females are dressed in feathered tops that don’t do much to obscure their breasts.
Ari gasps as they emerge, and I think that she, too, is a bit scandalized.
But I have learned that dragons are much more open about sex and their natural bodies than we humans are, and besides, they are beautiful.
I watch, entranced, my hand still held in Vizarios’s long, clawed fingers as the music begins, and those beautiful dragons on the stage launch into their dance.
“Oh,” I whisper as they move in perfect synchronicity, bodies gyrating in an undeniably erotic fashion.
The music, too, is sensual, a savory tune played from long, elegant instruments I’ve never seen before.
It is so foreign and yet so beautiful that I can’t look anywhere else, and there is a steadily building warmth in my belly the longer I watch.
What would it be like if it were Vizarios dressed this way?
Or even... Ragnakor? I exhale sharply at the thought, that warmth spreads downward until it’s firmly between my legs.
Beside me, Vizarios sniffs the air, and his lip curls into a smile.
He leans toward me, his hand leaving mine to loop around my back.
“Do you like it?” he asks, his tone sultry and thick.
I nod rapidly. “I like it very, very much.”
Ari, who sits on my other side, shoots me a mischievous look.
“So, this is what it’s like in dragon country?” she asks. “An extremely warm welcome.”
It is marvelous and beyond thoughtful of Vizarios to organize all of this for us on such short notice. I find myself leaning into his arm, and his hand rubs along my shoulder, a gesture of affection I didn’t realize I was so starved for.
How I’ve longed for Vizarios to return my feelings, to crave intimacy with me the way I’ve craved it from him.
I have had not one, but two mugs of beer—apparently hand-crafted by the ogre people—and so I luxuriate in his touch.
It feels, perhaps, like it might be safe to open myself up to him, and that the version of Vizarios he has shown me these past few weeks won’t discard me the way he has before.
Perhaps he’s truly changed, and I can trust him. I hope so, because I’m drifting farther into his embrace just as he brings me closer with his arm. He leans down and nuzzles my hair with the side of his face.
“Thank you for enjoying this with me, my queen,” he murmurs. “I’m glad it pleases you.”
I shudder at the way he says it, as if there are other ways he might please me.
Perhaps he can sense what I’m thinking, because his clawed hand drifts up my neck, his fingers tangling in my hair.
It’s such a familiar and possessive touch that I almost can’t breathe, too afraid of shattering the moment.
There is no denying the truth that I want him, that I’ve wanted him for a long time. Perhaps Zephala and Ari are right and allowing him in could be healing for us.
“Vizarios,” I say quietly, and his head tilts toward me. “I... I want to try again.”
His breath hitches. “Try what?”
“To be together.” I gently set a hand on his thigh, and he stiffens under my touch. Then he relaxes and draws me even closer.
“I would be most grateful for the opportunity.” His voice is low and hungry, but still polite. “Should you give me a chance, I will not stray from your side.”
I nod, squeezing his thigh.
“Then let’s share a bed tonight.”
His tail sticks out straight behind him.
“Yes,” he whispers. “Yes, please.”