Page 6 of Dragon Blood
“She disapproves of the groom?”
“You could say that, though it’s not personal to him. As part of the Queen’s Council, Kymri’s choices have upset my mother’s plans for Aeleftheria’s traditions and the Steelscale legacy.”
“Sounds complicated.”
“Not any more complicated than the social structure of your father’s clan—ah, Queen Regina.”
Kai turned at Kolina’s nod to the entrance, curious to see the revered ruler.
A charge rippled through the room, making the hairs on his arms and nape stand on end. The sensation of power caught the attention of his inner dragon, while it set his tiger on edge.
He finally pulled his gaze from the captivating woman’s face to the one standing directly behind her.
His breath stopped, thoughts frozen, words jammed in his throat as he stared at the equally stunned expression staring back at him.
Red.
Kolina leaned in again. “Princess Astred Arakkil, heir to the Aeleftherian throne.”
Princess? Heir? Fuck.
Red’s expression registered shock, a flicker of delight, then dropped into a narrow-eyed scowl before she found her mask.
Kai’s heart pounded with each change, tightening on the final one.
He drew a deep breath and adjusted likewise.
I knew I shouldn’t have come.
Chapter 4
Astredfollowedhermother,bringing up the rear of the small procession for the private meeting before the slightly more public dinner.
She’d exchanged her usual ship’s clothing for the regal flowing dresses that Aeleftherian royalty were expected to wear, with their complicated wraps and knotting.
She’d struggled with it for a quarter hour before her mother appeared, flipped her hands around her for about five seconds and it was done, making her feel like a child again.
On entering the meeting room, she’d nearly tripped on the hem when her gaze landed on the tall man standing next to Kolina Steelscale.
She’d nearly blurted his name, heart racing, threatening to gallop right out of her chest.
Kai.
She drank in his familiar, handsome features, as her brain ticked in the background.
Her inner dragon rose to the surface, inhaling, seeking.
Not now!
Astred shoved her dragon down, ordering her back to sleep.
What in all the hells is he doing here?
Her gaze caressed his face once more.
He looks just as surprised to see me… I—I can’t think about him—this—right now.
Not now.
