Page 30 of In the Embrace of Dragons

Vizarios drops his gaze from mine. “Because I love someone else.”

It’s like a blow with a blunt weapon.

All at once, it becomes clear to me. The moment he says his truth, I feel like an idiot for not having seen it sooner.

“It’s him,” I say, my gaze drifting over to the captain. “It’s him, isn’t it?”

Ragnakor lowers his head, immediately telling me I’m right.

Vizarios can never be with me because he’s in love with his captain of the guard.

Chapter Twelve

RAGNAKOR

Isuppose it was inevitable that the queen would find out. Though Vizarios has played his cards close to his chest until now, Nissia broke through his wall on the dais. When he released his scent all over her, it was bound to happen that she would learn the truth.

For many years, I thought it would pass, this relationship between us. I was working under Quillion when he assigned me to be the prince’s personal guard.

Though I knew of him, I did notknowhim. But soon Prince Vizarios grew used to me, and then brought me in closer, letting me learn and understand even more of himself.

And that was the dragon who made me ache. That was the dragon who turned me to my hand at night as I watched every sweep of his long tunic on the floor, every flick of his tail, every time he flared his nostrils in frustration at work. He and his mother tested each other, but also, somehow, worked in harmony, and it was a joy to watch him discuss theproblems of the kingdom with her, debating how best to approach them.

It was obvious how much pain he was in when she died. And I was the one who was there for him.

I knew we shouldn’t, even as we were doing it. I knew that Vizarios was grieving, and yet I wanted to be a vessel for him to wring out his pain. I knew that he would be marrying soon and that he should feel no string tied to me when that time came.

And yet I couldn’t help myself. I couldn’t stay away from him, just as he couldn’t stay away from me.

We only did the act twice. The first time was a mistake. The second time... I wanted more. Even as I wanted it, I knew what I was doing to the future queen. I knew I would be poisoning the well against her, and yet I did it anyway.

Now I’m here, facing the consequences.

I want to fall to my knees and beg Nissia to forgive me, but I’m not sure how to interpret the look on her face. Clear, bright understanding. Some hurt, I think, that we never disclosed this to her—but there’s also relief.

“Finally,” she says with a bone-deep sigh. “At least somebody told me so I’m not here wondering what I did wrong.”

Vizarios furrows his brow. “Are you not... angry?”

“I am.” She levels her gaze on both of us. “Quite angry that I wasn’t told what I was walking into. It’s hard to hear that yourhusband”—she enunciates the word—“has another lover.”

I cringe. That isn’t what we are. It was two lapses in judgment. How I feel about King Vizarios is... significant to me, of course, but it is a drop in the bucket in comparison to the stability of the kingdom and the importance of this marriage.

Though I know how my king feels about me, and that is enough to ruin this budding relationship. He said it himself: he could consider loving her if it weren’t for me.

“I’m sorry.” I turn fully to face Queen Nissia, bowing my head low. I’ve done her a great disservice, and I can hide it no longer. “I never intended to spoil what could be. I never meant to harm you, but I realize I have anyway.”

Vizarios is glaring daggers at me. “You’re making it abouther? What about us?”

“It’s in the past,” I say, more firmly. “The queen is your future, Your Majesty.”

His eyes are like sharp steel blades.

“How could you say that?” Vizarios snarls. “Does it mean so little to you?”

I try to keep my own emotions cool, but I hate seeing Vizarios in pain—particularly when I’m the one who inflicted it. I’m about to rebut him, to try to explain myself again, when Queen Nissia boldly steps between us and holds up her hands.

“All right, all right. Halt the lover’s quarrel.”