Page 21 of Morel Dilemma

Rylana froze, not wanting to move, lest she distract him from doing… whatever he meant to do. Touch her?

He brushed his fingers over her shoulder, stroking the fabric of the dress. “This material has a soft and silky texture that is appealing.”

“Yeah,” she whispered, her voice almost a croak as a zing of pleasure swept through her. Her shoulder wasn’t what she wanted him to touch, but even that little brush felt good. It made her body heat with awareness. She hadn’t been with a man since Maverick had passed, and she hadn’t realized she missed it, that her body was primed with longing, with the desire to be touched. And was his gaze drifting toward her chest again? “I⁠—”

“Rylana?” Zalani called down the hallway.

Jildarin stepped back and lowered his hand, as if he’d been caught doing something inappropriate. What a silly thought. Dragons didn’t believe they ever did anything inappropriate.

But were his cheeks slightly pink? No, that had to be her imagination. She’d never seen Jildarin blush.

“There’s a carriage here for you.” Zalani sounded puzzled. “Is your wine date starting already?”

“I’m not sure, but…” Rylana cleared her throat. Her voice had gone strangely husky. “I was planning to walk.”

“A carriage?” Jildarin asked.

“The coachman isn’t an elf, right?” Rylana headed for the front window, wanting to look out before committing to opening the door. She wasn’t expecting anyone and, with their queen now in Tranquility, the elves might have decided to renew their interest in interrogating her to learn Sylin’s whereabouts.

“The driver is a dwarf who came in looking for you.” Zalani pointed to a broad-shouldered, red-bearded, four-foot-tall male standing by the front door. He wore a plum-colored frock coat and top boots while carrying a silk hat under his arm.

“Lady Rylana Avandar?” he rumbled in a deep voice, inclining his head and pointing toward the door.

“Yes.” Rylana looked out the window to a gilded magic-powered carriage with a golden dragon emblazoned on the door.

“That is my brother’s conveyance,” Jildarin said from behind her shoulder. “Horses are too alarmed by mighty predators to pull even a shape-shifted dragon inside a carriage, so he purchased a mechanical construct.”

“Oh. I guess I won’t be able to beat him to the wine club then.”

With the dwarf holding the door for her, Rylana walked outside. Twilight was creeping over the city, the air cooling for the evening. As she draped her new shawl around her shoulders, she admitted that purchasing a few accessories hadn’t been a bad idea.

The carriage door opened, and Zilek stepped out wearing a dark swallow-tail cloak, waistcoat, and breeches.

“Ah, lady bookkeeper, you are much improved without the pockets.” He smirked and bowed to her, then noticed Jildarin had come out as well and twitched an eyebrow. “Did my brother compliment you on your beauty? Or did he fail to notice what’s been cloaked beneath your masculine apparel?”

Jildarin scowled.

“Hello, Zilek,” Rylana decided to ignore the question. “I wasn’t expecting you to pick me up.”

“I would never make a female companion walk like a homeless nomad wandering the city. Speaking of companions…” Zilek looked around, oblivious or indifferent to Jildarin’s ongoing scowl. “Is the elf arriving soon? I pine to see what she looks like in a dress. Perhaps she would be as appealing to admire as the lady Layothlee, should she wear attire more suited to the curves of the female body.”

“I know she regularly aches to be admired by men,” Rylana murmured. When Zilek’s gaze returned to her, she raised her voice to say, “I regret to inform you that the elves are still seeking Sylin out, so she can’t come tonight, but she did say she would share coffee with you after the queen departs if you desire.” Rylana pointed across the street at Sylin’s favorite destination.

“Ah? I suppose that would be acceptable.”

Fortunately, Zilek didn’t appear upset. She’d felt guilty about promising and then not producing Sylin, though she’d also felt guilty about using her friend to procure an invitation. It was for the good of the diner, she’d told herself.

“I’ve already got one alluring companion to keep me entertained tonight.” Smiling, Zilek stepped forward and reached for her, aiming for a target lower than her shoulder. Her waist?

Rylana tensed, feeling that too intimate and inclined to swat his hand away.

Jildarin stepped in front of her first, catching Zilek’s wrist before he made contact.

“You will not touch my partner,” Jildarin stated.

“Relax, my brother,” Zilek said. “As I’ve informed you, I’m respecting your wishes and will not do Aunt Lysilria’s bidding of slaying her.”

“Slaying is not currently what is in your thoughts,” Jildarin said. “You seek to mate with Rylana.”