Page 11 of Dragon Eternal (Dragon Kings 4)
Oh, aye. Shaw would have to be very careful around her. Not only did she know her appeal, but she knew how to use it. It had been a very long time since he had played such a game—or felt lust riding him so hard. He knew himself well enough to know that he could have a little fun while also staying on mission. And who better to get the lay of the city from than one such as Nia?
Shaw took another drink of mead. “Aye.”
“You’re very certain.”
“Just as I am that you want it, too.”
Shock flared in her eyes for just an instant. It was gone so fast that he might have missed it had he not been looking. Nia regarded him for a moment before saying, “You might be reading things wrong.”
He shook his head and jerked his chin toward her. “No’ when I can see how erratic your pulse beats at your throat.”
To his surprise, she laughed. The sound was soft and sultry, throaty. He wasn’t the only one it affected since those around them looked her way. Shaw liked how her eyes crinkled at the corners. The laugh had been uninhibited and wholly pure. It showed him that Nia had more layers than he originally suspected.
And he wanted to know every one of them.
“Thank you for making me laugh.” She sat there for a moment as if soaking it all in. “It’s been a while since someone has taken me by surprise.”
He shrugged and idly turned the glass on the table. It was either that or reach for her. Now wasn’t the time to get his hands on her. Because if he did, he would have a hell of a time stopping. Since they were in the middle of a café, he needed to control himself. “You’re verra composed. I’ll give you that.”
She visibly swallowed, a flush creeping over her face. Desire burned in her eyes. She looked away to compose herself. When she faced him again, she was serene once more. “I’m curious about your accent. Verra. I’ve never heard that before.”
Shaw fisted his hand on his leg. Bloody hell. He needed to stop thinking with his cock. “You think I’m hiding something?”
“Isn’t everyone?” She shook her head, the dark locks moving with her. “Everyone has secrets. I don’t think it’s good to share such things.”
“What secrets could you possibly have?”
“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”
Shaw was intrigued. “Try me.”
She smiled and looked down. “I just met you. For all I know, you’re a spy for the Divine.”
Something in her words troubled him. Maybe because they’d hit a little too close to home. He was a spy. Just not for the Divine. “Your leader has spies?”
“Of course,” she replied with a laugh as if it were nothing. “Everyone who lives in Stonemore knows that.”
“Why would he need such a thing?”
Nia waved the server over and placed three coins in her hand. “You promised to walk me to safety. Will you still?”
“I always keep to my word.”
Shaw got to his feet and followed Nia out, noting how everyone seemed compelled to look her way. As if they were as infatuated with her as he. Her beauty played a big part, as did the way her clothes molded perfectly to her body. But it was also how she carried herself. Confidence and sophistication set her apart from everyone on the lower levels. And he imagined on the upper ones, as well. Shaw hoped he got to see that for himself before he left Stonemore.
Nia paused once they were outside and then looked back at him. Her honey eyes beckoned guilelessly. He wondered how many times she had looked at others as she did him. She didn’t play the innocent, and he was thankful for that. Instead, she owned who she was, almost using it as a shield. He could understand that.
They walked in silence for a bit. He didn’t push her to answer his question about the Divine. He had spoken more that evening than he had in weeks, so he was happy for the quiet. He didn’t need to fill the emptiness with meaningless words. Though, he was beginning to wonder what she was thinking. That was something new for him. He didn’t usually spare a second on someone’s musings.
“What do you think of Stonemore?” she asked.
He glanced at her. “It’s like any city. Noisy, busy, smelly, dirty.”
“You asked why the Divine would have spies.”
Shaw focused on her words since he wasn’t looking at her face. “Aye.”
“To ensure the city stays as it should.”
“What does that mean?”
Nia sighed softly and glanced around before moving closer to him and lowering her voice. “Religion rules the city.”
“I thought it was the Divine.”
“The Divine does, too.”
“It can no’ be both.”
She glanced at him, her face impassive. “Can’t it?”
Shaw shook his head. “I’ve seen something similar before. It does no’ work in the end.”
“It has here, and it will continue. The Divine will make sure of it.”
He glanced ahead to see that they were approaching the gate that led to the fifth level. “Do you follow the religion?”
“Everyone does.”
“Do you no’ have a choice?”
She remained quiet as they passed two soldiers. When they were out of earshot, she said, “What a curious question.”
But he noted that she didn’t answer him, which was answer enough. “Nia…” he began.
