Page 17 of Dragon Eternal (Dragon Kings 4)
Nia stood and moved to the full-length mirror. She had decided on a skirt, this one simple and light. The expensive dark blue material of the matching shirt was without adornment, but it was one of her favorites. She adjusted her breasts in the plunging neckline. Nia liked the asymmetrical cut of the shirt with one side longer than the other.
“Whoever your target is, they don’t stand a chance.”
Nia lifted her gaze to meet Sadie’s and smiled. “No, he doesn’t. I’m going to make sure of that.”
“Should I get the house ready?”
“Please, do. Don’t do anything too lavish, though. I want things to seem natural.”
Sadie folded her hands before her. “He’s not your normal, then?”
“Not even close.”
A slow smile spread across Sadie’s face. “I’ll make sure everything is just as you like it.”
Nia faced the servant and put her hand on Sadie’s arm. “Thank you for everything that you’ve done for me.”
“It’s truly been my pleasure.”
She gave Sadie a squeeze before walking out of her room. The staff ran efficiently. As soon as they’d learned that she was leaving for the day, they’d readied the carriage. Nia climbed in and wondered at the odd sensation in her stomach. It took her a second to realize that she was nervous. She couldn’t recall the last time she’d felt such an emotion.
That wasn’t the only one assaulting her, however. There was also excitement—at seeing Shaw. And a small thread of fear that she tried to ignore. It wouldn’t do any good to give in to it when she had a job to do. Her thoughts returned to Shaw. Would he look the same in the light of day? Would he be as charismatic? Would his smile make her stomach flutter? Would she still want to grab his face and kiss him?
She was about to find out.
Just as it had the evening before, the carriage dropped her off at the gate to the lower levels. The soldiers from the estate didn’t follow her because others were watching her. It was a reminder that she belonged to the Divine.
Nia welcomed the sun on her face. She lifted her hand to shield her eyes from the bright light as she thought about where to find Shaw. He hadn’t told her where he was staying. She could have found out, but she didn’t want to do that yet. She wanted to see if he would search her out. It was a gamble, but she suspected that he would, given his talk the evening before.
She moved away from the soldiers. After only two steps, her gaze landed on none other than Shaw. He stood unmoving in the bustling crowd, his eyes locked on her. Delight, apprehension, and nervousness whirled in her belly.
He was taller than most. She didn’t know how she hadn’t spotted him immediately. The sun glinted off his dark hair. His crooked smile caused her heart to race. And his eyes…the way they watched her told her that he had been locked on her from the instant she’d disembarked from the carriage.
Shaw made his way over to her. “Good morning.”
Her lips parted at the smooth timbre of his voice. She had to swallow twice before she found her voice. “Good morning.”
“I hope you doona have plans for the day.”
Oh, if he only knew. “What did you have in mind?”
“Spend the day with me.”
She searched his fern green eyes. Damn him for being even more handsome in the sunlight. To her surprise, the fear that had plagued her loosened its hold somewhat. “How can I refuse such an offer?”
“I was hoping you’d say that.”
“Do you have a destination in mind?”
“Away from the city, perhaps.”
Nia tried to look away from his eyes, but they ensnared her. The intensity of his gaze and his words made her heady. People surrounded them. The only place in the city they would be left alone was at her estate, but she didn’t want to take him there yet—there were too many watchful eyes. And she was still finding her footing with him.
“How do you feel about a walk in the forest?” she offered.
A ghost of a grin played upon his lips. “Perfect.”
