Page 32 of Dragon Eternal (Dragon Kings 4)
CHAPTERTHIRTEEN
Nia turned and discovered Shaw staring at her once again. He wore a peculiar expression. It was on the tip of her tongue to tell him that she had been thinking of his description of his home. She was curious to know its name. A part of her had almost asked what it was called, but she didn’t want him to lie. So, she didn’t ask.
Secrets. She had so many, but they’d never felt as heavy as they did now. Did they feel the same to him? What would happen if they shared everything? Would the world come to an end? Nothing so drastic, surely. Shaw might want nothing to do with her. He could become incensed and storm out. Then again, he might offer…
Her thoughts trailed off as she inwardly laughed. What did she think Shaw would do? Offer to help her escape? To take her away from everything? That would never happen. He was charming and looked after her as no other had, but that didn’t mean he was some savior.
He was a Dragon King.
She was a courtesan.
Together, they were nothing.
“I doona like the sadness in your eyes.”
She smiled and walked to him. “I’ll only be sad if you have to leave.”
“I wouldna dream of it.”
“You aren’t afraid of water, are you?”
He chuckled and raised a brow. “I’m no’.”
“Perfect. Relax here for a moment. I’ll return shortly.”
She walked into the hall and found Sadie waiting.
“I made sure everyone was out of sight,” the woman said with a grin. “He’s very handsome. And that accent.”
Nia nodded in agreement. “It is rather nice to hear, isn’t it?”
“Do you want food, ma’am?”
“I do, but I’d also like the water drawn.”
Sadie’s eyes widened. “Ohhh. That will be nice with the windows open. Some honey wine, too?”
“Please.”
“I’ll get it all sorted right away.”
Nia smiled her thanks and detoured to her office. She made sure the missive from the Divine was put away just in case Shaw decided to investigate the room. With his magic, he could most likely get into any drawer, so she didn’t bother to lock it. But she couldn’t leave it out, either. The safe thing would be for her to burn it, but something urged her not to.
This wasn’t the first time she had brought someone to her home. In fact, she preferred it, because she could control when and where her servants were, and if she needed help, they would give her assistance. Which meant she had hidden documents before. Nia reached under the desk and pressed a hidden panel that quietly slid open. She rolled the note tightly and placed it inside before closing the panel once more.
She straightened and looked around the room. Then she hurried down the stairs to check on her surprise. She saw Sadie holding a jar of onyx oil. Nia stopped her. “Save this one. Bring the amber instead.”
Nia then used a hidden door in the hallway to see how the bath was coming. The three walls of windows were open wide. The bathing tub had been constructed using the more durable marble from a nearby quarry. The material was so costly that it was used sparingly, even by the wealthiest of Stonemore. She had been overjoyed to find some at the estate.
She sat on the raised edge of the sunken tub and let her fingers dip into the heated water. The mountain’s thermal spring had been altered long ago so that the elite of Stonemore could have hot water instantly. The tub itself was a large square and could easily fit four people. Today, it would be perfect for her and the handsome Dragon King in her room.
Nia double-checked the jar Sadie carried. Then she went upstairs. When she walked into her room, Shaw was on her bed, his hands behind his head, and his legs crossed at the ankles. His eyes were closed, but she suspected that he wasn’t asleep.
She moved to the edge of the bed and stared down at him. He really was gorgeous. She wondered if they might have been friends, lovers, or…possibly more had they met under different circumstances. It was something she would never know. At least, when everything was over, she would have the memories of their time together.
And know how much he hates you for betraying him to the Divine.
Nia winced at the voice in her head. Shaw would hate her, but she couldn’t help that. If he was as powerful as everyone thought, then he would be able to get away. This was her one—and possibly only—shot at freedom. Only a fool would let that go.
The only way she had survived for as long as she had, the simple reason she had prospered, was because she hadn’t trusted anyone. She kept her true feelings locked deep inside, only daring to let the thoughts drift through her mind when she was alone deep in the night. Even then she feared that someone might reach into her head and pluck them out, exposing her. If the Divine or the priests ever learned how she wanted to kill every last one of them for harming innocent children, they would plunge a sword through her heart.
Or worse.
