Page 70 of Dragon Eternal (Dragon Kings 4)
“I’m sorry to disturb you, ma’am,” Sadie said from behind them.
Nia saw a frown mar Shaw’s forehead before she turned around. The instant she looked at Sadie, she stiffened. She had someone with her. Anytime Nia was near him, she felt as if she needed a bath afterward. He was thin with a long, narrow face and dark, beady eyes. His thin, limp brown hair was parted to the side. As usual, he was decked out in the best material money could buy, but it did nothing to hide his skeletal frame. Nia forced herself to remain impassive, but his gaze wasn’t on her.
“Forgive the intrusion,” he said as he flashed a too-bright smile at Shaw. “I’m Amsden, the Divine’s steward. If I had known that Nia had a visitor, I wouldn’t have called.”
“That’s a load of shite,” Shaw whispered. Then he nodded. “Shaw.”
Nia had to fight to keep from laughing. She lifted her chin and bowed her head. “Good evening, Amsden. What can I do for you?”
“I realized I’ve not seen you for some time in court. I thought I would stop in and see how you were,” he replied.
She wished she could usher Amsden out the door, but his visit was for a reason. The Divine must have sent him. That was good since it would prove that she was doing her job. And it would make the Divine believe that Shaw was falling in love with her.
“Perhaps I should leave,” Shaw said.
Amsden blinked before chuckling. “Nonsense. Please, remain. I’ll only stay a moment. I just wanted to catch up with Nia.”
Shaw’s firm hand on her back reminded Nia of their end goal. She smiled and motioned to the chairs. “Please.”
Once seated, Amsden asked Shaw, “I take it you aren’t from Stonemore?”
“I’m traveling,” Shaw answered.
Amsden’s brows rose. “I’ve never heard an accent like that. Where are you from?”
Shaw grinned. “It’s verra far away. I’ve been wandering for some time.”
“Alone?”
“Aye. And what is it you do as a steward, Amsden?”
Nia crossed one leg over the other. Shaw was good at this. Amsden was usually composed, but she saw the sweat on his forehead now and noticed how his hands shook slightly. So, he knew he sat across from a Dragon King. A picture of Amsden on the ground curled in a ball as Shaw stood over him in dragon form flashed in her mind. She had to cover her mouth to keep from laughing.
It earned her a glare from Amsden and a raised brow from Shaw. She ignored both.
“I do whatever the Divine asks,” Amsden answered.
Shaw stretched out his legs and crossed his ankles. “Anything?”
“Anything,” Amsden said with a nod.
“Tell me about the Divine. I’ve been asking Nia, but she’s never seen him.”
Nia’s heart skipped a beat. She shot Shaw a dark look, but his gaze was locked on the steward.
“The Divine is private,” Amsden said.
Shaw nodded as his face scrunched up. “I’ve never heard of a ruler keeping to themselves. Usually, they like to be front and center.”
“The Divine is different.”
“Why that name? Why no’ some other title? Emperor? King?”
Amsden’s eyes narrowed. “Because that is not what the Divine wanted.”
“Forgive the questions. I’m just trying to sort things out,” Shaw said with a smile.
Amsden relaxed somewhat. “How long are you staying in Stonemore?”
Shaw’s head turned as he looked at her. “I had thought to just stay a few nights, but I find I’m quite captivated by Nia. She’s been showing me the city. I’m beginning to understand what draws others to Stonemore.”
Amsden laughed as he looked between her and Shaw. “Nia is quite the catch. Maybe you’ll be the lucky one who captures her heart.”
“I can only hope,” Shaw replied.
Nia ducked her head because Shaw had never stopped looking at her. She knew all of this had been for show, but to hear Shaw say he wanted her heart had made her pulse race and her stomach flutter in excitement.
Careful, Nia. This is just a game. A dangerous one, but a game all the same. Don’t get attached to him.
It was good advice.
Too bad she couldn’t take it.
Amsden pushed to his feet. He bowed his head to Shaw. “I’m glad I got to meet you. I’ll leave the two of you to get back to your night.”
“I’ll walk you out,” Nia said.
Shaw touched her hand as she walked past him. She kept her back straight as she followed Amsden into the house and toward the front door.
When he reached it, he paused before opening it and then turned to her. “How do you do it?”
“Do what?” she asked.
“Be around him,” he snarled as if the thought made him sick. “Be around magic.”
She shrugged and placed a serene smile on her lips, the kind she used for her clients. “I do it because the Divine ordered me to. It was obvious you weren’t comfortable around him. If you return, try to do a better job.”
“Do not dare to tell me how to act.”
