Page 84 of Dragon Eternal (Dragon Kings 4)
CHAPTERTHIRTY-THREE
Daelya’s heart thudded erratically in her chest as the door opened. She wanted to run, to be anywhere but there. Her gaze locked on the tall man with long, black hair as he came into view. Resolve and wariness hardened his handsome face as his eyes scanned the room. Her breath locked in her chest.
Then his gaze landed on her. She couldn’t help but take a step back. He was a Dragon King, after all. She felt the strength of his magic, the sheer dominance of the being himself. And those who mastered her thought they could control him? It was almost laughable. She knew what the outcome would be, which was why she hadn’t told her master everything.
Besides, they deserved what was coming.
Daelya wanted to say so much to Shaw, to warn him. He quirked a brow as he strode through the nearly empty room toward her. She had to force herself to stand her ground near the doors to the balcony. Her blood rushed in her ears as her brain screamed at her to run.
Shaw’s eyes scanned her as he stopped before her. “Who might you be?”
Behind her was a door where the others waited. The one to her left was one she prayed they never opened. If she said nothing to Shaw, she would likely be killed in the resulting battle. If she dared to speak, the Divine would kill her instantly. Either way, she would finally be free.
“Daelya,” she answered.
“Are you to take me to the Divine?”
Shaw drew close enough that she could see that his eyes were green. Daelya had never been brave enough to get a glimpse of the dragons. This would be her only chance. Her one attempt to balance the scales once more. “Run,” she said in the barest whisper.
His brows drew together as he stiffened.
She pleaded with her eyes for him to leave, but he simply smiled. That was when she realized that he suspected something. Of course, a Dragon King would come prepared. But would it be enough? It had to be.
For everyone’s sake.
Shaw looked out the doors to the balcony beyond. Then he swiveled his head to the other side and looked at the wall there. The sun was sinking, darkening the room. The shadows grew, causing her to want to rush to the light, but he didn’t seem fazed by them in the least.
“Is the Divine coming?” Shaw asked her.
Daelya’s lips parted, ready to tell him everything, when the door behind her burst open and warriors flooded the room. To her shock, Shaw grinned, his eyes burning with reckoning as they surrounded him. Someone grabbed Daelya’s hair and tossed her to the side. Her body slammed against the wall, but a rush of footfalls drowned out her cry of pain. She curled into a ball, trying to protect herself from being trampled.
* * *
Nia’s thoughts ran wild with what could be happening with Shaw as she paced the small, richly appointed chamber. Had he met with the Divine? What did the Divine want? And when would she see Shaw again?
She sat on the curved settee, hoping that would calm her nerves. She couldn’t shake the feeling she was being watched, but she couldn’t figure out by whom or how. Her skin prickled with unease, so she knew it wasn’t her imagination. Someone was there. She had to remain calm. She wouldn’t give them anything.
Especially about Shaw.
The door opened, and Amsden stalked in as if he ruled the citadel. The way he raked his eyes over her made her want to gag. He had always repulsed her. Everyone at the citadel felt that way, but his position gave him them power to do what he pleased with whomever he wanted, whenever he wanted.
Amsden leaned his skinny frame against the wall and crossed his arms over his chest. Anger rolled off him in waves as he glared at her. “How did you do it?”
“Do what?” she asked coyly.
His nostrils flared. “Don’t play with me. How did you get Shaw to fall in love with you?”
She smiled serenely so he didn’t see how scared she was. “I was taught the art of sex and seduction. Done correctly, I can have anyone eating out of my hand.”
“Once again, you’ve proven how resourceful you are.”
Nia’s stomach clenched. The compliment was anything but. “I do what the Divine asks of me.”
“So, you do,” the steward said with a sneer.
Now she wished she were standing. He might be against the wall, but he was so much taller. Right now, she didn’t like anything that put her at a disadvantage. “Is the Divine displeased with me?”
“On the contrary.”
