Page 16 of Dragon Eternal (Dragon Kings 4)
CHAPTERSIX
She had spoken to a Dragon King. It was all Nia could think about after she left Shaw the night before. He had even filled her dreams—and there hadn’t been any sign of fear in them. When she opened her eyes that morning, her first thoughts had been about Shaw.
Now that she’d had some time away from him, her trepidation and panic had faded away. Leaving her with thoughts of desire. Possibly because of her erotic dreams. She couldn’t stop wondering what it would be like to have someone like him in her bed. His fern green gaze was penetrating, his voice deep and captivating. A thrill raced through her when she thought of his large hands. She could imagine them holding her, caressing her. Stroking her. Nia had studied every kind of sex there was. She could be shy and vulnerable or assertive and domineering. Normally, she could tell what her partner needed within moments of meeting them. Not so with Shaw.
She had been the closest thing to herself last evening. It alarmed and frightened her on a level she hadn’t experienced in years. She had learned to be whoever was needed in any given situation. How had Shaw stripped away all her defenses? Despite the fear that’d almost had her running away, he had charmed her. Not to mention, he had made her laugh. Whenever she looked into his eyes, she almost forgot who she was and what she was supposed to do.
If only he weren’t a Dragon King. She would…
What would you do?
Nia turned her mind away from that question. It wouldn’t do her any good to go down that trail. Her thoughts returned to her meeting Shaw. She cringed when she thought of the soldier priests. Shaw had protected her. Not because he knew who she was or why, but because he had seen how affected she was. Even now, it shocked her. No one intervened with the priests, but he had. She would be forever grateful to him for that.
It would be too easy to fall for his charm. That in and of itself surprised her. She knew all the tricks. She used them.
What if it isn’t a trick?
“Stop,” Nia told herself. To think like that would only make things worse for her. She needed to keep her eye on her goal, one that was within reach for the first time in her life.
No matter how Shaw made her laugh or want to smile, she couldn’t forget that he was the Divine’s enemy—and she answered to the Divine. Nia knew that better than anyone. There was no escape, no freedom. Unless the Divine granted it.
Nia shoved aside the covers and rose from the bed. She walked barefoot to the window and opened it. The morning breeze ruffled the thin material of her floor-length blue nightdress. She wrapped her arms around her middle and stared out at the gray morning being broken by the yellow-gold light of the sun.
Shaw had said he wanted to see her again. She needed to interact with him to cement her mission. Her skills in flirtation were top-notch, but she hadn’t even had to dig into any of her bag of tricks. Things had come easily between them. That should make things simple and effortless.
When she thought of the times she’d had to seduce men and women who were so foul they literally turned her stomach, she wondered how she’d done it. Shaw was the opposite of foul. The attraction between them would make her assignment painless. After everything she had endured during her life as the Divine’s slave, it was time she got to experience some pleasure.
Shaw’s half-smile flashed in her mind’s eye. Had he used magic to put her at ease, to make her forget all her training? That was the only explanation for Nia being herself. Or had she been? Did she even remember who she was anymore?
Survival had trumped everything else. She had said, done, and been whatever was demanded of her. It kept food in her belly, a roof over her head, and clothes on her back. Sure, she was a slave, but she hadn’t worked any less than if she had been left in that dingy place that she had called home.
Nia had expected to spend her life as a servant. She liked to remain in the shadows and observe the comings and goings in the citadel. Those first years were eye-opening. While Nia rarely saw the Divine, her location in the lower part of the palace ensured that she witnessed many comings and goings.
During one such encounter, a soldier priest had taken notice of her. Nia closed her eyes against the memory, but there was no getting away from it. That day had changed everything. She’d gone from a servant in the shadows to being pampered as a courtesan. Her schooling had begun immediately. They taught her to read and write, but those studies were secondary to the chief education of seduction and sex.
Inwardly, Nia had screamed and cried at the direction her life had taken, but it didn’t take her long to realize how she could use it to her advantage. When she did, she’d put everything she had into it.
And look at her now.
She was the only courtesan to live on an estate and not at the citadel. She had servants of her own. She even had a modicum of freedom. Mostly, it was an illusion. She might have her own place, but it wasn’t really hers, and the Divine’s people followed her everywhere she went, watching her every move. Still, she would take this over other options.
Nia drew in a deep breath and then slowly released it. No matter how handsome Shaw was, no matter how he made her smile and forget who she was, she would complete the task given to her. She dropped her arms and rang for Sadie. The servant arrived within a moment.
“Good morning, ma’am,” Sadie said in a cheery voice.
Nia turned to face her. “I’ll be going out for the day and probably into the night.”
“So, something practical and comfortable but also eye-catching?”
“Exactly.” Nia was reminded once more how good Sadie was at her job.
Another servant brought in breakfast while Sadie chose Nia’s attire. As she ate, Nia thought of where she could take Shaw and what they could do. He’d made it clear that he was interested in her, which meant she should make sure they were alone together. A thrill shot through her at the prospect, but she hastily shoved it aside. Shaw was a means to an end. She shouldn’t forget that.
With her meal finished, Nia dressed. This time, she had Sadie pin her hair up in a low bun. Sadie made the style soft and alluring by keeping Nia’s locks loose. She turned her head one way and then the other to look at herself in the mirror before smiling at Sadie. “This looks amazing.”
Sadie beamed. “I’m glad you like it.”
