Page 19 of Dragon Eternal (Dragon Kings 4)
Movement in the trees off to the side caught his attention. He watched an animal that resembled a squirrel—though twice its size and brown in color—jump from limb to limb.
They started walking again. The deeper they went into the forest, the calmer he felt. He glanced up through the thick tree limbs to the blue sky above and the fluffy, white clouds drifting past.
“You are much more at ease here,” Nia commented.
“I doona have to watch my back for thieves.” Shaw glanced at her and shrugged. “You also seem more at ease.”
She smiled as she watched a bright orange bird fly overhead. “There’s less noise.”
“Do you come often?”
Nia shook her head. “I might like the peace, but the animals scare me.”
“People walk through the woods every day. I walked through them to come here.”
“That’s true.”
He glanced ahead. “Have you followed the path through the forest?”
“No,” she answered, her tone soft.
Shaw wanted to know what had happened, but he could tell that she wouldn’t answer. It was time to turn the topic back to things that could benefit the Kings. “I’ve been to many cities in my travels, but Stonemore has to be one of the strictest when it comes to magic. Are the rumors I heard yesterday true?”
“What might those be?”
“That children with magic are killed.”
She moved slightly away from him as if the distance would prevent her from answering. “There is a hard line about magic in the city.”
“You didna answer my question.”
Nia turned her head away from him. “Yes. Okay? Yes, they murder kids.”
“Why does no one stand up for them? They’re children.”
“That’s the way things are.”
“Did you ever think there might be another way?”
Nia drew in a sharp breath and then released it. Her jaw clenched, and her nostrils flared. “It’s the way things have always been.”
Obviously, this was a sore subject for her. Shaw would approach it again later. Maybe when she got to know him better, she might open up more. At times, she seemed sincere and unguarded. And at others, like now, she was standoffish.
“My apologies,” he said. “I shouldna push about your city.”
She sighed and shook her head. “I shouldn’t be so defensive.”
When she looked his way, they shared a smile. It didn’t quite reach her eyes as it had before. Shaw would have to work to rebuild what he had destroyed with one question. It might take more effort than he’d first thought getting anything from Nia. It was time to turn the topic once more. “Tell me about yourself.”
She glanced at him, surprise in her eyes. “There’s nothing to tell.”
“I doubt that. You’re a verra desirable woman. I’ve seen how others look at you. You could have everyone eating out of your hand if you wanted.”
A laugh fell from her lips, the same beautiful sound as the night before. “Now you’re just flattering me.”
“You know it’s the truth,” he pressed, smiling.
Her eyes glittered when she looked his way. “If you’re worried about a husband or a partner, don’t be. I’m not with anyone.”
“How is that even possible?”
“Life has a way of shoving you down a twisty road so you never know where you’ll end up.”
Shaw thought about his time before the humans had arrived when he was King of Sapphires. Life couldn’t have been better. Then the mortals had arrived, followed by war, and then the dragons left, pitching him into a world of anger and uncertainty. “Aye. I know that road well.”
“You survived it.” Nia stopped again and faced him.
He turned to her and twisted his lips. Her gaze was direct, seeking. The air shifted around them. The walls she had erected lowered, and he saw the desire in her eyes. He fought to remember what they were speaking about. “So have you.”
“In my own way. I’m a survivor.”
“We have that in common.” He stared into her eyes, wanting to feel her body against his, to know her warmth.
Her taste.
His gaze lowered to see her pulse beating rapidly at her throat. The hunger that had clawed through him during the long night roared its intent. They were alone.
She wanted him.
He wanted her.
No. Want was too weak of a word. He craved her.
“When are you going to kiss me, Shaw?”
Her words shredded the last of his control. He closed the distance between them, wrapping one arm around her as his other went to her neck. He gazed down at her heavy-lidded eyes. Her lips were parted, waiting for his.
“Oh, the things I’m going to do to your body,” he whispered as he lowered his head.
