Page 38 of Dragon Eternal (Dragon Kings 4)
With the others, she had counted down the hours until her job was finished. Not that all of them were horrid, but few of them were people she wanted to spend time with. If they had come to the Divine’s attention, then they were generally individuals who had done something, knew something, or knew someone the Divine wanted information about. From her experience, few in leadership roles were decent people. Most became enamored with the power they received. The same could be said for the wealthy. Those with money always believed they were better than those without. When, in reality, it was simply a matter of Fate what family you were born into.
“Something wrong?”
She stirred at Shaw’s words. Nia smiled as she shoved away the covers and rose. “I got lost in thought.”
His eyes darkened as his gaze ran over her nude body. She walked past him to her dressing robe. Nia purposefully turned herself to show her breasts while slowly drawing on the garment and belting it at her waist.
The desire that flared in Shaw’s eyes was just what she needed to see. She wasn’t sure what the emotion was that tightened her chest. A memory in the back of her mind suggested that it might be nervousness. But…surely, that couldn’t be right. Not since her first few times as a courtesan had she been anxious about someone wanting her.
“Nia?”
There was concern in Shaw’s eyes when she looked at him. She carefully schooled her features. What was wrong with her? She never let anyone see what she was thinking or feeling. Why had she let anything show with him?
But she knew—his magic.
Maybe being with him too long was having an effect on her. Perhaps she needed some time to herself to regroup and focus, to remind herself what was at stake.
“My apologies. I’m still waking up,” she lied.
She watched Shaw closely to see if he bought her lie. Deceits and falsehoods came easily to her, mostly because she didn’t care about the people she was sent to seduce. That wasn’t the case with Shaw. She didn’t like lying to him. Each time she did, the words stuck in her throat. The only reasoning behind it was his magic. Nia had never imagined enchantments would affect her in such a way.
“Shall I call one of your servants?” he asked.
Before Nia could answer, a knock sounded on the door. “Enter, Sadie,” she bade.
The door slowly cracked. Shaw rushed forward and opened it so Sadie could walk inside with a food tray. Another servant was behind her with a second meal for Shaw. The women placed the food on the table near the window.
Sadie remained and looked at Nia. “Will there be anything else, ma’am?”
“That’ll be all.” When she left, Nia found Shaw’s gaze on her. “Hungry?”
He walked to the trays and looked over the food. “I could eat.”
“I hope it isn’t too different from what you’re used to.”
Shaw smiled and shot her a wink. “My palate isna too picky.”
Nia poured herself some jasmine rose tea and offered some to Shaw. She expected him to refuse, so when he nodded in acceptance, a little thrill went through her.
“You look surprised,” he said.
She chuckled as she poured. “In my experience, men don’t like tea.”
“Where I’m from, everyone drinks it. I drink tea often. We have a variety of flavors.” He lifted the cup to his nose and sniffed. “I smell hints of rose.”
“It’s jasmine rose. My own special blend.”
He held her gaze as he brought the cup to his lips and took a sip. Delight spread over his face. “It’s light with just the right amount of flavor. The rose doesna overpower the jasmine or vice versa. Did you use green or black tea leaves?”
Once more he surprised her. “Green. You know your tea.”
“Like I said, it’s a staple where I’m from. Do you have other blends?”
“I do. I like to try different things.”
“Where do you get the leaves?”
She speared a bit of butter and spread it over her toast. “I bartered some of my roses for the plants. I grow my own tea plants.”
“Have you ever thought of selling your blends?”
Nia glanced outside. No one had ever asked about her tea before. Shaw’s interest seemed genuine, but she was too used to hiding things. In her experience, when people pried, it was because they wanted something.
“You should consider it,” he said as he set down the cup and reached for some food.
Nia wished she could tell him that it was her dream to get as far from Stonemore as possible and then set up somewhere where she could create and sell her teas. She wanted to fend for herself. She knew the ache of hunger, the fear of freezing to death. She never wanted to be in that position again.
“One day, maybe,” she whispered.
It was the first time she had given voice to her dreams. Even whispered, she feared they might be snatched from her.
Shaw swallowed his food. “You have a way with plants and tea blends. You could do verra well for yourself with both.”
She didn’t want wealth. She wanted to live somewhere that was hers, a place that no one could take from her. She wanted to surround herself with flowers. A simple life. That’s all she had ever wanted. The fine clothes, servants, and beautiful estate were nice, but they were all a reminder that she was beholden to someone.
And that individual could take her life in an instant.
“Can I see you later today?”
Nia’s head swung to Shaw. She had considered spending some time alone to get some distance from his magic, but she hadn’t planned to say anything until after they had eaten. It seemed he had beaten her to it. That stung a little.
A lot, actually.
She made sure her smile was cordial. “What time were you thinking?”
“We could meet for the noon meal.”
Nia was free, but she didn’t want it to appear as if she were too eager for him. Even though she was supposed to be spending all her time with him. “I’m otherwise engaged. How about after?”
He nodded once. “Shall I come to you?”
“I’ll find you.”
