Page 10 of Dragon Eternal (Dragon Kings 4)
CHAPTERFOUR
It hadn’t been Shaw’s intention to interfere. Nia had caught his eye earlier as she walked alone, seemingly so at ease. Then she saw the priests. Her visceral reaction had propelled him to act, even as he knew he shouldn’t.
Her once-relaxed frame had gone rigid, her apprehension and agitation evident. Shaw had been observing the priests and soldiers for some time. It was obvious that they not only liked their power but also used it. The people of Stonemore had healthy respect for the priests and their soldiers, but none had shown outright alarm as Nia had.
Now, he sat with her at a small table. He was fully aware of her. How could he not be? She was a woman that everyone noticed. Beautiful didn’t begin to describe her. Ethereal, striking.
Breathtaking.
She was all of that and more. Even if she hadn’t worn the dark blue dress of the upper class, he would have known by the way she held herself. Only someone who lived in wealth behaved with such elegance and decorum.
Shaw had noted her beauty from a distance, but the full impact of it hadn’t hit him until he got close to her. A wealth of long, brunette waves floated down her back to her waist. She had the thick strands pulled away to frame her face. Large, honey-colored eyes stared at him in an oval face of perfect symmetry. Her lips were full and utterly kissable. She had a long, graceful neck.
The deep V of her gown pulled his gaze lower, giving him a view of her décolletage. Then lower to her small waist and the flare of her hips. Nia’s hourglass figure was as perfect as her face. His blood heated as lust surged through him.
“Do you not agree?”
He blinked. Shite. She’d been talking. What had she said? Oh, aye. Something about Fate. He needed to stay on top of things. “I do. Fate takes us where we need to go.”
“It seems to have brought us together.” She smiled softly while holding his gaze as a server delivered two glasses filled with some amber liquid.
Shaw put a hand on his thigh and left the other on the table. “I’m rather glad it did.”
“Me, too.”
They stared at each other for several heartbeats.
Nia was the first to look away. She lifted the drink to her lips and took a dainty sip. “How long are you staying?”
“I have no set time.”
“Perhaps we can spend more time together,” she said as her gaze swung back to him.
Shaw drew in a breath and released it. Bloody hell. The woman was enchanting. He was ready to give her anything she wanted just so he could spend more time with her. “I’m no’ part of your world.”
“Maybe I don’t want you to be.”
There was a chance she liked to mingle with those of lesser standing in the city, but Shaw had a suspicion that Nia had whoever she wanted, whenever she wanted. Who was he to deny himself what would surely be an excellent time? Not to mention, he might gain some intel from her. “I’d be a fool to pass up the opportunity to spend time with you.”
One dark brow quirked. “You keep talking like that, and I may never let you leave.”
Shaw grinned, sinking into her honey-colored eyes. He reached for his glass and brought it to his lips before asking what it was. The liquid was warm and smooth as it slid down his throat. He smiled as memories of the past assaulted him.
“Do you like it?” Nia asked.
He replaced the glass and nodded. “Aye. We call it mead. I’ve no’ had it in quite a while.”
“I like that name. We call it honey wine.”
Shaw’s gaze dropped to her mouth as she took another drink. When she set the glass down, she licked her lips. Lust burned through him, scorching his veins. He fought the urge not to lean over and kiss her. The attraction he’d first felt had doubled in the short time he’d sat with her. Everything about her turned him on and made him yearn to know her taste and her body. If he wasn’t careful, she would leave him in ashes.
“Should I ask what you’re thinking?” She tilted her head, giving him a flirty side-eye.
“That I need to be careful around you.”
Both brows shot up on her forehead. “Why is that?”
“You know why.”
Her gaze dropped to the table as the corner of her lips curved into a seductive grin. “Tell me.”
“You have power. Some might call it a gift. I’m sure other women have cursed you behind your back for the ease in which you can take a man to his knees.”
Nia’s eyes lifted to meet his. “You aren’t on your knees.”
“No’ yet.”
“You think you will be?” she asked with a charming grin.
