Per—perform for me? I focus on steadying my breaths as the king withdraws and moves to open the carriage door.
What does that even mean?
Don’t be a fool, Serah, I chide myself, high color rising to my cheeks. The way between a man and woman has been explained to me in great detail, as my mother was of the opinion that these things ought not be surprises as they were for her. What else could the king be implying by his words and allowing me to wear a gem of this magnitude?
But I’ve only just arrived! Surely, his meaning lies elsewhere.
The Dragon King steps out and offers a hand to me, his eyes steady. I stare at the proffered hand as if it’s a contractual agreement: “Here, take my hand and let us be off to the bedroom.” My own hands clamp onto the underside of my seat.
The king looks at me. “Are you afraid?”
A lady does not lie, I hear in the voice of one of my tutors. She demurs.
“Perhaps,” I say.
He cocks his head at me. “There’s no need. You are with me. The wyverns would not dare touch you.”
The wyverns. Of course. He means for me to perform well in front of the wyverns, whoever they may be. I’m flooded with relief and more than a little embarrassment.
“Ah,” I say. “thank you for the reassurance, Your Majesty.” Placing one hand in his, I touch the necklace with my other as I step out onto the narrow carriage steps. “And I thank you for allowing me to wear such a treasure.”
He stiffens at my words. “I hope you will wear it always. It is yours now.”
I’m so shocked that my foot slips, and I careen right into his arms.
The king doesn’t shift an inch as my weight crashes into him. He merely catches my shoulders and goes on talking as if my cheek isn’t pressed against his chest.
“I was under the impression sapphires were an acceptable choice. Have I been misinformed?”
Face burning, I peel myself off him. Not only is this my second gaffe of the day, but palace staff will surely be watching our arrival for bits of information to pass along the gossip trail. By the end of the day, I’ll be known as the princess who can’t walk down a slope or stairs without incident. I straighten and try to regain some dignity.
“No, Your Majesty, you were not misinformed. Sapphires are a particular favorite of mine.”
“As I was told,” he says, his face stern.
Who would have told him such a thing? Certainly not Abely. “Forgive me, for I was only surprised. In Vasna, such gems would only be worn by the queen, and even then, only at formal events.”
I don’t mention that none of the royal jewels compare with the one hanging off my neck.
“You are no longer in Vasna.”
“No…”
He takes a step nearer, and as we were already close, the proximity causes my heart to beat even faster. “Are you having second thoughts, Princess?”
His voice is quiet—soft, even—and both his tone and question puzzle me.
“Pardon?”
“Do you wish to return to Vasna?” he asks.
Of course I do, I want to shout. I’m only here to help my people, and every other moment with this dragon seems like a mystery to be untangled.
Demur, Serah. Demur, demur…
“I will remain here,” I say, “as was agreed upon, Your Majesty.”
The king’s gaze sharpens on me. “Then you accept it? The gem?”
A strange fluttering starts in my belly and trickles to my limbs as I look back at him. I almost feel I could lift my arms and soar away. Likely a reaction to the heat, I tell myself.
“I do,” I say.
The king looks almost as relieved as I felt a moment ago. His shoulders relax, and an actual smile plays about his lips.
“I am most—”
“Your Majesty,” a voice calls, cutting him off.
When I peer past the king, I see a trio of men, bare from the waist up, which under normal circumstances, might shock me to spot on palace grounds.
It might, if they weren’t gliding down from the sky on wings as red as blood.