Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 112416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 562(@200wpm)___ 450(@250wpm)___ 375(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 562(@200wpm)___ 450(@250wpm)___ 375(@300wpm)
“I can see the appeal of having so much control,” Haru murmured. Adrian had to admire Haru’s ability to utter those words with what sounded like full sincerity and maybe even a hint of amusement. Adrian was ready to pitch a chair at Matthys’s head.
With clenched teeth, Adrian slid his hand up Haru’s chest, trying to get himself lost in the part he was supposed to be playing of devoted boy toy. As he slid his hand higher, he jolted to a stop over Haru’s heart. It was racing. The damn thing was pounding as if the dragon were in the middle of a life-or-death battle. Maybe Haru was as affected by the bastard’s words as Adrian was.
He needed to help Haru stay in character and remain calm. Adrian shifted his head closer to Haru and lightly brushed his lips along his neck, feathering light kisses across his skin. Almost instantly, Haru’s heart slowed to a more normal pace. Haru caught the hand resting on his chest and pressed kisses to Adrian’s fingers before sliding them inside his shirt to rest on bare skin. Evil dragon.
“Considering your moneymaking skills, I thought you would jump at the chance to move your base of operations here to Damardor. You would have far fewer headaches than you have with Erya’s nosy government.”
Haru chuckled. “That is true. The government in Erya is always in my hair about rules and regulations. So much paper work. So many meetings. I have better things to do with my time.”
“Like buying me pretty things,” Adrian interjected in a pouty tone.
“Exactly!” Haru nuzzled the side of Adrian’s face, and Adrian could feel the dragon’s smile. “My darling treasure should always outshine the world.”
“I think you and your treasure would be very comfortable in Bellcairn,” Matthys stated.
“It is something to consider. I spend less time in Stormbreak now. The new king seems to want to be more hands-on with managing the country, and I’m not sure how that suits me. I considered Ilon, but they are less business-minded. New Rosanthe could present some opportunities in its current tumultuous state. I do not know. Money has become…boring. I have so much, and it’s easy to make more. I want something…different.”
Matthys shifted to the edge of his seat and leaned toward Haru. “Stay in Damardor longer. There are so many more like-minded people you must meet.”
Haru grunted in agreement. “You mentioned that there was someone you wished me to meet. Someone who needed my unique skills.”
“There is.” Matthys turned his head to peer through the crowd. His eyes widened, and he jumped to his feet. “He’s here now.”
Adrian lifted his head and watched as Matthys hurried over to another man’s side. He had black hair that was going salt-and-pepper throughout. A neat beard and mustache outlined his round face, through which beady eyes peered out. He was immaculately dressed in what looked to be a very expensive suit with a diamond tiepin that winked in the warm lights.
Matthys’s bossy, arrogant manner shifted in a flash. He was taller than this newcomer, but as he approached him, Matthys bowed his shoulders inward and bent his knees as if trying to shrink his appearance to make him less than this other man.
“Maybe this hasn’t been a wasted trip,” Adrian whispered in Haru’s ear.
“I pray it has not. I would very much like to burn this entire house to ash with all these people inside,” Haru replied in a low voice while maintaining a lazy smile on his lips.
“Me too.”
Haru looked away from Matthys and grinned at Adrian. “Do you think we will be allowed to keep that collar you wear?”
“Probably not. Why?”
Haru made a grumpy noise. “My cousin should gift it to me for a job well done. I wish to fuck you while you wear it and only it.”
Heat scorched Adrian’s face, and he wanted to punch Haru in the nose, but he couldn’t without destroying their cover.
Someone cleared their throat, saving Adrian from saying something he shouldn’t. They both gazed up at Matthys and the stranger standing nearby.
“Yujian Visconti, it’s my honor to introduce you to Ruben Deinum.”
CHAPTER 14
Omari Haru
Pleasantries were exchanged, and Haru managed to hold on to his tight smile without clenching his teeth. He’d survived plenty of meetings with rival dragon clans he didn’t care for. In each of them, he’d been expected to play nicely and not shame the Omari clan. Each time, those meetings were a test of his restraint and self-control.
Haru pulled on all those skills now as he held Adrian close. He would not slaughter the monsters around him, as they drank and ate with abandon, while the people of Bellcairn starved and cowered in fear. He would not endanger his Adrian. And he would not besmirch the honor of his clan or his cousin, King Caelan.