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)
Adrian glanced at Haru from the corner of his eye. His expression was lackadaisical, as was expected of Yujian, but there was a tension around his lips and in his eyes. Something about this job had him worried.
Forcing a bounce into his step, Adrian moved closer to Haru and clung to one of Haru’s arms while pasting a super-sweet grin on his lips. Haru’s eyebrows jumped, and he grinned.
“Yujian!” Ruben’s voice boomed as they entered yet another beautiful room with tall windows and sleek furniture. The robust man with steadily graying hair set aside a tablet on a nearby table and rose to his feet. The butler stiffly bowed to them and hurried out of the room, leaving his charges with the master.
“Ruben, it has been too long. I’ve been exploring more of your city and find it very quaint.” As Haru spoke, he pulled his arm free of Adrian’s grasp and wrapped it behind his waist so he could pull Adrian flush against his side. “Of course, you recall my precious treasure, Mitso.”
“Naturally. He looks as lovely as ever. Have you been enjoying your time in Bellcairn?”
“Thank you, Mr. Deinum. Bellcairn is very nice. The food is much better here than in Aswa.”
Ruben’s smile tightened and his eyes widened at Adrian’s oh-so-casual mention of the New Rosanthe capital city. Yes, they needed to lay it on thick for Ruben. He and his boss needed to believe Yujian was extremely well traveled and well connected.
Haru tapped the tip of Adrian’s nose with his free hand. “You know that trip to Aswa was only a brief one. We didn’t get the chance to find the very best restaurants. We’ll go back soon to find their most delicious food.”
“Promise?” Adrian demanded, struggling to give his very best flirty pout, but dammit, he was out of his depth with this character.
“I promise, my treasure,” Haru purred. It felt more like Haru was making that promise than Yujian, causing Adrian to shiver.
“Now, Yujian, when you contacted me, you said that you’d gotten your hands on the first of the shards that I requested.” Ruben’s voice forced its way across the room, breaking up their moment and pulling Adrian’s glossy lips into a frown. The man had to be the center of attention.
Haru winked at Adrian and turned his gaze to the other man. They resumed walking across the thick carpet to stop next to a sleek and smooth wood and leather chair. Haru sat and pulled Adrian close as if he couldn’t stand to be parted from his treasure.
“I acquired the godstone shard from the Isle of Stone, as you requested, but I’ve put a hold on the shard from Caspagir,” Haru began. There was a new hardness in his voice as he switched from playfulness to business.
Ruben twitched as if Haru’s words had caused his brain to lock up. “What? Why?”
“Because gaining them costs me a great deal of money and time. I do not make a habit of wasting either of those things. While one of those things is easy to amass, the other is not.” Haru flashed him a tight, closed-lipped smile that left Adrian thinking that he was gritting his teeth at the man. “I possess one shard to prove to you that it was a task that I could accomplish. However, if I cannot get what I want, what is the point of continuing?”
Ruben frowned and dropped into the chair set perpendicular to Haru’s. He huffed, his face bunching and twisting up like an old wet towel left to mildew on the bathroom floor. “I have spoken with my partners about bringing you into our organization. They feel that maybe the timing isn’t right at this moment. We need—”
Adrian was nearly knocked to the floor as Haru leaped to his feet. The dragon saved Adrian from embarrassing himself by keeping a tight hold on his waist so that Haru was nearly carrying his entire weight until he found his feet. “We’re leaving.”
Ruben gasped and jumped to his feet as well, a second later. His eyes were so wide they nearly popped from his head as he hurried to get in front of Haru, waving his hands back and forth as if to stop him. “Wait! Wait! We’re not saying never.”
“I also know when I’m being used and toyed with. I never enter any partnership unless I understand who’s running the show and have a hand in how operations progress. During our first meeting, you spoke of magic and creating your own powerful army. You talk about assuming genuine power here in Damardor and beyond, but I see nothing but a bunch of rich wastrels playing at silly games.”
Ruben’s gaze shifted to Adrian, who purposefully kept his expression blank, as if he weren’t paying attention to a word that was being said.