Page 46 of Blood of Dragons

“Coffee it is.”

We went to the restaurant Commander Luxe had mentioned before. We received a lot of stares as we sat there.

Well, I received a lot of stares.

He ordered a coffee and a roasted potato bowl.

I enjoyed my coffee with plant-based cream.

I was in the presence of my only living relative, but I didn’t have anything to say. The conversation wasn’t natural the way it was with Inferno or Khazmuda…or Talon. “So, what was my father like as a child?”

“A little rambunctious, to be honest.” He smiled. “But he always had a good heart.”

“How was he rambunctious?”

“He used to break the rules a lot. Sneak out of the castle and run off with girls in the middle of the night.”

I smirked, wishing I could tease him for that.

“He ran off with one girl more than the others…and he married her.”

I smiled. “My mom was so beautiful.”

“She was. Even I had a crush on her.”

“You did?”

“All the guys had a thing for her. But when your father told me it was serious, I redirected my attention.”

“Why did you leave Scorpion Valley?”

“Queen Eldinar’s men came to visit and invited us to their forest. It was just supposed to be a visit, but I fell in love with it. It was my home from that moment onward. It was hard to say goodbye to your father, especially when I knew it would be nearly impossible to visit, but he understood my decision.”

“Did you fall in love with the forest…or Queen Eldinar?”

He’d just finished taking a drink of his coffee when he heard the question. He stared for a moment before a slight smile moved over his lips. “Did Commander Luxe tell you?”

“No. I noticed it when I saw you together. The way you talk about her, the way you look at her…”

He looked down at his food, that smirk still there. “We’ve been married for twenty years.”

“That means you’re king of Riviana Star.”

“No,” he said quickly. “The crown is transferred by bloodline. I will never be king, even if she were to pass away. It would pass to the next of kin, which means it would go to her sister or her sister’s children. She appointed me as the general of Riviana Star because she knows I love this forest as much as I love her. I would gladly give my life for both.”

“That’s beautiful.”

He drank from his coffee.

“Is it hard? To be married to a monarch?”

“No.” He shook his head. “It’s not hard at all. She’s a great queen, and it’s an honor to be called her husband. I’m still surprised I’ve earned the title when she could have literally anyone she wants.”

“She is beautiful, really beautiful.” She looked like a goddess.

“I know.” He said it with the glow of pride in his eyes.

“So, how does that work?”