Page 58 of Real Scale Blazer
Besides, she thought with a grin, what was the point of dating a dragon king if you couldn’t combine research with romance?
The rest of the afternoon passed in a blur of research interspersed with increasingly distracting thoughts of Kai. Quinn had just connected another suspicious pattern in the security reports when Lydia burst into the library, arms full of clothing.
“Emergency fashion intervention!” Her friend declared, dumping an array of fabrics onto Quinn’s carefully arranged papers. “Your AI walls told my AI walls about your dinner plans.”
“The walls need to mind their own business.” Quinn rescued a crucial map from beneath a flowing silk dress. “And so do you. I’m working.”
“You’re having dinner with the king. In his private chambers.” Lydia wiggled her eyebrows suggestively. “After that hot little library scene earlier.”
“You saw that?”
“Honey, half the palace saw that. The betting pool on when you two would finally admit your feelings has reached astronomical levels.” Lydia held up two dresses. “Now, are we going for ‘sexy scientist’ or ‘dragon-slaying temptress’?”
“I’m wearing what I have on.” Quinn gestured at her cargo pants and fitted research jacket. “It’s just dinner.”
“In his chambers.”
“For work.”
“Right. Because that kiss screamed ‘professional meeting.’“ Lydia tossed both dresses aside and pulled out a third - a deep blue number that somehow managed to look both elegant and practical. “At least try this one. It matches your compass pendant.”
Quinn touched the leather band on her wrist, her father’s gift a constant reminder of home. “Fine. But I’m keeping my boots.”
“Of course, you are.” Lydia’s expression softened. “You know, it’s okay to let yourself have this. The romance, the fairy tale, all of it.”
“It’s not a fairy tale.” Quinn traced the pattern of dots on her map, thinking of Kai’s kisses, his protectiveness, the way he supported her work even while driving her crazy. “It’s better. It’s real.”
“Look who’s getting sappy on me!” Lydia clapped her hands in delight. “Finally! I was starting to worry your heart had fossilized from all that geological study.”
“Very funny.” But Quinn couldn’t help smiling. “Don’t you have your own romance to worry about? I saw how you were looking at Darian during the council meeting.”
“Please, that’s just professional appreciation of his tactical genius. And his arms. And his really nice?—”
“Ladies.” Reina’s serene voice cut through their banter as the healer glided into view. “I believe we’re making a scene.”
Sure enough, several scholarly dragons had emerged from the stacks to watch their fashion explosion with poorly concealed interest.
“Perfect timing!” Lydia bounced over to drag Reina into their circle. “Help me convince Quinn that proper date attire doesn’t include sample collection tools.”
“I’m not taking my tools,” Quinn protested. “Just my notebook. And maybe one small geological scanner...”
Reina’s violet eyes sparkled with barely suppressed humor. “Perhaps a compromise? The blue dress, but with a special pocket sewn in for your most essential equipment?”
“That’s... actually not a bad idea.” Quinn eyed the dress with new interest. “You can do that?”
“Of course. We often modify formal wear for practical purposes.” Reina’s elegant fingers skimmed the fabric. “Thoughperhaps we should focus on the more pressing matter of Bhesna’s potential involvement in recent events?”
Trust the healer to cut straight to the heart of things. Quinn quickly outlined her suspicions, including her confrontation in the garden.
“I noticed something similar during the last healing ceremony,” Reina mused. “Bhesna’s energy felt... constrained. As if she fought invisible bonds.”
“Magical bonds?” Lydia perked up. “Like someone’s controlling her?”
“More subtle than that. But yes, there’s definitely outside influence at play.”
Quinn’s mind raced with the implications. “So someone’s using her as a decoy while they work behind the scenes. But why use Bhesna?” Quinn paced, her boots clicking against the crystal floor. “Why not just attack directly?”
“Because this isn’t just about physical damage.” Reina’s voice turned grave. “It’s about undermining trust, fracturing alliances from within. A kingdom divided is easier to conquer.”