Page 39 of The Dragon King’s Pet

“I’m sorry that my behavior caused her pain,” Mika said, still rebellious. “Lazarus, next time you have a problem, you should…”

“Mika!” Casimer thundered her name.

“Okay, I’m sorry!” Mika tried yet again, certain that she would not be given another chance. “I’m sorry for speaking to you with disrespect, Lord Lazarus. I do not understand your reasoning, or your actions, but that does not entitle me to speak to you without any respect. I hope you will accept my apology.”

“Knowing the challenge it was for you to give it, I accept it,” Lazarus replied. It was impossible to read his expression. There was a glimmer in his eye that could have been anger, or amusement, or both. Mika didn’t really care. She just needed to get out of the man’s presence without starting another incident that would get her into trouble.

“Thank you,” she said stiffly. “That is very kind of you. But if you ever try to kill Casimer, I will stop you.”

Lazarus stopped and stared. “What is she talking about, sire?”

“Is that what this was about?” Casimer turned to Mika with a stern look. “Did you start this trouble with Lazarus because of what I told you about preventing kings from becoming world eaters?”

“You told her I would kill you?”

“I did not tell her you would kill me,” Casimer clarified. “I said the king’s bodyguard would turn his sword on the king.”

“Well, he’s your bodyguard, isn’t he?”

“Lazarus is a lord of this land, the highest among them. He is not likely to turn his blade on me as long as I do not show signs of devouring the city.”

“I still won’t let him, even if you do,” Mika said. “I’ll steal his sword and…”

“You will find the flat of the blade meeting your rear if you even mention such a thing again,” Casimer lectured her roughly.

“Well, sorry for saving your life!”

“It won’t be my life. I will have died, pet. My walking form will no longer exist. What will remain will be pure dragon. This is complex, I know, sweet pet, but you do not have to concern yourself with it. You certainly do not need to threaten Lazarus over it. Now go back to our chambers and wait for me.”

“Oh, well, uhm… sorry…”

“Go tell Lythia she is to be your personal servant too. And please, the both of you, stay out of trouble for at least as long as it takes me to finish this conversation.”

“Thank you!” Mika burst into a beaming smile. “Uhm, thank you both, I guess,” she added with a glance underneath her lashes at Lazarus. “Okay, I’m going now, before I start another diplomatic incident.”

* * *

“That was, I think, the most adorable thing I have ever seen,” Lazarus chuckled. “That little human scrap threatening me to protect you. She loves you fiercely, sire.”

“And I her,” Casimer replied. “Just as well for the trouble she causes. I am sorry, Lazarus, but she seems to have picked you as her prime enemy.”

“I will sleep with one eye open,” Lazarus said with a gruff laugh. “Your pet may yet become dangerous, sire.”

“She is many things, Lazarus, but she is not a danger to anyone besides herself.”

“She has aspirations, sire. She has the blood of a world slayer in her veins. I know you call her your pet, but she has a dragon form. She has a strong defensive streak. Look how she came for me first when her little servant friend was punished, and just now, again. I do not fear her, not yet, but do not think that pretty little thing will stay harmless, or even little, for long.”

“What are you saying, Lazarus?”

“I am saying what many have been saying. That Mika shows every sign of becoming much more than a pet—she shows the promise of something more.”

* * *

“Thank you so much, ma’am!” Lythia threw her arms around Mika’s neck and pressed a grateful kiss to her cheek. “This is the first promotion I have ever had. I promise I’ll serve you well.”

“You don’t have to serve me,” Mika said, feeling a little uncomfortable. Though her family had been more than rich enough to have servants as she was growing up, her mother had never allowed them. Not in the sense of having live in people to perform every task anyway. Lythia was her age; being served by her had always felt very strange.

“Of course I have to serve you. You’re going to be princess!”