Page 40 of The Dragon King’s Pet

“You mean queen?”

“No, there’s only ever a king,” Lythia said. “It’s not like where you came from here. There is only one monarch in the entire realm, and the line of male dominance must not be broken. So we always have a king. The woman a king marries isn’t a queen. That would make it sound like they were equals or something.” Lythia’s nose wrinkled at the very thought. “If the king takes a bride, she becomes a crown princess.”

“Well, whatever you people call it, I’m not going to be princess,” Mika said. “I am the king’s pet. I am lower than you in the hierarchy.”

“That isn’t true,” Lythia said, shaking her head. “He may call you his pet, but you have his ear in a way nobody ever has. There are nobles very jealous of you. The whispers are that you are the most powerful woman in the realm. You’re his princess in everything but name.”

“Really…” Mika mused slowly. “That’s… interesting.”

“It could be dangerous,” Lythia said, her sweet face serious. “A lot of the nobles don’t like that the king is spending so much time with you. They think he is being influenced by a human, just like your father and grandfather were. There are people who think that humans are tricksters…” She trailed off, a devious expression on her pretty features. “I’m sorry, I’m talking too much, aren’t I?”

“No, you’re talking just the right amount,” Mika said. This was interesting. She had noticed that Lazarus didn’t like her, of course, but the others weren’t so easy to read. They smiled and nodded and moved on. They treated her precisely the same way they treated the little Rafikins that lazed about the court, occasionally stopping for a kind word or two, but otherwise ignoring her.

“Casimer could be in real trouble if he got too close to you,” Lythia said. “The nobles could rebel.”

“So that’s why he hasn’t had sex with me…”

“Yes. You must not let the king mate with you,” Lythia said. “It will bring ruin to everyone.”

“Oh, my god,” Mika gasped, clasping her hands to her face in shock. “I never knew.”

“Casimer will not tell you this,” Lythia added. “The nobles believe…” She hesitated and looked at Mika under her lashes. “I should not say what they believe.”

“Please,” Mika begged. “Tell me. I have to know. I don’t know anything.”

“It’s something really important,” Lythia whispered. “It’s something…”

* * *

“Something more,” Casimer said. “You mean…”

“I mean your bride. I mean princess of this realm,” Lazarus said. “You must admit, sire, your connection with her is much more than a captor and his captive. When she was first taken, it was not even certain that she would live in the castle. Yet now she sleeps in your bed each and every night. You spend every free moment with her…”

“I am training her, Lazarus. I do not deny my affection for her. I do not deny having love for her. She is beautiful, lively, even brilliant in her own way. But she is not suitable to be crown princess.”

“I am glad to hear you say it,” Lazarus replied. “There would be a rebellion among the nobles if she were to take that rank, I can assure you. They may accept her as a pet, perhaps even as a concubine, but they would never consent to be ruled by such a creature.”

“It is not the nobles I seek to please,” Casimer said, his voice coming in a growl now. “If they wish to waste their hours in idle chatter, they may do so, but Mika’s rank and station are not up to them. It is up to me.”

“Of course, sire. I apologize for angering you.” Lazarus bowed his head.

“You do not anger me,” Casimer replied. “Never think that. Your loyalty to me matters above all. I know you are trying to warn me of unrest. But know this too, Lazarus. I will deal with any dragon, noble or not, with ultimate harshness if they should question my bond with Mika. This is not the human realm. I do not need permission from those who fall under the span of my wing to take a mate.”

“Of course, absolutely, sire,” Lazarus replied quickly, keeping his eyes lowered now that the king’s ire was piqued.

“She has taken her flight form, Lazarus. She has found the skies. This is a day of celebration. We will not mar it with talk of insurrection, will we.”

“No, sire.”

Casimer did not fail to notice the slight bitterness in Lazarus’ tone. Though the man had always been loyal, there was no doubt that he had something at stake in the matter. With no heirs, Casimer’s throne would most likely fall to Lazarus if anything should befall him. If Mika were to become crown princess, and if she were to produce heirs… well… that would complicate matters.

CHAPTER 14

“Damn it!” Lazarus tossed his scabbard hard into the corner of the room, running his hands through his dark locks in a gesture of pure frustration. “Lythia!”

The pretty blonde maid appeared from a corner of the room with a dark little smirk on her face. “What is it, m’Lord?”

“This damnable human…” he growled, reaching for his pants. He pushed them down, freeing his cock from the confines of the cloth. “Come here, girl. I need to vent my frustrations.”