RE'S

he tapestry. My gaze, however, never left Courtland. He was speaki

the mark of a common Dragon-kin, less noble than the crimson-gold of a hal

it up, Claire. Rosalind's ba

ly. "Not necessarily." M

ourtland. Courtland nodded, gave Rosalind an apologetic smile,

e! He wa

" I told Maeve, and before she co

h several couples murmuring sweet nothings to ea

he light here was dimmer than in the hall, with only the Drag

me, his tall back nearly b

r, my mind racing. Maybe I could p

vy platters rushed out from a side p

hem, not noticing the curled ed

I lost my balance, my body t

umiliation of falling flat on the floor, o

pain nev

my arm, pulling me int

lled with Courtland's unique dragon scent-a cold, shar

voice rumbled above my head, l

s gripping my upper arm through the thin fabric of

pt my head down, not daring to look at him. "S-sorry,

t, almost a physical weight, scruti

e asked. His tone wa

quickly. "I'm

ice-blue eyes were completely calm, as if he

continuing down the corridor as if our e

ch still lingering on my arm, but my

steady. Several young noblewomen were glaring

"Gods, Claire, I saw you run into Lord Courtl

n's whispers

How dare she throw herself at

. Lord Courtland is the future Dragon Lord.

ouched her. Sh

les stabbing into my hea

lutter of my heart from that touch had been r

ut his eyes had n