Free Dragon's Heart by Michelle Rabe

hold his gaze. “What has gotten into you today?”
    “I don’t know. Maybe it’s because you’re adorable when you’re flustered.” He reached up and twisted a strand of red-gold hair slipping free of her elaborate up-do around his finger. “I don’t get to see it all that often.” He let the curl fall from his finger.
    “It is not adorable,” she groused, stepping away from him.
    “To me, it is,” he said under his breath, hoping she didn’t hear him.
    Serena walked into the study and over to her desk, frowning at the ever-growing stacks of papers, invitations and other items that seemed to appear daily. An ornately carved box sat beside the usual assortment of papers with a letter sitting on top. She didn’t recognize the writing but knew the seal embossed in blue-green wax came from her estate in Lakeshire. Serena frowned before picking up the letter and calling out. “Clara?” She glanced up, waiting until the maid stepped into the room. “Do you know who sent this?” She pointed to the chest.
    “Steward Grayson had it delivered by two of the house guards from Lakeshire.”
    “Thank you,” Serena muttered and broke the seal on the letter. She scanned the information, frowned and held it out to Killian before opening the chest. The wooden treasure box was made up of three trays lined with crimson velvet. Each one was divided into several small compartments, which held sets of matching jewels. She lifted one of the trays, finding another underneath. Tilting her head to the right, Serena did a quick calculation, guessing there were at least six layers of trays. Realizing what was before her, she gasped. A small fortune in jewelry sat on her desk.
    Killian took the letter and studied it. The gift was from her steward, conferring all of the former Lady Governor’s jewels on her. When he glanced up, he watched Serena pick up a necklace and run it through her fingers, admiring the delicate metalwork and gems. Her expression softened, and a slight smile curled her lips.
    After a few moments, she shook her head, sighed, and laid the piece back in the chest. “Clara, please send for the messengers who brought this.” Her fingers lingered on the necklace for several long moments before it fell away.
    “Yes, my lady.” She bobbed a quick curtsy and hustled out of the room.
    “What are you going to do?”
    She took as deep a breath as the corset would allow, a stern look of determination crossing her features. “Send them back. The province is teetering on the brink of financial ruin. I can’t keep these when they can be sold and the profits put to use helping my people.” She took one last glance at the necklace and closed the chest, latching it with a final snap.
    “Your Highness?” Thomas’s voice broke the silence.
    Killian turned to face his valet. “Yes?”
    “Her Majesty has requested a few moments of your time before the beginning of today’s public audience.”
    “Very well,” Killian said with a nod, “Please inform Her Majesty I’ll be there shortly.”
    “Yes, sire.” Thomas turned and walked out of the room.
    Killian stepped closer to Serena and took her hand, their fingers twining. “I will see you this afternoon for our bout, my lady, and later for your fitting.”
    “I look forward to one but not the other, my prince.”
    “Don’t forget,” he said while tilting her chin up to look into her eyes, “you earned your title. Most of the nobles were born to it. You have every right to be counted among them. And you have the heart of your prince. Until this afternoon, my love.” He raised her hand to his lips and kissed the back of it before following Thomas to the throne room to meet his grandmother.

    K illian pressed the attack , forcing Serena to go on the defensive. Their swords flashed in the bright sun, ringing out with each strike and block. He focused on his technique though he knew their bout had drawn a larger crowd than usual. Since Serena’s investiture,