Free Fire of Stars and Dragons by Melissa Petreshock Page B

you suit him.”
    “Oh, really?” Hopping off the seat, I stalk over to the front door, but Theo’s there, blocking my way in a heartbeat. “Move it or lose it, Puff.”
    Glaring down at me, he is not amused. “Where do you think you’re going?”
    “To see the king. You said I have free will, Theo. I will see him. Now.” I smile my most sarcastically sweet smile. “For your own health, I’d advise you move, but you’re welcome to come.”
    He steps aside, opening the door. “Believe me, Cait. I need no invitation. You wouldn’t step foot near Corrin without me.”
    I walk down the hall to the only other door, the one to Corrin’s penthouse, but Theo veers toward the elevators. “Where are you going, Theo? I told you I’m going to see him,” I explain again, pointing toward the king’s place.
    “Yes, well, he only sees women in the apartment downstairs. None are invited to his personal home.” The dragon’s jaw clenches, and the distaste I recognized from yesterday is back, the reason he doesn’t approve of the lower level uses.
    “That’s what he thinks.” My purpose renewed, I storm on, glaring at the lethal guard at the door, another of Theo’s green-eyed brothers. It infuriates me further, facing one more Pendragon, this one a different version of Theo with his hair cropped short, his expression gruff, yet still handsome.
    Damn these dragons.
    “I’m here to see the king.” I declare my intentions in an authoritative tone, my dragon so near, his body heat radiates through the back of my sweater.
    “You heard her, Liam. Inform Oliver. Cait agreed to see Corrin this morning, under the condition they meet up here.” His order receives a quick nod then the other dragon slips into the apartment.
    “I thought all dragons were equal,” I whisper. “Why does he treat you like you’re somehow more important, have some kind of authority over him?”
    Theo leans down to my ear. “Respect and honorable rankings are earned among us. I hold a high position within my house.”
    “How high?” I’m curious, and we have nothing to do but wait.
    “Agtos is our Lord Regent. Oliver is First Brother of the House.” He stands again, stiffening as if someone is approaching the door. Very quietly, he finishes. “And I am second to him.”
    I show no sign I’m impressed. I’m still mad at my honorably-ranked dragon.
    The door swings open, and unlike Liam in solid black finery, the Captain of the King’s Guard wears a charcoal gray three-piece pinstriped suit, golden triquerta affixed on the lapel as they all wear, with raven hair styled and elegant, and marbled emerald eyes solidly focused on me.
    “Milady,” Sir Oliver greets with a bow. “I was not aware you would grace us with your presence this morning.” He offers a kind smile to me, but his eyes tell a different story when he casts a glance to Theo. “My brother should have informed me it would be your pleasure to see the king. Please, do come in.”
    He leads us into the open living space, set up similar to Theo’s, leather sofas, a glass coffee table with wrought iron legs, though the colors are warmer, richer, and more inviting than I expected for King Corrin. Family photos hang on the walls: Cedric and his sons, several of the two brothers, smiling, laughing like any other family, nothing like vampires of legend and lore… and no different from Uncle Thomas.
    “Is this what you wanted, to see me this way?” I spin around, finding the king closer than I thought. An old pair of gray Boston Celtics sweats and a worn green ‘Get Lucky’ t-shirt with the shamrock faded make him look as if he just rolled out of bed, except for his styled-to-perfection hair. “Oliver said you refused my invitation. Had I been informed you had changed your mind, I would have prepared for your arrival.”
    I bat my eyelashes, giving a coy smile, and he takes a step closer. “Oh, Your Highness, you flatter me… but I grew up with a vampire and know better