Read Dragon Heat (Dragons of Perralt Book 2) for Free Online Page B

being interrupted. Just as quickly, her eyes shifted. Becoming pleasant, welcoming. Laila balked for a moment. How was that possible? She was positive she had seen disdain in those eyes. Yet, the woman hid it immediately, and welcomed her like a long lost friend.
    “Laila,” Flint said with a slight bow. “May I present Lady Emily Marks. She has agreed to help us get you ready.”
    Laila’s mouth dropped open as she stared at him in disbelief. Had the idiot actually told someone of their plan?
    “I assure you. Emily can be trusted,” he said when he recognized the fear in her eyes.
    She didn’t care if he’d slept with this woman. That was no reason to trust her. Didn’t he realize what she was risking?
    “Please call me Emily,” the woman said, as she stepped forward to take Laila’s hands.
    Laila remembered to close her mouth as the woman examined her from head to foot. She glanced down at Laila’s hands resting in hers and tisked twice before glancing over her shoulder at Flint, and shaking her head.
    “One week? We have to have her ready in one week?” the woman said to him.
    “It is the best I could do,” Flint said in response. “The prince is only in the city for a short period this time of year. He will be returning to his father’s kingdom in a little over a week. We must work fast if we hope to have Laila accompany him home as his bride.”
    Laila felt a slow anger building inside of her. They stood there talking about her as if she wasn’t even in the room.
    This Emily woman continued to study her, twirling her fingers. Telling Laila to spin around like she was prize livestock.
    Laila swallowed her pride and did as she was bid. She had promised to do what she was told. But her hand ached to reach for the dagger strapped to her leg and give this woman a lesson or two about what was real in the rest of the world.
    “Let me see you smile,” Lady Emily said with a hesitantly raised eyebrow.
    Laila tilted her head slightly and tried to give her impression of what a princess would look like if she smiled.
    Emily laughed. “At least she’s got all her teeth. That is something.”
    Laila gasped internally, the condescending bitch.
    Pulling Laila’s arms wide she continued to examine her. “Plus she’s got wide hips. Royalty like wide hips. Makes for good child bearing.”
    Unable to take it any longer, Laila pulled her hands from the woman’s grasp and started to reach for her dagger.
    Flint stepped forward and took her arm before she could retrieve the weapon. He looked at her sternly and shook his head slightly. Not now, he seemed to be saying, not here, not now. But, a small smile of merriment danced behind his eyes.
    Laila let out a long breath and stood erect. If she couldn’t stab this woman, then she would beat her at her own game. She was taller than Lady Emily, younger, and maybe with some help prettier. This woman wouldn’t last ten minutes in the back alleys of the town.
    Then a bolt of understanding shot through her. The one thing this woman would understand is if Laila could take Flint away from her. The thought would drive her crazy.
    Smiling to herself, she reached out and gently rested her hand on Flint’s arm. Just as she had seen this woman do earlier.
    Pulling herself to her full height, she looked down her nose and said, “Why, thank you, Lady Emily, I have been told that men do find my hips rather enticing.” She then glanced at Flint and gave him a knowing smile.
    The look of concern that flashed across the woman’s face was priceless and even more enjoyable than stabbing the bitch in the belly.
    “Yes, well, it might work,” the woman said, as she continued to study her. “The eyebrows need work. And, that hair.”
    “What’s wrong with her hair?” Flint said. “I like it.”
    Laila felt her cheeks grow warm. Flint liked her hair.
    “You’re a man,” Lady Emily said. “What do you know? It isn’t just the prince we have to convince. It’s his mother, his