“I’d like that.”
“So would I.”
The thought of waiting to see Balthazar in Iceland left her feeling antsy, and her next thought came out of her mouth before she could stop it. “I’d like it even more if you sat with me at dinner.”
His gold eyes widened, and Eva bit hard on her tongue. Damn it, she had been a little too assertive.
“I think that can be arranged.” His smile almost knocked her off her feet. He squeezed her shoulder and then moved past her, brushing his arm and hip against her body.
***
“You’re actually thinking of staying for dinner?” Thorsson asked as he cocked a pale eyebrow in surprise.
Balthazar had finished his speech, and the thought of sitting beside Eva to discover more about her sent a wave of tingling pleasure through him. He shrugged. “Why not? I did pay for the event after all. I think I should stay a bit longer and mingle with the guests.”
“Ah, yes, and one guest in particular?”
He eyed Thorsson. “Leave it alone.”
His bodyguard bowed. “Apologies, my lord, I meant no disrespect. In truth, I’m pleased that you have shown a renewed interest in the gentler sex.”
He laughed. “Gentler? The females of this day and age are anything but that. They are so independent, so assertive. It’s a wonder that I’m able to meet a woman that stirs my interests.”
“Quite so.” His bodyguard frowned. “And what of the other predicament? Is it under control?”
Balthazar sighed. The Summer Equinox would arrive in three days’ time, and he already felt the pull of his dragon soul, Bal. Without his scale, he was incomplete, unable to transform, and Bal resented being caged within their human form. It had taken many years to control the pain. “I believe so. I only wish to stay for a while, and then we shall leave.”
“Very well. I’ll inform the others to keep watch.”
“Make sure you’re discreet. I’ll have Lancelot attend the dinner with me as well.”
“Of course, sir.”
“You’ll have a direct line of sight. If anything happens…”
“My lord, please don’t worry. I will be watching for any trouble.”
When he entered the dining room, Balthazar caught a glimpse of Eva standing at a doorway opposite him, talking on her phone. Something else caught his attention, and his body tensed as he glanced around the room—the faint scent of an unknown dragon shifter. He looked at Lancelot, and noticed his brother had picked up on it as well. But there was no sight of Ti.
The maître d’ approached him. “Mr. Andal, we didn’t know you would be staying for dinner.”
He chuckled. “Neither did I. I’d like to be seated at the same table as Miss Haraldsdóttir, please.”
“Of course.”
“I’ll find a seat,” Lancelot told him. “It’ll give me an excuse to take a look around and find the shifter.”
Balthazar nodded and followed the maître d’ to a table. One of the four guests seated there stood and greeted him. “Mr. Andal! It is an honor to have you join us.”
He shook hands. “Professor Jimenez, it’s been too long.”
“It certainly has. Let me introduce you to my team.”
The scent of the unfamiliar dragon was strong. Balthazar glanced at the man seated opposite him, and clenched his fists when the stranger smiled and winked. He had no idea if the man was on his own or Ti’s colleague. He would have to find out.
“Ah, Eva. There you are. I was just about to make the introductions.”
Balthazar turned around and watched as she approached. She smiled at the professor, who grasped her hands and kissed her cheeks. “Mr. Andal has given us the unexpected pleasure of joining us for dinner.”
“I hope you will sit beside me,” he said, pulling out a chair.
She sat down, and he let his hand briefly brush her shoulder before taking his seat. “Here I am again, as promised,” he whispered.
Balthazar noticed her hands fidgeting in her lap—she was nervous. “Yes, you are,” she whispered back. “I can tell you more about our findings, if you’re interested.”
“Of course. But I hope to find out more about you, as well.”
She stared at him for a long moment before she lowered her gaze. “The feeling is mutual.”
“And this is the newest member of my team.” The professor indicated the shifter. “Mr. Emilio Fuentes is from South America, and has extensive knowledge in ancient history. He’s been very helpful in identifying artifacts at our latest dig.”
So, a shifter from South America, where Ti currently lived. It seemed too much of a coincidence.