Aspen (The Dragon Kings #2)(11)

“You ready to tackle that algebra homework?”

Sid sat up and looked over at Rowan and Skye, who were already in a discussion about World War II.

“Yeah, let’s take it upstairs so we aren’t interrupted.”

Aspen’s stomach flip-flopped. Sid grabbed his book, and Aspen followed him up the stairs. He pulled her into the room, and as soon as the door was shut, he planted his lips on hers, and she melted into him.

After what seemed like forever, she pulled away. He leaned his forehead on hers.

“I hate that we can’t do that in public anymore.”

“I know. Sorry about Rowan.”

Sid shrugged. “Bring him anytime. He’s a nice kid. Skye likes him too.”

Aspen sat on the bed and fingered her math book. “We probably should get some of this homework done.”

Sid crawled across the bed to her. “Yeah. I can do that later, after you leave. I can’t do this then.” He pressed his lips against her neck, and she shivered.

“No, I don’t expect you can do that after I’m gone.” Aspen giggled and shoved the book on the floor.





An hour or so later, they finally went back downstairs and found Rowan and Skye in the theater room.


“What happened to homework?” Sid asked, sitting next to Skye.

“We finished. You guys get that algebra done?” Skye wiggled her eyebrows, and Rowan gave her a strange look.

“Sure did,” Sid said with a grin, and Aspen blushed.

“You guys want to stay for dinner? We could order pizza,” Skye said.

“Sure,” Aspen replied. “If that’s okay with you.” Aspen turned to Rowan, and he nodded, never taking his eyes off Skye. Aspen sighed and texted her parents that they wouldn’t be home for dinner.

Theo walked in, dressed in a t-shirt and gym shorts with his dreads pulled back. He thumped Sid on the shoulder.

“The gym calls. You coming?”

“Nope. I’ve got company.”

“Come on, bro, it’s only thirty minutes. Aspen’s here all the time.” He bounced on the balls of his feet.

Skye spoke up. “We can order pizza while you guys work out. Go ahead.”

Sid stood. “If I have to go, so does Rowan.”

Rowan shook his head and finally looked away from Skye. “Not my thing. Thanks.”

Skye laughed. “A little muscle never hurt anyone.”

Rowan didn’t hesitate. He jumped off the couch and followed Sid and Theo out of the room.

Aspen waited until the boys were out of earshot. “You know he’s madly in love with you, right?”

Skye raised her eyebrows. “Rowan? No way. We’re friends.”

“Maybe for you, but you are the first female in three years to voluntarily speak to him, and you’re gorgeous. He’s head over heels.”

Skye undid her braid and ran her fingers through her hair. “He’s beautiful. Why don’t girls talk to him?”

“Because of his nerves. If you don’t make eye contact with someone, they aren’t likely to talk to you.”

“He always looks at me.”

Aspen thought for a minute. It was true. She’d never known Rowan to speak with anyone who wasn’t part of the family. Occasionally he spoke to Tori, but she was around so often that it would be awkward if he didn’t.

“I know. It’s weird. But just be careful. I don’t want him getting hurt.”

Skye nodded. “Okay. I’m not looking to fall in love with anyone. Especially not after what happened with Sid.”

“About that. Exactly what did happen?” Aspen was starting to get used to Skye being here and wasn’t quite as jealous, but she was curious about their past.

“He became the king, and I could never be queen.”

“Why not?”

“This is something you should ask Sid about, not me.” Skye studied her fingernails and picked the polish on her thumb.

“I have. He won’t tell me.” Now Aspen was really curious. Sid didn’t like to talk about the whole queen thing.

Skye wouldn’t meet Aspen’s eyes. “Then I probably shouldn’t either. But I can tell you this, the queen has to have certain qualities that I don’t have.”

“What kind of qualities?” Aspen was suddenly optimistic about getting answers.

“She has to have reached maturity, come from a family with strong leadership, and have several brothers and sisters.”

“Why lots of brothers and sisters?”

“Posterity.”

Aspen had heard that word before, but she had no idea what it meant. “I don’t understand.”

“They want him to be able to have lots of kids so the royal line can live on.”

“But Sid told me about how he became king, and he wasn’t the king’s son.”

“It’s still a requirement. Don’t ask me to try to understand the inner workings of the dragon council. Most of what they do doesn’t make sense.”

Skye shifted in her seat. Sound burst out of the speakers, and an explosion appeared on the wall. Skye jumped up, and Aspen grabbed the remote she’d sat on.

They both laughed, and nothing more was said about kings and queens, though Aspen couldn’t help but feel that she was missing something extremely important.