Theft of Dragons (Princes of Naverstrom) by John Forrester

me every detail—you just have to!"
    "It's nothing so sordid, you little tart. He was kind—though a terrible flirt—and I have to say if he had pressured me, I doubt I could have resisted. Something about him was fantastically mysterious. Anyway, after all that it got me thinking...what am I waiting for? All the suitors the King has sent my way are old and stale and well...simply unappealing. I'm tired of waiting."  
    "Be careful. If you lose your flower before you're married the King might do something dreadful."
    Sebine raised an eyebrow. "There are many things to enjoy besides that. Or so I've heard..."
    At the suggestion, Rose gave Sebine a wicked grin, as if she couldn't wait to find out. The door burst open and Sebine's other friend Macine darted inside, her long silk gown trailing behind her. Macine was the cutest girl Sebine knew, tiny, ebullient and very voluptuous for her eighteen years. Her breasts practically jumped out of her low-cut green gown. Macine's doll eyes flared excitedly and she paused, allowing herself to catch her breath.
    "I'm so sorry I'm late. Did I keep you both waiting too long?" Her expectant expression caused Sebine to smile as she stood and took her friend's hands.  
    "Think nothing of it...Rose and I were just talking about the party." Sebine squeezed Macine's soft, tiny hands. "And about all the handsome young men that'll surely be there tonight. Whom are you looking forward to seeing?"
    "Count DeLare of course—you know he fancies me. He came calling twice last season."
    Sebine remained quiet at that. The Count was a known womanizer and often led girls and their families on with his visits and insinuations of offers of marriage. If he discovered they lacked the dowry to fund his extravagant lifestyle he would leave them hanging. He was handsome and his good looks and charm had completely won over Macine's affection. Her family was in decline along with her father's health. It was rumored her mother had to sell off the family's art collection to support the estate.
    "I'm sure there will be many others besides the Count who will find you alluring. You're such a tiny thing, and such a fine figure." Rose scanned Macine's figure with envious eyes. "I can't help but be jealous. If I had your body I'd be wed for sure by now."
    Macine hung her head at her friend's words, surely saddened by the implication of her own unwedded state.
    "We sound like a bunch of old maids...what are we still waiting here for? The party has already started!" Sebine stood and pulled her friends to their feet and they all skipped over to the still open door.  
    The music playing from the Hezalian Orchestra wafted through the air and stimulated the mood of the dancers spinning around in a grand waltz. Their red faces shone from the exertion and likely from the sparkling wine flowing freely from the servants sauntering through the crowd, trays of the delicious drink held by their upraised hands. Sebine took a flute filled with the fizzy, pink wine, and closed her eyes as she savored the taste. The musicians in the Orchestra were both performers and magicians, weaving their spells to cause the emotions of their audience to ebb and flow. The score they played was joyous and sweet, inspiring Sebine to move her hips around, yearning to dance.
    She scanned the crowd, trying to find a familiar face who might offer to dance with her. Macine raised her hand to accept an invitation from the son of Viscount Raelar—a handsome young man by the name of Prasar. Sebine felt a twinge of jealousy strike her heart as Macine's face glowed at the obvious attraction in Prasar's eyes. But deep down she felt happy that her petite friend had drawn the attention of such a well thought of boy.
      Each time her eyes noticed one of her previous suitors she quickly glanced away, feeling uncomfortable. She accepted another glass of sparkling wine and felt her stomach grumble, realizing she hadn't eaten since the tea and cake at lunch. The