Chapter 15

Royce checked the brace around Kierei’s wing the next morning, carefully inspecting the wrapped wound area and the ties. “It’s holding. There isn’t fresh blood, so it doesn’t look any worse.” He couldn’t determine heat or swelling given the dragon’s anatomy, so he was hoping things were progressing well.

Royce hunted for the dragon once more when they’d all agreed to let the dragon rest as much as possible before attempting to walk any distance, which would be unavoidable to get him from the lair to their home at the keep. Rune seemed happy with Royce’s assessment as they finished gathering scattered supplies. Then, one last confirmation the crown remained safe in Duran’s own pack. They were as ready as they could be, rested to face any unknown challenges upon their return. With a shrug, Rune slid his pack straps over shoulders, with Iba perched as usual right after. “Good. Kierei, if you want to return here at any time, I will do so. On my word. You are not our prisoner but you will have to be forgiving of curiosity and be cautious amongst our peoples. They are very open-minded given that we have magic and shifters, but they are not familiar with the ways of dragons.”

Kierei chuckled with a renewed rumbled sound that seemed to come from deep in his chest. Not being stranded in the level of pain he’d been suffering from seemed to already have had an impact on the dragon’s mood. Grayson spoke up, grinning beside him. “He will do his best to look harmless.”

Duran snorted. “A dragon with a sense of humor. He’ll fit in perfectly.” Rune hefted his staff up, calling on the light to brighten around them. With Remy perched on the top of his pack, it was time. Approaching the fire, Duran swept a hand over the remaining coals, smothering it to cold embers. With the basics seen to, Duran joined Royce with Grayson at the rear with Kierei.

Rune faced them. “Friends, I have been honored to share this journey. Let us return home.”

Duran gripped Rune’s arm briefly before nodding toward Royce, his rich brown eyes sparkling in Rune’s magical illumination. Royce said, “Thank you for allowing me to join. It was enlightening.” His lips puckered when he shared a knowing gaze with Duran.

The memory of the yellow grass was one he knew Duran would not soon forget. Even if he wanted him to.

Rune was all business once again. “I am intending to open the portal behind the barracks in the flats of the keep where there were usually fewer people, to hopefully not startle anyone with our reappearance. Grayson, you need to stay beside Kierei until we’re sure of our return. Everyone ready?” After an affirmative from everyone, Rune started the spell for the portal.

Royce braced himself for the entry back to their home world. He sucked a deep breath, himself and Duran likely both remembering the reaction he experienced when they walked on to this world when Duran briefly squeezed his fingers.

The words of the spell flowed as the sparking glow built and spread. “Hopefully it will be daytime,” Duran offered optimistically.

Rune spread his palms, moving his staff in a dance in time with his fingers’ intricate movements. The portal slowly began to widen and grow taller. Sparks flitted through the orange glow, like the edge was powered by lightning. Honestly, Royce had never seen such a spell until this journey and wondered at the scope of the mages. At least Rune was on the same side as the shifters. What he’d seen on this journey had left no doubt there were levels to mage magic and to Rune specifically which was undeniably dangerous. Magic continued to skirt and flow around them like snaps of breeze as Rune manipulated the portal. Steadying his pack onto his shoulder, Royce caught Duran’s gaze out of the corner of his eye.

While there was an air of relief, they weren’t home yet.

Eventually, Rune lowered his hands, the portal was wide enough and tall enough to allow Kierei unhindered passage. With a prolonged look over his shoulder, Rune stepped aside. “Royce and Duran, go first, please. I feel I need to be with Kierei when he crosses through the magic.” He was likely remembering the discomfort Royce had experienced when he’d first strode through the portal at the beginning of their journey.

“Of course,” Duran offered.

Royce noted a subtle whip of heat around Duran’s fingers as they approached the portal. This was their home, but they didn’t know what state it was in and walking in blindly was a fool’s game.

“I’m ready,” Royce offered.

“Let’s go, kitten.” Duran stepped forward, Royce at his side to clear the entry and walk several feet into the flat land behind the barracks. The blinding energy of the portal tingled with heat over his skin, cresting with the discomfort he’d first experienced. Expecting the energy he’d encountered upon their arrival onto the dragon’s world the first time, he was better prepared for it now. His stomach clenched but he didn’t react the same way as when they’d left Kielbos. If it was because he knew what to expect, the doorway was wider, less constricting on his physical person, he had no idea, but given he wasn’t losing everything in his stomach again or falling to his knees, he was quite happy to not experience that particular reaction.

Returning home was like they’d never left, except it was definitely colder, which gave him an immediate sense of how long they’d been gone. At least three months, yet less than six as the harsh snows had not yet begun to fall and somewhere around late afternoon. He trembled with relief when his feet were firmly on Kielbos and he wanted to drop to the ground that they had all returned home safely and successfully.

As Rune, Keirei, and Grayson emerged, there was a bellowed roar from inside the keep that shook the very air and silenced time and motion. They couldn’t contain their grins as the sounds of home washed over them. Jayce had been informed they had returned.

“It is safe Keirei. That is Rune’s mate you hear.” Beside the dragon, Grayson kept a calming hand on scales as he waddled through the opening, his wings folded close to his body. His head was arched high, his nostrils flaring as he investigated the new land. As Kierei’s slinking tail emerged from the portal, the thud of dozens of thundering feet became discernible rushing in their direction. Kierei flexed over them on his neck with Duran close by his shoulder. Remy and Iba launched into the trees to take in the activities from above, now safe in their own lands to finally rest. Rune released the portal with a wave and a command.

Which was perfect timing because Jayce, Cedri, and more rounded the barracks in a wall of bodies. Royce could feel the celebratory joy rising in the air as word of their reappearance traveled throughout the keep. Cheers and hollers echoed all over as their return spread like wildfire.

“Holy shit!” Jayce came to a skidding stop yards away. Excitement and shock filled the air as everyone got their first look at the mythical dragon at their sides. Jayce’s eyes rounded as he blocked the group behind him with stiff, outspread arms. “Rune?” Tension kept his feet locked to the ground as he waited for Rune’s reply.

“It is safe, my love. We will explain all.”

Then there was no holding him back as he rushed Rune and gathered him into his embrace for a welcome home kiss that rivaled the sun for heat. Their love was something to behold.

“Brother.”

Royce spun on his neck away from the reunited mage and his mate, and his grin was as large as any when Cedri engulfed him in a strangling hug. “Told you I was too stubborn to die easily.”

Cedri barked a relieved laugh when he finally placed him back on his feet. “Zahari will be mad at you for a while, but she is overjoyed you have returned.”

“She didn’t take it well?”

Cedri snickered. “Your cousin,” he pointed out with a drawled sarcasm and an arched eyebrow. Royce chuckled, well aware of Zahari’s temper.

“I hate to break up the welcome but Kierei needs to eat and a safe place to rest,” Grayson spoke up. Tight features revealed whatever communication he was maintaining with the dragon. The beast was in pain and needed aid.

Jayce whipped up from where he and Rune were speaking in rushed whispers. “Of course. Rune explained a little, though I can’t wait to hear it all. Mikkon!” he shouted. The guardsman warily broke through the throng of spectators surrounding them.

“Yes, my lord?” Wide eyes seemed bigger in pale features when his gaze locked on the dragon. Kierei lowered to rest close to Grayson’s foot, with him stroking over and around his horns. The bond the mage and dragon shared completely awed Royce. There was a burgeoning friendship between them that no one else had ever witnessed.

“Please find a suitable space for our dragon guest. He’ll need warmth and food.”

“Right away.” He scurried off after a mystified glance toward the large beast behaving so disinterestedly beside Grayson.

“Missed you guys,” Jayce stated to the gathered group with an arm around Rune’s waist. Everyone else maintained a healthy distance from the return party. And the dragon. “Tons to catch up on.”

“Meet in the room?” Rune suggested.

Jayce agreed with a beaming smile. “One hour. Then a feast tonight to celebrate your safe return!” A cheer rose from those surrounding them. “Bankor, find the others and ask them to attend.”

Bankor dipped his chin quickly then turned to relay orders to locate the other mages. There would be much to celebrate in the coming hours and everyone should be there to share in that joy.

Harried whispers floated on the air as people snuck peeks and stared at Kierei. Bankor and several more remained close to protect Jayce and the others as people gawped with awed silence and wondering whispers when Kierei merely snuggled against Grayson and closed his eyes. Clearly they were expecting something more explosive or aggressive from the fabled dragon. Royce knew he was behaving as such by will, not because of any control they wielded over him.

“I can’t wait to hear about this.” Jayce waved a hand between Grayson and the dragon.

“It’s a sad tale,” Rune cautioned. Heaviness lined his features briefly as he studied the dragon resting at Grayson’s feet.

“My lord.” Mikkon jogged up. “I have secured the birthing stable for the dragon. It is empty and can be modified to accommodate him being larger.”

“Good.” Everyone’s focus turned to Kierei.

Grayson rubbed over an eye bone. “Up to a little more walking?”

Kierei warbled in his throat.

“Yes, I promise.”

“What did he say?” Rune turned with Jayce all but connected at the hip, who was clearly in no rush to let there be more than an inch of separation between them.

“His wing aches with our attempt to repair the break he suffered. He wants to eat and rest. We need to rewrap it. We were limited to what we had available.”

“Then let’s get everyone settled. Grayson, take him and ensure he is comfortable. If Kierei approves of Mikkon, he can also assist.” Jayce waved a finger imperiously in the air. “One hour!” Then he was marching across the grounds with Rune clutched to his side, his guards dogging his hurried steps to the keep.

“Well, you heard him,” Duran said with laughter. “Let’s get our friend here settled in.”

 

* * * *

Duran released a relieved sigh when he dropped his backpack to his bed, glad to be home at last when he sank down to the edge. Grayson was tending to Kierei with Mikkon and several healers for assistance, so he had the bedroom to himself. Opening pack flaps, he sought to confirm the crown actually existed. Perched on the edge of his bed, he traced the different lines of the gold carvings. Large and small gems glittered mutely in the sunlight streaming through the window. With the door closed, warded, and alone, he was able to fully examine the shape, the detail, in brighter light. It was stunning. The workmanship, bar none. And somehow, this was going to help unite their world, their lands. This crown and Jayce.

No small feat.

Duran hadn’t been born yet when King Bail had ruled. He didn’t know any other way of life, but he knew whatever lay before them, this task they had been handed to see Jayce’s destiny fulfilled, had to be better than whatever Carden and his minions along with the Blood Spawn army would bring to them. Or the utter destruction of all of Kielbos.

He didn’t have long to clean up before joining the others. Even if no one would dare to chastise Jayce or Rune if they were longer than the hour he’d requested, he really wanted to bathe and change after three days away.

Wrapping the crown in cloth, he tucked it into his pack and slid everything between the bed and the wall, out of sight, quickly murmuring a blurring spell to further protect it. No sense in daring fate now that they had managed to retrieve it.

After gathering clothes, he traveled the empty hallway of the private wing to the bathing chamber with a fast clip, lurching to a hard halt within the inner doorway when he discovered the bright blond hair and the hidden body he craved already soaking neck deep in the heated water. Royce confused him. Made his heart race. Made his skin ache to feel his heat. To feel his leashed strength, and maybe feel the wildness also.

The way he made him feel confused Duran, because it was more than the physical need to be close. He’d met a lot of people through his lifetime so far and none had drawn him the way Royce did. The dash of arrogance, the confidence in who he was, buffered by the tenderness he’d witnessed more than once. The shifter was wild, yet not. And treated Duran with the utmost respect. He didn’t understand Royce’s thinking. More so, what Duran wanted from the leopard shifter was confusing. He wasn’t a virgin by any small means at his age, but he’d never felt this dire of a need to know a man either. He’d felt all of that and more when he’d awakened to discover the skin shifter sitting beneath the tree keeping watch over all of them when he’d been unable to fight the fatigue of their journey to reach the river. The flared memory of the promised kiss had burned like a beacon in his soul. It had all been right on the edge of his tongue, but even then Royce hadn’t moved to take it. The curiosity of what he would feel like, how he would taste, was becoming a burning swell throughout his frame. A hunger luring him closer to the heated bathing water. He caught his lip between teeth as Royce’s scent filled the humid air. Something warm and earthy, and wild. It made him crave. To taste. To touch. To feel. There was no doubt the blond was naked and the tantalizing possibility made his mouth dry. The tease of their promised kiss still hung between them–a dare and a challenge.

Royce opened an eye, his gaze lingering on him at the edge. “It’s better to be undressed to get in.”

Duran swallowed and bit at his lip. “I thought the room would be empty this time of day.”

“Do you need it to be?” he asked gently, that single eye watching him lazily.

“No.” Quit being foolish. Facing the wall, he spotted where Royce had dropped his belongings. Doing the same, he stripped silently, tugging off his boots to slip his trousers off. Locating the tray of soaps, he picked one of the pots and faced the steaming water. Royce relaxed against the stone wall with his eyes closed.

Once Duran was settled shoulder deep, Royce murmured, “I really want to play a trick on Cedri with the yellow grass we brought back.”

Duran’s mouth twitched. “Like what?” He gathered some of the viscous gel onto his fingers and worked it between his palms to create a light lather to scrub his arms. It was a lovely mixture of herbs and a fine grit that made his skin pink under the abrasion, and made him feel invigorated.

“I don’t know yet. I don’t think we have any milkbonnet here to compare.”

“The grass stalks are safe. They’re being replanted in a bin in the greenery barn. Hopefully, they will thrive in our soil.”

Royce snickered. “So much trouble to be had.”

Duran smiled at his devilish grin. “More like trouble to be caused by you.”

“Maybe,” he purred with boyish humor. Ripples moved across the water as Duran washed, so he didn’t notice when Royce edged closer. The light tug on his hair popped his eyes open. “Your curls make the cat in me want to play with them.” He winked with a teasing glimmer highlighting bottomless blue eyes. “They’re perfect and bounce when I wrap them around my fingers.”

Duran dipped his chin, aware the heat flaring on his skin wasn’t completely caused by the temperature of the water. The memories of him doing exactly as he described by the waterfall created shivers on his skin. Working more soap across his chest and down his frame, he sensed more than saw when Royce palmed the potted soap and began to tenderly work some through his hair. The caresses were firm yet tender. His nipples tightened beneath the water from the surge of shivers racing over skin and nerves.

Not too surprisingly, his nipples weren’t the only part of his anatomy tightening under Royce’s thorough hands.

He swallowed to relieve a suddenly dry throat. “Thank you,” he managed even as his eyes fluttered closed from the strokes. He moaned, unable to stop the sound when Royce rubbed firm thumbs into his neck. “That feels so good.”

Warm breath slipped past his ear before the light brush of lips burned a trail down his neck. Duran whimpered when Royce’s tongue licked a trail over the pronounced leap of his heart beneath skin.

“You’ve been driving me crazy since I first saw you when we were still watching the keep, trying to figure out who the strange mages were and what they wanted. You walked through the trees one afternoon and it was all I could do to keep my cat under control,” he murmured, his voice a low purred vibration that sent Duran’s heart beating.

Water sluiced down his hair as Royce lightly ran fingers through it to smooth tangles, rinsing with cupped water.

Duran sucked a slow breath when Royce finished and faced him in the water. Blue eyes were dark with want. He was sure they mirrored his own. “And if I kiss you now?” The longing, the lust, filling the bathing chamber was driving Duran mad. It filled his senses, soaked into his pores. His thickened shaft ached with the promises found in Royce’s gaze. Almost as though he were being pulled along by a rope, or a chain, right into this man’s arms. And he didn’t want to fight it in the least. Not when they were so close.

“We’ll be late for the gathering,” he pointed out regretfully, the slightest rueful curve of his lips lifting them at the corner before they softened into a gentle smile. “Believe me when I tell you, what you do to me is something I’ve never felt,” he admitted. His gaze fell to Duran’s lips. The longing burning in his gaze made Duran’s brain forget anything pressing.

Like not keeping their future king waiting.

Duran shifted in the water to fully face him, straddling his lap where he rested on a stone bench cut out of the bathing pool. His fingers dug into wet, silken hair glistening like molten gold in the fading sunlight flooding the room. The awareness of skin burned, making him gasp with wonder and need when they pressed together. Slipping his arms around Royce’s shoulders, he said, “I don’t think I care if we’re late.” At that moment he couldn’t make himself care about much of anything other than the shifter watching him while his blood burned for the promise of pleasure out of reach. Light steam drifted through the air, almost creating a celestial look to Royce’s features, highlighting his paleness compared to Duran’s suntanned tones. He’d never looked sexier.

The last three days spent together had carried a driven purpose, forcing focus and keeping them with their goal in mind. A goal that had been met, and found.

Now there was nothing between them except air and water. And none of what waited beyond the bath chamber mattered in the least.

He panted a moan when his cock brushed against the rock hard flesh of Royce’s stomach. Scooting even closer, the burning want in Royce’s gaze deepened his beautiful glacial blue eyes to a color he’d only witnessed at twilight.

Skin as smooth as satin heated beneath his hands as he investigated from Royce’s neck down to his collarbones. Strong hands held him firmly at his waist, but didn’t slow him, or direct him, letting Duran explore. Defined muscles faded below the water line, ridges and lines making Duran’s mind fuzzy as he fought to see through the water. Dropping a light hand from a shoulder, he skimmed the smooth flesh and swallowed when the pound of Royce’s heart surged beneath his hand.

“Lover, if you don’t stop, we’ll never see dinner, much less Lord Jayce’s request to meet,” he warned, the roughness of his voice sparking over Duran’s already sensitive nerves, revealing the strain of his control.

“Do you wish to torment me?” Duran demanded, trembling from the powerful rush of desire coursing through him now that they were chest to chest. He burned with his shaft captured between them. Skin to skin. And it was as lovely, as enthralling to feel against his own as he’d believed. He ached. The telling brush of flesh danced against flesh. The fire pulsing through his blood scorched. After three days in Royce’s presence, learning about him, now when he could finally, unabashedly claim his kiss, he’d never wanted, needed, more.

Royce’s eyes widened. “Of course not.” He frowned. “You’re not the only one aching.” A slight shift of the hips he straddled proved his point. The hard shaft nestled against his butt cheeks proved he was telling the truth, though he made no move to better his position or to draw Duran deeper into his arms. He wanted to scream with need yet Royce made no move to encourage him. Royce slipped a hand through Duran’s wet curls, tucking them behind an ear, the wet weight brushing overheated flesh, shooting a fine tremor down his frame. “When I hold you, when I kiss you, taste you, there will be nothing else to interrupt us for hours.”

Duran blinked, considering. “Hours? You have an arrogant expectation of your abilities.”

Royce smiled, white teeth gleaming with a bit of challenge. “For you, I would promise days.”

Duran’s throat was tight when he tried to find his voice. There wasn’t a hint of a lie in his offer. “I made a promise, because you made a wish,” Duran reminded him, searching his face, trying to figure out why he was reluctant. “Do you no longer want your wish granted?”

Royce growled as his arms jerked him firmly into his body. “More than you know.” Nerves sparked brighter when Royce’s focus landed on his lips. Then he exhaled forcefully, a shadow of worrying doubt flickering over his face. “You don’t know what I know, and it won’t be cured by a kiss. In fact, I’m positive a kiss will only be the beginning. And if I’m right, then there will be no end until we’re both sated and pleasured so deeply, we won’t be able to move come moonlight or sunrise.”

Duran trembled. That sounded…delicious. “How can you claim such prowess?” he mused, inwardly wincing at the wanting catch in his voice. Because goddess, did he want to find out if Royce’s confidence had merit. It already felt like his body was seeking the heat and firmness of Royce’s, the way they rocked together, teasing each other under the water.

“Because you draw me like no other,” he murmured, without prevarication.

“So for your wish, you desire to wait?” His brow twisted. He would never understand Royce. Were all skin shifters this stubborn?

“For a little longer. I want to taste your kiss like my very soul needs it to live.” He trapped a fistful of wet locks lightly in his grip to move Duran’s head to the side, his neck taut as he reflexively tensed. With languid movements, he swept the length of Duran’s corded neck with his tongue, both groaning beneath the sensations. Duran’s eyelids fluttered beneath the fiery rush of excitement the rasp created. Soft lips skimmed against sensitive skin when he spoke, turning Duran inside out. “You are my heart’s desire, Duran. Never forget that.”

Duran blinked, blearily straightening to face Royce’s watchful features. “You said you’d wait until I would give you the kiss you wished for. I had no idea your patience would be torture for me.” Yes. He was officially pouting. Royce had far better control than anyone Duran could recall. One of the many layers to the shifter he was slowly learning. Goddess how this man made him want. It wasn’t fair.

Royce’s grin grew wicked. “Tonight. Come to me and I will gladly accept your kiss. But know that if you do, you will not be leaving my bed.”

Duran huffed. “And here I thought you were the young, innocent one of the clan.” Duran wasn’t used to being in a power struggle like this. He was the one who called the shots, yet somehow Royce easily and skillfully came out ahead and in charge. When he was the one who’d made the bargain to buy them time, believing the skin shifter was toying with him. To get to know Royce, when he still hadn’t understood his own desire, which now burned through him like a lightning fed wildfire, what he’d done had rebounded back on him twofold. He’d be more mindful of wishes and promises in the future, of that he was certain.

Royce snickered. “No, my dear mage. Not by a long shot.”

“That’s why you didn’t argue about the nickname. False sense of security by being called something so harmless.”

Royce’s knowing grin returned, more pleased than concerned. “I’ve truly never had a pet name, and I’ve decided I do like being your kitten.” He stroked a thumb over Duran’s jaw to cup below his ear. “We must go now or we will be extremely late,” he said apologetically.

Duran edged off Royce’s lap and shakily stood on his own legs in the water. What could he say? There was no doubt he had been cleanly captured with the need that leashed him to Royce’s side even as he stepped away to dry off.

“Damn shifters,” he muttered.

Royce chuckled breathily.