A Destiny of Dragons (Tales From Verania #2)(151)

“He said, whining in a high-pitched voice, like the insignificant little speck of dust that he was.”

“You ass.”

“You love me.”

“Yeah, yeah. Ferry me across, Lord Dragon.”

He bowed low. “But of course, sweet cheeks.” He reached a hand to carefully pick me up and held me close to his chest. But before he could spread his wings, I said his name. “Hmm?”

“I felt him,” I said. “After. With his firefly lights.”

“So you said.”

“It’s not the same, you know? Like it is with you. He’s a part of us, but not like you are.”

“Are you hitting on me? I’m flattered, but I don’t know if now’s a good time. Oh, who am I kidding, it’s always a good time. Take off your pants.”

“Kevin.”

“Sam.”

“When did you become mine? When did you know?”

Kevin looked taken aback, like he hadn’t expected the question. He opened his mouth once, twice, and then sighed. He held me up until I was eye level with him. His teeth were razor sharp, but I didn’t fear them. I didn’t fear him. He was my friend, and I would do anything for him, just like he’d do for me. “You remember that night at my keep? After Ryan left with the Prince.”

I did. My heart had been broken. Everything felt like it’d been crashing down. I had kissed Ryan, and he’d kissed me back, almost with the same breath he’d used to tell me he couldn’t—wouldn’t—break his oath to Justin. The stars had been bright above.

Where did you come from?

Far away.

What were you looking for?

A place to call my own.

And I remember thinking how this creature—this magical, wonderful creature—infuriated the shit out of me. That even though it felt like I was bleeding out on the stones of the keep, he was being enough of a dick to help me forget how much I hurt.

I’ve seen things. Many different things. There are lands far away from here that you couldn’t even possibly dream of. I’ve seen cliffs of ice so tall they disappear into the clouds. I’ve seen flowers deep in jungles that eat everything that happens by them. I’ve seen the hearts of men, the darkness that lies within. I’ve been captured by wizards who wanted nothing more than to spill my blood to make their spells. I’ve seen people cower in fear at the mere sight of me. I’ve seen a city that floats in the clouds, and the beings that live there have translucent skin and cannot speak for they have no mouths. I’ve seen a volcano erupting during a lightning storm, ash in the sky as the mountain explodes. I’ve seen many things, pretty.

And I hadn’t understood him. I hadn’t understood what that had to do with me.

But he’d known that. Because he was far smarter than I could ever know.

I’ve seen many things. Both good and evil. Majestic and destructive. Stars falling from the sky and a man whose tattoos moved across his skin as if they were alive before he tried to rip one of my hearts from my chest. I have seen many, many things. But I have never seen one look at another the way the knight looks at you.

One day I’ll believe you.

And one day, maybe I could be there to tell you I told you so.

And he’d curled around me that night, holding me together even though I’d wanted to fly apart. I’d told him of the City of Lockes, and that night, when I’d dreamed of home, Kevin had dreamed along with me.

“You made me feel like I could belong,” Kevin said quietly. “I told you that I’d left to find a home. To find a place I could call my own. To feel safe for the first time in my life. You told me you wouldn’t hurt me.”

I smiled faintly at the memory. “Unless you tried to get all up in my business again. Which you totally do. Daily.”

“You like it,” he rumbled happily. “But I remember seeing how you and Gary and Tiggy were with each other, and I wanted that for my own. Desperately, in fact. I think that’s what I wished for. Under all those stars. That I could belong to you. That I could belong with you. And I think the stars granted my wish.”

“I’m not crying,” I said with a sniff. “You’re crying. Stupid dragon with your stupid fucking stories that make me want to punch your face and then hug you.”

“I love you too.” Kevin sounded amused. Then, “Do you think it’ll be like that for him? For Zero? Can you make him feel safe?”

I looked over Kevin’s shoulder back at the dome. I didn’t know if Zero heard us talking, but I had a feeling he was listening to every word. “I’ll try.”

“Good, pretty. That’s all I can ask for. Should we vomit more feelings on each other, or should we get back to the others? I’m pretty sure Ryan is about to shit himself with worry.”

“Right? He really needs to learn to calm down.”

“I’ve got a few ideas on that. Have you guys ever thought about couple’s erotic massage? It works wonders on stress.”

“I don’t even want to know.”

“I’m licensed in the City of Lockes to administer such massages if you wanted to consider it.”

“No. You’re not. That’s not even a real thing.”

“It totally is. I have a piece of paper and everything.”