By Fairy Means or Foul: A Starfig Investigations Novel(27)

“Not that I’ve ever heard.”

“I heard there’s a creepy pirate ship patrolling the Expanse.”

“A pirate ship? On the dunes? What, with wheels or something? Or maybe the ship has wings?”

“Ha ha.”

“Where did you hear such a ridiculous story?”

“Don’t remember. Probably at the Steamy Bean. Brandsome and I spend a lot of time there.”

“Huh. Well, I think that’s just some fool spreading rumors. Seems like I would have heard of a pirate ship. Or seen one, with all the times I’ve flown over this particular desert.”

With the moons rising came the cold. Quinn shivered. I’d packed a thin blanket, but it wouldn’t be enough. I wrapped it around his shoulders anyway.

“You’re going to be cold.” Quinn opened the blanket so I could drape it around me too. Only my shoulders were way too big.

“Nah, I’m okay.”

He scooted closer until he leaned up against me.

“Let me at least share my heat. It will keep us both warm.”

“Fine.” I said it like I was put out, but secretly I was more than happy to press him against my side. And not only for his heat.

I just needed to keep my thoughts from turning too amorous. Not easy since even through the darkness, I saw the contentment in his face as he snuggled into me. He probably didn’t realize I could see him or I’m sure he wouldn’t look so at ease. I hadn’t really considered it before, but Quinn wore a perpetually wary expression on his face, even when he smiled. I suppose being Brandsome’s indentured servant would put that look on anyone’s face.

I slung my arm around his shoulders and dragged him even closer. I swear I heard a soft sigh. Either way, my unruly cock stiffened. Ever since I ran into the unicorn, I was one stiff breeze away from popping wood. I deliberated asking Quinn whether I’d need to get laid to get it out of my system, except I didn’t think he’d take it the right way. I enjoyed this too much for him to pull away.

“I know this sounds weird, but I feel so comfortable with you. I wish you were my master.” Quinn practically sat on my lap now, his arms wrapped around me.

I placed my chin on top of his head, inhaled his sweet scent, the faint smell of meadowmint lingering on his breath.

“I don’t want to be anyone’s master. Humans think dragons are barbaric, but we don’t keep slaves. Indentured or otherwise.”

“No, you just eat them.” Humor laced Quinn’s voice so I didn’t get offended. Besides, he was right.

“Too true. Apparently humans are particularly tasty. Why do you think I encouraged you to wash off all that crap Brandsome made you wear? Tastes terrible.”

He gaped at me for a minute, before he lightly elbowed me in the stomach.

“That’s not funny.”

I chuckled, giving truth to his lie. Totally funny. I mean, my mom would be horrified to see me snuggling and joking with a human. Dragons might have struck the Cairnsdaught Accord with humans, but that didn’t mean they wouldn’t love to crunch up a few. I didn’t have that urge at all. In fact, I felt rather protective of Quinn. And wasn’t that a kicker? A dragon who wanted to protect a human.

“If it makes you feel better, I like you better without all the face paint and perfumes.” I inhaled his scent. Mmm.

It was his turn to snigger. “Because I’m tastier that way.”

“Because you’re perfect the way you are. You don’t need all those enhancers.” Now, why did I have to turn the conversation serious? Quinn went quiet and my cheeks felt suspiciously hot.

After a moment, he tightened his arms around me. “Thank you, Twig. That was a nice thing to say.”

I shrugged. “It’s the truth.”

We fell silent, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. Before long, I heard the soft sound of his snores. I was built for endurance. Humans, not so much. And we’d had a long day. If my calculations were right, we could be through the desert in two or maybe three days’ time. Stupid rug. At least it afforded us some protection from the elements. Not that it was good for anything else.

I slowly lay back, taking Quinn with me. He snuffled and pressed even closer, but didn’t rouse. Good thing. My dick was trying to drill itself through my clothing.

A long, uncomfortable night lay in front of me.



Waking Quinn the next morning proved to be harder than anticipated. Sometime in the night he’d managed to work his way onto my chest and away from the chilly sand. He’d effectively draped himself over me as my blanket and I liked it. Too much.

I started off by trying to ease him off, but the guy clung like a barnacle to that imaginary pirate ship. Saying his name gently, I rubbed circles on his back. My morning wood was at full mast and his pushed into my hip. Torture. But I promised I wouldn’t use him the way Brandsome had. I intended to keep my word.

Quinn burrowed into me like he was a rabbit and I was his den. I tried calling his name a little louder. Nothing. Except his hands grasped tighter on my tunic. At this rate, he would tear it.

I pushed myself to sitting. Quinn’s brow wrinkled and a frown spread across his face. The guy still refused to wake.

“Come on, Quinn. We need to get going.”

No response.

I shook him gently. Then harder. I hoped I wouldn’t have to use our precious water to wake him. Huffing, I managed to pry his fingers from my now very wrinkled shirt.