I Married A Dragon (Prime Mating Agency)(15)

My face heated, and I shifted in my seat. I grunted an acknowledgement before shoving a big spoonful into my mouth to hide my embarrassment. I wasn’t prudish, but I had a very vivid imagination. His words had immediately sparked the image of what Cedros would look like as he climaxed, head thrown back, face dissolved in an air of ecstasy, with a powerful stream of flames shooting out of his mouth. Naturally, all this with me writhing beneath him.

Fuck my life… I didn’t need that visual. Especially not since I’d be spending a lot of the foreseeable future with his hot, naked body wrapped around my barely dressed one. Still, that visual had something thrilling and exciting. You didn’t become an Enforcer for the UPO without being an adrenaline junkie.

“Well, you’re an excellent cook,” I said, shifting to a safer topic. “How did you learn if you don’t cook your food?”

Cedros puffed out his chest proudly. “While waiting for your arrival, I’ve watched videos and read guides on caring for the needs of a human. I had hoped it would be adequate for you.”

“Aww, you’re really sweet. But you don’t have to do that,” I said, sincerely touched. “Once your cooking plate is functional, I’ll be able to make my own meals. I don’t expect you to take care of me.”

Cedros frowned as if I’d said something offensive. “It is my duty and my honor. A Shadow Lord caters to the needs of his Ejaya, just like she takes care of him. We are meant to be each other’s best friend, trusted confidant, and devoted caregiver. Beyond my role as a Shadow Lord, my main purpose is to see to your welfare and your happiness. I’ve waited my whole life to finally have that privilege. I intend to enjoy it fully!”

I gaped at him, robbed of words. How did you respond to that? What possible countering argument could you give someone to ‘deprive’ them of the pleasure of what they considered a privilege and an honor?

“I see…” I said, for lack of a better response.

Having nearly emptied my plate and feeling too full to eat another bite, I put down my utensils. However, I resisted the urge to squirm under Cedros’s gaze. He continued to stare intensely at me for a few seconds, his wheels visibly turning.

“For the first time in my life, I have felt peace because of you. Every moment spent by your side, and even more so holding you in my arms, the fog I hadn’t even realized had been choking my mind has been lifted. It’s the same with the physical pain that had become an almost constant companion, so much I barely even noticed it anymore.”

My throat tightened as he reached for my left hand and gently squeezed it. His eyes immediately closed, an almost pained expression—that I actually knew to be of pleasure—descending over his alien features.

“Nothing and no one in this entire universe will ever make me feel this divine bliss the way simply touching your hand does for me right now,” Cedros whispered before slowly opening his eyes to look at me. “There can never be another Ejaya for me. You are my one and only. I will do everything in my power to ensure you are happy and never want to leave me.”

I covered his hand holding mine with my free one and turned to face him, a very serious expression on my face. “I will not abandon you, Cedros. Whatever the future holds for us, I am your Ejaya, and I take it seriously. We will work something out so that we can both be happy. I promise.”

Apparently mollified by what he seemed to take as me conceding, Cedros relaxed, his frown once more giving way to a smile. He pushed back his stool and drew me to him. I went willingly as he sat me sideways on his lap and wrapped his arms around me. I didn’t want to admit it, but I rather liked the way he gently rubbed his face on my nape while inhaling my scent. There was nothing sexual in the gesture, but it still felt rather amazing knowing I had such a powerful effect on someone, to be so desperately wanted.

“You feel so good,” he whispered, as if for himself.

I snuggled against him and gently caressed his arm around me. “What does it feel like? That toxin, I mean.”

“When freshly bitten, it feels like acid coursing through our veins. It burns like it’s eating us from the inside out while it spreads. It becomes both an excruciating physical and mental pain. On the one hand, the poison is wrecking our bodies, and on the other, our mind feels like it’s on the verge of fracturing. And then, our bodies all but shut down. The toxin numbs part of our organs, slowing them almost to a halt.”

“That sounds horrible. But you’re eventually able to fight it back, right?” I asked, my heart filling with compassion for him.

“Eventually, yes. Before you, I would be curled up in a semi-comatose state of agony for weeks, the longest bout lasting one-hundred-and-eight days.”

“Oh, my God! That’s terrible.”

He nodded before nuzzling my nape again, his arms tightening around me in a possessive fashion. “This time would have been the same, maybe even worse. But you saved me. After they stunned me in the factory, they kept you and me together in the same medical pod. I’m afraid I fractured two of your ribs by falling on top of you,” he added, in a sheepish tone.

I jerked my head up and looked at him. “I had broken ribs?”

He nodded once more. “Yes, and a concussion. Your healers didn’t tell you?”

“No! I did not know what the heck happened during the first twenty-four hours except that they were mending me, and that I had made a full recovery!” I said, feeling somewhat outraged and betrayed.