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Chapter 5

CHAPTER5

Jade watched Larkin eating the burnt meat. He’d known humans didn’t eat anything raw, but he couldn’t get over just how very overdone the venison was. For his human, though, he would put up with the stench.

Larkin had also put the pants and tattered shirt back on and was sitting several feet away from Jade, as if any of that would keep Jade from him. It was all right. Jade still remembered how needy Larkin had been only an hour earlier, begging to be taken over and over, to the point of exhaustion. As much as it had pained Jade to deny him, he’d stopped after only two orgasms. He didn’t want his new treasure to die of overexertion.

“What would you be doing, if you weren’t here?” Jade asked while he worked on his own, much more raw cut of meat.

Larkin swallowed the bite he’d just taken, looking at Jade with a slightly glazed look on his face. Jade’s spit was having the desired effect, though perhaps he’d need to take it a little easier on him…

But that would mean less sex, less pleasure for Jade.

Besides, the human was trying so hard to pretend he wasn’t affected.

“Attending council meetings,” Larkin finally said after a long moment. “What about you? What does a dragon do alone?”

“I terrorize the countryside, of course,” Jade said with a wide grin. He burst out laughing at Larkin’s glare. “I’m joking. I don’t even steal from your farmers that often. Sometimes I’m in the mood for beef or mutton, but that’s maybe once a week, and I try to spread it out so I’m not hitting the same farm multiple times. Mostly, I’m on the lookout for things worth keeping. Topaz is trying to outdo my collection, but she’ll have to admit defeat when she sees my newest treasure.”

“Newest…” Larkin didn’t seem like he understood at first, but then his eyes narrowed a little as he realized what Jade meant. “She’s not going to think you capturing a human is all that impressive.”

“She doesn’t have royalty in her collection.” Jade nodded sagely. “There are so many romantic tales about dragons capturing princesses, but I’ve yet to meet anyone who actually has. There just aren’t that many royals to go around, and most of them aren’t dumb enough to walk directly into dragon lairs.”

“Hey!” Larkin protested. “I’m not dumb.”

It was almost sweet, how delusional the princeling was.

“Why would you even think this was a wyvern den? Everybody knows wyverns nest in groups along cliff faces.” Jade wasn’t particularly impressed with wyverns, the lesser cousins of dragons who didn’t have enough magic to be worth much. It rankled a bit that his majestic den had been mistaken as a wyvern nest.

“My brother told me it was,” Larkin said. “And he knows more about wyverns than I do.”

Clearly not.

Larkin took another bite of the overcooked meat. “I was here to save the countryside from the… wyvern.”

“But why you?” Jade pressed. “Like I said, royalty doesn’t usually do the whole adventuring thing. That’s what the knights and soldiers are for. Royalty should be focusing on politics and all that.”

“Because it’s my duty to protect the people,” Larkin said, as though it made all the sense in the world. “I had knights and soldiers with me. They were just separated in the rockslide, and I…” He blushed a little. “I was sure I could handle a wyvern by myself.”

Jade gave his human a more thorough examination. Larkin was fit enough, and he’d carried himself well in the armor and with the sword, but he doubted Larkin was so experienced that he’d be able to handle a larger creature without issue. Even if Jade had been a wyvern, wyverns very rarely nested alone. Larkin would have been overwhelmed by sheer numbers.

“Once you were separated from your group, you should have turned back,” Jade admonished. “I’m very glad you didn’t, but when plans go sour, the best option is to abort and try again another day with proper preparation.”

Larkin blushed more, suddenly intent on his food. After a moment, he said, “My brother said I’d be able to handle it. He had faith in me. He’d have… thought poorly of me if I’d turned and walked away.”

Jade was surprised at how intensely he disliked Larkin’s brother in that moment. Although Jade himself only sporadically interacted with his siblings these days, he would never have sent any of them anywhere half as dangerous. “Your brother is an idiot, too, if he believed that.”

“He’s not!” Larkin said, bristling. “He’s very intelligent. He’s going to inherit the throne when my mother steps down.”

“I guess I’ll have to prepare for another round of civil wars, then.” Jade sighed loudly. “Anytime somebody remotely weak takes the throne, you lot start killing each other for the right to rule. I wouldn’t even care if you’d all stop destroying precious things. Beautiful buildings. Books! So many books end up in ashes in your wars…”

“He isn’t weak at all,” Larkin insisted. “He’s been studying to take over the throne his whole life. You should hear him talk at the council meetings. He’s very intelligent and brave. He’ll have no problems taking over the country. Nothing will be destroyed.”

“That’s what Renée of Ysoldore said, and look where that got her.” Jade noticed Larkin’s blank stare. “You know… the queen who ruled Kithage before your… grandfather? Great-grandfather? Took over.”

Larkin shook his head. “I don’t remember,” he said. “I’m not very good with names. I’ve never really been the best student or anything…”

So his little gem was maybe not the brightest. But there was a hint of curiosity in his voice, and Jade did love talking.

He didn’t love how filthy his hands were, though, and as much as he enjoyed Larkin’s natural scent—and that he was drenched in Jade’s scent—the smokiness of the overcooked meat irritated his nose.

Jade stood up and stretched, very deliberately showing off his naked body to Larkin. His lips curled into a smile when he caught Larkin’s blush, and how quickly he averted his gaze.

“Are you done eating? If yes, we can continue this conversation while we bathe.”

Larkin was studiously trying to look anywhere but at Jade, but he kept sneaking looks anyway. “I… Yes?” he said after a pause, though he sounded more like he was asking than actually answering. “A bath would be nice.”

Jade walked over and extended his hand to Larkin. “Good! This is the reason I chose this particular cave as my home.”

Larkin looked warily at him, getting to his feet without taking the offered hand. Jade suppressed a laugh, then wrapped an arm around Larkin’s waist. Larkin startled and tried to pull away, but Jade held tight.

“You’d get lost without me guiding you,” Jade explained, grinning broadly. “Since we’re heading deeper into the caves.”

Larkin frowned at him, but he glanced at the darker tunnels leading deeper into the cave. His shoulders slumped as he gave in, letting Jade guide him toward the first one.

“Watch your step,” Jade warned him. “Stay close to me.”

It was mostly smooth through here, and they’d be able to hear the spring if they only tried, but he didn’t tell Larkin as much as he led him through it.

The tunnel led down, farther into the mountain. It got cooler briefly before the air became heavier with warm humidity. In the very dim light still streaming in from behind them, Jade could see the outlines of stalactites and stalagmites, carved out after centuries of erosion.

“We’re almost there,” Jade told Larkin, kissing the side of his head on a whim. “Careful not to slip, it’s a bit wet down here.”

Larkin held onto Jade’s arm as the cave floor started to get more treacherous, something that pleased Jade.

“What is that?” Larkin asked, sounding surprised. “A spring inside the cave?”

“Yes. A hot spring!” Jade was a bit sad that Larkin had guessed and spoiled the surprise, but at least his pretty gem was a little bit clever.

Since there was no point in drawing it out further, Jade drew on some magic and blew it into the air. The magic orbs he’d placed around the cave came to life, glowing with a soft, yellow light and revealing the large, dragon-sized hot spring.

Larkin gasped, clutching Jade more tightly. “It’s beautiful!” he exclaimed. “I didn’t know you had magic that could do this.”

“We’ve never met before this. How would you know what kind of magic I could do?” Jade asked. He pointed toward his preferred entry point to the spring, where he’d cleared out a path and even set aside blankets and robes.

Larkin blushed. “Well, I mean… I didn’t know dragons did magic? I guess it sort of makes sense, since turning into a dragon is sort of magical, but… Magic is rare, outside of here. I don’t get to see it often.”

“Dragons are made of magic,” Jade corrected as he led Larkin to the spring. “Wyverns have some magic in them too, but not enough to do anything with it.” He pulled Larkin’s tattered shirt off his shoulders.

Larkin squirmed a little, but he didn’t protest. Instead, he stripped off his trousers as well, setting them neatly nearby. He really must’ve wanted that bath, because he’d never gotten undressed so easily without Jade manipulating him into it before.

“What do you mean, made of magic?” Larkin asked as he went to the edge of the spring, dipping his toes into the water.

“It’s part of our life force.” Jade slid into the water and sighed in contentment. It was just the right temperature, like basking in the sun on a warm summer day. “Isn’t that why humans come around to murder us every so often? I know sorcerers are desperate for our scales.”

Larkin slowly walked into the spring, taking his time to adjust to the water. “They mostly cull dragons because you’re… dangerous,” he said. “Because you kill our animals and even our young sometimes.” He scowled. “And that was without even knowing you like to take humans as… as pets. If they knew about that, and your… saliva… they’d want you dead even more.”

For a moment, Jade could only stare incredulously. “Murder… your young? Why on earth would we do that? Most of us don’t even eat humans, let alone the tiny ones with barely any meat on their bones. The last time I heard of a dragon keeping a human child, it was because the child had been orphaned.”

“But you admitted your kind keeps adult humans,” Larkin said, as though to remind him of the other great injustice he’d committed. “And accidents happen. Mistaking children for livestock, for instance.”

Jade swam over to Larkin, wrapping his arms around him once more. “Don’t be silly. Humans don’t smell anything like livestock. And dragons take very good care of humans. I’ve never heard of a human who was dissatisfied.”

Larkin’s eyes went to Jade’s mouth. “That’s because you cheat,” he said, then looked away, blushing like it was hard to even think about.

“I’m not cheating right now,” Jade responded, smiling. “Why don’t I wash you? Or do you simply want to soak?”

“You are cheating right now,” Larkin mumbled. “I wouldn’t want to be here if it wasn’t for your… you know.” He shivered, but he didn’t try to pull away this time. “I’d like to soak for a time. See if I can get your… your… seed… off of my skin.”

Like that would break the addiction that had already started to take hold on him.

Jade would allow Larkin to have his little delusions. He let go of Larkin and went to grab the pumice stones he’d left next to the spring. He used it to scrub at his scales, watching a bit of stuck shed drop away with satisfaction. He needed to start paying more attention to his own appearance now.

He noticed Larkin staring. “Do you want to scrub, too?” He held out the pumice stone.

“I don’t have any calluses that would require the use of a stone,” Larkin said, like Jade had just said something exceptionally silly. “I only need a cloth.”

Jade shrugged and waded over to where the robes were. After a bit of consideration, he picked up Larkin’s shirt and ripped a larger strip of cloth off. “Like this?”

Larkin stared at him, slack-jawed. “No! Not like that! The shirt…” He glared at Jade. “I could at least still wear it before you did that. What am I supposed to wear now? I can’t wear only my trousers.”

Which needed to be washed, too, really.

“You can borrow one of my robes,” Jade said generously. “But you don’t really ever need to leave again. I’ll keep you warm, and I don’t insist on clothing around the cave.”

“I insist on clothing around the cave,” Larkin said. “And I won’t be here forever.”

Jade swam back, piece of cloth in hand. “Where else would you go? You weren’t even going to inherit the crown, right? They don’t need you in your kingdom. You were quick to tell me how amazing your brother is, so I assume you don’t want the throne. And you’ll be much safer here once the civil war breaks out.”

“Civil war isn’t going to break out!” Larkin insisted as he grabbed for the piece of cloth Jade held. “And I may not be needed, but I’m still the second son of the queen. I should be at home in case they need me. I can still be useful.”

A hot flare of anger filled Jade. “No. You’re mine. You’re staying here, with me.”

Larkin stared at him. “I am not yours. Slavery is illegal in this kingdom, and I am no slave. I won’t stay here forever.”

“It isn’t slavery! I’m not making you do anything. I’m going to treat you better than most of the humans toiling away on your fields, who are obliged to give away most of their earnings to you. How do you pay those people, I wonder?” Jade snapped back.

“Their taxes go to the government to help improve the kingdom. They pay our soldiers and ensure roads are maintained. They ensure everyone is heard when they have grievances. That’s what taxes are for!” Larkin said. He started to scrub briskly at himself. “You wouldn’t understand. You just keep all your treasure to yourself and never share it with anyone or do anything good for anyone at all!”

Jade started laughing. “How naïve are you, little gem? Have you traveled those roads in winter? Have you seen the starving villages? And how often do you listen to the grievances of the poor? You’re accusing me of not knowing, but I’ve lived a lot, lot longer than you have, and I’ve seen just how indifferent your lot is to the plight of their fellow beings. At least dragons don’t steal from each other and call it just.”

“We pay magistrates to hear grievances. They aren’t for royalty to consider,” Larkin said, flushed from the warmth of the water or the heat of his argument, perhaps. “No one is starving, and the roads are fine! This is a good kingdom for people to live in. We protect our people.”

“Of course, of course.” Jade plucked the cloth out of Larkin’s hand, ignoring the way Larkin scowled at him. “Let me wash your back. Unless humans are more flexible than I’ve been led to believe, I don’t think you can reach.”

There was no point in arguing with a human about these matters, and there were more interesting things to do with his little gem.

“I’ve always managed just fine,” Larkin grumbled, though Jade rather suspected he managed with the help of servants in his fancy palace. Larkin didn’t protest further, though, instead letting Jade swipe the cloth along Larkin’s back.

Jade was fascinated by how smooth human skin could be. Dragon scales were smooth too, of course, but they had a different quality to them. There was never going to be a layer of shed skin on humans; it simply always maintained its natural glow. He gently rubbed the cloth all over Larkin’s soft back, wiping away the sweat and dirt.

With a grin, he followed that up by trailing one claw along the length of Larkin’s spine. Larkin gasped and tensed up immediately.

“Don’t do that!” Larkin snapped. He tried to step away, but Jade held him in place with a firm grip on his hip.

“Why not?” Jade asked, leaning in close enough to lick the back of Larkin’s neck.

“Because— Because it’s…” Larkin sputtered, seeming to have a hard time finding the words to describe exactly why Jade shouldn’t rake his claw along Larkin’s skin like that. “It’s awkward. And don’t lick me, either. I’m not your meal.”

“I’m not thinking of eating you. Not like that, in any case.” Jade nuzzled the side of Larkin’s jaw again, flicking out his tongue and breathing in deeply. Even with the mild sulfur from the hot spring, Larkin’s personal scent came through very clearly, alluring as ever. “Can’t I simply show you some affection?”

“I don’t want you to show affection,” Larkin said sourly, like Jade hadn’t just turned his world upside down an hour earlier with more mind-blowing sex. “I want you to let me go. I’m not… I’m not your pet, or your toy, or whatever you think I am. You’re obsessed.”

“And you aren’t?” Jade answered, amused. “I remember you begging me for my cocks, begging me to kiss you…”

“That’s because you cheat!” Larkin insisted. “Your… your… Things. And stuff. And… You just cheat, that’s all. I wouldn’t want you if it wasn’t for those… things.”

“My semen? My saliva?” Jade wound his arm around Larkin’s stomach and slowly petted the soft belly. “I’m sure I could make you come apart with just my hands, too. Is that what you want?”

“No!” Larkin said, trying to pull away from him. “I don’t want you touching me at all. Why won’t you take the hint? Are all dragons this disrespectful of others’ boundaries?”

Jade stopped to consider that question seriously. “If you want to snuggle, why wouldn’t you snuggle? When you like somebody, you show affection. My parents only meet up every few years, but if I happen to catch them while they’re together, they’re always touching each other.” He pulled Larkin closer to himself, so they were pressed front to back. “There’s no reason to hold back.”

Larkin stopped squirming. “But I don’t want to snuggle. I don’t like you. I’m not ‘holding back.’ I just don’t want it.”

“Then who do you want to snuggle?” Jade’s claws curled inward for a second, pushing against sensitive skin. He hadn’t even considered there could be somebody else. There were no scent markings on Larkin, but maybe the other human’s scent had been washed off already. “Did you already have a lover? Are you promised to somebody? Because you can forget ever going back to them. I won’t allow it.”

Larkin winced as those claws dug into his skin. He was startlingly quiet for a moment, then he mumbled, “I’m not promised to anyone yet.” He paused, then added, “But remember you don’t own me, dragon.”

Since that last suggestion was incredibly stupid—of course Larkin belonged to Jade now—Jade ignored it, focusing instead on the strange tone of voice. “Did you want to be promised to somebody? I’m a far better lover than any human could ever hope to be. I’m sure you’ve discovered that. And I wouldn’t ever abandon you, or ignore you, or do anything but treasure you as you deserve to be treasured.”

Again, Larkin fell silent, and his shoulders slumped. He even leaned back against Jade a little, as though he needed Jade to hold him up. “I’ve never been interested enough in anyone before to want the trouble. That kind of stuff is unseemly. Degenerate. Lovemaking is for… is for married couples,” he admitted after a moment. “I don’t think I like the attention.”

That struck Jade as incredibly sad. “What’s wrong with the attention? You’re such a shining jewel, you deserve to be loved properly. A little naive, but I can tell you’re curious, and you care about your people. That’s more than I can say for most humans, who mostly show up because they’ve heard there’s gold to be had.”

“It feels… strange,” Larkin said, which sounded like the most honest thing the human had said up to that point. “I’m a second son. I have my duties and responsibilities, but I’ve never been meant to… shine.” He shook his head. “And I’ve never really been comfortable with people throwing themselves at me.”

“I have ten siblings,” Jade said carefully. “And my parents loved all of us equally. They helped us all find our own dens and taught us everything we needed to thrive. There’s no reason a second son shouldn’t shine.” He guided Larkin to turn around so he could look him in the eye, although Larkin averted his gaze. “Did anybody ask you what you wanted?”

“Well, no,” Larkin said, and he sounded surprised. His gaze darted up to Jade’s for a second, then he looked away again. “But it’s not like you’ve asked me what I wanted either, so you can’t judge anyone in my life for doing the same.”

Jade thought about it and nodded. “All right. What do you like to do? We can go do it. Hunting? My mountain has plenty of game. Riding? I’ll bring your horse back, although she really does hate you. Maybe I can find you a better mount. Or, if you prefer reading, I have an entire section of the cave filled with scrolls and books. If you want instruments, I’ll go get a few that are suitable for human hands.” Jade started smiling as he went on. “You’re right. I should have considered that you might get bored. We have so much time. We can pursue any of your interests.”

“I don’t understand why my horse hates me,” Larkin said, focusing on that, of all things. “I’ve always been good to her.” He sighed. “I don’t know. I do like to read, and I like history—just not biased history that’s laden with… smut.”

Jade laughed and pressed a quick kiss to Larkin’s lips. Larkin didn’t respond to the kiss, but he didn’t try to pull away, either. Progress.

“The best histories are laden with smut. And even the smut-free histories aren’t unbiased. But I have a decent collection of those. I love collecting history. And my father likes collecting poetry and songs, so he gave me a few historical epics at the last family gathering. Copies, of course, but still interesting to read or sing.”

“Do you sing?” Larkin asked after a pause, again homing in on something else Jade wouldn’t have expected.

“I can! Not as good as my father, but I haven’t put much effort into practicing.” Jade grinned widely. “Should we finish up the bath and take a look at the works?”

Larkin looked up at him, and he nodded. It was a small nod, but it was a small allowance Jade hadn’t necessarily expected. “I’m not bathing you,” he informed Jade, as though that wasn’t obvious.

“I already scraped the old skin off,” Jade informed him, still smiling. “And the hot spring’s minerals do a good job of taking care of the dirt. Come on, then.” He took Larkin’s hand and led him to the edge of the spring where the robes and towels were set up. Once Larkin was out of the water, Jade draped a towel around him and started drying him off.

Larkin squirmed and made a show of trying to pull away, but there was no real effort made. He let Jade dry him and drape a robe around him, putting his arms into the sleeves and pulling it protectively closed around his body before tying the sash.

Jade grabbed a robe for himself, although he didn’t bother tying it. He had no issue with Larkin seeing him in the nude, and the cave was warm enough that he would dry quickly. He was also strangely giddy about the prospect of showing Larkin something he would enjoy, getting to share his treasures with this new treasure.

He twined his fingers with Larkin’s and started leading the way through the dark once more. “Come on! Let’s teach you some history.”

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