Chapter Twenty-Eight

I went back to work after breakfast. Shale”s libido had finally been satisfied enough to allow me out of his tower, and I didn”t want to neglect the garden now that I”d gotten so far with it. Plus, the Dragon King had some important meetings he”d been postponing just to fuck me. The thought had me smiling all the way down those infinite stairs and into the garden.

I kept smiling as I worked, even humming to myself. Even the heat didn”t bother me. I just removed my tunic and kept going. I should have been exhausted by midday, especially after all the time I”d spent in the King”s bed, but I barely paused to drink some water. I felt unstoppable. It was only when one of the servants brought me lunch that I took a break.

With lunch came a package.

When I saw the small trunk bound with leather straps, I smiled, thinking it was a gift from the King. Maybe more clothing. But then the servant told me the trunk had arrived from Sken. My curiosity won over my hunger, and I immediately opened the trunk. Inside was a smaller wooden case packed in hay and a letter. I went for the letter first.

“Galin,” I whispered. “He”s such a nice man.” I put the letter aside. Galin, he of the finest ass on Serai, was also mate to the King of Sken. I know I”ve mentioned him before, but his ass bears mentioning again. Especially since he”d sent me a present. I mean, sure, I”d helped them with their rasalt beetles, but just with information. They had already thanked and paid me. But Galin wanted me to have one of his newest inventions because he knew I was far from home. He had sent me a device that would allow me to speak to people back in Sken. Galin was an inventor.

I brought out the wooden case and opened it. Inside were a lot of gears and crystals full of enchantment to power the thing. Two tubes rose from this foundation. Nestled between them were two funnels. According to Galin”s instructions, I was to insert the funnels into the tubes. The one on the left was to speak into and the one on the right would produce sound.

“All right, funnels are in,” I said as I secured them. I referred back to Galin”s letter for the next step. “Simple.” I flipped a switch on the outside of the box, then leaned into the left funnel and said, “Galin, Duke of Sken.”

The crystals began to glow. A chiming came through the right funnel. After about a minute, the chiming stopped.

“Hello?” Galin”s voice came through the funnel.

“Holy fuck!” I exclaimed. “It works!”

“Who is this?”

“Oh, sorry, Galin! It”s Sebastian Dahl. I just received your gift. Thank you so much.”

“Sebastian!” Galin exclaimed. “It”s good to hear from you. How are you? How”s Latur?”

“I”m great. Latur is beautiful. And hot. I spend most days shirtless.”

“Oh, my.”

I laughed. “I mean because I”m working in a garden, and it gets too hot to keep my tunic on.”

“Of course,” Galin said in a teasing tone. “But I”m sure you”ve found someone to appreciate your daily half-naked state.”

I paused.

“You have!” Galin exclaimed. “Tell me everything.”

“Who is that?” a deep voice came through the funnel on the heels of Galin”s.

“It”s Sebastian. Say hello.”

The deep voice got louder, recognizable as belonging to the King of Sken, “Hello, Sebastian.”

“Hello, Your Majesty,” I said. “Thank you for the gift.”

“The gift?”

“I sent him a far-speaker,” Galin”s voice got louder as King Rianvar”s went softer. “I told you I was sending him one.”

“Ah, yes. He”s abroad for work.”

“He”s in Latur.”

“Very good. I”ll await you in the bath, Mate.”

Galin sighed. “I”m sorry, Sebastian. The mating bond is still in its infancy with us. I have to go, or he”ll be pouting in the bathtub by himself. And a pouting king is bad for everyone.”

I chuckled. “So, that”s going well?”

“It”s going phenomenally. I”ve never been happier.”

“I”m glad for you, Your Grace. You deserve it.”

“Stop with the ”Your Grace” stuff. We”re friends. And I hope you find a love like this, Sebastian. You deserve it.”

“Thank you, Galin. And thanks for the far-speaker. Although, I don”t know who else I”ll contact with it.”

“Oh, you”ll have plenty of options soon. They”re selling as fast as we can make them. But for now, I”ve sent one to your parents, so you can keep in touch with them. I mean, why send you a device you could only use with me?”

“Galin, that”s so thoughtful. Thank you.”

“You”re welcome, Sebastian. Know that wherever you wander, Sken will always be your home.”

“That”s good to hear, especially coming from its Duke.”

Galin made a scoffing sound. “Go call your mother, Master of Vegetation. I”m sure she”ll say something similar and it will matter far more coming from her.”

“I will. You go take care of your mate.”

“Oh, I will. Goodbye, my friend.”

“Goodbye.”

Seconds later, Shale roared, “Who the fuck was that? And what is this device?!”