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Chapter Thirty-One

“You”re taking the day off,” Shale said.

I was in the royal dressing room where I had a few feet of golden rod and a drawer for my clothes. I didn”t need any more than that. At least not yet. Shale kept giving me garments. I”d simply find new ones hanging beside the old or tucked into my drawer as if they”d always been there.

Letting my hand fall away from the work tunic I”d been reaching for, I asked, “Why?”

“Because I want to show you Latur.” He picked a thin cotton tunic and took it off the rack. It was lavender with embroidered vines around the cuffs. “This one. And the beige pants.”

“You know, I”m not an actual doll you can dress up.”

“Aren”t you?” Shale grinned as he leaned in for a kiss.

The kiss had me reeling and silenced any further protests. One of his tricks. When the Dragon King wanted my agreement on anything, he kissed me. And I let him get away with it because, well, he was a damn good kisser. And the King. And my boyfriend. The last one had me grinning through my kiss-daze. We were committed. I was in a committed relationship. Wow.

“Now, hurry up,” he said and smacked my ass. “I”ve already ordered the carriage.”

“What about breakfast?”

“We”re eating in the carriage.”

“The carriage?” I grimaced and got dressed.

When I came out of the dressing room, Shale took my hand and led me past the sitting room and into the stairwell. The next floor down held the King”s private dining room where we usually ate our breakfast and his office where I frequently found him at the end of the day. The terrace was on that level as well, accessed through both rooms. Below that floor, the tower widened to the size of the terrace, going from circular to square. This was where the King”s Guard resided. I had never gone into their quarters, never had reason to, so all I knew of it were the hallways I glimpsed while in the stairwell. The King”s tower was like a fortress within a castle.

Two Dragon knights fell into formation as we descended the stairs, one in front and the other behind. Both had been posted along the stairwell but on different floors. Our little parade went down to the castle”s main floor and out of the King”s tower. Our knights nodded at the Dragons on duty at the tower entrance, one of them was Gunrel. He didn”t even glance at me.

I smiled to myself, thinking that he could have been my lover instead of the King. But that infinitesimal reaction he”d seen from Shale had changed that. Gunrel had known before I did that I would become the King”s consort.

At first, probably because I was still processing my new status, I didn”t notice the little differences in the behavior of the courtiers. The servants had always been respectful, and as much as the courtiers had appeared to snub me at first, they had warmed up once we got past Gunrel”s order. But now, there was more to it. The lords and ladies of the Dragon Court bowed as we passed by—not unusual—but on top of murmuring good morning to His Majesty, they added a greeting to me.

The words “King”s Consort” finally caught my attention.

I blinked, jerked my head toward the courtier who had spoken, and was shocked to see him incline his head to me. “Holy shit,” I whispered.

“What is it?” Shale asked.

“Lord Rantu just bowed to me and called me King”s Consort.”

The Dragon King nodded. “As he should.”

“I”ve never had anyone bow to me before.”

“You”ve never been my consort before.”

I grimaced. “Oh, your consort, not a king”s consort in general.”

“I am the only king who will have you.” His lips twitched.

“Is that so?” I chuckled. “Well, I”m good with that.”

“You had better be.”

And then we were striding out of the castle and down the main steps to the waiting carriage. It was an open carriage with only a shade pulled up over the back half. Shale helped me up into it even though I didn”t need any help, then climbed in after me. As we settled on the back seat together, one of the Dragon knights got up onto the driver”s seat beside the Eljaffna coachman. He turned toward us and opened a wooden trunk that was set on the seat across from ours.

“Breakfast, Your Majesty,” the knight said. “Would you like me to set it out before we get going?”

“No, thank you, Sir Hanro. I”ll do it,” Shale said.

The carriage bobbed as the other knight climbed onto the ledge behind us, hidden by the shade. As soon as he was in place, Sir Hanro turned around and nodded at the driver. Reins slapped horseflesh, and we were off.

Undisturbed by the movement of the carriage, Shale leaned forward and pulled items out of the trunk. Two mugs came first. He set them in a holder that folded out from the trunk”s side, then half filled them with coffee. Next came a beautiful octagonal box inlaid with gold designs. He opened it to reveal a selection of sweet pastries, then placed it on my lap.

“We have savory items as well,” Shale said and brought forth a similar box. He opened the box and sat back with it, showing me the meat pies, sausages, and cheese bread inside.

I chose a custard-filled pastry and ate over the box, letting the crumbs fall inside. “Thank you. But why the rush? We could have eaten at the castle.”

“I thought this would be more fun.” He bit into a sausage, then picked up his mug and motioned at the water to either side of us. “It”s nice, isn”t it?”

“Yeah, this is pretty.” I took another bite and admired the pools to either side of us. “Do you swim?”

“Yes. Would you like to go swimming later?”

“Sure. But what”s with all the water out here? Is it purely decorative?”

“Not at all.” Shale gestured at the pools on our right. “Those are the fishponds that supply the castle with fresh fish, freshwater crustaceans, and vegetables. There are some rice fields to the side that are fed by the pools as well. You see? Those men are bringing in the daily haul for the kitchens.”

Four men were indeed out on one of the stone walkways that crossed the pools, baskets sitting beside them awaiting their catch, some with fish in them. Other people were tending plants that stuck out of the water and many more were cleaning the walkways and gazebos that seemed to float in the center of the pools to either side of us.

“The pool on our left that we just passed is our water supply. It gets filtered and pumped into the castle for drinking and bathing,” Shale went on. He pointed at the next pool on our left. “And this one is reserved for swimming.”

“Damn. And here I was thinking it was just pretty.”

Shale grinned and sipped his coffee. “Things must be pretty and serve a purpose in a royal castle.”

“Just like me.” I winked at him.

“Indeed.”

Our carriage left the wide main path and passed through a gate. There was a bit of open land between the castle and the city, likely for defense purposes, but we quickly passed through it and entered Enleran.

I munched happily on my breakfast and sipped the coffee that had been prepared with sugar and cream for us. Just the way we liked it. Yeah, Shale liked his coffee as sweet and creamy as I liked mine. A clear sign that we were destined for each other. Around us, the city was already bustling, its fascinating residents striding down the sidewalks. I watched Zaknir peer into shop windows, their tails lifting in interest, and Litoto draw in their magnificent wings to politely pass by other pedestrians. The Eljaffna kept to themselves, traveling singly or in groups but never with someone of another race. Seeing that made me glance at the King. Would things change now that the King was happy? I hoped so.

We drew closer to the outskirts of the city, and I spotted some Neraky, the sea folk dressed in hardier costumes with weapons on their hips and jewels in their ears. I wasn”t surprised to see them speaking with the shadow-loving Raltven, but the amount of Deldin dealing with the Neraky did raise my brows. They stroked their long, furred ears absently as they bartered with merchants (and pirates) for exotic goods.

Then we left Enleran, and the jungle instantly closed in around us. I leaned forward, absently taking a meat pie from Shale”s box. Chewing on the pie, I forgot my manners and got crumbs everywhere. Not that I noticed. I was too busy staring at the gorgeous flora of Latur.

Bright blooms and vivid leaves stuck out against a dark green backdrop, the pops of color drawing my eye and sending my brain into a tizzy. I mentally cataloged the plants, part of me wondering if I should ask Shale to stop the carriage so I could take some cuttings. If I”d known where we were going I would have brought my notebook.

“No,” Shale said.

“Huh?” I hastily swallowed and looked over at him. “No to what?”

“No, we aren”t stopping for you to collect plants.”

I gaped at him. “How did you know?”

“I know you, Sebastian.” He sat back in a very satisfied manner. “And you”ll have the opportunity to dig around in the dirt later. I had them pack your satchel.” He waved at the trunk before us.

“You did?” I grinned at him. “Thank you. That was really thoughtful.”

“You”re welcome.”

Several minutes later, after we turned off the main road and traveled down a beaten-earth path for a while, the carriage stopped. Trees hung over the road and there was a coolness to the air that whispered of water. In the distance was a telltale roaring.

“A waterfall?” I asked.

“You”ll see.” Shale climbed out of the carriage.

I fetched my satchel from the trunk, then jumped down after him.

“You don”t have to carry that.” Shale took the satchel from me and tossed it back in the trunk. “My men will bring it.”

Sure enough, one of the knights—the one who wasn”t Hanro—closed the trunk and hefted it onto his shoulder before following the King and me down a well-trod path into the jungle. Holding Shale”s hand, I let him lead me so I could lose myself in the beauty around me. I trailed my hand over rubbery leaves and velvety blossoms, then lifted it to my nose to inhale the transferred fragrance. The air was so fresh and yet thick with heady scents that wafted around us in waves.

Then the path opened to a vast space.

It wasn”t a single waterfall but dozens of them. A series of black rock ledges ran like steps, starting from a height of about thirty feet on our right, with each progressive drop getting shorter. Water cascaded in multiple falls from each cliff, pooling on the ledges before moving along. Mist rose from each collection of falls, but through them, I could see that things eventually evened out into a river on our left.

“What do you think?” Shale asked.

“I think it”s amazing,” I whispered. Then I tore my gaze away from the water to look at him. “Thank you for bringing me here.”

“You”re welcome. Now, come along, my doll.” He navigated us off the jungle path and onto the closest ledge.

A path was worn there too, skirting numerous pools. The surfaces of the pools rippled, their water overflowing and coasting over the ledge in ribbons that eventually gathered and became the next series of falls. But there was such stillness beneath those ripples. I wanted nothing more than to shuck off my clothes and slip into one of the pools.

The Dragon knight carrying our trunk followed us across the wet rocks to a dry area in the center of the shelf. A few plants had managed to take root in the crevices there, creating a little island among the pools and ribbons. After a motion from the King, the knight set the trunk down, then pulled out a blanket to spread over the dry rock. Next came a bottle of wine, two glasses, and another of those pretty boxes of food. The knight bowed, then headed across the shelf to guard us from the opposite bank. Sir Hanro had already started scanning the area from his spot on the shore behind us.

“Wine?” I asked Shale. “We just had breakfast. I mean, not that I haven”t had wine for breakfast before, but I”m kind of full.”

“It”s for later.” Shale undid the sash at his waist, then motioned at me. “Don”t you want to go in?”

“Absolutely!” I stripped down to my undershorts faster than Shale did, shucking my clothes in the trunk, then went to the nearest pool.

“Careful,” Shale warned me. “The sides are slick. Sit down on the edge, then slide in.”

“All right.” I crouched and then sat on the rim of the pool.

Shale joined me, and we slid down the sides together. The curve of the pool angled us into each other, and we collided. I burst out laughing as water splashed over us and my hands went to Shale”s chest.

He grinned and steadied me. “It”s not exactly swimming, but the water is nice.”

“It”s wonderful!” I declared. “This heat is a nice change from Sken, but it can get oppressive.”

“The price of eternal summer is eternal summer.”

“Yeah.” I nestled into Shale”s side and wound my leg around one of his. “I”ll get used to it.”

“You must. This is your home now.”

I went still. Silly, but it hadn”t occurred to me that becoming Shale”s consort was taking a potentially lifelong post. Home. Could I make this place my home? The question was instantly answered by Shale”s heartbeat under my ear. That steady thumping told me that home was wherever he was.

“Sebastian,” Shale”s voice went serious.

“Yes?” I lifted my head.

“You haven”t said anything.”

“I didn”t realize that was a question.”

The King grimaced at me. “It wasn”t. It was a statement, but I want you to confirm that you understand what I mean.”

I held back my grin. “I already have a home in Sken. Family, friends, a life.”

The skin around Shale”s eyes twitched. “You will make a new life here.”

“But we don”t know how long this will last.”

“Does that matter? As long as you”re my consort, this is your home.”

“What if I miss Sken?”

“Then we will visit.”

I lifted a brow. “You”ll take me home for a visit?”

Shale sat forward and growled, “This is your home now!”

“Take a breath, Dragon King,” I said as I straddled his lap and set my hands on his chest. “I”m just teasing you.”

Shale let out a sharp breath and leaned back. “Don”t tease me about leaving.”

I swallowed past a sudden dryness in my throat. He was becoming attached. Shale may not be able to love me, but he could certainly crave me. He could feel jealousy and anxiety over me. That was a lot. It was enough for him to make me his consort. To commit to me. Only me. That finally sank in. He treasured me. And if he treasured me, maybe someday, he could feel more.

Yeah, it was probably dumb to allow myself to hope. But staring into his vivid teal eyes, so intense and full of desire, I couldn”t help it. It was so easy to forget that he had sacrificed his love to a god. He seemed normal. Capable of any emotion, especially the deepest ones.

“I won”t,” I finally said. Then, under the surface, I ground my ass along his cock.

The Dragon King hardened. His hands dug into my hips. He licked his lips. Then he glanced at his knights. “Turn around!” he shouted at them.

The Dragon knights immediately turned to face the jungle.

I grinned at my lover. “Don”t you remember what I said about sex in the water?”

“Don”t you remember that I can control water?” Shale shot back.

A ribbon of water rose from the pool and snaked through the air. It dove into the wooden trunk and came out with a small bottle. The water brought the bottle back to us and set it on the wet rim of the pool.

“Oil will help, yes, but—”

“Trust me, my doll.” He lifted me by my hips, helping me stand, then yanked my undershorts down.

I gasped and looked at the knights, but they were still facing away, ensuring that no one else was sneaking up on us and getting a peak. I was safe there. Feeling free and naughty, I stepped out of my shorts, then took the bottle and oiled myself. As I sat back down, the water parted, then folded over us. My eyes went wide as I realized there was a pocket of air around his cock.

“You are brilliant!” I declared.

Shale chuckled and undulated against me, rubbing his cock between my cheeks. “Show me how brilliant you think I am, Consort.”

Biting my lip, I felt beneath me for his shaft, then angled it toward my opening. Shale eased my cheeks apart as I moved down on him, his hard flesh slipping past my oiled ring. We groaned together as I worked onto him, taking him deeper and deeper. But I tried to stifle my groans while Shale didn”t seem to care.

“Shh,” I said when he let out a deep grunt.

“Why?”

“Your knights can hear us,” I whispered.

“As if they don”t know what we”re doing.”

“Yeah, but knowing and hearing are two different things.”

“Sebastian, they probably hear us every night. They”re hearing us whisper right now.”

“What?!” I sat up, taking him deep, and we both groaned again.

“They are my personal guards,” Shale grunted. “They have to be near to guard me. And they have excellent hearing.”

“Oh, fuck,” I panted. “I”m not thrilled to know I”ve been putting on a show for your guards every night.”

“It”s not a show.” He yanked me down and held me against his pelvis as he pushed upward. “They are respectful. They hear but don”t listen. Now, let”s stop talking about them. You should be focusing on me.”

Water tightened around me, lifting and lowering me, taking my weight and doing all the work. I just had to hold on to Shale”s shoulders and enjoy. It took me a few seconds to forget about the men nearby, but with pleasure shooting up my spine, it wasn”t so difficult. I was soon moaning as loudly as Shale, my head falling back on waves of pleasure and my body arching to bring my nipples to his lips. He greedily sucked one into his hot mouth.

With the water cooling and caressing my body but not getting in the way of sex, I could fully enjoy myself. I finally saw the appeal of fucking in the bath. No water up the bum, only flesh. Weightlessness while still being grounded by Shale. The warm sun on my skin, tempered by the water. I could get used to this.

“Shale,” I whispered and bent my head to his.

Shale lifted his lips, meeting me halfway, and I welcomed him inside me in another way. His tongue teased mine. Lulled me into greater ecstasy. Shivers ran down my back and tensed my buttocks. My cock slapped his belly, sending zings up my front. So much pleasure. And all the while, the jungle played music for us—the trees creaking, birds singing, and wild things calling to each other. Having Shale inside me while we were out there, in the open, felt magical. It was the perfect way to celebrate becoming the Dragon King”s consort.

Right as I realized that this was exactly that—a celebration of my new status, I came. Water churning around me, I locked up and cried out. Rapture rocked through me and into Shale. He tightened his hold on me as he jerked upward, and the warmth of his release sent me into another pleasure spiral. Shuddering uncontrollably, I rode out the ecstasy, then fell into Shale”s embrace. He cradled me against his chest and kissed my forehead even as he went through the last shivers of his orgasm.

With his flesh still inside me, Shale whispered in my ear, “I will be your home now, Sebastian. Not Latur or Sken. Me.”

I smiled against his skin, wondering if he could read my mind his declaration was so similar to my thoughts. But that question was answered with the tightening of his body. My anxious lover required reassurance.

“I knew that before you did,” I whispered in his ear.

And the Dragon King sighed.

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