Chapter Thirty-Seven

By that evening, I was calm. To be completely honest, there was a large part of me that was relieved. I was glad he had stopped me. In fact, that was a huge part of my calm. My soul was at peace, knowing the choice was out of our hands and we couldn”t leave Shale. But I was still fucking furious at the way he had used his power as king to essentially imprison me. Rude.

Even ruder was the way Shale summoned me to dinner. I”d been in the sitting room, reading, when a servant came in to fetch me to the King”s private dining room. Not wanting to get the man in trouble, I had gone. Shale was seated at the low table, legs spread and hands on knees, waiting for me imperiously. But then he smiled as if everything was fine. Well, until I sat on the couch opposite his. Then he frowned a little. He didn”t demand I move, though. Nope, just started talking about his day as he dished food onto my plate. I listened to him talk about the meetings he had and the issues with some bad batch of fruit that was supposed to be exported. I didn”t speak. There was nothing to say.

“What did you do today,” Shale finally prompted.

“Oh, thank you for asking,” I said brightly. “I read a book since a Dragon trapped me in his tower.”

His face twitched. “Are you going to pout all night, Sebastian?”

“No, Your Majesty. I”m not pouting. I”m listening to my king tell me about his day like a proper consort. Would you like me to smile?” I grinned. “Or would you prefer that I pleasure you? The table is low, but I think I could fit beneath it. You could dine while I suck your cock.”

“For fuck”s sake,” Shale muttered. “Can”t you see this is proof of how much you mean to me? I may not love you, but I need you, Sebastian.”

“Well, if you need me, then by all means, you should keep me. You”re the Dragon King, after all. And I”m just a human, barely more valuable than a horse.”

Shale pushed the table aside as if it were nothing, stood up, crossed the space between us, and gathered me into his arms. Even as my chest shivered in love and anticipation, I lay limp in his arms, trying not to react. He carried me from the room and upstairs to bed. As I remained as stoic as possible, Shale laid me down on the broad mattress and undressed me. I didn”t protest, but I didn”t help either. Then I watched him strip and forced my reactions down. I couldn”t be aroused by this. I wouldn”t.

When Shale caged me with his body, his lower half-pressed to mine and his upper propped by his elbows, I felt my chest shiver. My cock stirred. I couldn”t remain unresponsive to him. It was impossible. Not with him so close. His hard body and smooth skin. His smell. Shale smirked when he felt my swelling desire and lowered his head to mine. But the kiss was lackluster. I opened to him, then barely brushed my lips against his.

The King growled and deepened the kiss. I turned my face away, breaking free of it.

“Damn you!” Shale shouted as he pushed away from me. He shot off the bed to pace back and forth before it. “You did this to me! You brought me back to life and now you”re killing me, Sebastian!”

I sat up, a crack appearing in my calm. “Shale, I don”t want to be the only one in this relationship in love.”

Shaleros screamed. He screamed and balled up his fists and lifted his head to the sky. His whole body went tight with his fury and helplessness. A great trembling came over him, his muscles so tense that they could only vibrate. And then he fell to the floor to bend over double. Anguish, pure anguish, poured out of him.

The Dragon King wept.

“Shale!” I forgot my anger, all of my fear and hopelessness. It all vanished when I saw him cry. I ran to him and wrapped my arms around him. “All right, Shale. Shh, it”s going to be all right. I”ll stay. I promise I”ll hold on forever. And I won”t break my promise. No matter what.”

Shale shuddered and snatched me to him as if I might disappear. His grip hurt, but I didn”t care. I clutched him back and the tightness inside me unfurled. I had been a fool to think I could leave him.

“Sebastian, I”m so sorry,” Shale said brokenly, still weeping. “I”m a monster. I”ve behaved like a . . .”

“A dick,” I said softly. “I know. It”s all right.”

He didn”t laugh, not even a twitch of his lips. But he eased his grip and leaned back so he could look at me. Then the Dragon King begged, “Don”t leave me. Please. Stay, my doll. I”ll give you all I have. Just stay.”

“I don”t need anything but you, Shale. I”ll stay. I won”t ever leave.”

Shale cupped my cheek, tears still streaming down his. “I want to love you. I want it more than anything.”

My heart cracked down the center and bled for him. “We”ll be all right. We”ll find a way. My love will be enough for both of us.”

Shale blinked and swiped at his eyes, something stronger rising behind them. “No, it won”t.”

“What?” I whispered.

Shale got to his feet, then held a hand down to me. “Get dressed, Sebastian.” He pulled me up. “We”re going into the jungle.”

“What?” I gaped at him. “Now?”

“Yes, now.” He gathered his clothing and got dressed.

“Why? Shale!” I grabbed his arm and shook it. “Where are we going?”

Shale clasped my cheek, kissed me, then declared, “To get my love back.”