Chapter 1

CHAPTER1

“Ineed you to kill a dragon for me.” Elric spoke with practiced regality, in that specific tone of voice that demanded he be obeyed without question. Even before his queen mother’s death, it had made servants leap to their feet, while other nobles had thought twice about disobeying.

His audience this time didn’t look up, didn’t bow, didn’t so much as nod in acknowledgement.

No, the phoenix continued tinkering away at his work bench.

Elric took a few steps closer, trying not to sharply command his attention.

Even in profile, the phoenix had been handsome, of course. But it was hard to deny the beauty of the man now. Like this, Elric could see the downy feathers in the phoenix’s hair, woven through it like some strange, exotic bird. He briefly wondered if he could steal one of those lovely red feathers, but if it was that easy to get a phoenix’s feather, he doubted they would be worth much at all.

Besides, they’d always sounded grand in the stories, not like little wisps of scarcely more than steam.

He continued to observe the phoenix, noting the beautiful red lips against tanned skin. The indecent shirt he wore—resembling nothing more than a sleeveless undershirt—showed off his muscled arms. The sweat made the shirt cling to his body, too, and it was clear his torso was equally well-muscled.

“Did you hear me?” Elric asked, trying to bite back his annoyance.

“I heard you,” the phoenix answered. “I chose to ignore you.”

Elric ground his teeth, staring hard at the phoenix. He wasn’t used to this. Usually, people fell all over themselves to give him what he wanted. But he supposed he hardly looked like a king, in tattered, formerly fine clothing that now hung loosely on his thin frame. His face had been sunburned, and his dark blond hair was mussed and in desperate need of a good combing…

With no entourage, he seemed even less like royalty. He’d shown up here, at the phoenix’s workshop, all on his own.

Not even Callan had joined him.

Elric’s mood darkened, remembering how Callan had abandoned him here. Surely the shade demon would have an easier time convincing the phoenix.

Or maybe, being a creature of the dark, Callan couldn’t handle the brightness that radiated from the phoenix and made it so very clear what the creature before him was. Even someone who’d never seen a phoenix before would know from the mere sight of him.

The little workshop was warm, and wasn’t that just another cliche? Elric had assumed the tales he’d heard about phoenixes were all just that: tales, exaggerated by the bards. But the phoenix truly was just as hot as foretold.

After another few minutes of being ignored, Elric coughed to get the phoenix’s attention.

“You can’t take a hint?” the phoenix asked, finally looking up.

His eyes were a bright, fiery gold, with long, dark lashes, and Elric’s voice caught in his throat for a second. Those were eyes that saw everything.

No, that was ridiculous. The phoenix might have been a creature of magic, but it was still just a creature.

Like a dragon.

“I need your assistance,” Elric said after a pause. “You’re the only one who can help with my dragon problem.” He paused, then added painstakingly, “Please. I will reward you handsomely when the deed is done.”

The phoenix furrowed his brow. “You need my…. Which dragon? And why can’t a knight do that? Or just ignore the problem. Most dragons don’t need to be fought. Just bribe them with their favored toy, or sex, if you’re into that sort of thing, and they’ll be happy to leave.”

“You don’t understand,” Elric said. “The dragon has attached itself to my brother. It has decided that my brother is its… favored toy.”

Elric still remembered the sight of the dragon swooping in to rescue his brother. He remembered the way it had destroyed the statue of his father in the city center. The statue of his father, melted away into nothing. His hands balled up into fists.

After a pause, the phoenix burst out laughing. “So you disapprove of the relationship, and that’s why you need me to get rid of the dragon?”

Elric’s expression darkened. “Yes,” he said through gritted teeth, barely managing to suppress his rage. “My brother doesn’t know what he’s doing. The dragon is taking advantage of him. Name your price, phoenix, for your aid in… rescuing my brother.”

The phoenix’s eyes roved over Elric’s body, with a slight hint of interest.

Callan had said the phoenix might demand Elric’s body. The thought rankled, that Elric would debase himself for a beast like his brother had, but… but if that was what the phoenix demanded, Elric would be a fool not to pay such a meager price.

He’d already come this far, and done so much, for the crown. He wouldn’t balk at something so simple as sex… even if citizens of Kithage should’ve been above such things.

“Come closer,” the phoenix finally said. “I can’t see you well enough in those shadows.”

Elric stepped even closer, a bit warily, and he was self-conscious of the fact that it had been a few days since he had bathed. Life on the road wasn’t easy without the vast resources he’d been accustomed to, and what little coin he’d had had long since dwindled down to almost nothing. He was essentially traveling with just the clothes on his back, a nearly empty coin purse, and whatever he could scrounge up.

His coat barely even protected him from the growing chill in the air outside. He was grateful for the warmth in the workroom, for all that he’d never say as much.

The phoenix remained seated, crossing his arms while he peered at Elric. He absently tapped his screwdriver against his arm while he looked.

“What did you say your name was?” the phoenix asked, sharp eyes still roving over Elric’s form.

Elric straightened his body and jutted out his chin. “I’m King Elric of Kithage.”

“Is that true?” the phoenix asked, his eyes darting around strangely. “I don’t think it is.”

Elric’s heart hammered in his chest. “It is. I am—I’m supposed to be—”

“Ah. Supposed to be. Why do you really want to get rid of the dragon? It isn’t for your brother’s sake.” The phoenix rested his chin on his hand. “If you lie, I definitely won’t help.”

Did the phoenix have the magical ability to sense the truth? Elric didn’t know enough about phoenixes, and he wished he’d had enough time and resources to do more research in advance.

Of course, if he’d had more time and resources, he probably wouldn’t need to be here, begging a phoenix for help.

“I’m supposed to be the king of Kithage,” Elric said with all of the righteous conviction he felt. “But the dragon is puppeteering my brother, and they… cast me out. Which is why I beseech you to lend me your aid, so I might right this terrible wrong. No monster should be allowed to rule my kingdom.”

“I said I wouldn’t help if you lied,” the phoenix said, but his voice was quieter now. “You don’t care about your brother and the dragon. You only want…”

“It’s my throne,” Elric snapped. “But I can want two things at once.”

“Can you?” the phoenix asked, brushing a feathery strand of hair aside. “Some people can. But… You’re dirty. What did you do to yourself?”

Elric blinked, a little taken aback by the words. “I’ve been in a hurry,” he said, trying not to sound defensive. “But I am still the king, a bit dusty from travel or otherwise.”

The phoenix frowned and reached out to touch Elric.

Elric instinctively took a step back to evade the hand, then mentally berated himself for it. He needed to give the phoenix what it wanted, so Elric could retake his kingdom.

“There’s something caught right there,” the phoenix said, pointing just under Elric’s heart. “You need to clean it, or you’ll rust.”

Elric blinked. People didn’t rust. And what was caught there of all places? “I don’t understand,” he said, resenting the fact that he was so ignorant but doing his best not to show it. He was used to knowing what was going on, and even that much was more than he should’ve shared. But he had to earn the phoenix’s trust, which meant being a little more vulnerable than usual.

“Take your shirt off,” the phoenix said. “I’ll fix it.” He got up and wandered to a cabinet on the other side of the room, throwing it open to reveal a collection of vials.

Elric hesitated. He wasn’t used to baring his body to anyone but servants, and it was… uncomfortable. Citizens of Kithage—particularly royalty—did not go around flaunting themselves to the first person they came across. Oh, he’d partaken in forbidden liaisons with some of the servants and even a few of the nobles, but this was different.

But he’d also told Callan he’d give the phoenix what it wanted, if only it would help.

He slowly pulled his tunic over his head, glad for the warmth of the workshop. He wasn’t usually displeased with his own looks, though he hardly had the toned muscle the phoenix’s tight garments showed off. He was a swordsman, certainly, but he’d been lax in his training… which was the only reason Larkin had beaten him.

The phoenix returned, carrying an empty bottle as well as a vial filled with… something. Disconcertingly, now that they were both standing, the phoenix was the taller one. Elric did not like having to look up at the phoenix.

Seemingly unaware of Elric’s discomfort, the phoenix placed a warm hand on Elric’s chest. “How long has it been like that?” He scowled lightly. “You’ve already rusted a lot.”

“I don’t know what you mean,” Elric said reluctantly, hating to admit his ignorance. “How long has what been like what? How have I rusted? I’m a person, not a tool.”

The phoenix sighed. “Right. Of course you can’t see it. Here, drink this.” He unstoppered the vial and held it up to Elric’s lips.

Elric turned his head away. “What is it? I’m not going to drink random potions.”

“It’s a…” the phoenix made a sound, much like a bird’s call, which meant absolutely nothing to Elric. Seeing Elric’s confusion, the phoenix sighed again. “It will stay some of the damage until I can figure out what’s causing it.”

“What damage are you talking about?” Elric asked, trying his best to remain patient but failing. The phoenix wanted him to drink some unknown potion for reasons he explained in riddles—and it could just as easily be poison. He forced himself to calm, to look at this more reasonably. “Will you please explain what you mean, and what the potion is meant to do?”

The phoenix rubbed his brow. “How do I explain it to you, if you can’t see? Imagine… imagine a sword, stored in such a way that a drop of water continues to fall on a single spot. It looks like nothing at first, but the water will slowly dent the steel, and the blade begins to rust, spreading out farther and farther until the entire blade is worthless. All because of a few drops of water. This potion will help undo the rusting, although it cannot undo the small dents.”

Elric rubbed his temples, not understanding this in the slightest. “If I drink this potion, will you help me?”

“Drinking the potion will help you.”

Elric glared at the phoenix. “Help me slay a dragon.”

“Fine, fine.” The phoenix lifted the vial once more. “We can go slay a dragon after this.”

Well, it was something. Elric reached for the vial, taking it out of the phoenix’s hand. It was risky, to be sure, but…

What other option did he have?

He slowly drained the vial, reminding himself of exactly what was at stake.

Elric didn’t feel any different. He looked at the phoenix expectantly, waiting for something to happen.

The phoenix gripped Elric’s jaw, his touch warmer than anything Elric had ever felt before, and stared him in the eyes. “Don’t fight it.”

Don’t fight it? Don’t fight what?

Elric didn’t have time to ask questions though, because in the next breath, the phoenix brought their lips together.