The Dragon Knight’s Fugitive (The Dragons of Serai #18)

Chapter One

“Let him go,” I said as I stared across the sea.

I wasn't sure who I meant. Was it Katai Gral, the man I once was?

Or was it Sir Vasren Tsai, the man I loved?

I had taken his name in honor of that love.

I was now Kataru Tsai, a wealthy human who had come to the coastal town of Hidzi to retire.

The Kingdom of Tabaa, of which I was now a citizen, was one of the more “savage” kingdoms. But so far, I'd found the place charming.

It wasn't uncivilized, just more traditional, keeping to the old ways of the Tabaa culture.

Frankly, it was a relief to be away from the crowds and magical advances in Rushao.

Houses didn't have lifters here; they had stairs.

And there was no kurline imported to make fire-reliant devices .

. . or bombs. Life moved more slowly in Hidzi.

Back to the view. With all the money I had saved from business dealings that weren't entirely legal back in Rushao, I had my pick of homes there in Hidzi.

My new residence was spacious, well-constructed, in a nice part of town, and had the best view of the channel where the Bordae Sea became the Morilren.

But I wasn't at home. I was at a party for the King of Tabaa, who was visiting Hidzi.

Usually, such parties were reserved for the nobility, but that would have been a very small party.

The attendees certainly wouldn't have filled the ballroom behind me.

So, they had extended invitations to all the wealthy elite of Hidzi.

I don't know why I accepted. I suppose I thought of moving on.

But I had made one pass of the room and then retreated to the balcony.

And where did my gaze go while I stood on the balcony?

It went across the channel to the Kingdom of Rushao.

Somewhere in the crown city, the love of my life was cursing my name.

I determinedly turned away from the view and focused on the people inside the ballroom, dancing and laughing.

Happy. Not a single one of them worried about being hunted for crimes they committed out of vengeance.

None of those people were fugitives like me.

And oh, they were beautiful. So many different races in one room.

Known for its peaceful towns in addition to its traditional ways, Tabaa attracted a lot of the less-aggressive races.

Like the Deldin and the Lelurra. Oh, those beautiful Lelurra with their willowy forms and graceful, feathered wings.

Not to be mistaken with the Okon, who were more muscular and produced some of the greatest warriors on the planet.

The Lelurra did not fight. Not ever. Because of this, there weren't many cities on Serai where you could find them mingling with the other races.

Generally, they kept to the security of their own cities.

It was a testament to Tabaa that there was a large Lelurra community in Hidzi.

Or rather, it was a testament to Tabaa's king.

Speaking of which . . . I searched the ballroom for His Majesty.

I'd been officially introduced to King Raventar during the official presentation at the beginning of the evening.

The man was magnificent. Although he had long, straight, black hair similar to the King of Rushao, that was where the similarities ended.

King Raventar was more muscular than King Tor'rien and darker in complexion.

His bronzed skin brightened his turquoise eyes so they appeared to glow even under the brightest light sphere.

It made me wonder what they looked like when they actually lit up.

“Who are you looking for?” the deep voice slid out of the shadows like an assassin's blade.

With a little yip, I spun toward the voice. I thought I was alone out there. But the balcony was large and most of it was wreathed in darkness. It was one of the reasons I'd retreated to it.

Out of that darkness stepped the King of Tabaa.

“Your Majesty!” I dropped into a deep bow. “You startled me. I'm so sorry. I didn't see you there.”

He chuckled. “That was rather the point.”

King Raventar drew closer until the light from the ballroom bathed his face. Again, I was struck by his masculine appeal. Not just his handsome face with its solid jaw and high cheekbones, but also his massive body. The man was simply enormous, even for a Dragon. And I was the opposite.

I had always enjoyed my diminutive size.

It went well with my delicate features and sexuality.

For a gay bottom like myself, it was perfect—all men were comfortable with me.

They weren't all attracted to me, but I'd found that even those who weren't could be eased into it.

I had learned to use my looks as much as my mind. They were both equally effective.

And it appeared that I had a new target.

The Dragon King looked me over with a gleam in his bright eyes. I knew that look. Had used it against many men. Immediately my mind churned, going over the ways I could use the King to my advantage. Then I mentally slapped myself.

I didn't need to manipulate anyone anymore.

I was in Hidzi to start anew, and the last thing I needed was a complication with the Dragon King of this kingdom.

That is, unless I wanted to get complicated with him.

He was spectacular after all. Why not move on with King Raventar? He was a step up from a Dragon knight.

“I needed some time to myself,” the King said, his stare roaming my body.

“I should have announced my presence when you stepped outside, but you looked so forlorn. My curiosity was piqued. So, I watched you. And then your sadness turned into determination. It was such an odd shift. So, again I ask, who were you looking for?”

I sighed. “To be honest, anyone.”

Yes, it was a lie, but I wasn't about to tell the King I was looking for him, was I?

No, I could move on and be myself while also playing.

It didn't have to be a plot. This would be a different kind of game.

Just some fun between men. And, just as I intended, my sad, sort-of-honest answer intrigued the King.

“Anyone?” He stepped closer. “For what purpose?”

Oh, fuck, he smelled good. But it only served to remind me of Vasren's scent—a dark, masculine spice like amber, but in its incense form. Something you can set alight and it would smolder for you.

I looked away as if I weren't interested in the brutal beauty of the Dragon King's face.

Which I wasn't. And that both made this easier and harder.

Easier for obvious reasons and harder because I didn't want it to be easy.

Yes, I was already getting complicated. Ironically, that made me feel a little more like my old self.

“I've recently left a relationship with someone I loved deeply.” I looked at him and smiled sadly. “I know it's time to move on, so I'm forcing myself to find someone to move on with.”

“Ah,” he whispered and stepped back.

That retreat had me thinking better of the King. A lot of men would happily take advantage of a broken heart. But this Dragon appeared reluctant. What I had intended to be bait was working against me. Why did that make me so happy?

And intrigued?

“So, it doesn't matter who you choose tonight,” he went on. “They will be a stepping stone, nothing more.”

So, this may not be so much about honor as it was about pride. Not as fascinating, but still a challenge.

“I'm hoping for more than a stepping stone.” Going on impulse, I added, “Or I would have flirted with Your Majesty when we were introduced.”

His dark, sharply angled eyebrows lifted. “You would have flirted with me if you had wanted a stepping stone?”

“I'm sorry. That makes it sound offensive when all I meant was that you'll be leaving soon. Hidzi isn't your home. So, if I had an affair with you, I wouldn't have to worry about it being something long term.”

“You assume a lot.”

“Do I? I thought it was a fact that you were visiting?”

“It is. What you're assuming is that I'm a lover of men.”

“Are you not?”

The King grinned, and a shiver ran down my spine. This man may be a peaceful king, but that smile suggested he craved something a bit more exciting behind closed doors.

“I am,” he whispered. “And I'll even admit that had you flirted with me, I would have fallen prey to your beauty.” He brushed a fingertip down my cheek.

“But you still assumed.” Suddenly, he was close again—close enough to warm me with his body heat.

“And you assumed that I'm the kind of man who would leave someone like you behind.”

I cleared my throat. “I have a life here, Your Majesty. I have a business to run. As tempting as you would have been, I wouldn't have left with you.”

A gauntlet thrown. Now, let's see if he picks it up.

“People can be hired to look after such things.”

“I prefer to look after my interests myself.”

“Do you?” he drawled. “So do I.”

The King leaned in, and I knew I was about to be kissed. I had a rule with men—no liberties taken until we'd spent more than a day together. But this was the Dragon King of Tabaa. What would happen if I refused him?

And then I saw a flash of gold.

I jerked back and stumbled toward the glass door. Coming to a stop right before it, I touched the pane with my fingertips. “Oh, fuck me. How did he find me?”

“Who?” The King stepped up beside me and followed my gaze. “That man's a Dragon.” He narrowed his eyes. “And he is not of my dread. What is he doing . . .” he trailed off as he looked at me, doubtless taking in my horrified stare as he processed what I'd said. “Is that him? Is that your old lover?”

“Yes,” I whispered. “I left him in Rushao.”