Chapter 24
Chapter
Twenty-Four
Gerard adjusted his eye patch. He walked back to his tent, but as he did, he kept glancing around, looking for Elias.
Why had he left? Why had he not spoken to Gerard before he had? He’d thought … well, he’d thought that after such a public display, Elias would wait around for him.
But perhaps that performance had just been for the crowds?
Gerard grimaced. He’d known it had been for the benefit of the onlookers. But Gerard had thought some of that display had been for Gerard too.
Guess I was wrong.
Luther and Onyx walked to Luther’s tent, disappearing inside. Lord Morton and Prince Ash held hands as they entered Lord Morton’s tent.
Meanwhile Gerard walked alone.
The guards on duty outside Gerard’s tent chatted softly as he approached. One of them chuckled. Then they saw him. Their faces smoothed, and they stood ramrod straight.
Gerard nodded to them as he entered. He collapsed into a wooden chair. He reached for the carafe of wine on a small side table.
He froze.
Two goblets sat on the table beside him. One for him. One for a guest. But Gerard had not drunk a drop of wine before his battles. Nor had he hosted any guests in his tent.
But one goblet clearly had wine in it, and it had been half drunk.
His gaze skittered around. He spotted bare feet behind the wooden dressing screen.
He lunged for his dagger in the scabbard that lay propped against the chair. The feet moved beneath the screen. Gerard unsheathed his dagger and jumped to his feet.
The person came out from behind the screen. And smiled.
“Elias!”
“As you see.” Elias’s gaze darted towards the dagger. He raised a thin white brow.
Collapsing back into the chair, Gerard replaced the dagger and put the scabbard back.
“Did I startle you, Dragon Warrior?” Elias asked, voice soft and lyrical.
He still wore the same robes as before. But he’d removed the gold belt that cinched it and held the robes closed. That meant the robe hung open slightly, revealing his lithe chest.
He’d removed his necklace too. Gerard’s gaze settled on the pale neck and collarbone.
“What are you doing here?” Gerard asked, voice husky.
Elias tilted his head. “In Voltaria, in days gone by, when we had tournaments between the greatest lightning sorcerers, the winner would be granted a prize.”
Elias walked until he stood in front of Gerard, so close Gerard could reach out and touch him. Elias slid a hand down the inside of his white-and-purple robes, tugging them slightly, revealing more of that glorious skin.
Gerard’s throat dried. His cock began to fill beneath the robe he wore. He cleared his throat. “What prize?”
“It was common for a prince or princess to offer the champion their favours for an afternoon, an evening, or even a whole night if the champion was particularly impressive.”
“A prince or princess would do that?” Draconia had similar customs. But it would never be a prince or princess who granted such favours! That would be considered beyond scandalous.
Elias shrugged. The movement caused the robe to fall off one shoulder. Gerard’s gaze followed the movement as more of Elias was revealed.
“Well, we Voltarian royalty can be a bit slutty when presented with those who demonstrate immense power and strength,” Elias said.
Surprised laughter burst from Gerard’s lips.
Elias smiled, a wicked, playful thing. “In fact, I believe many princes and princesses argued over who would get to service the champion. Luckily for me I don’t have to fight anyone for you.”
Gerard opened his mouth, about to say that no one would fight Elias for him. But then Elias slid a hand down the centre of his hairless chest, and Gerard decided he did not need to speak.
“Now do you want your prize, Dragon Warrior?”
Gerard nodded.
Elias opened his robe completely but didn’t remove it. He wore nothing underneath. His half-hard cock hung between his thighs. Not a single hair remained on his body. He was all smooth skin.
Except he wasn’t.
Gerard frowned. Because Elias’s entire left leg was scarred. From his foot to his thigh. The skin was raised and varied in colour. It appeared very different from Gerard’s own scars. But it clearly had been a hell of an injury.
“What? Do you think you’re the only one with scars, Dragon Warrior?” Elias asked as if completely unbothered by them.
“How did it happen?”
Elias puffed up his chest and lifted his chin. “It was in a mighty battle during the war with a terrifying dragon. I almost died!”
Gerard’s mouth fell open. Confused, he flicked his gaze from the leg to Elias’s face.
Then Elias laughed again, shaking his head, causing his hair to move around his shoulders. “It was a carriage accident. Quite bad actually. But it doesn’t hurt or bother me anymore. Not since it healed.”
He slid his hand down over the scars, not at all bothered that Gerard seemed curious. “But the healers knew their work. The skin can still feel a little tight. I moisturise and do certain exercises.”
“Yes.” Gerard had not been particularly good initially when he’d been told to moisturise and exercise to stretch the skin. The healer had had words with him. But he was better at it now. Still, he never liked touching his scars. Or looking at them.
But Elias clearly didn’t have that problem.
“Now, where were we.” Elias dropped to his knees before Gerard. He reached for the sash and tugged. He lifted his hands to Gerard’s robe and began to push it open. Gerard tensed as the scars on his torso were revealed.
Elias paused. His gaze fixed on Gerard’s face. He stared.
Since the attack, Gerard had not had sex in the light. He always ensured complete darkness. But there were no torches to douse, candles to blow out, or darkness to hide in here in the tent, not whilst the afternoon sunlight still beat down on the canvas.
After a second, Elias released the robe. He slid his hands down along the seams. The fabric fell closed, covering Gerard’s scars. Gerard exhaled.
Elias’s hands slid further down, towards Gerard’s groin. Elias pushed the robe open, revealing Gerard’s thighs and hard cock. He hummed and looked up and met Gerard’s gaze.
“And what favour would you request of me, oh mighty Dragon Warrior and champion of the Tournament of Dragons?” Elias licked his lips.
Gerard’s cock jerked. “Whatever you wish.”
“Whatever I wish.” Elias’s soft hands slid up his thighs.
Gerard shivered.
“I wish to do a lot of things to you. But let’s start with this for now.” He wrapped his hand around Gerard’s thick length. He stroked.
Gerard groaned.