Chapter 18
Aurelion
As soon as I leave the dining hall I call over my servant who has been waiting at the doorway. “Ready the glider. And fetch Master Vahn. Tell him I need a word.”
I am eager to get underway because I’m feeling good about this new game Yalina has made. I love games. I always win. Usually through talent, but if not…
Well let’s just say I have a few hidden tricks.
I hurry to my rooms to get the second part of my treat for the solha.
I have learned several things about her since arriving in Vathira.
She seems soft on the surface, but beneath that veneer there is fire—fitting for a dragon’s mate.
It is beautiful when it flares. Hot and dangerous and exciting.
Dragons aren’t afraid of fire. We thrive in it.
So when I first caught a glimpse of that side of her, it only made me want her more.
She rose to the challenge of flying with me perfectly, as I knew she would. Unafraid, reveling in the breeze through her hair and the dizzying heights as if she was born a dragon. The glider will replicate that, but she will fly on her own.
Something tells me she will like that even more.
It is a shame, since I would not complain about having her juicy thighs wrapped around me once again and her tits pressed against my back.
Obviously I would prefer them pressed against my chest as I sink my cock into her slick cunt, but apparently I must wait to demonstrate those husbandly skills.
She is not opposed to the thought. I can scent it on her, rich and heady whenever I lean close or whisper in her ear.
That is fine. I can wait. I will ripen her slowly with teasing words until she begs to have my cock in her.
She also has a sweet tooth. I myself prefer crispy, salty snacks, but I saw the way Yalina looked at that little box of treats Noreth brought her.
It made me wish I’d thought of such a thing.
Of course, I immediately sent two servants out to scour the city and procure all the best treats, taste test them, and select the very best for the solha.
I take the little red box from a chest in my room with a smile.
Just then, there is a knock at the door.
“Enter.”
The door opens and the tall dark-haired figure of Master Vahn enters. He glances behind him and hurries into the room, shutting the door behind him. “You wished to see me, Your Highness?”
“Yes. I’m disappointed in you. I thought we had an arrangement.”
The thin man tugs at the collar of his tunic. “Ah, the competition. I assure you I heard of it as you did. A failure, of course, but I hope you can understand. Shall I have someone sabotage the Emrakai prince’s demonstration?”
I snort. “Seems like he’s sabotaging himself, so let’s hold for now. I do want advanced notice of the second challenge though. And perhaps you could nudge her in the right direction on what to choose.”
His brow lifts. “And what might that be, Your Highness?”
I grin. There are many things I could outperform the bumbling Noreth on, I’m sure. “Surely she wants to know her future husband can defend her in battle. I think a duel would be appropriate.”
“She may consider it unfair, Your Highness.”
“There’s nothing unfair about the fact that I am the best qualified match for her.”
The man inclines his head. “We are agreed on that.” He clears his throat. “Might I ask…”
He trails off but I’m in no doubt about what he wants to ask me. I smirk. “Yes, yes. I have brought your gold. You were as good as your word, and the water supply is a lot healthier thanks to you. I have not forgotten.”
He bows—too low for anyone but the lowest servant.
I ignore the misstep.
“Thank you, Your Highness. I will go and find out what you want to know.”
“Good. Don’t get seen here. I don’t want Yalina knowing about our little arrangement.”
He bows his way out of the room and shuts the door behind him. So much the better. The man makes my scales crawl like I’m about to shed.
Shortly afterward, there’s a second knock and my servant enters. “Your Highness, I have the glider ready for you and the solha when it pleases you.”
“Excellent. While I am out, prepare battle garb. Ensure everything is well polished. I have a hunch I will be dueling tomorrow.”
Yalina has dressed in thin pants that show off every aspect of her curved behind as she walks. I make sure to let her lead the way as much as possible to enjoy the view. The shake of her ass as she moves is enough to make my mouth water.
“You were ready for this challenge very quickly,” she says.
“Ah, I was hoping for an opportunity after yesterday. This will be perfect.”
“Are we flying again?” She turns to me, and her smile is as bright as I could have hoped.
“It will be a little different from yesterday, but one thing at a time. I have prepared my royal carriage to take us to the place.”
She gives me a curious glance, but I don’t elaborate.
I’d prefer to tease her a little more. The journey to the ridge is a calculated move too.
I could have flown her, but I want to build anticipation.
I also want the opportunity to talk with her more one on one, to prize more information.
When we arrive at the place on a cliff overlooking the city, the wind whips at us as soon as we exit the carriage.
Yalina gathers her hair into one hand to hold it out of her face as she steps nearer the edge looking down.
“You can see the whole city from up here.”
I grin. My fearless mate will love this.
I gesture to the footman who is already preparing the glider, and he brings it over. “The mate of one of my brothers designed this modified kite so she could fly with him. It straps to your body and holds you up like wings.”
Her eyes widen as she turns to me. “Is it safe?”
“Perfectly safe, Solha. And I will be with you should anything go amiss.”
With a look of wonder she allows me to help her into the harness, and I tighten and check every strap. And yes, that gives me the opportunity to run my hands over her juicy thighs and waist, and I make the most of it.
Finally she slaps my hands away playfully. “I think you have checked those quite enough.”
I give her a wink. “When it comes to my future wife, I take safety very seriously.”
She rolls her eyes but does not correct me. I take that as progress.
I hold out my hand and lead her to the edge of the cliff. She hesitates as any sensible creature without wings might do. Then she looks around at me. “Well, what are we waiting for?”
“After you, Solha.”
She grips the straps around her shoulders, tenses, and steps off the cliff with a wild scream. The wind catches her, and I stand startled at her fierce beauty for a second before spreading my wings and leaping after her.
Her hair trails out behind, escaping the scarf and flying free. Her clothes billow around her, and the look on her face is pure delight. Lazily, I give a little flap and tuck my wings close to get ahead of her as she drifts toward the ground.
“This is amazing!” she shouts over the wind.
“I knew you would like it.”
We fly in silence for a while. I let her enjoy it. Just as she did on my back, she takes it all in, pointing out things now and then—the river mouth far off on the coast, the tiny speck of a rider on the road below.
A gust of wind pushes her off balance, and I hastily dart close to correct her, but other than that she needs no help from me at all. Though I do wish for the excuse to hold her close, this day is not about me. This is about her.
When we finally alight on the rocky ground below, I place my hands on her waist and gentle her descent, controlling it so she touches down as lightly as a sparrow. Then I release her and duck under the enormous wings of the glider to stand in front of her.
Now that we are still, my nostrils are full of her rich scent. Her cheeks are dark with the flush of excitement and her eyes bright. I step close. “Now may I kiss you, Yalina?”
She lifts her chin. “No. I will kiss you.”
I’m grinning as she raises on her toes, throws her arms around my neck, and captures my mouth. She kisses hungrily, with abandon. I allow myself to slide my arms around her and lift her to get closer, tasting and memorizing her perfection, and she doesn’t pull away.
Instead she demands more from me, opening her lips, teasing me with her tongue until I’m groaning with the need for even more. For the chance to give her pleasure, to join with her.
My cock thickens until it is nudging her belly, and finally she pulls away with a look that tells me she knows exactly what she feels.
But my carriage has arrived, and the footmen are waiting to fold the glider back into its sheath.
With a sigh, I release her and undo the fastenings on the harness to remove the wings from her back.
“You should kiss me again when we have time to be alone,” I whisper to her as I do.
“There are other things I might demonstrate if you’ll let me. ”
Instead of a reprimand, I’m met with a hungry look. “Perhaps I shall.”
Those three words are enough to keep my blood fired all the way back to the palace.