Chapter 6
“How’d it go?” Debi asked, fixing him a martini with a pumice twist.
“As far as I can tell, really well. I was able to apply the dust, and the cologne definitely had an effect.”
“In what way?” Trevir asked. “Try to be as detailed as possible.”
“Robin was staring, forgot himself a couple of times and was distracted. I made sure to act like I was a friend and nothing more, even laid it on about accepting we were never a couple and never would be.”
“Very promising,” Trevir said. “Did he seem reluctant to leave?”
“Not reluctant, but then he wasn’t super eager to go either, but he had a prior appointment to see his sire, so it wasn’t like he was rushing off to a party. A fae collected him via one of the portals.”
Trevir frowned. “I didn’t think other species could use fae portals. I’d heard there were cases where non-fae got a bit crispy.”
“Maybe that’s something else Simon’s done to him. He said he wasn’t spending much time in LA, it’s like he’s trying to keep Robin away from all his friends.”
Trevir shook his head. “Another troubling development. Robin Flint practically owns this city; that he doesn’t want to be here is a clever example of how his husband is controlling him. Did Simon collect him?”
“No, it was one of his security details.”
“Even worse, he’s able to send others, meaning his grip must be tight. I fear for Robin, I really do.” Trevir stood. “If you are fine for me to do so, I’d like to cast an investigational spell. It will give me insights into how my charm is working.”
“No problem. How’d you want me?”
“Stand up to start with. I might need to ask you to shift depending on what I find.”
He didn’t tend to shift in front of people he didn’t know well. “Is that necessary?”
“I don’t know yet. But the cologne might impact you differently depending on whether you’re shifted or not.”
“Right.”
“I sense that it might be a bit of a delicate request. How about, if I do need to see you in your dragon form, I step out while you change?”
Trevir seemed to understand, and Dorian was relieved. “I’d prefer that.”
“Then let’s begin.”
Trevir placed his hand on Dorian’s forearm, which he suspected was because Trevir needed skin-on-skin contact.
Trevir’s hand was cold, and somehow Dorian hadn’t expected that.
He shivered at the touch, but Trevir placed his other hand on Dorian’s shoulder.
Even with the material of a shirt in the way, the coldness of Trevir’s hand seemed to seep into him.
“It might feel a little odd,” Trevir said. “My magic might feel cold to you, as I understand you’re from the Firestarter family of dragons.”
“I did wonder,” he admitted.
“You need to remember we’re basically making this up as we go along. I’d be more worried if this went without a hitch.” Trevir chuckled. “Prince Simon’s magic is special. I’m not sure I fully accounted for his skills.”
Dorian suspected that it would have taken someone of extraordinary power and political prowess to get one over Robin, meaning that Simon wasn’t just skilled in magic but in his ability to manipulate.
“Simon must have a hold on Robin beyond that of a spell. How he got close enough in the first place is a wonder to me, as Robin isn’t one to let someone take advantage of him. ”
“Indeed. It would usually be the other way around,” Trevir said.
“I imagine Simon has been trained from birth to be a consummate politician, but while I think King James would have brokered the marriage, I don’t think he would have asked his son to have bewitched Robin to such an extent. That may have been Simon’s own idea.”
A lot of people desired Robin and Dorian could see why Simon, once he had Robin as a husband, wouldn’t want him playing with others.
Not everyone was capable of being able to share their favourite things.
If he ever found himself a nestmate, he’d be in a similar position.
“Your charms won’t be able to counteract his non-magical traits, though. So how should we try to tackle those?”
“It’s tricky. But let us see to what extent things are working, then we can move on to our next steps.”
The coldness from Trevir intensified; the feeling was unpleasant but not painful, and the fire in his belly roared against the intrusion. Trevir pushed harder, and Dorian’s innate dragon physiology rebelled. He shoved Trevir away. “You need to stop.”
“Apologies, Dorian. I was tracking how the cologne is affecting you, but also if you were already intercepting any of Simon’s magic.”
He rubbed at his arm where Trevir’s hand had been. His skin was fine, not a mark, but there was a tingling residue he found disconcerting. “I don’t like the cold.”
“I was nearly done. I can sense the charm is working well with your thrall, but I couldn’t quite get to whether Robin was truly reciprocating or if you were lucky with getting his attention.”
“The way he looked at me when I dialled my thrall up a notch was like how he used to.”
“But that could’ve just been his reaction to you, and he’d been covering his attraction so not to upset his husband, rather than the potion working.”
Dorian didn’t think so, but Trevir would need to be convinced. “What do you suggest?”
“I want to try again when you’re a dragon. You’re much more robust in that form and can use a different angle.”
“I don’t like the cold. When I’m shifted, that’s doubled.”
“I promise it won’t feel the same. These spells are unique and require careful adjustment. All I am trying to do is make sure they’re working. I’m not sure how I can do that if you don’t let me.”
He wasn’t completely convinced, but if Trevir thought this was the best option, then he didn’t think he had the means to argue. “All right. I’m going to change on the terrace. You can come out after, and we’ll see what happens.”
He left Trevir with Debi and told her to bring him out in a few minutes.
There weren’t many people who’d seen him shift; he occasionally uncurled his tail and used it as an additional arm, but generally he kept his transformation private.
Robin was one of a few non-dragons who’d witnessed him changing.
It wasn’t sexy, but it was a sign of trust and his regard for Robin that he’d been allowed to watch.
The terrace faced the garden, and he often took off from here for his daily flights.
Shifting didn’t hurt, but it was hard to explain to others that it was an innate part of him and not like werewolves who’d been turned and considered their lycanthropy an infection and their bodies painfully adapted every full moon.
He removed his clothes and shifted, the pull of muscle and ligament a comfort, expanding in size and pushing out to consume the space he felt was kept from him when he was in his human form.
His arms extended, and he let out his talons, and as the sun hit his crimson scales, he sighed in happiness and released smoke rings through his elongated muzzle.
He moved his head back and forth, working out the kinks and waving his tail.
Dorian was a good-looking human, but his dragon form was superlative.
“Dorian,” Debi called from behind the privacy curtain. “Are you ready?”
“Yes,” he replied, his voice deeper as a dragon, rumble of words that suited him better in this form.
Trevir stepped onto the terrace, his eyes wide. “Wow, I hadn’t expected you to be such a glorious colour.”
“I have been blessed. My family’s genetic gift to me was marvellous scales.”
“I would need to place my hand on you again. Where would you suggest?”
He was pleased Trevir had asked; he had boundaries that needed to be respected. His fronds and ridges were a no-go, as were his horns. “The lower part of my front leg,” he said, reaching out.
Trevir placed his hand, and unlike last time, he felt warm to the touch, his magic pleasant and respectful.
“You can sense a difference?” Trevir asked.
“Yes, I didn’t think it would be so stark. No hint of coldness.”
“The trouble with magic is it has its own pattern. And as a dragon, you have two forms, and both are natural to you, but to magic users, your dragoness is more attractive. My magic is happy and not confused by the human side.”
He’d never considered himself in such terms. Dragons didn’t mingle much with other species. He was a rare breed, but even then, he only played with others in his human form. “Do you think my nature helps with what we are trying to do for Robin?”
“Absolutely. I can sense you’re affecting Robin, and that will be your dragon nature interfering with Simon’s magic.”
Trevir’s magic flowed through him, warm and comforting, and the opposite of how it had felt when he was human. Dragons were supernatural creatures, so it shouldn’t be surprising he reacted to Trevir in a positive manner. “What can you tell so far? You said you couldn’t tell if Robin was affected?”
“Oh, I can tell now. This was no coincidence. Robin is yours for the taking, if you want him.”
“Already?” Dorian didn’t think he’d be so lucky.
Trevir removed his hand. “Not quite, but you’re on your way. You need to spend more time with him. It’s no longer a matter of if, but when you can set Robin free.”
“What should I do next?”
“Arrange dinner with Robin. If you can add the dust to something he eats, it will be quicker. And don’t skimp on the cologne.” Trevir smiled. He seemed as delighted as Dorian felt. “I’m going to make you a fresh batch of dust. I can have it with you by tomorrow. You need to see Robin stat.”
“I need to change.”
Trevir opened a portal. “I’ll leave you be. Let me know when you’re seeing him next.”
Trevir left, and Debi collected a robe before stepping inside to give him some privacy to change.
He shifted back to being human and covered his nakedness with the dressing gown.
Debi had slipped his phone into the pocket.
She really did think of everything. He wasn’t sure what to do.
Trevir might be confident, but he thought he would have to play the long game with Robin.
Dorian: Hey, I know you’re busy, but can we get together to discuss some thoughts I’ve had on the direction of my career?
The app told him the message had been read, but there was no sign Robin was replying. He tried again.
Dorian: I didn’t want it to come to this. But I understand that our situation is uncomfortable for you, and I never wanted to put you in that position. I’ve been thinking it could be time for me to find a new manager.
He waited as the message changed to read and the dancing dots told him Robin was replying.
Robin: I don’t think it needs to come to that. Let me find a slot. I need a couple of days. I’ve things I can’t rearrange.
Dorian hadn’t thought the threat to find a new manager would be such a success, but Robin had replied faster than he’d done in ages.
The first step had worked; now he had to pick it up a gear.
He wouldn’t fail Robin. He’d set him free, release him from the tyranny of his false love and give him the chance to see Dorian in a new light.
Dorian could be patient, be the friend Robin would need as he recovered, and then if it developed into more, he would be happy to be in the right place to make the most of the opportunity.