Chapter 9
Looking across the dinner table at Rogan, Brooks studied his handsome mate. “What’s the difference between dragons? I mean, is there a difference between a black dragon and a red one or is it like hair color for humans? Some of you have green scales and other blue ones?”
“It’s a bit more complicated than that, Adventurer. Each color denotes special talents. We do not share these facts with all humans, for all information contains power. As my mate, I will trust you not to share this insight with others,” Rogan told him solemnly.
“Of course. I wouldn’t share your secret powers,” Brooks promised.
“Thank you, Mate. While a dragon power ranges in strength, the colors tell certain facts. For example, a black dragon has the most fire resistance, while a bronze dragon can absorb more electricity.”
“And a red dragon?”
“Red dragons are the fastest.”
“Of course you are—like the best high-performance vehicles. Who wants a grey Corvette?” Brooks joked.
“Indeed. Red is a superior color.”
“Are you always the same color as your parents?” This conversation fascinated Brooks.
“Female dragons are very rare. They alone can create a new dragon. The hatchling’s color will reflect its talents,” Rogan explained.
“So a fast baby will be red?”
“Exactly.”
“What color were your parents?” Brooks asked.
“My sire is a blue dragon. He doesn’t answer questions about the female dragon who laid my egg. To do so would endanger her. Males raise the dragon unless they’re at the end of their lifespan. Then usually another male from the sire’s horde steps in to protect the deceased member’s replacement.”
“Your father is still alive?”
“I believe he is. The connection between us is still strong. When it disappears, I will know he is gone,” Rogan explained.
“And the connection with your mother?”
“There is no connection.”
“Because that would put her at peril?” Brooks guessed.
“Exactly. So would you like to go racing around today on your sports-dragon?” Rogan asked with a smile.
“Yes!” Brooks couldn’t ever imagine turning down the opportunity to ride on his mate’s back. He’d never considered skydiving or paragliding, but seeing everything from above while the wind whipped through his hair was exciting.
Setting his fork on his plate, Brooks suggested, “Let’s go.”
“Three more bites, Adventurer. Then I will take you.”
Rolling his eyes at the dragon shifter’s bossiness, Brooks wolfed down the rest of his breakfast. He didn’t want to get hungry as they zipped around. Somehow Rogan always knew how he felt. His mate would end their fun early if his stomach growled.
Twenty minutes later, he scrambled up Rogan’s scales to take a seat. It got easier each time.
Soon you’ll be a pro.
It’s weird to have you eavesdrop on my thoughts.
You can guard them from me if you would like, but I only pick up on those with high-emotion,
Like celebrations?
And if you are frightened or unhappy. Those things I wish to know.
Okay. Brooks could understand that. If he was scared of something, maybe he wanted a big, bad, super-fast dragon to know.
Rogan didn’t comment for several seconds, allowing him to make up his mind. Brooks liked that the dragon answered his questions and while Rogan had a lot of rules that all seemed to endanger Brooks’s butt, when Brooks thought about them, they made sense.
Thank you, Mate.
You’re welcome. That doesn’t mean my mind is an open book you can rifle through.
I promise you, Brooks. I will only pry when there is danger. Now, do you see that mountain on the horizon? The one with the ring of clouds around it?
That’s miles away!
How long do you think it will take to get there?
All day? Brooks guessed.
Try thirty minutes.
No way!
Hold on tight! Rogan ordered. As soon as Brooks’s arms squeezed tightly around his neck, he raced toward the high peak.
“Rogan!” Brooks shouted into the air. “Wooohooooo!” This was the absolute best!
* * *
When Rogan landed, Brooks slid from his spot. His legs felt wobbly underneath him, like they had when he’d visited an amusement park as a kid.
Dragons are superior to any rollercoaster, Rogan informed him snootily.
“I think I’m okay going slow for a while. Maybe save light-speed for emergencies?”
Good idea, Brooks. Let me change and we’ll go have some lunch. Sara suggested we have a picnic lunch on the back lawn.
Standing back to allow his mate to shift into human form, Brooks considered whether his stomach could handle food. The resulting hungry growl answered that question. The cook was amazing.
“I heard that. Let’s go see what she’s got for us. I could eat a cow or two.” Rogan held out his hand for Brooks’s.
Intertwining his fingers with his mate’s, Brooks asked, “Really?”
Rogan laughed before answering, “I only can eat a full cow when I’m in dragon form. However, the roast beef sandwiches are all mine.”
“Hey, I like roast beef!”
“I promise to share if I get kisses.” Rogan tugged Brooks close and wrapped his arms around Brooks’s waist.
Offering his lips to Rogan, Brooks hugged him back as his mate’s mouth captured his. Instant fire ignited between them. Brooks didn’t understand the potent desire between them. He simply knew that he craved Rogan’s touch.
Maybe we could delay lunch? Brooks suggested when he could gather his thoughts.
Rogan lifted Brooks easily over his shoulder and stalked toward the tall hedges at the beginning of the garden maze. “Let’s play hide and seek, Mate. I’ll give you a thirty-second head start. Go!”
Frozen, Brooks looked at him in astonishment.
“You’ve wasted five seconds, Mate.”
Catching on, Brooks sped off at high speed. He raced through the maze, trying to put as much distance between himself and Rogan. After the promised delay, he heard thundering footsteps following him. Brooks increased his pace.
He burst into the open center of the maze and turned in a circle, trying to figure out which path to take. Brooks strained his ears, trying to hear where Rogan was. Silence echoed around him. His cock strained against his zipper. He wanted whatever Rogan had in mind.
Brooks chose a random opening and ran toward it. He reached it as Rogan stepped into the clearing. Before he could turn, Rogan grabbed the belt loops on his jeans, controlling Brooks.
“Mine,” the shifter growled as his eyes flashed red. He held Brooks securely in place with one hand as his other unfastened his mate’s jeans and pushed them to the ground.
Rogan dropped to his knees in front of Brooks and leaned in to lick his mate’s shaft from base to tip before meeting Brooks’s gaze. “Let’s see how fast I can make you come.”
When his mate’s mouth closed around his cock, Brooks’s eyes rolled up into his head. He wouldn’t last long.