Chapter 6
Romilly
As Romilly carried his boy out of the dining room and away from his family, his dragon preened, knowing how accepted Archer was.
Even as his siblings had teased him and made snide remarks, they were still mostly well behaved.
And the fact that his mother and father both welcomed Archer was in his favor.
Had they not liked his boy, he would have had to lay down the law as king and demand they get over it.
Just as his father said at dinner, everyone deferred to Romilly these days. At first it had been a burden. Romilly hated being in charge of his elders. Now, though, it was second nature. He couldn’t imagine a world in which he wasn't in charge anymore.
The day would come eventually, maybe once he had heirs who needed to take the throne. Then again, with him being in charge, he could always make it so his siblings' children were the ones to rule. He could change the makeup of everything.
In fact, he already was, by having a human mate. The people of his horde were going to question it, since there had never been a human in the position that Archer was now in.
Not that that would stop Romilly, of course. His mate was precious and he was going to protect him no matter the cost.
The halls were mostly empty as they made their way to Archer's room. Romilly ached to take him to his own space, but there would be time for that later after Archer knew the truth of everything and could decide for himself what came between the pair.
When they made it to his little one's room, Archer tensed. "What is wrong?" Romilly asked, not quite ready to put Archer down.
Archer stared at the bed, then let his gaze move to the open bathroom door. "I don't want to ask for too much, but do you think you would be willing to help me clean up? I feel rather disgusting having not showered, and I know I can't do it alone because of the bandages."
Romilly's body came to life at the thought of bathing his little one. Being so close to him, touching his bare skin, would be a treat. Romilly adjusted Archer, making sure he couldn’t feel the effect the thought was having on him.
"I would love to help you, little one, so long as you're comfortable with it. "
Archer nodded quickly. "I trust you," he said.
Those words sent Romilly's dragon into a frenzy. Inside, he swooped high and low, flying around like he'd just been granted the greatest gift of all. And it was just that: a gift to know that his mate already believed he would protect him, that he would keep him safe.
Not wanting to give the boy any time to change his mind, Romilly marched into the bathroom and sat him on the counter.
He took in the tub and shower and contemplated which would be best. A bath would be very calm and relaxing for his boy.
He would get to sit and be soothed by the warmth.
But there was a greater danger of the bandages getting wet that way.
If Romilly could find something to wrap around them and keep his boy supported in the shower, they would have a better chance.
Romilly dropped into a squat and looked through the cabinets underneath the sink. He found plastic bags underneath, though he wasn't sure how they had ended up there. It didn't matter. They would be perfect for his purposes. Romilly took his time wrapping his mate's leg and then moved to his arm.
Archer giggled as Romilly worked.
"What's so funny?" he asked as he secured the final piece.
"I just think it looks silly. I've not been injured like this, at least not to this extent, where I had to be all wrapped up."
Romilly wanted to demand answers. Who had hurt this sweet boy? And had they paid the price for doing so? He would avenge his mate if need be. He'd burn down cities if he had to. Consequences be damned.
He didn't want to expose the dragons or his people. That was dangerous. Yet he could admit there was a big part of him that was going to struggle keeping things under wraps, keeping a cool head where his mate was concerned.
Romilly needed a moment to get control of his emotions.
He went to turn the shower on and focused on evening out his breaths.
Archer hummed behind him. When he turned, his boy was kicking his feet happily, like he didn't have a care in the world.
In Romilly's eyes, he didn't. Romilly was going to take care of everything his boy needed, from his food to his clothes.
They were Romilly's to maintain. He had enough power to do so, enough skill as well.
And truly, there was nothing else he would rather do.
"Okay, little one, time to get clean," he said, moving back over to Archer and holding his hands at the boy's waist to remove his clothes.
Archer bit his lip, but then slowly raised his arms. He kept his eyes on Romilly's, like he wanted to see how the other man was going to react.
Romilly focused on taking slow, even breaths.
Meanwhile, his heart raced. Had Archer been a shifter, he would have heard it. He would have recognized the desire and smelled Romilly's scent in an instant. Instead, it was obvious Archer had no clue of the effect he had.
Romilly got his shirt off, then went about tugging on his sleep pants. Archer assisted him, moving his hips this way and that, until he was left only in his underwear with the plastic coverings over his bandages.
"Are you sure you're okay with me stripping you bare, little one?" Romilly asked, his voice hoarse as he prepared himself.
"Yes, please," Archer whispered.
Romilly grabbed the waistband of the boy's underwear and tugged down. Together, they got him undressed, and Archer jumped at the cold countertop beneath him. Romilly chuckled and lifted the boy, easing him down to stand on his good leg.
"Now, I can leave my clothes on and get wet if you'd like, to make you more comfortable, or I can strip down as well since I need a shower too."
Archer nodded so quickly he looked comical. Romilly didn't laugh, though. He didn't want to offend the sweet boy. Instead, he removed his own clothes until he was bare as well. It hit him then that there was no hiding his desire any longer, no keeping it from Archer.
His boy's eyes trailed over the muscles of his body, noting every inch of him.
Romilly smiled when Archer's gaze landed on him fully.
The boy's mouth dropped open for a second, then he licked his lips.
Romilly's pulse jumped at the insinuation behind the movement.
There would be time for that later, though.
Right then, his boy needed to be cleaned up.
Romilly lifted Archer again, pressing their bodies close together as he opened the shower stall and stepped inside. Some water pelted his skin as he backed into the space, not wanting to expose his boy to the temperature before he knew if it was comfortable for him.
There were still things he had to learn about Archer's preferences, and water temperature was definitely one of them. Whereas Romilly didn't mind the heat, his siblings ranged anywhere from cold showers to scalding hot.
Archer sighed as water splashed off of Romilly's shoulders and onto him. Romilly chuckled at the sweet sound, then eased his boy to stand on his good leg. "I'm going to support you, little one, but I need to also get the soap and cloth to clean you."
The helpers around the castle were always sure to keep guest rooms fully stocked.
There were towels hanging outside of the shower stall, and there was also a washcloth inside ready for use.
Romilly appreciated the gesture because it meant he could grab what he needed without stepping back out.
He hadn't even thought to prepare beyond getting his boy in.
Romilly added soap to the cloth and began scrubbing his boy gently.
Archer sighed, closing his eyes and leaning into the touch like he was starved for affection.
Romilly wondered how that could possibly be.
This boy was too precious, too perfect not to be doted on.
The people in his life had done him a disservice by not spoiling him.
Then again, Romilly appreciated the fact that they hadn't. Because maybe his boy wouldn't have come to him if they had. Maybe his mate would still be somewhere else in the world, away from him, instead of in his arms, warm and perfect.
Romilly kept his focus steady as he cleaned Archer from head to toe, being careful with the covered parts.
By the time he finished, Archer was nearly asleep.
Well, almost. His little one's body was responding in a way that told Romilly his boy was anything but unaffected.
He wanted to pull him closer, wanted to taste him.
Instead, Romilly eased Archer back to stand on his good leg.
"Little one," he said, voice soft, pushing some of Archer's curls away from his forehead.
"Mmm," Archer mumbled.
"I need you to stand here while I clean myself off, okay? I do not need you falling. It will worry me."
Archer cracked his eyes open, taking in the situation.
He was fine until he noticed his own state.
Then he turned beet-red and attempted to shuffle away from Romilly.
Inside his mind, Romilly's dragon growled loudly, unhappy with the move.
Before Romilly could think better of it, he pulled Archer closer, his hand moving to the boy's lower back and drawing him gently against his body.
Archer groaned, arching his back and gripping Romilly's bicep with his good hand.
"Do not be embarrassed, little one," he said. "I am having the same reaction. You are perfect just as you are."
Archer nodded, then looked down and cleared his throat. "What did you need me to do again?"