Chapter 31
Sora did not understand.
Well, Ravi was sure that he technically did understand the importance of this mission and the fact that Ravi clearly had to be the one to go, but he was not happy about it.
“No,” Sora practically snarled as he marched toward Ravi’s private chambers and threw open the door.
Ravi had just finished explaining everything to Sora, trying to make it sound like this was going to be an incredibly simple, low-key trip to Prague with Sahan. Unfortunately, it appeared that someone had clued Sora in on who Thomas Jaeggi was.
At the mention of the mage’s name, Sora’s eyes had gone wide and he’d started marching toward Ravi’s rooms with his entire body stiff and hands balled into fists.
“Sora. Honey bear,” Ravi started again as he closed the door behind him. At least the entire castle wasn’t going to hear how Ravi had royally pissed off Sora. “This is important. It will get us closer to finding the Jaeggi and defeating them once and for all.”
Sora swung back around, his long dark hair fanning out around him almost like a cape. “Do you honestly think I don’t understand how important this is? What I want to know is, why? Why does it have to be you?”
“Because I’m the fastest and the sneakiest. Thomas Jaeggi will never know I’m there.”
“But what if he does? I’ve heard the stories of Cameron’s kidnapping, as well as the nearly fatal attack on Cassie. And the Jaeggi needed them. What do you think he will do with a dragon? It makes me sick to think of the risk you’re taking.”
“Think of what could happen if I don’t do this.
How many other mages out there will suffer as Cassie did and ultimately die?
What will happen to dragons and mages if the Jaeggi continue to run unchecked through the world?
” Ravi quickly countered, but Sora was already shaking his head, unwilling to listen.
“So, you’re charging in there alone—”
“Not alone. I’ll have Sahan with me, most likely.”
“Sahan!” Sora spun and paced out of the parlor and into the bedroom before turning back toward Ravi. “I love Sahan like a brother. I have known him my entire life, but as a dragon he is young.”
“There’s not even a two-year age difference between us!”
“Plus, he has no real experience fighting mages, let alone the Jaeggi. At best, he’s had a couple of rough tumbles with another dragon. That does not give him the experience or training he needs to watch your back and keep you safe.”
“Then I won’t take Sahan. I’ll take Gunter with me. He’s faced off against other dragons, mages, and even the Jaeggi.”
But Ravi could see from the dark expression on Sora’s face that it wasn’t enough. “I don’t want it to be you.”
Ravi’s heart broke. He’d never seen Sora anything but calm and collected.
The mage was incredibly controlled and logical; his emotions never seemed to overrule his mind.
He rolled with all the strangeness filling Ravi’s life, and it never ruffled his feathers.
But this appeared to be breaking his mate.
“It has to be me, honey bear. I have the best shot at succeeding without tipping off the Jaeggi. I’ll get in and out, and I won’t be hurt.”
“Yes, but you’ve already been hurt by these bastards!
” Sora shouted, throwing his arm out as if motioning toward the main foyer where the explosion had occurred.
“And that time, I was there to take care of you, to heal you. If something happens in Prague, who knows how long it will be before I can reach you? If you’re going, then you have to let me go with you. ”
“No! Absolutely not!”
“Ravi—”
“Mages shouldn’t be anywhere near Thomas Jaeggi.
” A shudder ran through Ravi, and an icy chill slithered through his veins.
His dragon was on his side about this, growling at the idea of Sora coming along.
“We have tried time and again to hide mages in the field, and the Jaeggi have always found them. I won’t let the Jaeggi get their hands on you.
The only place you’re safe is here, at the castle. ”
“And I’m supposed to let you walk into danger?”
Ravi closed the last few feet between them and wrapped Sora tightly in his arms. Sora hugged him back with a fierceness that would have cracked the ribs of a normal human.
“I just found you,” Sora whispered in a shaky voice. “They’ve already hurt you, and I can’t stand the idea of letting you out of my sight. Not so soon. I love you, Ravi. I can’t lose you.”
Turning his face into Sora’s throat, Ravi nuzzled him, breathing his scent in deeply, as if he could hold that part of his lover in his lungs forever. “I love you too, and you won’t lose me. I’m too fast for anyone to catch me.”
He loosened his hold just enough to run his hands up and down Sora’s spine in a gentle caress.
Bit by slow bit, the tension humming through his frame eased.
Ravi didn’t need to say anything because he understood Sora’s fear.
It was his own. What would he do if something happened to his mate? It would destroy him.
“I know I’m not being logical, but there has never been danger like this in my life. We’ve lived hidden away. I’m spoiled.”
Ravi lifted his head and smiled. “Not spoiled, but maybe a little lucky. It means you’ve missed out on a lot we’ll get to experience together—good and bad—I promise.”
“I can’t stop you from going…”
Ravi sighed. “You can, actually. You’re my mate. I would do anything to keep my mate happy and safe.”
Sora lifted his head, distress dancing in his eyes. “But I wouldn’t do that because I value your duty to your clan as much as you do. I know you’re right—you’re the best choice to go to Prague—but I hate it. I hate it so much, Ravi.”
“And I hate that you’re hurting.” Ravi tilted his head up and pressed a sweet kiss to the edge of Sora’s jaw and then to the corner of his mouth.
“Before you leave, I want us to be officially bonded,” Sora announced.
Ravi jerked away so he could look into Sora’s face. His heart flipped over with joy, but sadness squashed that joy almost as quickly. He couldn’t keep the emotion from showing on his face. But then, he and Sora were so close, he was sure Sora could feel his sadness.
“Why are you hesitating to answer me?”
Ravi reacted instantly, pulling Sora in tight.
“I want to be officially bonded to you. There is nothing I want more in the world. You are my mate, my everything. I love you. I love everything about you. Your smile, your laugh, the way you indulge all my crazy ideas. I love the little sounds you make when you’re sleeping.
I love you from the top of your head down to the cute little hairs on your toes. ”
Sora relaxed a little, but the worry remained. “I love you, too, my handsome dragon. But why don’t you want to bond now?”
Ravi went back to nuzzling Sora, holding him tight enough that he could feel the thud of Sora’s heart against his own.
“I have dreamed of finding my mate and being bonded at last. The mate of my dreams doesn’t even come close to being as amazing as you are.
But I want our bonding to be a happy occasion.
I don’t want us to look back in five hundred years and remember that we bonded quickly out of fear.
I don’t want the Jaeggi to taint our day.
I want us to remember the joy and laughter and being surrounded by our family. ”
Sora nodded against him. “I want that, too. More than anything in the world.”
Ravi pressed kisses along Sora’s jaw until his lover finally moved his lips within reach for a sweet kiss.
“You’ll have it. I promise you. We are getting our happily ever after, and no Jaeggi or dragon or anyone else is going to stop us.”
He could feel a small smile stretching across Sora’s lips.
“You’ll take on all the mages and dragons to have me?”
“Definitely.”
Each kiss grew deeper and more heated. Clothes were removed, but it wasn’t with the same frantic tugging that usually accompanied the two of them coming together. This was slow and careful, as if they’d silently agreed that they were going to savor each moment.
Under his hands, Sora’s skin was so deliciously soft and warm. His fingertips grazed dark brown nipples and when Sora moaned, Ravi followed his hands with his mouth. He kissed, licked, and sucked, determined to taste every inch of his mate.
The mage writhed against him, strong muscles rubbing against his own. He didn’t know how much time had passed, but they soon found themselves standing in the middle of his bedroom, surrounded by piles of clothes.
“Bed,” Ravi growled. “I can’t reach all of you when we’re standing.”
Sora laughed, and it was the most beautiful sound in the world. “And which parts are you trying to reach?”
“All of you,” Ravi repeated as he started to nudge Sora toward the bed, still rumpled from when they’d finally crawled out of it this morning. It was damn hard getting up in the morning when Sora was stretched out next to him.
But then, if he rose early enough, he had the chance to help his mate while he was in the shower.
Still chuckling, Sora climbed onto the bed, and Ravi’s brain shorted at the sight of that stunning ass. Yep, he wanted that. Wanted all of that.
When Sora reached the center of the bed, he flopped down on his back among the pillows and blankets. With one arm behind his head, Sora lifted his other hand and curled his finger, beckoning Ravi to join him with the most wicked smile.
“Get your sexy ass in this bed and grab the lube.”
Ravi could only nod as he snatched the jar from where it had fallen to the floor.
Good thing he’d been smart enough to put the lid back on.
Setting the jar beside Sora’s hip, Ravi crawled between his legs, kissing his way up from his ankle along his calf to his knee.
Sora shivered, and Ravi made a mental note to spend more time kissing Sora’s knees.
His lover was ticklish there. He continued up along the inside of his thigh.