Chapter 14
KYLER
Morning light spills into the hallway. Jewels embedded in the windows scatter colors along the opposite walls. I’ve never witnessed anything like it before, and the view helps calm my annoyance as I wait for Gavin to finish preparing himself for the day’s flight ahead of us.
After breakfast, I head back to the bedchambers and promptly fall asleep on the freshly made bed.
I’m so mentally exhausted after sharing my story.
I’m not sure how long I sleep before Gavin wakes me, but it’s still incredibly early.
Servants bring in clothes appropriate for dragon riding.
I change and then Gavin sends me out into the hallway.
Now I have a view of the gardens, left with my thoughts. I’ve shared too much at breakfast. But I feel safe with the prince. I want to share with him. I shouldn’t have.
Gavin is entirely too nice about it all. That’s why I can’t bring myself to play behind closed doors. I can’t give him the wrong impression. We’ll never be an option for each other, not in real life. I won’t break my own heart by falling in love, something I can easily see myself doing.
But I’m desperate for the favors Gavin promises at the end of this charade. If the prince wants to fuck me over the banquet table, I’d happily let him.
My thoughts whirl. Why did I tell Gavin that story? Why didn’t I just lie?
I was raised as a pirate. I have no qualms about lying. Most of the time. Perhaps the pendant Gavin wears also makes people tell the truth.
I’m more than ready to leave for the adventure.
The ship set sail the night before to give it a head start and to allow Gavin one last night in a comfortable bed.
Soon, Damon, Gavin, and I will fly out to meet the ship.
Dragons can fly for long periods, but a week or more—depending on the weather—is too long to go without rest. Eggborns like Gavin could potentially be stuck in their dragons if they stay shifted for that long.
I’m dressed in proper dragon riding clothes: calf-height boots, skin-tight leather trousers, and a leather coat that goes past my waist with big brass buttons.
Despite the hot clothing, I’m glad to be started before the sun rises much higher.
I’m sure I’ll melt as soon as I put on the gloves.
Clutching them in my hand, I avoid wearing them until absolutely necessary.
I have to admit, when I see myself in the mirror, I cut a pretty image. The leather hugs my long limbs gracefully. But also suffocatingly. If I have to shift, there’s no way the pants will come off easily. The thought gives me anxiety.
The sun won’t burn my skin, but I’m not sure roasting alive in leather is any better. I bring my braid around and run my hand along the length. The whole riding business makes me nervous. I don’t even know how to ride a horse, let alone a dragon.
While I wait for Gavin to finish his preparation, I pace the hallway, uncomfortable.
The leather pants don’t allow for easy movement, but they’ll provide protection if Gavin releases his dagger scales.
Damon has told me tales of men losing hands when they come in contact with a hostile eggborn. I don’t want to be among them.
I finger the jewels in the window frame. Glittering gold dust shimmers.
Dragons and their hoards.
Bare feet slap the stone floor. I turn to find Gavin approaching, naked.
Sea stars, why does he have to be naked?
With every step, Gavin scans my body, taking in every inch of me.
I find I don’t mind. In fact, I wouldn’t mind if Gavin wanted to touch every inch of me…
as long as he took the awful leather with him.
I’m not sure I want to follow through with what I said earlier.
It’s smart to keep my distance other than when we’re trying to put on a show, but I still crave touch, and Gavin’s is so gentle.
No. No. I can’t think like that. Just friends. That’s all we are. All we can be. A prince and a pirate can never be true lovers. And certainly never a bonded pair. It’s unheard of. My death would most likely swing from the gallows with the rest of the crew. That or—
Gavin’s lips twitch into a smile. He runs his fingers through my hair, almost messing up the braid.
I lean into the touch, needing the show of sweetness.
I absorb it like air and let it wash away all my earlier irritations.
My heart pounds so hard. The haze of desire rises, swirling between Gavin and me.
Gavin moans. It’s the only signal before his lips crash into mine. Quickly, the kisses trail across my jaw, down my throat. Then Gavin works on undoing the buttons of my leather coat. I hold my breath, torn between wanting him to keep going and wanting it to stop.
No one is in the hallway with us. We don’t need to make a show.
Gavin crushes me against the wall. His mouth mashes against mine almost painfully. He wraps his arms around my waist and grinds against me.
I want to melt into every sensation, but this has to stop. I take Gavin’s face in my hands, forcing him to look into my eyes. I really don’t know how to stop the haze, but I hope I can take the prince out of his stupor somehow. “Gavin, we have an adventure. Remember? The stone? Your Task.”
“Mmmhmm. Just a little taste.” Gavin’s tongue laves at my collarbone.
My legs are wobbly, heart pounding again. I want to slide to my knees and take that big cock in my mouth again. Better yet, I want to know what it’d feel like filling me. I shake my head. Snap out of it, Kyler. Stop this.
“Gavin. Please. Damon is—”
“Everything okay, Kyler?” I hadn’t even heard Damon approach.
The haze drops to the floor. I swear I can hear it sizzle across the marble. With a smirk on his face, Damon tips his head.
“Just fine,” I answer, breathless from Gavin’s attentions. I can’t tell Damon I can’t control myself, especially with Gavin’s hard dragon cock pressed against me.
Gavin steps away, shaking his head as if trying to keep away a bee, leaving me to stand on my own. But I’m jelly-legged. I can’t think. I can’t look at Damon because all I want is for Gavin to slam me against the wall and fuck me right there.
So I do what I can and take Gavin’s hand. Big. Warm. Calloused. Perfect. “We should start our adventure, don’t you think?”