Chapter 15
KYLER
I peek over the cliff edge, watching the water crash against the boulders below. Even from here, I can smell the salt and turmoil. It churns in my stomach, just like the waves.
Attendants mill around behind me, setting everything up for the adventure.
Gavin wraps his arms around my waist, so gentle and comforting. “I’ll keep you safe, I promise.”
“I know. I was just thinking. Nothing important, just how pretty the sky looks this early.” I tip my face to the sun.
Haze circles around us as Gavin sighs into my neck before nibbling and licking. I shut the world out, letting his caresses carry me to better thoughts.
“Oh!” Princess Ailey runs toward us.
Her sudden appearance makes my haze fall away. Gavin keeps his arms around me but stops his ministrations. “Please forgive me, Kyler.”
I can only nod. The princess stands so close, wearing appropriate dragon riding attire, though her gloves look a little thicker. I wonder if she also hates how hot the leather makes her. Her hair is pulled away from her face in a simple braided bun.
“I’m so glad you haven’t left yet. I’ll be joining you.” Ailey stands in the clearing, hands on her hips, determination plastered across her face. “I have my own saddle. It’ll be here momentarily.”
Her eyes drop to Gavin’s hard cock, but she looks bored, no desire on her face whatsoever.
My saddle lies on the ground, waiting for Gavin to shift so the attendants can place it on his back.
They fuss for a bit before Gavin tells them I'm riding him, whether they like it or not. It doesn’t matter to me who I ride, as long as I don’t fall off.
Or if a strap breaks. Or a buckle comes undone.
“Everything will be okay,” Gavin cups my chin.
“I’m not worried,” I lie. I’m terrified, but I know how to play the game.
“Who do you plan on riding?” Damon asks Ailey.
“Gavin, of course. He is my fiancé.” Ailey glares. “And we have much to discuss.”
“Kyler is riding me. You can go with Damon.”
“I will not. Your boy toy can ride Dam—”
Gavin growls, a sound riddled with dragon magic. Ailey doesn’t budge.
“Boy toy? Kyler is my pair-bond, and he will—”
I reach out. “Love, it’s okay. This came as a shock to Ail—”
“How dare you refer to me so informally,” she practically yells at me before turning to Gavin. “I will not cause war over this, but we have discussions that cannot wait much longer.”
Gavin crosses his arms over his chest and looks her over. “They will wait until I’m in my human form again. I do not talk about anything important telepathically. I will shut you out.”
Ailey stomps her foot, but there’s not much force behind it. “Fair enough.” Her shoulders relax, and she leans closer to Gavin. He stands his ground. “For the record, I don’t wish to marry you either.”
“Then we’re all in agreement.”
“Yes. That we’ll be talking as soon as we land.” Ailey waves at the attendants carrying her saddle toward the clearing. “I’ll take Damon as long as you promise me that talk.”
“Done.” Gavin pulls me away from the princess.
I like her spunk and can’t contain my giggle. If I think about it, the sound is ill-timed, but my mind whirls because I’m about to ride a dragon.
Gavin cups my cheeks and kisses me gently on the lips until I sigh and relax. His thick fingers weave in my hair, and I sink into the play, relishing the prince’s mouth on mine.
“Sorry.” He presses his forehead to mine.
“No need to be,” I mumble against his lips. Barnacles, what have I gotten myself into?
“I’ll shift first,” Damon says. “Then Gavin.”
Everyone makes room for Damon in the clearing.
He stands naked, his glorious body glistening in the sun.
I can’t look away. I’ve only witnessed a dragon shift once, and it nearly ended in disaster at sea.
Damon’s skin ripples. A roar rips from his mouth as scales take over his flesh.
They rattle as he bulks and grows. A long tail snakes from his back as he’s forced to all fours.
I blink, and in that second, Damon is a dragon.
Huge, with golden brown scales just like his eyes.
I thought Vex was big in dragon form, but Damon has him beat. No wonder we’re only traveling with one guard.
“Is he eggborn too?” I can’t help but ask.
“He is, and he’s centuries older than I am.”
I do a double take. I wouldn’t have guessed. Not that I can really tell ages, especially with shifter types.
We watch the attendants climb the dragon to place the saddle. I don’t envy the ones under the dragon’s chest who have to make sure everything is secure.
“Everything is reinforced by magic. The straps can’t break.”
“How did you know I was worried about that?”
“You’re trembling.” Gavin pulls me closer. “The saddles are safe. It’s riding bareback that’s terrifying. So I hear. But if you have to, the trick is to strap yourself to a horn and hold on.”
Before I can comment, Gavin runs toward the clearing. Scales rattle along his arms as he transforms into a beast. His dragon is silver with deep violet and cerulean.
“You will get me a ladder. I am not climbing up. It’s undignified,” Ailey says beside Damon’s dragon form. Luckily for the attendants, they’re ready.
I bring my attention back to the great silver dragon in front of me. Gavin snorts, blowing me off my feet with a yelp. Dragon Gavin makes a sound much like laughing, and I join in as the attendants quickly wrap the saddle around him.
Once the saddle is in place, Gavin holds out a forearm. His clawed paw is massive. His scales wiggle and loosen, forming a ladder right up to the saddle. I assume I’m meant to climb and slide my leather gloves on before grabbing the closest scale and pulling myself up.
“You fools, get him a ladder. Don’t make him climb,” Ailey says from atop Damon.
“I’m fine,” my voice comes out more strained than I had hoped.
“No, dear. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to climb him later. At least use the ladder this time.”
Attendants and both dragons snicker at her comments.
The tip of a smile graces her lips. My cheeks heat, and I have to wonder if she’s playing her own game.
I drop from the scale and wait for the attendants to bring the ladder my way.
It’s simple wood, and I scramble up to find the saddle decadent.
Beautiful, oil slick leather with dragons in flight etched into it.
It’s shaped much like a horse’s saddle with a back.
I settle into the seat and belt myself in.
“I’m ready,” I call out.
Ailey leans over in her saddle as if to get closer to me. “We’ll catch up with the ship by nightfall, no doubt. But until then, we’re on our own. I’m not sure talking will be feasible. But we can try if you wish, young Kyler.”
Her attitude has changed so abruptly, I find it comical. “I’d like that, I think.”
“Plus, they can’t tell us to be quiet. Isn’t that right?
” Ailey leans down and rubs the back of Damon’s neck as if he were a dog.
He bristles at her touch. “Oh, come now. I’m only playing with you.
I appreciate you taking me. Now, let’s go before the sun bakes poor Kyler and me before we get halfway to our destination. ”
With that, Damon takes off at a trot and jumps from the cliff.
“W—wait!” I cry, but I’m too late.
Gavin is quicker than Damon and makes it to the cliff in a heartbeat.
I squeeze my eyes shut. I know when we’re falling, not able to catch a breath, my lungs burning, my stomach somersaulting worse than before. I grip the saddle horn but don’t feel as protected as I hoped.
Growls rumble from both dragons.
I know when the air catches Gavin’s wings, stopping our descent.
Gavin flexes his wings, moving the massive shoulder blades beneath me.
I slowly open my eyes and watch the scene below over a massive shoulder. I let out a whoop. Maybe I’m not so scared. I’m ready for more.