by Minerva Howe
“Can you talk to me, or should I just put on some music and be quiet?”
Hello, love. He put his muzzle down, then slid onto his belly to lie down so he wasn’t so imposing. Can you come scratch my left eye ridge? It itches.
“Oh, cool. Of course.” Oliver came up to him, looking down at his hands to see which one made the L then he reached for the other side and carefully scratched his ridge.
A little harder, love. Scales, you know. He really did itch, but this would also let Ollie get close to him, see him, touch him in this form.
“They’re shiny and smooth. They don’t look like they ought to be warm. They look like armor. Almost like shell or metal.” Those fingers dug in, pushing in.
The sand helps with the warmth. I absorb its heat. His inner eyelids drooped at how good Ollie’s fingers felt. His mate knew exactly where to rub.
Too neat. “You’re so beautiful.” Ollie just kept touching him, rubbing and humming and making him feel amazing.
Thank you, my love. Is it too hot for you? He turned his head ever so slightly, nuzzling along Ollie’s body.
“I may have to lose the clothes, but you won’t mind.” Oliver’s laughter was like honey.
Not one bit. I just don’t want you to get all itchy again. He carefully stretched out one deep blue wing, showing off. He knew the peacockish green inside and cobalt exterior were a lovely contrast. Not that he was vain…
Oliver trailed his fingers along the webbing, making his scales sing. “So handsome. I love the blues.”
He inclined his head. Thank you, love. We’re all different, me and my brothers. I think I’m the prettiest. A chuff of laughter sent more steam out, but he avoided hitting Ollie. No one wanted to get burned and blister up in a whole new way.
“Of course, you are. You’re gorgeous. I love your tail.”
Mmm. It’s handy for balance. He swished it gently side to side. Though I have also smited people with it. Times were both easier and harder for dragons nowadays.
“Yeah? I bet you could totally be smite-y.” Ollie kept loving him, stroking his scales, polishing them.
I can be, though Tyson was always the one on the verge of being slain. That was really more a function of what Tyson hoarded than of his personality.
“Oh, I bet.” No slaying. Just the thought of someone hurting you makes me sick to my stomach.
These days we have to worry far more about scientists than we do knights with swords or villagers with pitchforks. Eagan nuzzled again, lowering his wing and folding both of them on his back. Now is when I usually wallow.
“Okay, I’ll get out of your way. I just wanted to see.” Oliver curled up out of the way again.
Anything you want, love. But this will make me shine. I’ll try to keep the sand flinging to a minimum. Wings tucked, he rolled onto his back, his four claws in the air, his tail like a rudder. Then he rubbed and grunted, scrubbing himself over the sand.
“Do you need help? I could…polish you?” Oliver’s offer was soft, sweet.
Oh, love, how wonderful would that be. Test the sand first? Just to make sure it’s not too hot? It would be hard to tell with your shoes.
It was so tough to reach some spots.
Ollie pulled off his clothes, except for a pair of boxer briefs and climbed onto the sand, humming softly. “It’s lovely. Like satin.”
He grabbed up a double handful and started working the sand into Eagan’s scales.
Oliver was the lovely one. Eagan wished Ollie could see him the way Eagan did, especially right now, his aura full of purples for magic and a brilliant turquoise color he’d never seen before.
So brave, so eager to touch him, and he spread his wings, encouraging Ollie to get his shoulder blades, the back of his neck. Softer on the belly, love. That’s not as tough. He wiggled about, Ollie keeping out of the way almost instinctively, he thought.
Oliver began to sing, loving on his belly with a gentle touch. He could cry with pure joy, but he didn’t want to miss a single second of this. He hummed along, the sound vibrating around them, and Ollie laughed with delight.
Finally, he went boneless on the sand, and instead of going back to his chaise, Ollie climbed into the cradle of one of his forelimbs, pressed against his chest, leaning hard. Totally unafraid.
“I can hear your heartbeat.”
Do you like that? His dragon beat was different than his human one, and he had imagined it would freak people out.
“It’s perfect.” Ollie kissed his chest.
I love you, Oliver. So much. Thank you for giving me this.
Thank you for everything. I’m so happy here. “You’re welcome.”
He let Ollie rest against him, and before he really allowed himself worry about accidentally hurt his mate, they were both asleep.
4
Oliver woke up in Eagan’s bed, warm and cozy, happy as he’d ever been. He hummed and cuddled in with a contented sigh.
His dragon.
Oh, Eagan was amazing. Wonderful. He loved the colors of his dragon’s scales.
Now that he had seen them up close, he could see them on Eagan’s human skin. He traced them, petting the pretty lines. The colors were peacock-like, and he had always thought they were just a tracery of blue veins under the fine skin.
He was so damn lucky.
Oliver also felt better about how he wasn’t a dragon. Eagan seemed perfectly okay with it. He sighed and curled against Eagan’s side and let his eyes fall closed.
“Mmm. Morning, love. How are you feeling?” Eagan stroked his back, fingers warm on his skin. Oh, warm. Nice.
“Excellent.” He wanted to be loved on, touched, taken.
“Good. I had the best evening.” Eagan’s little growl sent a thrill through him.
“Did you?” He snuggled in, rubbing almost lazily against Eagan’s thigh.
“Mmm. I loved having you in my lair. I’ve been wanting to take you there for the longest time.”
“I loved hanging out with you and touching you.”
“Did you?” Eagan nuzzled his neck. “You were so brave, my love.”
“I’m in love.” He kissed the underneath of Eagan’s chin.
“Good. I want you to feel the same about me as I do you.” Eagan turned over, sliding on top of him. One leg pushed between his, opening them wide.
“Mmm…hey you. Is this for me?” He reached down and stroked E’s cock, which was hard as a rock. The size of it always took his breath.
“It is. Only for you.”
“Good. I want it all. Now.”
“Show me.” Eagan kissed him, the contact a little toothy, and steamy in that real, tangible sort of way.
“Show you?” He smiled and stroked the heavy, thick, curved cock.
“What you want, love. Show me.” Eagan was watching him, eyes bright, rocking against his hand.
“Mmhmm…” He swung his leg over Eagan’s hips, rocking up and down.
“Sweet love.” Eagan kissed him again and again, the heat between them spiraling higher.
“I want you, E. I want your cock, every inch.”
“Inside you?” Licking his lower lip, Eagan rumbled for him, loving on him with that whole body.
“Fuck yes. I want to feel it. All of it.” Ollie groaned as the tip of Eagan’s prick slipped in.
“Then spread for me.” Those smoky blue-gray eyes went silver, molten and beautiful.
He bore down, hands landing on Eagan’s shoulders as the heavy cock filled him. Oliver’s breath whooshed out. Oh, that was tight, but it didn’t hurt. He wondered if Eagan had been molesting him in his sleep with the lube, because he was totally wet and open.
Then Eagan’s cock pushed deeper, and he decided not to care. Some things were more important than worrying.
This was the biological and emotional imperative. Clinging to Eagan and taking kisses as Eagan filled him deeper than ever.
His toes curled tight, his leg muscles tensing. “More, love. Please.”
“Yes, love. More.” Eagan rolled his hips, cock invading him, taking him by storm. The stretch made him pant.
Electricity buzzed through his nerves, his entire body waking up. “God, you feel good.”
“You make me so hard, love. I want to fill you over and over.”
“Over and over. I ache for you. Seriously.” He swallowed and leaned down for a kiss. That changed the angle enough that the cock shifted inside him, jolting him deep inside, and he cried out.
“Oliver.” Eagan’s voice was a low growl. He began to move faster, thrusting hard, slamming up into Oliver.
Ollie’s eyes crossed and he braced himself against the headboard so Eagan could fuck him like he needed to. He just—that heavy prick inside him felt hot as a brand, and so big that he had to breath in through his nose and out through his mouth to let the stretch ease.
Eagan grabbed his hips, moving him up and down, driving into him with a wild rumble.
He cried out, his whole body clenching, and he felt the rush of steam as Eagan exhaled, the sound ending with it a long moan.
“Touch me, dragon. My cock. Hurry.”
“Demanding lover.” Eagan did just that, though, fingers rough on his dick, stroking it up and down. The sensation sent fire up his spine.
His balls went tight, and he bore down, grinding against Eagan’s belly to get what he needed.
“Oliver. My sweet Oliver. So tight. Feel how hard you make me. Soon I won’t even be able to move.” Eagan did seem to swell impossibly in him, bigger than ever.
He’d never felt anything so amazing. Ollie panted, working that cock with his inner muscles, amazed at how…wet things were. Eagan must really be leaking.
Then Eagan slammed in once more, and his thoughts shattered, sheer pleasure flooding him and leaving him dizzy, his cock emptying in a rush. His balls actually throbbed, a full-body shudder racking him. “Uhn! Eagan.”
“Yes, love. Yes.” Eagan flooded him with seed, that cock filling him until he almost screamed.
He slumped down on his lover, floating and full and happy. He just wanted to stay right here. Forever.
“Yes, please. Stay.” Eagan stroked his back, easing him into a comfortable position. “Stay with me.”
“Mmhmm. This is heaven.” He offered Eagan a sloppy kiss, before melting back down.
“I love you, Oliver. I’ll keep saying it until you believe it.” Eagan loved on him, hands gentle now, lips soft against his forehead. So warm and steamy.
“I know you love me.” He didn’t doubt that. He doubted that it would matter when Eagan’s real mate arrived, but he pushed that thought away.
“That’s part of the battle then.” Eagan chuckled. “I’m a patient dragon, my love.”
“You are. And you’re lovely and blue like the ocean.” He’d never seen anything so pretty. Not ever.
“You really think I’m lovely? I know you’ve seen all of us. I tend to think Brand is the most striking, but Tyson is awe-inspiring.” Eagan sounded a bit wistful, and that little show of vulnerability melted him. He wasn’t the only one who worried about things.
“You’re perfect—there’s the blue, the hint of green, and you shine. It’s magic, E, and I can’t believe you want to share it with me.”
“Mmm. I do. I really do.” Eagan drooped a little, his eyelids heavy. “I know we should get up. Have some food. But can we stay a few minutes more?”
“We can. I’m happy right here.” With him.
“Thank you.” The words slurred a little, Eagan going boneless against him.
He had to laugh a little, just a tiny gust of air. His dragon.
He guessed he’d keep Eagan for as long as he could.
That was the best possible answer.
A sense of fine anticipation filled Eagan, thrumming through him. The equinox was almost upon them, and the power of it always made his dragon sing.
He glanced over at Ollie in the passenger seat of his Escalade, smiling. “Are you excited?”
“I am. It feels like forever since I’ve seen Dev and that gorgeous baby.”
“I know! I want to see them so badly. I hope she likes her toys.” Ollie had picked them out. He was so much more in tune with the world out there. Though they had also brought a few books for Devon to read to her.
“She will. She’s a little one with her favorite uncle and her godfather coming to adore her.” Oliver’s laughter filled the car.
“Mmm. Tyson is already there,” he teased. Arielle and his older brother did get along famously, but she had so much love to go around, their girl.
“Don’t make me pinch you, dragon.” Oliver chuckled though, taking a drink from his latte. “Mmm…nummy.”
“It is.” Oliver was the yummiest thing ever. The chocolate croissant had been nice, though. They’d gotten pastry for the trip and also for his brothers and Devon. It was something of a tradition now.
“I hear you. That was amazing. A-mazing.”
He chuckled. Ollie seemed to be hearing his errant thoughts of late. That was such a good sign.
He had an amazing, if a bit reluctant, mate. I love you, my beautiful one.
Ollie reached out and held his hand.
Yes. Ollie heard him somehow. Of course, Brand had said Devon had ignored their mental bond until Devon got kidnapped. It was a hard thing to believe in.
Somehow mythical flying creatures were easier.
He chuckled but squeezed Ollie’s hand. It didn’t matter. They were together.
“So what happens usually, at a solstice celebration?”
“Not that much that we don’t do at other holidays. There’s food. Some kind of ritual. Like burning the log at Yule.”
“I like food. I can carve a solstice pumpkin…”
“Yes. And we can do a little ancestor ritual for Arielle.”
“Is that where you invoke the spirits? Is that safe with dragon ancestors?”
“It is. We ask for guidance, or for a blessing. Or just send our love to the moms.”
“Oh, that’s sweet. My foster mom was a neat lady. She was hit by a car when I was twenty-five. She was at a party downtown, stepped off the curb, and bang.”
“That’s awful, Oliver. I’m so sorry.” And he was going to kick Devon’s ass for not warning him.
“Oh, it was fast. I was shocked for a while, but I floated in the system for over ten years before she let me settle.”
“She was good to you?” He hoped that was true. “Your parents?”
“Mom was amazing. She was single, but she grew up in a big family and missed having kids. So she took me on.” Oliver took a sip of his coffee, and Eagan could hear Ollie’s thoughts. “My birth parents didn’t want me. I was a crack-baby, they think.”
He squeezed Ollie’s hand. “You and Devon have so much in common. I can see why you bonded in college.”
“Exactly. We were two of us against the world, you know? We were like the two musketeers. No one could convince us a bookstore was a bad idea, either, though a lot of people tried.”
“Indeed. I understand. My brothers and I have been alone a long time. Just us.”
“Yeah. It’s fascinating, the parallels.”
“It is.” Eagan eyed Ollie, wondering if he could see what he saw.
Ollie raised an eyebrow at him. “Don’t get any ideas, though. I’m just a dude.”
“Not so. You are my dude.” Why couldn’t Ollie see how special he was?
“Yes. I am yours. This is a great view, isn’t it? It’s like the sky just starts.”
“I do love it here.” They had come to Colorado so long ago, but all three brothers were loath to leave. It was home now. Like them, it was a mix of wild and utterly civilized.
“Me too. I mean, it’s not home, but it’s lovely and wonderful.” Oliver’s hand slid over his arm. “You are home.”
“Oh.” He shivered, wishing he could fly them to Brand’s. Oliver would love flying, would love being out in the air. He knew it.
And i
t would be so fast.
Though this way he got to spend time with just Ollie. He had a very possessive feeling this trip. He knew his brothers would want to talk with him. He knew Devon would want to talk one-on-one with Ollie. He knew that baby would occupy their time. Those were all good things, but this was the solstice, and he had a feeling about it…
This was their time.
He wanted Oliver to be able to believe.
They hummed to the radio, then sang along when Bohemian Rhapsody came on. As Ollie said, even Eagan knew that one.
By the time they parked they were laughing hard, both of them headbanging and happy.
Brand met them at the door, his smile huge and happy, his eyes twinkling. “Hello, Brother. Ollie. Come in, please.”
Eagan got a hard hug, Brand almost lifting him off the floor.
“Good to see you, Brand.” He pounded Brand’s back some. This whole situation had brought them all back together again, and he loved it.
Oliver got a hug too, albeit a much more gentle one.
“Hey, Brand. We have a car full of stuff.” Ollie chuckled.
“Oh, my. Shall I call Tyson to help? Devon is changing Arielle into play clothes.”
“Please. We have goodies from the city, books, toys, books…” Oliver winked, knowing right where to get Brand, didn’t he?
“You’re both loves.” Brand threw back his head and roared. So much more dragon, this house, than it had been year ago.
Tyson appeared moments later. “You rang? Ah, good. Ollie. Hello.”
“What am I?” Eagan asked. “Chopped liver?”
“You are the keeper of the baby brother, right?” Tyson chuffed softly, then pressed their cheeks together. “Hey, Eagan. Happy?”
“Very.” He patted Tyson’s back, knowing how Tyson wanted to find his mate. Tyson had told him he could hear someone, someone lost and looking, but that had been a year now, and no one had yet surfaced.
It would happen. It would. Eagan had to believe it. It was written, right? The manuscripts showed three dragons and three mates. Soon.
“Help me unload?” he asked. “We have a whole mess of stuff.”
“Sure. Ollie, do you want to go find Dev? I know he has a ton of books from an auction that he wants to show you.”
