by Noah Harris
Rajiah pursed his lips. “But she’s been very... watchful of him lately.”
“Once we find him, I’ll go keep an eye on the castle. I’ll send a signal if she comes toward the gardens.”
“What’s the signal?”
“It will be obvious.”
“Like what?”
“Like a giant black and gray dragon flying overhead.”
Rajiah quirked a small smile. “Fair enough.”
They found him shortly after that. Gerrald slowed to a halt, as they approached another of the sectioned off rooms within the hedge maze. He let go of Rajiah’s wrist, putting a finger to his lips, and winked before slowly backing away. He gave Rajiah an encouraging smile before turning on his heel and jogging away. Rajiah watched him go before turning back to the path. Breathing deep, he steeled his nerves, tried to calm his fluttering stomach, and stepped forward through the archway.
The small area was sectioned off by four walls of tall hedges, and a stone fountain dark with moss stood in the center. Tall rose bushes rose along the edges, mixing with the hedges and creating a floral atmosphere. There was a stone bench on the far side, but Arulean sat on the lip of the fountain, his back to Rajiah. His head was tilted downward, his fingers idly trailing in slow, indiscernible patterns in the water.
Rajiah paused just inside the archway, feeling as if he were entering a space separated from reality, a private place where he wasn’t welcome. But Gerrald’s words were echoing in his mind, giving him the courage he needed to step deeper into the garden section, towards Arulean. The man looked so serene and at peace, much more so than he ever did while in the castle. Rajiah was almost afraid to shatter the moment, but at the same time he was driven forward with the desire to touch, to feel, to hold.
He barely dared to breathe, stepping forward with silent steps on the worn cobblestone.
Here confined in the small area, hedge walls blocking out everything from the world except the night sky, he could finally smell Arulean’s scent. It was strong and powerful, smelling of cold damp earth and the salt of man. It made something in him rise to the surface, a hungry desire that made him feel like a predator stalking his prey. His movements became more languid. He felt it in the way he walked, each step measured and careful. His fingers itched to reach out, but he kept them loose at his sides.
The wind shifted. He felt the breeze rustle the stray strands that had fallen from his ponytail and tickle his neck, brushing past his scent glands and carrying his scent forward. He saw the moment it reached Arulean. Saw the way the man’s back stiffened, his hand stilling in the water.
“What are you doing here?” He asked, voice carefully neutral and giving nothing away. It stopped Rajiah in his tracks.
He swallowed past the lump in his throat. “Why wouldn’t I be here?” He shot back, doing his best to mimic Arulean’s tone.
“You seemed to be enjoying yourself with Gerrald.” This time his passive voice seemed to crack a little, leaking out some of the bitterness he couldn’t quite hide.
Rajiah couldn’t help the amused quirk on his lips, or how it bled into his voice. “Gerrald is the one who led me here.” He said, slowly taking another step forward, and then another. “I wouldn’t have been able to find you otherwise.” Arulean turned his head then, gazing at Rajiah over his shoulder with steady, calculating dark eyes. “Right now, he’s keeping a watch over the gardens. He said he’ll give us a signal if Lyphnia comes.”
Something shifted in Arulean’s eyes, and it sent shivers down his spine. His gaze was far too intense, and he found himself looking away, gazing into the water of the fountain. He stepped up to the stone lip, opposite side from Arulean. He bent down to touch the curved edge with his fingertips.
“Is he now?” Arulean said, filling the silence with more neutral words.
Rajiah took a slow step around the edge of the fountain, trailing his fingers along the stone, enjoying the rough texture. He nodded, keeping his eyes on the water as he said conversationally, “Your brother makes a good shield.” He gave Arulean a chance to respond, but he didn’t, so Rajiah kept going. He took another step, dragging his feet with tantalizing slowness. “I kept him company and entertained, and his presence keeps the suitors away from me. So few dared to approach me with Gerrald Onyx on my arm. It was very liberating.” Another step, fingers dragging against stone. He kept his eyes on the water but lifted his chin, exposing the long line of his neck. The shift in Arulean’s scent was almost instant, and he could have sworn he heard a low rumbling in his throat. “Your brother is a very charming person, very unlike the other alphas I’ve met in my time here. He’s someone I actually enjoy the company of...”
“If you enjoy his company so much,” Arulean said, a frigid bite accompanying each word. The bitterness was more apparent, an underlying anger that was probably meant to push him away, but only succeeded in drawing him closer. Jealousy was not a good color on Arulean Black, but Rajiah was enjoying it immensely. “Why don’t you choose him? He is unmated and a very eligible alpha.”
Rajiah hummed, strides unwavering as he walked around the fountain. Arulean didn’t budge from where he was sat upon the lip. His eyes never left Rajiah. “True,” He said thoughtfully, putting some sway in his hips as he walked. “It would be very easy to choose him. He’s kind,” A step closer. “He’s strong,” He lifted his gaze to meet Arulean’s, looking up at him through his lashes. “He’s powerful,” Arulean’s gaze was hard, lips pursed into a small frown. Rajiah didn’t waver. He stepped closer. “He’s of a good lineage.” He lifted his fingertips from the stone of the fountain. “No one would protest our union. Not even Lyphnia could stand against us.” He stepped up in front of Arulean, finally stopping as he turned to face him. “There’s only one problem...”
Arulean rested his hands on the stone lip on either side of him, head tilted back a fraction in order to hold his gaze. His expression remained stony, his posture stiff, but he didn’t protest and didn’t move away as Rajiah took a step forward, putting himself between the man’s knees. Rajiah paused then, letting the breeze caress his heated flesh, letting it fill his nose with Arulean’s alluring scent, thick and strong and drawing him in.
“And what is that?” Arulean asked, voice low and hoarse. At Rajiah’s nearness, the bitter jealousy had seeped out of his features, but it was replaced with a new kind of apprehension.
If anything is to come of you two, you will have to be the one to do it.
“I do not want Gerrald Onyx.” Rajiah said, voice pitched low as he gazed at Arulean through half-lidded eyes. He could hear the waver in his voice, the scratchiness that came from holding back from the man’s powerful scent. His mouth felt very dry. He licked his lips, reveling in the way Arulean’s eyes followed the movement. He leaned forward then, slowly, giving the man plenty of time to lean away. He didn’t. He held perfectly still, and it was silent enough that he heard the hitch in the man’s breath as he held it. Rajiah didn’t touch him, but stopped when his lips were right next to his ear, brushing against it with every movement. It was then that he breathed, voice low and honest and strained with need, “I want you, Arulean Black.”
This time, he definitely heard a growl coming from the other man. “Rajiah...” He rumbled. His name was both a warning and a plea.
He leaned back, stopping when they were face to face, barely inches apart. Arulean’s head was tilted back to look at him, and something primal in him relished in the alpha bearing his neck too vulnerably for him. At this distance, with Arulean’s scent so close and strong in his nose, overwhelming his senses, Rajiah could no longer hold back his need to touch. He reached out with a slow but steady hand, running his fingertips along Arulean’s shoulder, his collarbone, up the length of his neck, dancing around his scent glands with playful touches. He felt the man, one of the strongest and most powerful of their kind, shiver beneath his fingertips, and it made something possessive stir within him.
His fingers stopped beneath Arulean’s ch
in, holding him in place while his thumb lightly caressed the man’s bottom lip. It was a bold move, and he knew it, but the way Arulean shivered and leaned into the touch, eyes fluttering closed for a moment, only encouraged him.
Rajiah could feel his breath on his lips, coming in long, slow exhales, like he was making a conscious effort to keep it even. He leaned forward a fraction, brushing their noses against one another. The simple touch was electric and extremely intimate. Arulean’s eyes shuttered closed.
“Do you want me, Arulean?” He breathed, voice barely above a whisper.
“I...” He was pleased when Arulean’s voice cracked. He had barely touched him, and yet he was watching the man crumble before his eyes. “I shouldn’t...” He sounded wrecked, heartbroken, and weak. A man with strong resolve about to shatter.
And Rajiah was determined to shatter it thoroughly.
“That’s not what I asked...” He said softly, gently rubbing the tip of his nose against Arulean’s. He watched him, marveled at his closeness, but Arulean’s eyes remained shut. “Do you want me, Arulean?”
“We cannot...” He tried again, licking his lips, tongue brushing against Rajiah’s thumb. He shivered, and after a brief hesitation, Arulean did it again, sucking the tip of his thumb between his lips, nipping lightly at it with his teeth and flicking the tip with his tongue. A violent shudder vibrated down his spine, and Arulean’s eyes opened then, half-lidded and dark with desire as he held Rajiah’s captive. He released his thumb and repeated, “We shouldn’t...”
“I don’t care.” Rajiah pulled his thumb away, stepping half a step closer, until his legs bumped against the stone of the fountain between Arulean’s legs. Arulean’s hands made their way to his hips, thumbs idly brushing the bones beneath the fabric of his clothes and fingers splayed wide, crawling up to his waist. His hands were warm and large, strong and firm. His grip tightened, but Rajiah wasn’t sure if it was to push him away or pull him closer. He didn’t move to do either.
Rajiah draped his arms over Arulean’s shoulders, fingers trailing through his hair, tugging out the tie to let the strands fall free, combing his fingers through them. Arulean shivered beneath him, and this time when his fingers tightened, it was to pull him closer, arching his body into his chest.
It was all the encouragement Rajiah needed to tilt his chin up a fraction, brushing his bottom lip against Arulean’s top lip, a brief and subtle nudge, but so powerful. He pulled away, putting a few inches between them. “Do you want me, Arulean?” He repeated. He ducked forward again, tip of his tongue snaking out to run along Arulean’s lips. “Tell me you don’t want me, and I’ll stop.”
Arulean groaned, a low sound, barely a rumble tagged on the end of a long sigh. “Rajiah...” He said again, and Rajiah liked the sound of his name on those lips, ragged and wretched like it had been ripped from his throat against his will.
“Do you want me, Arulean?” He breathed, lightly nibbling on the man’s bottom lip. He gave it a tug, letting it go with a small pop. He pulled back a little then, giving them both breathing room. They were both panting, no doubt from a mix of trying to hold back and the eager, silent promise of what was to come. “I’ll leave if you tell me to--“
He didn’t get to finish the thought.
One of Arulean’s hands shot out, fingers digging into the hair at the back of his head, clenching his fist to hold him tight. He yanked Rajiah forward until their lips met in earnest, a low growl rumbling in his throat as his lips eagerly devoured Rajiah’s. Rajiah moaned, long and low, opening his mouth eagerly as Arulean’s tongue pushed past his lips. His own hands tightened in Arulean’s hair, tilting his head so they were at a better angle.
The kiss wasn’t gentle, and it wasn’t kind. It was a brutal clash of lips and tongue and teeth, both of them sloppy in their eagerness and aggressive in their desperation. It was a clash of two forces, two floods let loose as the dams broke, coming together with enough force to wash them both away. Hands grabbed at his hair, at his hips, his waist, his back, nails digging into his flesh, ripping the fabric of his clothes. The sound of each rip was exhilaration and adrenaline. He growled back against him, refusing to submit and giving as good as he got. His hands roamed, grasping and groping any part of him he could touch. He’d been wanting to touch for so long, and now he couldn’t hold back.
Arulean’s scent was in his nose, clogging his senses. His taste was on his tongue, dark and alluring, his hands were on his skin, warm and coarse and leaving trails of fire that tingled in their wake.
It was the best kiss he’d ever experienced. It was perfect.
A rustling in the garden broke them apart, both going still and panting for breath as they listened, hands frozen on one another but refusing to let go. Their eyes darted this way and that, trying to track the sound. A night owl flew by overhead, and the two of them relaxed.
Then they looked at each other, and as their eyes met, a wave of calm washed over them, quelling the fire.
Without saying a word, Arulean reached out, gently cupping his cheek. Rajiah leaned into the touch, nuzzling into his palm and playfully nipping at his thumb. A small smile curved the corners of the alpha’s lips, face softening as something fond took over his features. He pulled him in again, leaning forward to meet halfway, and Rajiah’s breath shuddered out in a soft, eager moan.
This time their kiss was gentle, hesitant but determined. They explored each other’s lips and mouths and bodies in a gentle back and forth. Reverent touches and eager bobs of their heads. Rajiah clung to him for dear life, afraid that if he let go, he might float away and never return. Arulean held onto him like he was an anchor and a last breath of air before he drowned.
Time seemed to move like molasses, at a near standstill while they existed in their own little bubble. Together, wrapped in each other’s embrace, surrounded by the high hedge walls and the floral scents of the garden, half-hidden from the sky and dragons over head by a canopy of vines and the shadows, they simply indulged in each other. Nearly innocent touches, yet touching with an underlying passion that burned with every movement, sparking when they came together.
By the time a large dragon came swooping low over the garden, startling them apart, Rajiah had been pulled into Arulean’s lap, body gently and desperately rocking and grinding against his. He nearly jumped out of Arulean’s lap, stumbling to catch his feet under wobbling legs. He caught sight of the dark gray scales as Gerrald’s tail went swooping past their field of vision. He ran a hand through his hair, feeling flushed and disoriented but so deeply satisfied, yet still needing more.
He looked back to Arulean, who had already gotten to his feet, pale skin flushed, dark hair mused, thin lips bruised and swollen.
I did that. Rajiah thought, a thrill running through him, heat coiling low in his belly.
“That was the signal.” He said, surprised at how breathless he sounded, his voice hoarse with disuse. He no doubt looked as frantic and disoriented as he felt.
Arulean gestured sharply at an archway across from the one he had entered from. “Go,” He said, eyes finding more focus and clarity than Rajiah felt he was able to. “If Lyphnia is coming, you won’t want her to find you like... this,” He said, voice softening. He took a step forward, running his fingertips from Rajiah’s temple to jaw, tilting his chin up with gentle fingers. “Smelling of me with those prettily bruised lips...” He said softly, sounded distracted and mostly to himself. Rajiah’s toes curled in his boots, body shaking beneath his gentle but firm touch.
“What will you say to her?” Rajiah asked, trying to focus through his need. “You smell like me, too...” And he did, a fact that pleased him greatly.
Arulean threw back his head then and laughed. It was such a deep and surprised sound, one that Rajiah rarely heard but treasured immensely. When he looked back, he was grinning, eyes crinkling at the corners and eyes shining with mirth. It took Rajiah’s breath away, and he was pretty sure his heart stuttered to a stop in his chest.
; “I will not be meeting with her like this.” He said, giving Rajiah a small wink. He felt his brain spark and fizzle, fading to black as it ceased to function. “I’ll be running in the opposite direction. She can only catch one of us.” He teased, playfulness filling his voice, practically brimming with a joyful high that was so unlike him and yet so beautiful.
I did that.Rajiah’s mind repeated.I made him like this, bruised and mused and happy.
His own happy warm bubbled in his chest, speaking out through his limbs as he smirked, tilting his head playfully. “It won’t be me she catches, old man.”
They darted away from each other, each taking a different archway away from their small meeting spot. Rajiah rushed through the maze-like garden in the opposite direction he had entered from, unsure of where he was going but pushing onward anyway, heart pounding in his chest. He ran, but he felt like he was soaring, the sound of Arulean’s laughter echoing in his mind.
Chapter Eight
Arulean had always considered himself a patient man. He saw himself as a man of strong will that couldn’t be broken. He had always been someone who could and would do what needed to be done. He was a man of duty, dedicated to doing what he must to protect and ensure the future of his kind. He was a dragon king, and he was determined to act like it. He was unwavering, unbending, solid in his decisions and firm in his convictions. Temptation was a drug of his youth that he had long since given up, one that no longer had any power over him. He was a firm foundation on which his kind could stand, one that would weather the storm of Lyphnia, an anchor to keep her from running rampant.
And all it took to tear down that conviction was a willful and beautiful omega by the name of Rajiah Bronze.
“You’re glaring...” Gerrald muttered, amusement lacing his tone.
