by Nicki Ruth
Cade turned toward him, surprised by Jason’s change in attitude.
“I’ll forgive you, and we can put this all behind us once you turn this ship around.”
Cade’s lips tugged upwards. “You’ll forgive me?”
Jason nodded. “You’re lucky I’m willing to let this go.” He shrugged. “You made a mistake. It happens.”
Cade sobered and said firmly, “I’ve never been mistaken.”
Jason rolled his eyes and walked over to the ship’s navigational center. “Everyone makes mistakes, Cade. Even you. So, let’s just punch in—”
“How are your headaches, Jason?” he asked, getting back to the task he had for Jason, who looked up and stilled. “You don’t have them because you’re not fighting against what’s inside you. You’re focused on fighting me. Do you want to know why that is, or not?” Cade rounded on him. “I said I’ll take you to someone who can tell you more about your wings. That’s where we’re going. Then I’ll take you back to Damurios if you wish.”
Jason fidgeted, biting his lower lip and drumming his fingers on the panel. Cade could tell he was torn between discovering the answers to all he’d experienced recently and going back to the safety of Damurios.
“And I have your word? I meet this person, they tell me about getting rid of the wings, then I return home?” he asked.
Cade suppressed a groan. Jason was still focused on removing his wings. Others would kill to even see wings like his.
“Yes. You have my word. I’ll take you to meet Karina, and you hear all we have to say and show you. Then you can return if you wish.”
∞∞∞
Jason agreed to Cade’s terms, but he remained wary and reluctant to get into another stalemate fight. It would be difficult to incapacitate Cade to get command of the ship, an option he still held on to.
But he had another growing concern; he’d need to drink soon.
He could probably go a couple more days, but his reliance on his sire’s blood was going to be a problem. Contrary to what Brandr and Marius thought, he had tried to drink from others. He just couldn’t keep blood other than his sire’s down. Without Alexios’ blood, he wasn’t sure what he’d do. But there was no way he was going to let Cade know that.
“So, you want to continue what you were saying earlier? I have nothing else to do,” he sank into a chair and flicked his wrist at Cade, who simply raised a brow, amused.
He burned with curiosity about Cade, what he was, and what he’d said. Jason definitely saw a projection of some kind of horned beast snarling at him when Cade punched him. Was he really a dragon?
But he was trying to play it cool; act disinterested by the things Cade said and did. The handsome man across from him definitely had wings, great big ones at that, and he could breathe fire.
“Vahanas are an ancient, divine race who were once companions of the gods. Together, we rode into battle, we delivered their messages, and protected their chosen followers. I’m a drogulis. Fire is my essence. There are—”
“Can I see your wings?” Jason cut in.
Cade stared at him with an unreadable expression. Jason could tell he didn’t like being interrupted.
“Fine,” he grumbled. Then, with a loud snap, large bat-like wings unfurled from Cade’s back. Jason jumped in surprise. They spanned the room, at least three times the length of Cade. Each wing had a clawed talon that flexed open and close as if waving. They shimmered in the dim light, golds interlaced with greens, that matched the iridescent scales on Cade’s face. Jason rose to reach out and touch one, but Cade folded them into his back, where they disappeared. He pouted but sat back down.
Cade smirked. “So, as I was saying, there are many different types of vahana. Those with wings were the highest-ranking members of the race, able to carry their god companion long distances—some, even through space and time. Each had unique abilities chosen by the gods and—”
“Like yours? The fire. Can I see?” He interrupted again, much to Cade’s annoyance, which Jason was glad to see reflected on his face.
“Yes. I’m fire. I encompass all types of fire.”
“Types of fire? What do you mean?”
Cade sighed and sat down near the window. “Well, you’re aware of fire that burns, releases heat. That is one type of fire—warming fire. But there is cold fire, which also burns. There is fire that destroys, and fire that cleanses, heals, and ushers in new life. You can tell them apart by the color of their flame. Red, blue, orange . . . many different colors that can be combined.”
Jason leaned forward in his seat, awaiting the rest. Was that why he didn’t get burned when Cade blew flames on him—it wasn’t burning fire but some other type of fire?
What was he thinking? Was he falling for this?
As if Cade read his mind, he lifted his hand to his mouth and blew into it. To Jason’s astonishment, an orange and green ball of flame fluttered in his palm, gently undulating, its glow entrancing. Cade rose from his chair, walked over to him, and extended his hand.
Silently, Jason looked up at the fire-breather, unsure what was happening. Cade took Jason’s hand and slowly placed the ball of dancing flames onto it. It was warm but didn’t burn, although it tickled his skin. Jason gazed in awe, speechless at the flickering miracle in his hand.
Cade stooped down next to him. “You see, Jason? There’s still much wonder left in the universe that awaits you, that you’re a part of.”
∞∞∞
Cade gazed at Jason’s wide-eyed look of innocent wonderment. Jason was moving his hand to and fro as the flaming wisps skirted across his skin. Cade took the time to count the light dusting of freckles on Jason’s cheek, the dark brown waves of his hair that fell carelessly into his eyes, which were rimmed with long, dark-fringed lashes. He was a beauty—young and full of excitement and wholesomeness he tried valiantly to hide.
It pleased him tremendously that Jason was so taken with his flame. His drogulis pride took delight in having his flames so admired. The beast within him preened at producing such a flame. Jason turned to him, and Cade sucked in a breath at the young man’s expression.
“It’s beautiful,” Jason whispered.
Cade’s heart began to pound in his chest, and his tongue grew heavy. His nostrils flared as the scent of Jason suddenly assaulted him, confusing him with a barrage of sensations.
They remained like that, staring at each other, even as Jason’s face flushed and his eyes darkened. Cade’s gaze dipped and lingered on Jason’s lips, which parted, and he imagined his own pressing against them, tasting him. He jerked back, blinking rapidly when his beast rumbled within him, wanting to come forth with flames for the young man before him.
“I . . . uh, should go . . . deal with the . . .” Cade stood abruptly and retreated from the bridge.
Chapter 6
Cade was relieved when they finally arrived on Rosthos, a sparsely inhabited planet in Sector D of the Arenthian system. He and Karina had chosen it because its upper atmosphere was perpetually shrouded in cloud and mist, protecting them from prying eyes. And although it rained daily, it was otherwise a beautiful planet. It was dotted with gigantic, bulbous trees, high mountain peaks and jagged valleys.
Thousands of waterfalls and rivers traversed the otherwise rocky landscape, which was interspersed with deciduous forests and brush lands on flat areas. The neighboring planet Scian, with its five distinctive rings, dominated the skyline of Rosthos when the clouds periodically pulled back their opaque curtain.
After their awkward exchange on the bridge, Cade tried to keep his distance from Jason. But he was never far from his thoughts. The scent of Jason continued to assail him, and he spent restless days in a constant state of arousal and discomfort.
Jason remained quiet, not saying much other than asking rudimentary questions. But his yellow eyes remained on Cade, following him, observing every move he made. Cade tried not to give in to his desire to let his eyes linger on Jason, afraid he wouldn’t be able to turn
away. But he secretly enjoyed the lazy way Jason lounged around, his broad shoulders slouching as he leaned over the navigational panels, and the way he stared at Cade.
Wanting, waiting.
It didn’t help that all Cade thought about was bathing Jason in his fire, his beast eager to claim him.
“Welcome to our sanctuary,” Cade said, ushering Jason forward.
After collecting his gear, they left the ship in a covered hangar that Cade glamoured, disguising its location. He took all precautions to keep their hideaway concealed.
“What’s the name of this planet?” Jason asked.
Cade had no intention of telling him just yet. “It’s a secret.”
Jason snorted brushing past him as they came to a densely forested area.
“Wait. There are hidden pitfalls in this forest. Stay close to me,” Cade warned and turned toward the direction of a river in a shallow valley below.
They hiked down, careful of the rocks and roots in their way. At the bottom, near the pebbly bank, Cade blew green flames toward some brambles. The vegetation burned away, revealing a large canoe with one oar. Jason bounded up to Cade, reaching to touch what was left of the leaves that curled under the flame. Cade smiled to himself at the giddy look on Jason’s face.
Cade loaded the boat with his gear, dragged it to the river, and waited for Jason. Once Jason was satisfied with his inspection of the sundered brush, he strolled over to Cade.
“That was interesting. Will it grow back?” he asked.
Cade nodded to the spot where Jason had stood. “See for yourself.”
Jason’s mouth fell open when he looked back. Branches were already beginning to extend their woody arms from their singed stems, and green seedlings slowly emerged from the earth.
“Come, Jason, we still have a long way to go.”
∞∞∞
Jason shivered and tried to pull his coat closed. It was difficult to shelter within it since the wings were so bulky. It had begun to rain, but it seemed the wet and cold didn’t bother Cade, who stood at the back of the boat, steering them with the large oar.
They’d been on the river for about an hour. Neither spoke, and even though Jason couldn’t stand the awkward tension between them, he remained silent.
Ever since that time on the bridge when Cade gave him his flame, things had changed between them. Jason cursed himself for being so weak, almost giving in to his urge to kiss the man.
But there was something about him that Jason found irresistible. He was strong, though how strong Jason didn’t know, since Cade clearly took it easy on him when they fought. His body was also quite fine. Hard and warm. And even though he was a kidnapping jerk, there was much compassion and kindness in a man who wanted to find and protect his lost people.
He was fire—Cade had said of himself. But it was Jason who burned for him.
The boat lurched and Jason, not paying attention, almost fell into the cold water, which had gotten choppier.
“Hold on, you don’t want to fall in,” Cade said unhelpfully.
Jason rolled his eyes and set himself back to rights. Then he noticed a pounding roar vibrating against his chest. It was almost deafening. He scanned the water to find its source.
“Cade. What’s that?” he shouted above the growing din.
“The waterfall.”
“So why are we heading toward it?” Jason balked and clumsily scrambled backward, but Cade looked unconcerned.
“Cade! What are you doing?” Jason screamed at him.
There was a light quirk on Cade’s mouth, but he kept his eyes forward, the oar slicing evenly into the rough waters that rocked the boat.
“Cade!” he shouted again, as the foaming mouth of the falls loomed toward them. The boat rocked as Jason gripped the sides. He wouldn’t survive going over the edge.
“Cade,” he whimpered, gripping Cade’s leg as they reached where the river fell away to nothing. Jason closed his eyes and braced himself to topple over, but surprisingly he remained as he was.
A surge of energy passed through him, and when he opened his eyes, he saw they were still on the river, not a turbulent wave to be seen. He looked back to see a white mist marking where they had come from. Cade’s rumbling laugh caught his attention, and Jason saw green eyes twinkling at him.
“You’re such a jerk, you know that?” Jason fumed, lurching to his feet, but his sudden movement rocked the boat, tipping it to the side. He hit the water and yelped as its cold grip seeped quickly to his bones.
Cade laughed at him floundering in the water, and with a loud whoop jumped in, splashing water in Jason’s outraged face.
∞∞∞
Cade and Jason wrestled in the water, taking turns dunking each other under the once placid surface. Cade laughed as Jason sputtered and complained, since he was the one being dunked, waterlogged wings weighing him down and making him slow. Amusement bubbled within Cade at Jason’s feigned indignation. He hadn’t missed the light in his eyes or the easy way he laughed. Jason was enjoying himself, and Cade was glad.
“All right, enough horsing around. You play too much,” Cade announced.
Jason splashed water in his face. “Me? You’re the one getting me wet!”
Cade laughed. “We should dry off before it gets dark. I’ll make us a fire.”
He waded from the water feeling Jason’s intense gaze on him. He got the fire going and stripped but kept his leather pants on, assuming it would make Jason more comfortable.
At least, that was what he convinced himself.
Jason grudgingly exited the river and started to do the same. They laid their tunics on rocks stacked around the fire to help them dry. Jason poked branches into the glowing embers as Cade headed to the surrounding woods. After finding what he sought, he returned to their camp to see Jason sprawled near the fire, his unwavering gaze resting on Cade as he emerged from the woods.
“We should get clean. I’ve found us some spontlin leaves. Karina won’t like it if we returned with outside microbes on our skin.” He dumped a handful of the leaves on Jason’s chest.
“But we just got out of the water!” he exclaimed theatrically.
Cade kept walking toward the river. “Come on, fleabag,” he called over his shoulder.
He heard grumbling, then some splashing as Jason waded into the river. Cade remained in waist-deep water and began to scrub himself with the leaves. Jason just looked at the leaves in his hand.
“Do as I do, and make sure to scrub your hair, too,” Cade told him.
Jason gave him a sour look. “I don’t have fleas.”
Cade sniggered and moved to stand in front of Jason. He took the leaves from him, balled them in his fist and proceeded to rub Jason’s chest and shoulders, releasing the strong–smelling antibacterial sap.
“Like so. See? Not so hard,” he teased.
Jason watched the movement of Cade’s hand over his body in silence. When Cade reached behind to scrub his back, Jason visibly relaxed and sighed. Cade continued to scrub Jason’s skin, fingers rubbing and massaging his scalp. Jason closed his eyes and moaned.
Cade licked his lips at the sound leaving Jason’s throat and stepped closer, their chests almost touching.
Jason’s scent, mingled with the pungent smell of the leaves, intoxicated him. He wanted to taste him, wanted to feel Jason against him. Cade grew bold and his hands roamed lower across Jason’s torso. He let out a ragged breath as they dipped below the waistband of Jason’s pants, following the light trail of hair there.
Jason opened his eyes and gave Cade a smoldering look that left him dizzy. Jason bit his lip, pushing his hip forward. A low growled escaped Cade when he encountered Jason’s smooth, swollen cock. Their eyes locked, yellow and green fusing, much unspoken passing between them.
Cade’s hand encircled the stiff flesh and began pumping up and down with slow, deliberate strokes. Jason gripped Cade’s waist as he increased his pace without breaking the water’s surface. Jason’s breathing g
rew labored, and with heavy-lidded eyes, he continued to look at Cade full of lust and want. But soon his head fell back, exposing his neck as he whimpered and shuddered. Cade watched entranced as a bead of water rolled its way down Jason’s exposed throat, pooling into the hollow at its base, then running lower between his pecs, pausing beside a brown mole marking his skin, before disappearing into the waters below.
He didn’t interrupt his pace even when Jason’s cock swelled in his hand, ready to erupt. Jason’s grip on Cade tightened as he cried out, and Cade released a low hum in approval as the water grew warm around his hand. He continued to pump Jason’s cock as he twitched and quaked, riding out his orgasm.
Cade slowly released Jason and waited, wanting to see his eyes again, hoping he wouldn’t find remorse there. After the last tremor left his body, Jason revealed his yellow gaze. His expression was dazed and unfocused. He blinked and stared at Cade, who held his breath, heart hammering in his chest. Cade hadn’t meant to do that, but he’d spent several hours wondering, fantasizing, how pleasure would look on Jason.
“Jason, I . . .” he whispered hoarsely.
Jason blinked again, then gave him a blinding smile, fangs and all. Cade let out the breath he was holding, just as Jason crushed his lips to his. Cade welcomed the surprise and opened for him, his misgivings melting away.
They surrendered to each other hungrily. Jason moaned into Cade mouth as he pressed their bodies together, sending them deeper into the welcoming water. Cade couldn’t remember the last time he kissed anyone or the last time he felt his heart pounding in his chest as it was at that moment.
Chapter 7
They sat shoulder to shoulder beside the fire, both lost to the dancing flames. Jason’s body tingled all over. He’d wanted to continue kissing and touching Cade, and more, but Cade insisted they return to the shore where they donned their dried tunics and sat in front the fire. He turned to Cade, his blond hair still damp and matted. Jason resisted the urge to run his fingers through it.
