Page 4 of Soar

“Ouch, that was hurtful.”

“You can find another mate somewhere else.”

“That’s not how this works.” Gregori felt at a loss for words. He’d never heard of a mate arguing like this before.

Salem turned in place to stab a finger against Gregori’s chest, expression fierce and determined. “There can’t be only one right person for someone. It’s not like we’re soulmates.”

“We are,” Gregori corrected gently. He didn’t want to alarm Salem any further, but he had to know the truth, too. “I am yours, as you are mine. Salem, I’m not asking you to give up your life or career on the spot. Just let me court you?—”

“No. If I let you court me, then you’ll expect me to change.” Salem turned on his heel, stopping at the doorway only long enough to cram his feet back into his sandals. He threw a parting shot over his shoulder. “I’m not going to change my mind. I don’t want a dragon mate. Go find someone else.”

The door slammed behind him. Gregori winced and ran a hand through his hair. Well, shit. That didn’t go over well.

What did he do now?

Salem loved his brother dearly, but international travel just took it out of him. Salem was ever so glad to go back home. Especially since he seemed to have picked up a…complication.

Yeah, he wasn’t going to think about Gregori.

Salem had somehow managed to get someone other than Gregori to take him to the airport in time for his flight. Gregori had been insistent, so Salem had had to play a very elaborate game of hide-and-seek, using Sam as cover, until he’d managed to sneak out while Gregori was occupied with something else. It was an early flight, which Salem disliked, but it meant he’d get home at a decent time tonight. Which was necessary. Salem had work tomorrow. He’d taken off as many days as he had dared and now had to pay the piper for it tomorrow. Them’s the breaks.

He was still glad he’d come down here, complication notwithstanding. It had been worth the very long trip down to see his brother with a working magical core and married to a man who adored him. Sam had glowed like Salem had never seen him before. It had almost sparked envy within him. But, well, Sam had always been the one who was good at long-term relationships, unlike yours truly, so it stood to reason Sam was the one to get married. Salem would stick to the hit and runs, thank you muchly.

Salem queued up with everyone else to board the plane, a small carry-on bag hanging off his shoulder and memories of last night flitting through his head. He’d been a bit surprised when Gregori first approached him and flirted. A hookup with a dragon hadn’t been anywhere on his radar. But he’d liked the look of Gregori, his lean, powerful build sparking interest. Then those dark eyes had snared his, hinting at lust and mischief, and Salem had folded like a cheap sheet. The sex had been amazing. Off the charts. Quite probably the best sex of his life, if Salem was honest. If it was like this with Dimitri, Salem didn’t blame Sam for latching on to his man.

All that said, it had kind of been ruined when Gregori had insisted they were mates.

Now, Salem knew the stories. Knew dragons could apparently sense when they’d found the right person. But they were mortal, right? Even they could make mistakes. It was far more likely Gregori had weddings on the brain and had jumped to conclusions. If there was anyone who should not be married, it was Salem.

Salem didn’t really believe there was only “the one” to marry. Frankly, he had seen too many relationships end in disaster. Not everyone made it. Hell, even the majority didn’t seem to make it these days. Salem was aware dragons were the exception to the rule there, too, but he also knew he wasn’t the exception.

Anyway. Not thinking about it.

Salem shuffled up to the door and greeted the stewardess, who was immaculately made up with a pencil skirt and low heels.

For some reason, she looked him over closely before asking in accented English, “Are you Salem Hunter?”

“Uhh…yes, I am.” The hell?

“Your seat has been upgraded to first class.”

Salem stared at her for a full second, not quite registering. First class? Salem had settled for economy, not willing to spend the extra money. Oh, maybe Sam had done this for him. He’d married into a filthy rich family, after all; a few hundred dollars wouldn’t faze him much. That was sweet of him.

“Sounds great.” It honestly did. Not having his kneecaps pressed up against the seat in front of him for hours sounded lovely. Salem would take first class any day.

She escorted him to the second row, window seat, which was his preference. Salem stowed his bag overhead, only taking his Kindle out, and settled in with a sigh of decadent pleasure. He could stretch his legs. He had actual elbow room. Oh my god, this wasawesome. Also terrible, because with this knowledge, how was Salem ever supposed to convince himself back into economy seats? Salem didn’t see it going over well with future him.

He really owed Sam a hearty thank-you for upgrading him.

Someone plopped into the seat next to him. Salem looked up automatically to track who it was and just about came out of his chair.

“Gregori!” Salem hissed, shock crashing through him in waves. “The hell are you doing?!”

The rat bastard grinned at him like his reaction was funny. “I was going to fly myself up, but I thought it might scare the pilot, so I did this instead. This is better, right?”

Salem knew Gregori was speaking English, but he still wasn’t making any sense. “What do you mean you were going to fly up?”

Gregori’s brows twitched into an almost frown. Like he was confused by Salem’s confusion. “You didn’t think I had just let you go?”

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