Page 37 of Accounting for Drakes

“Then, may I share a kiss with you?”

“There are people around.”

He chuckled and halted. “There really aren’t.”

She glanced around, and he was right. They were at the edge of the lookout, and there was no one but them.

Orwon caressed her hair and tucked it behind her ear. “Just one kiss and meet me halfway.”

She sighed. “I kiss like a drake.”

He grinned. “We can expound on that.”

She looked at him and leaned in, lifting herself up, and he was truthful. He met her halfway.

His mouth was warm against her closed lips, and then, they moved, and when she was pressed entirely against him, he wrapped an arm around to support her, and she tasted him, and he tasted her, and they continued as they vibrated softly together.

When they parted, she was flushed and warm. His hands had been respectful and supportive. The tendrils on the side of his face had caressed her cheeks, but now, they were flat against his features except for one little tendril waving happily.

Nanitha giggled, reached up, and smoothed the happy little tendril down. “Very cute.”

“Thank you. The darkness that wraps me is one of the things that has made me wait for my proper match. It got very excited when it saw you, but it was also confused.”

She chuckled. “It wasn’t confused; it was eager to see if I matched. I can confirm that I do, but I think I need to think about things now.”

He chuckled and stroked her cheek. “You are staying at the palace?”

“Oh, no. I have a place in the city. I didn’t know when she would arrive, but I knew she would. I needed a separate residence.” She smiled. “As tomorrow is formal, I will wear my actual biped form to the wedding. The rituals begin at dawn, so I should get to bed.”

He chuckled. “My beast is freaking out.”

“He can cool his jets, or I will take a bite out of his tail every time he annoys me.” She smiled.

“Well, that did it. May I escort you to your home?”

“Certainly. It is in the city limits.”

“The sooner we get you to bed, the sooner I see you in the morning.”

She chuckled, and they walked back to the city. It was far slower than their walk out to the cliff that overlooked an ocean reflecting a sky full of stars. That had all seemed inconsequential to the soft smile and hope in his eyes. Orwon’s entire body resonated with hers, and her drake felt it.

They walked through the night market, and she showed him her favourite fruit vendor, the place she bought her silks, and poor Mal who was working into the night to fill Abil’s order.

He looked up warily. “What can I get for you, Madam?”

“I am just showing my friend where I shop. He is trying to get a feel for my tastes.”

“Yours or your friend’s?”

“Mine.”

“Oh. Right. Opals. Madam loves opals in platinum.”

Orwon chuckled. “Why does that not surprise me?”

Mal brought out her purchase history prior to Abil’s arrival. “Here you are.”

Orwon flipped through the pages and grinned. “Good. This is good information.”

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