Page 74 of No Ordinary Drakeling
Chapter 24
Zane was reluctant to leave Tiri’s presence, so once they returned home from their evening out, he invited him into the living area of their suite, where he usually slept alone. He wasn’t sure if he’d done the right thing by telling Tiri about Chesvarin, but it bothered Zane to keep him in the dark. Tiri was entitled to know the truth, and he didn’t want him to be ignorant of reality. But like revealing his parentage, it was a heavy subject for a date.
After taking a seat on the sofa, Zane patted the cushion next to him. Tiri smiled, placed his bag on the coffee table, and made himself comfortable next to Zane.
“I think you can set down the dragon too,” Zane told the sprite, who was still clutching his prize from the arcade to his chest.
Tiri patted the stuffed beast on his dark head and rather reluctantly set him down on top of his bag. “I didn’t expect to find a black dragon as a prize.”
“They’re rather popular. Court Draconis has the highest concentration of them.”
“I think the three in my family are the most special. I’ll have to get another one in Ellery’s color after he shifts.”
“Black is considered the most powerful color. You don’t think Ellery is going to be like the rest of us?”
“I don’t know. I guess we’ll all find out in a few weeks.”
“Aren’t you afraid for him?”
“No. He says he’ll do it, and I believe him. Ellery knows the rest of you are scared, but he’s not going to let it stop him.”
“We want him to succeed, but we’ve witnessed men fall to their deaths or get torn apart by their dragon. Perhaps we understand the danger a bit better than someone new to the shifter community.”
“The dragon’s inside him. If he trusts him, it’ll work out.”
“I hope to hell you’re right.”
“You owe me a dollar.”
“Before you grab your little notebook from your bag, what if I offered you something else besides a dollar?”
Tiri cocked his head to the right. “Like what?”
“I could offer you a kiss.”
“I accept.”
Zane trailed his fingers over the intricate scrollwork along Tiri’s jawline as the sprite shivered. He pushed his hand into Tiri’s thick locks and cupped his neck, tilting his head back. Then he rested his lips over Tiri’s. It was a heady sensation knowing this man was his for eternity. Tiri had Zane’s forearms in a death grip and for whatever reason, it caused graphic pictures to invade his brain. One after another with him and Tiri entwined. Spurred on by his baser needs, Zane dipped his tongue into Tiri’s mouth.
Although his hormones were screaming and his cock was hardening, he didn’t forget Tiri’s innocence, so he kept the kiss gentle as his mate responded enthusiastically. Tiri was new to intimacy but he was eager, and it was turning Zane’s world upside down. In six and a half centuries of life, he’d never been so easily moved. Desperate for air, Zane nibbled his way toward Tiri’s ear.
“You’re an amazing kisser, Tiri,” he whispered huskily.
“You are too.”
“I can’t believe what a quick learner you are. You’re a natural and the best kisser I’ve been with by far.”
“What?” Tiri asked as he pulled back and his brows snapped together.
Wary of the sudden change in Tiri, Zane treaded carefully. “I was just telling you how incredible your mouth is.”
“Yes, I heard you. I think yours is wonderful too. But you said I’m the best kisser you’ve been with.”
Zane smiled. “I’m not kidding. No one comes close.”
Tiri extricated himself from Zane in a matter of seconds and leveled a hard glare at him once he was standing. “Are you saying you’ve kissed other men? What else have you done with them?”
“Tiri, calm down.”
