Page 75 of No Ordinary Drakeling
“I will not. I’m innocent, and you’re supposed to be as well. That’s how mates come to each other.”
Realizing he was on slippery ground, Zane tried to take Tiri’s hands to bring him closer, but his other half wasn’t having it. He slapped them away and put two large steps between them. “Tiri, sprites lack sexuality before they meet their other halves. Dragons, we don’t work that way. We reach sexual maturity in our teens and then—”
“And then you give your body to strangers. That is sacred and meant for your mate,” Tiri yelled. “Chieftain Chesvarin wasright. Dragons are unclean.”
“Tiri—”
Zane called after him but Tiri wasn’t listening. He stormed out of the room with Zane hot on his heels, and it didn’t matter how many times he yelled Tiri’s name, the sprite didn’t slow his stride. “Where are you going?”
“It’s no concern of yours,” Tiri shouted as he ripped open the door to their suite and charged down the hallway. The condo was darkened as their family had already retired to their rooms but that didn’t stop Tiri from barging toward the emperor’s private living space. When the sprite got there, he pounded on the wood with his fist.
“Tiri, for Fate’s sake—”
The door was swiftly opened to reveal a confused Chrysander. “Is everything okay? Zane?”
Tiri straightened his tunic. “I apologize for bothering you so late, Chrysander, but I wish to speak with Ellery. Can you please go get him?”
“I can certainly take you up to his room. He’s upstairs in a guest space.”
Tiri’s gasp was so loud, Zane half expected him to pass out from lack of air. “Not only do you disgrace your mate by denying him a ceremony, but you don’t even allow him to share your space?” the sprite screeched.
“Tiri—” Zane tried to grab Tiri’s arm but again was denied. The enraged sprite leveled a murderous glare at Chrysander, then turned on his heel.
“What’s wrong with you dragons? He’s not a guest. This is his home, and you’re his other half. Why would you shame him so? He has donenothingto deserve this,” Tiri bellowed. He waved a hand in the air. “Perhaps you keep your distance because you think he’s going to die but I assure you, he is going to be the most beautiful dragon to ever breathe. And unlike you unchaste beasts, he is all that is worthy and pure.”
“What the hell did you do to Tiri?” Chrysander demanded.
“Sorry about this, I’ll explain later. I’ve got to go calm him down.”
“He’s going to wake Ellery before you get the chance to do that,” Chrysander complained as he followed Zane, who was trailing after Tiri. His mate was muttering loudly about how unappreciated Ellery was and everything that was wrong with dragons as he stomped up the stairs toward the emperor’s guest room. Once he got to the top of the stairs, he pounded on the first door he arrived at, which happened to be Costas’s.
Finally at the top of the staircase, Zane thought he could get Tiri’s attention, but the sprite had other ideas. He didn’t even say a word to Costas, just glowered and moved down the hallway. Rapping sharply on the wood, it opened to reveal the elegant elf-drakeling with a concerned expression.
“Ellery, these dragons are too cruel to you,” Tiri cried out. “A guest room? You’re in aguestroom.”
The hybrid lifted his chin and glanced at Chrysander, his face an inscrutable mask, then turned his attention to Tiri. “Come inside. We will talk.”
Without another word, Tiri slid through the door and Ellery closed it. The snick of the lock was loud in the quiet hallway.
Costas scratched his head. “Can I ask what the fuck is going on?”
“Sorry, guys. Tiri was unaware that dragons don’t lack sexuality like sprites.”
“I guess he didn’t take your non-virginal status very well,” Chrysander commented dryly.
“Frankly, he seemed more pissed off that Ellery’s in a guest room,” Costas observed.
“Well, would someone like to explain to me what I’m supposed to do? If I put him in my room, I’m going to shame him by seducing him. Now I’m shaming him by respecting his innocence enough to give him space until our mating ceremony?” Chrysander demanded.
“I love you, Chrys, but I’ve got problems of my own,” Zane retorted.
Chrysander let out an audible sigh. “I have a feeling neither one of us is going to see our man before sunrise. Let’s go back to bed.”
“You two need to work on your communication skills,” Costas barked as he sauntered to his room.
“We’ll just see how well you do when your other half shows up,” Zane snapped as he followed Chrysander toward the stairs.
“I’m sure I’ll fuck it up just like you two,” Costas agreed pleasantly, then disappeared.
