Page 77 of No Ordinary Drakeling
Chapter 25
Tiri didn’t sleep well, and before the sun rose he’d folded his borrowed blanket, then returned his bed to a couch. As quietly as he could, he snuck out of Ellery’s guest space, so he didn’t wake the hybrid. Already fond of Ellery, he was worried over his matebond. In Tiri’s mind, Chrysander had a lot to make up for, but he would keep those thoughts to himself. He didn’t want things to be awkward between him and his new best friend. If he were being honest, he was also concerned about Ellery’s desire to cast his elven side into the past.
Fate would want him to honor being a dragon as well an elf, but perhaps that was something Ellery needed to discover on his own. Tiri would be there to listen whenever Ellery wanted to talk about his life. In the meantime, Tiri had his own relationship to mend. He had overreacted to Zane’s admission the previous night, but his blood was pumping through his body, and hearing that others had caused that feeling inside of his other half pissed him off.
Hoping that Zane was already awake, Tiri hurried to his room. When he opened the door, he found a solemn dragon sitting on the couch.
Tiri lifted his chin. “I would like to offer my most sincere apology for my words and actions. I didn’t understand that dragons don’t keep themselves chaste, and though I would prefer if you hadn’t been with other men, I know you didn’t have relations with them to hurt me.”
Zane stood and walked over so there were only a few inches separating them. “You don’t have to apologize. I didn’t exactly pick the best time to enlighten you about dragon culture, and I’m sorry that I didn’t live up to your expectations.”
“I can understand how you’d want to investigate these feelings. When I’m around you, sometimes I feel as if I’m burning from the inside out.”
Zane’s smile was gorgeous. “Really? Tell me more.”
Tiri crossed the small distance between them and wrapped his arms around Zane. His cheeks heated as he thought about how hard Zane could make him with no effort at all. “You’re wicked.”
“I have an idea,” Zane confessed as he smoothed his hands over Tiri’s back.
“I hope it’s that we could take off our clothes now,” Tiri muttered into his shirt.
“And you think I’m wicked. Nice try, sprite, but I have to go to work.”
Tiri managed to suppress his sigh of disappointment. “What’s your idea?”
“We’re off to D’Vaire this weekend. What do you think about having a real mating ceremony? We could exchange rings as dragons do and have a big celebration.”
Tiri lifted his head from Zane’s chest. “You wish to celebrate being my mate?”
“Of course I do.”
“I’d like that very much, but I do have one condition.”
“Lay it on me.”
“If we’re going to celebrate our bond, then we must complete it. I’d like my dragon bite.”
Zane grinned and leaned down to kiss him. “I think I can manage that.”
“But we’ll do that in private.”
“Darn right we will. Will you teach me how to braid and decorate your hair?”
“You wish to learn?”
“Absolutely. You’re my mate, and I want to respect you as well as your culture.”
“I’d be happy to teach you.”
“Will you add a braid with teal beads and thread to mine?”
“You should also have one of black for your dragon. I want to honor your culture too. Just not the part where you have sex with others. Ellery says that can happen even after you meet your mate. I believe I should be able to retaliate by severing you from your private areas if you cheat on me.”
Zane’s brows lifted in surprise. “Rest assured, my bits will be safe. I wouldn’t dream of being with anyone else, and no one in the world compares to you anyway.”
“I’m also going to keep an eye on Chrysander. He’s treating Ellery unfairly.”
“Baby, we can’t interfere in a matebond.”
