Page 48 of Killian
“Yes?”
Noirin stuffed a cloth-covered platter into his hands. “I know the gathering you are attending has thousands, but I couldn’t allow you to go without bringing a gift to your mate and the other leaders you will be with tonight.”
“That was kind of you,” Dravyn replied. His sister had extraordinary talent in the kitchen, and Dravyn was pleased to be able to offer something to the leaders who were gracious enough to allow him to join their monthly dance.
With a grin, Noirin shooed him away with her hands. “Go on now, have a wonderful time. Remember everything so you can tell us every detail in the morning while we break our fast.”
Dravyn shuffled out of the house and grabbed a large sack from a small shed they used to hold their belongings while they were shifted. As carefully as he could, Dravyn removed his cloak and wrapped it protectively around the platter his sister had given him. Then he removed the rest of his clothing and quickly shifted into his beast.
It was a painless process that required his form to grow substantially. The moment Dravyn’s arms stretched into wings, he flapped them, and his thick legs thundered across the dirt. The cool air dragged against his scales as he lifted into the sky.With the bag of his clothes and food secured in his teeth, man and beast flew in perfect harmony—both eager to be reunited with the enigmatic and handsome druid.
Once the copse of thick trees that had become his meeting spot with Killian was visible, Dravyn landed softly at the edge, then yanked his clothes on. Dravyn pulled out Noirin’s platter and, with a few strategic folds, tucked the sack into the generous pocket of his cloak. In the distance was the faintest gold light, and Dravyn hurried toward it. Killian came into view. So did the sentinel next to him. It was Baxter. Dravyn had met him and his other half this week as Killian could no longer travel alone.
That was a relief to Dravyn. He wanted nothing to happen to Killian and was pleased his Council wished to keep him safe.
“Good evening, Dravyn,” Killian called out as soon as Dravyn was a few feet away.
“Good evening to you both.”
“Wonderful to see you hale and whole, Dravyn,” Baxter offered. Like Dravyn, he wore a cloak, but it was pulled so far forward he could make out none of the sentinel’s features.
Killian peered at the platter in Dravyn’s hands. “What do you have there?”
“My sister insisted on sending me to your dance with some treats.”
“How generous of you both,” Killian replied, stepping close enough that a rich sensuous scent of toiled earth filled Dravyn’s nose and made him weak in the knees. As Dravyn slowly grew more comfortable in Killian’s presence, he couldn’t ignore how the man enthralled and enticed him. Dravyn swayed in the near-dark as Killian lifted the cloth and grinned. Killian raised that intriguing gaze sparkling with golden flecks to his, and Dravyn felt his smile down to his soul. Dravyn’s cheeks went pink as his manhood thickened in his trousers.
“These pastries look delicious,” Killian said.
Dravyn swallowed and praised Fate he hadn’t drooled over Killian as he would have never recovered from the embarrassment.
“Have one,” Dravyn murmured.
“I would argue that we should wait until we arrive at the dance, but I am far too concerned I will lose my chance to taste one if I deny myself,” Killian replied and handed one to Baxter before taking a second one for himself.
“Especially if Kaedan sniffs them out,” Baxter remarked.
Killian bit into his treat and closed his eyes. The little sound reaching Dravyn’s ears mimicked a moan. In Dravyn’s head, his dragon roared with triumph at the pleasure their mate was experiencing. The thought crossed his mind that it was unfortunate that it was a pastry eliciting such a response from the druid instead of a passionate moment between Dravyn and Killian.
Despite the many nights they’d met, Dravyn had learned little of consequence, but it didn’t stop his infatuation and desire for the druid from growing.
“Her Grace is very talented,” Killian said between bites. Dravyn couldn’t recall when he’d mentioned his sister’s illegal title, but it warmed him that Killian had remembered the detail.
“Agreed,” Baxter added. “Please give Her Grace my thanks. Few things I have tasted in my life rival this.”
Dravyn eagerly stowed away their compliments in his memory so he could tell his sister in the morning. Although Dravyn’s life experience was limited, he believed the men were being truthful. Everything Dravyn had tasted in the years since they had escaped Court Draconis was divine.
“Normally, I don’t encourage Kaedan to try sweets since he is so adept at finding them himself, but we must save at least one pastry for him,” Killian remarked. “As an expert on suchthings, Kaedan will gain even more pleasure from the taste than I did.”
“May I pocket one for my mate?” Baxter asked.
“Of course,” Dravyn replied.
“Take one for Chand too,” Killian ordered as he crafted a magical cloth out of thin air and handed it to Baxter. “He will either get distracted and forget to take one or will leave them on the platter for others to enjoy.”
“As usual, you are correct,” Baxter answered, using the cloth to cover the two treats he was preparing to presumably stow in his cloak.
“I was already planning on sending you home with some fresh things from my garden, but you will have to tell me some of your sister’s favorites so I can grow her some special items too,” Killian told Dravyn.
