Page 20 of The Wrath of Ashes
“Sorry!” Asha turned and ducked into the water, hiding his back and averting his eyes. Anything to keep that intense stare from him. Was he disgusted? Was he angry? Asha never promised him he was anything but himself.
“Prince Asha, you do not apologize. Your king should for intruding.” Jeron frowned and put his hands on his hips until Rath’s stare mellowed and he slipped out.
“He doesn’t punish you for that?” Asha stared up at Jeron.
“No. Our king is wise, but young in the years of dragons. He’s not yet met a full century, so he can be a little thoughtless at times and needs a reminder. A leader that is feared is not a leader that is respected. We respect him enough to say our minds to his face, not behind his back.” Jeron reached to tug Asha back up to the side of the pool to daub at the itchingwounds. “Now hold still.” A few more dabs made Asha hiss, and Jeron gave in, bringing his fingers back to scratch the skin gently.
“My father owns one of the best bathhouses in the capital, so I have all the best training and access to the highest quality soaps and oils.” Jeron sat up and drew Asha’s hair back and let his fingers trail through. “And you’ve been scrubbing in wood ash soap.” He tsked lightly and Asha melted under the gentle touch.
“If your father is that important, why are you here scrubbing my back?” Asha glanced over his pale shoulder and caught Jeron’s amused smile.
“Because I’m the third son. I don’t inherit anything. I do not care for women, so I won’t carry on my family name, so it was the best decision. My family was proud of me when our king chose me for service.”
“Yeah…” Asha stared down at the water, comparing his own reflection to Jeron’s soft features, so petite and sweet, soft in all the ways Asha had hard edges. “Are you… mad that Rath found me?”
Jeron paused for a moment, and there was a hesitation in his touch. “Hmm. That’s a loaded question. My duty to Rath was temporary. I’d serve for three years and be given money to start my own venture or seek a trade. Rath is a wonderful lover and would have paid my contract in full regardless, and he was a very attentive lover, but I am merely something to placate the beast.Youwill tame him.” Jeron chuckled. “Besides, I think I love serving the royal family more than anything else. And between you and me…” Jeron leaned down and whispered. “Our king is a bit toolargefor my taste.”
Jeron chuckled and Asha swallowed hard. He remembered how it had felt, pressed up against him on their ride, so thick and heated. He ached to feel it inside him, reaching into his depths, far more than a finger could.
“I’ve… I’ve never bedded anyone before.” Asha’s breath faltered as he whispered back, his cheeks hot.
“Oh. My word. Do you want to fill or be filled, my prince?” Jeron chuckled, and Asha whimpered, unsure of what to say.
“D-don’t… I don’t know I— It’s not proper.”
“Says who? Your shit god? Balthier in your nation, right? I didn’t think he forbade the love within genders.” Jeron puzzled as he poured something sweet and floral into Asha’s hair and scrubbed gently, sending comforting sensations through Asha’s tightly strung body.
“Says the law. A man is not to engage with another man as the dragons would. It is unseemly and an affront to the king.” Asha had oft recited that phrase and when it came from his lips, it lost all meaning. His king was Rath, now.
“Figures. Leave it to Ramolians and Monsmountians to start passing laws against existing. What’s wrong with loving a male?” Jeron continued his gentle scrubbing.
“It’s simply not done. It’s not natural—they can’t have children—” Asha paused, because that wasn’t true, was it? Rath had said.
“Because if two humans mate, they can’t make more babies to grow up into strong men to fight their silly wars. Hah. And fates willing, you two will bear a few children. Oh, they’re going to be so cute!” Jeron splashed his feet in the water excitedly before dumping a pail over Asha’s head, letting the ruddy water spill free.
“Rath said, umm… An egg?” Asha’s cheeks burned fiercely.
“One of you. Both of you? You never can tell with Ashen male couplings.” Jeron shrugged.
“I can’t imagine Rath heavy with child.” Asha laughed, and Jeron snickered.
“Oh, half the staff and both his brothers would pay dearly to see that. He’s such a dominant male.” Jeron giggled andworked a rich lather over a rag and ran it over Asha’s neck and shoulders, raising his arms. “Hmm…”
“Something wrong?” Asha glanced over. “I know I have a lot of scars.”
“What scars?” Jeron blinked as Asha turned and frowned up at him before covering his groin and letting Jeron scrub at his chest.
“The ones on my back.” Asha didn’t move his hands.
“There’s no scars back there.” Jeron frowned.
“I think he means his Ashen mark,” Rath supplied helpfully from the other room.
“One would think you a king and not an eavesdropper, sir.” Jeron frowned. “Be away with you.”
“It’s my castle!”
“And it’s your mate’s room. Now please. Let me soothe him while you ready yourself for dinner. You’re in those stiff traveling clothes, and one might hope you’d like to enjoy a little fire rum and the hearth after. Does that sound nice, my prince?” Jeron prodded Asha.
