Page 23 of The Wrath of Ashes
“Ghreid,” said Ghreiden, forcing a sweet smile.
“Envi.” Draenvir beamed.
“The seven sins against Balthier.” Asha laughed. “So, I’m assuming there’s a lust?”
“Falustus,” Slath agreed.
“And a pride?”
“Lapryda,” Rath added. It seemed important that he speak before Slath, a little jealous.
“Hmm. Envy, greed, wrath, sloth, lust, pride… Gluttony?”
“Galatan.” Envi frowned and silence spread among them. Their eldest brother took hibernation with his parents after losing his first mate. It’d shocked everyone, an assassination in the night before she’d met her change, but Galatan never recovered.
“Sorry if I touched something sensitive.” Asha’s quick apology brought forth soothing assurances that he was no trouble.
“Galatan lost his mate, an Ashen woman. He took sleep with our parents.” Rath quieted as Asha gave him a sympathetic but curious glance.
“Is the sleep like death or something? I apologize for prying.” Asha held up his hands, but Rath shook his head.
“Every hundred years, a dragon may choose to sleep for a few years. Sometimes it helps with illnesses. Father hoped it’d help my mother. She was a sensitive sort, fragile. She took her change poorly. It wasn’t fair to her. And Galatan hoped it’d heal his heart.”
“I see… Will that happen to me?” Asha blinked up, his sweet worry so precious.
Envi snorted. “Not if Pryd and I have anything to say about it. He’ll be in town soon, and I’ll make sure he helps you settle in. He’s all about fun.”
Rath forced a smile and relaxed marginally when Asha finally took a sip, his cheeks tinging pink in surprise. “Oh, this is delicious.”
“Rath put out the good stuff for you.” Envi rolled his eyes. “Look at the poor man, quaking and nervous. Relax, Ashen one. You are family.”
“I think he’s been brought up with expectations and roles for men and women that don’t align with our particular proclivities or natures.” Rath cleared his throat.
“Oh. He’s from a traditionalist land. There is no fear or judgment, Brother.” Slath reached over to pat Asha’s wrist again, making Rath’s jaw twitch.
“And I don’t think he fully grasps what he is. Hearing it from me and Jeron is one thing.”
“You’re an underdeveloped dragon. Coming from human blood makes it difficult to manifest until you’ve found your mate.” Envi waved his hand about dismissively as Asha choked on his wine.
“I would have put that more eloquently and slowly gotten him up to that point.” Rath cleared his throat a bit.
“I… I know you said… Really? This is a lot to—” Asha jumped when a figure entered the room, pushing a cart loaded down with dinner plates.
“I’m not certain what you like to eat, Asha, but if it’s any consolation, I’m not certain what it is, either.” Rath chuckled and glanced down at a plate of rich steamed grains and a dark stew, rich with herbs.
“I took the liberty of telling the kitchens that Asha may not be accustomed to our food, so to go easy on the spices. They can be trying on newcomers, I’ve heard.” Jeron took a seat farther down the table, separating himself from everyone.
“You’ve done very well, Jeron. Thank you.” Rath extended a smile to his former bedservant, and Asha shrank in his chair.
“I don’t wish to put you out.” He pulled his hair out of his face and Rath chanced reaching for him to place a hand on his.
“Not at all.” Rath spoke quietly. “I’ll be very patient with you. Do things at your own time.” Rath withdrew his hand and halted when Asha reached for it and squeezed gently.
“Thank you.” His lips formed those soft words and sent a warmth shuddering through Rath’s body.
“Okay, since it doesn’t look like Rath will eat first, I will.” Ghreid took a bite of his stew, humming with delight. “Mmm! The kitchen’s done it again. Simple, light, a little spice. Try it, Asha!”
Pulled away from the moment, Asha took a tentative bite and then another, sighing with pleasure. “S’good.”
