Page 27 of The Wrath of Ashes
“I see.” Rath scooted toward him, brushing shoulders for a moment before his hair spilled over Asha’s arm and warm scent wrapped itself around him. “Please, may I kiss you? I promise no more.”
“Mm-hmm.” Asha couldn’t form words, merely nodded and stilled when Rath’s fingers tilted his chin up, face sweeping in.
“Do not fight me. Let me in, Ashen one.” Rath leaned in, his breath honeyed and spiced. Asha’s lips parted and Rath’s pressed into them, tongue curling. Ice and fire rushed through Asha’s chest, drawing him into tremors of utter bliss.
Asha’s jaw muscles ached as if he’d tasted the sweetest thing, and Rath’s cool tongue twirled to curl into his mouth. With a twist of Rath’s tongue, Asha’s eyes twinged, closing as he released a whimpering noise, prompting Rath to pull away. Asha couldn’t close his mouth, couldn’t bear to look, to lay witness to the disappointment sure to be in Rath’s eyes. Instead, though, his cool hand swept to his neck and a soft kiss sealed Asha’s lips.
“I’ll teach you how to enjoy yourself in time, if you wish. I promise.” Rath’s husky voice made Asha want to peek.
Asha opened his eyes and stared at Rath, taking in his placid expression. The heat that melted into concern. A soft thumb caressed Asha’s cheek and drew back, glistening.
“Why do you cry?” Rath stared at the tear.
Asha took a shivering breath. “I’ve spent a lifetime being told to hate dragons, and since my boyhood passed, I’ve not known why nature made me look upon men like I should women, made me look at men like I was the woman.” Asha choked down the tears that came with those words.
“When the time comes that I make you comfortable enough to explore that side of yourself, and there’s no rush with that. Do not feel obligated. I will make do and don’t let me or anyone else tell you differently. Your body is not mine, no matter how much I want it.” Rath trailed a hand down his neck, letting his claws prickle, then down his sleeve to brush their fingers together, smiling as Asha reveled in the spark of magic.
“How can I move forward when I’m all wrong? I shouldn’t want this.”
Rath snorted. “Am I wrong?”
“But you. You don’t want to have a man inside you. You are the dominant one.” Asha wiped at his eye and gasped when Rath pulled him closer, coaxing him to lay his head in Rath’s lap.
“No, but Slath does. I recall. We don’t differentiate. But you’ll learn in time.” Rath stroked through his softened hair, still sleek with Jeron’s oils and combing. Magic trailed and followed his fingertips, making Asha squirm in strange ways, very aware of how close his face was to Rath’s groin.
“Isn’t he seen as less for that? Is that why he isn’t king?” Asha whimpered and silenced.
“No!” Rath laughed, the sound deep and sensual. “Slath had no talent for learning or listening. We were raised to seek our desires, and we all did. I just happened to agree with power and when Father wanted to hand his crown down, I accepted. I’m king because I wanted it and I was good at delegation. I think three steps ahead and don’t intervene in needless wars. I learn things. And I think life is too precious to waste. I hope you’ll grow to understand that.”
Asha nodded. “You’ve shown me much kindness so far, and some humans have not. Until you show me otherwise, I will trust.”
“That’s all I could ever wish for.” Rath trailed his fingers once more, and Asha shivered, not wanting the touch to stop, but sleep took him quickly.
Chapter Eleven
Mezerath
Rath wandered the halls of his family’s keep, mind stuck on his mate and as far away from the business of the kingdom as it could possibly be. Curiosity had him wandering ever closer to Envi’s study. His brother, just as dark-haired as he was, slightly more slender, with a more human countenance about his face, kept his meager quarters isolated from most of the castle. A feature that Asha probably enjoyed.
Soft voices caught his attention.Asha!“I don’t think I can do this.”
Rath wandered in, his boots falling ever so gently on the carpeted runner of the hallway, the floors not even giving a squeak. He couldn’t help eavesdropping.
“Nonsense. I feel the magic in you. Just focus.” Envi’s patient voice drew Rath to peer into the cracked door. Asha’s magic slapped him in the face, teeming and trying to escape.
“Rath!” Asha yelped, fumbling a chalice of water in his hands. There wasn’t time to react as he clawed for it and gasped in pure shock as the water hit the floor in shards as it shattered, frozen so solid that gentle curls of mist rolled off the surface.
“Baltheir’s graces, I’m so sorry!” Asha knelt down to scoop the pieces and the chalice up, but Rath, mesmerized, pulled him up ever so gently.
“Gods alive, Rath! I’ve been at it with him all morning and all he’s done is leak all over the place. One glance from you has him frozen solid.” Envi plucked the chalice from the floor and flicked his hand. A gentle flame swam over the floor, turning the water to steam, and gone in an instant without damaging the wood below. Asha didn’t flinch, accustomed to the fire.
Rath smiled, and Asha fidgeted, staring at the floor. In his mesmerized state, Rath drew Asha’s face up to stare into his budding mate’s eyes. “Don’t look at the floor before me. You did well. You’ll be a dragon in no time.”
The glimmer in Asha’s eyes faded, still reserved about the wholedragonthing. Being reminded of it didn’t help. “Thanks.” He cast his gaze away and Envi shooed Rath off.
“Brother. Let me spend time with your mate. You set his magic on edge. Patience.” Envi waved Rath off, and, chastened, he stepped away, but Asha reached out, as if to comfort him, making him pause.
“Yes?” Rath smiled at Asha, catching his pretty eyes. So gorgeous.
