Page 37 of The Wrath of Ashes
“I didn’t much think Slath capable of beating anyone,” Nadi said, earning a snort of laughter from Ghreid.
“I was upset, but it woke his dragon, so I’ve been more distracted by that particular aspect than I have been angered.” Rath buried the urge to smile while focusing more intently on his embroidery. Whoever had said embroidery was a womanly art, had never seen a tenacious dragon before. The art was practically a sorcerer’s task. Every stitch had purpose he pushed his magic into. Though, if he focused any more on Asha’s beautiful scales and his thick, warm tail, the magic he’d beweaving would end up being fertility blessings and virility charms.
“I heard he’s a white.” Ghreid’s thin lips quirked into a half smile. As swarthy as Rath was, taking more after his father, Ghreid was the opposite, all pale hair and untanned skin. He looked every bit the Monsmountian noble.
“Fire opal,” Nadi corrected him, earning a hum of approval.
“None expected you to be the bearer, but it’s always relieving to hear when you know your partner’s designation prematurely.” Ghreid leaned over Rath’s desk and stared down the handiwork, fingers traversing a few heavy sheafs of parchment with a frown. “Brother? Do reject this trade agreement. I rather think he misunderstood when I told him he’d never sell his wares in our kingdom again. He thinks he’s clever by using his wife’s name.”
Rath double-checked the paper and frowned. “I want to be spiteful and let him cross the borders with wares to seize his assets, but that looks like a lot of work. Send him a response in turn that says we’ll reinstate his original merchant permits if he pays restitution and fines.”
“Excellent idea, Brother.” Ghreid tidied the collar of his shirt before taking his orders from Nadi. “And when is the ceremony? I’ll rush this.”
“Five days. I’d be wedding him tonight, but it’ll take that long at least to get some of the council to show up.” Rath sighed heavily.
“Have you any invitations? I’ll deliver a few while I’m out. Give them time to bring agift.” Ghreid leered and Rath rolled his eyes.
“We have plenty.”
“Could always have more, Brother.” Ghreid strolled toward a box of addressed letters that Nadi pointed to. He thumbed through them a few times and plucked half a dozen from the stack. “And I’ll see to their delivery.”
Rath waved him off and tied off the end of a thread before nipping it sheer with his sharp teeth.
“Do try to at least relieve yourself before then, Brother. Making oaths lightly isn’t something you usually do.” Ghreid swung by a bowl of fruit seated on Rath’s desk and plucked a particularly fat, ripe pear free. His dark nails shone in dark contrast to the lighter green of the wax skin.
Rath held his breath and went still. With any luck, he’d bite. He could practically feel vibrations of joy rolling through him.
“Oh, do watch out. That’s wax fruit.” Asha’s sweet voice rose from the doorway, and Rath growled.
“Did I do something wrong?” Asha recoiled from the doorway, his face pale and lit with alarm.
Ghreid slanted his golden gaze toward Rath and placed the wax pear down with a sneer. “I’ll be heading out. And thank you, new brother. You’re kinder than your mate.”
Rath slouched and stared at the embroidery in his hands as Ghreid left, patting Asha on the shoulder as he did so.
“Were you about to let him eat that?” Asha turned his head to watch Ghreid strut out, frowning as he did so.
“He was,” Nadi said, confirming Asha’s suspicion.
“That was mean.” Asha frowned but still approached, keeping a polite distance from Rath. He’d been remarkably considerate of their mounting desires.
“That was the intent.” Rath tied off a stitch and folded his work up before setting it to the side.
“Any particular reason you were attempting to deceive your brother into eating decorative fruit?” Asha pulled a seat up and settled down gently, sweeping his tail almost gracefully around to cover his feet. Rath extended a foot to stroke ever so gently along the white scales, earning a shiver from Asha.
“My own amusement.”
“Would he resort to violence if he’d succeeded?” Asha pursed his lips.
“Maybe.” Rath offered Asha a hapless smile.
“I see.” Asha picked at a spot on his pants. “I’d rather not break up another fight.”
“Fights between brothers aren’t meant to be broken up; they’re meant to be enjoyed.” Rath took a moment to settle himself before studying Asha. His beautiful horns swept free of his hair; his eyes full of unrealized flame. He’d breathe true fire, where some would breathe ice and lightning.
As his thoughts ran away with themselves, Asha’s expression changed to one of unease, his shyness rising as evidenced by the way he shrank under Rath’s gaze. “I rather enjoyed breaking up the fight the other day.”
“Probably for the best. Slath isn’t the victor very often. Then again, he does care very much for you.” Rath averted his gaze and studied some more papers to do with the nuptials. “I meant to ask. It’s customary to gift something to our mate upon being wed. Is there anything you’d like?”
