Page 5 of Mage of the Dragon Prince
“If you attack us, I’ll be forced to purify you, which I really don’t want to do.” It was not an idle threat since the bat shifter wasn’t powerful. “I will if Ihave to defend myself, but it would be best for all of us if you left in peace.”
The bat shifter only laughed heartier. “I’ll enjoy tearing you to shreds before I fuck up your friend over there.”
Before Auslin could reply, the bat shifter launched itself at him.
Auslin dodged the attack but was careful to stay in front of the dragon, who was calmly watching the scene unfold before him.
“You’re fast, I’ll give you that much,” the bat shifter said, “but I’m faster!”
Auslin focused his purifying energy, defensively pushing it in front of himself. As the bat shifter launched into his protective energy shield, he disintegrated into dust that was dispersed by the uncaring wind. Auslin was upset with what had happened, but his concern immediately returned to the dragon shifter, who had yet to move.
He crouched in front of the enormous dragon once more, checking it for any signs of injury. “I’m so sorry. I know how bad it looks that I did that, but please believe me, I only purify when it’s necessary for self-defense. I couldn’t take the chance that he would hurt you when he wouldn’t accept no for an answer.”
The dragon made a noise that sounded like laughter. Taking it as a good sign, Auslin relaxed as he sat down. “I’m sure you are more than capable ofdefending yourself,” Auslin said. “Please don’t think I’m disrespecting you or your abilities.”
Maybe Auslin was imagining it, but he could swear he felt the amusement radiating from the dragon. “You must think I’m so strange.” Auslin sighed as he leaned back on his hands. “You wouldn’t be wrong at this point.”
When there was no answer, Auslin filled the silence with sound. “It’s so strange. I know several dragon shifters, but this is the first time I’ve ever seen one up close in their dragon form.” It made him wonder what Kitsuki looked like as a dragon. He was probably as beautiful and majestic as his human form.
After the dragon lowered its head to rest again, Auslin smiled wryly. “Sorry, I’m probably boring you to death, aren’t I?” That was one of the many reasons Kio had stepped out on him with Maseo. “It’s no wonder he strays…”
The dragon gently butting its snout against his hand startled Auslin from his sadness.
It filled him with gratitude. “Thank you.” He took a chance and reached his hand out. When the creature didn’t move away, Auslin decided to be bold. “Wow, I never thought I’d pet a dragon. This is incredible!”
The dragon made the laughing noise again. Auslin smiled despite his weird mood. The realization that the shifter had shown him more kindness than Kio had in ages quickly erased it. Auslin could feel the tears welling up in his eyes, but he refused to let them fall.He had given his lover many things, but he wouldn’t let him reduce him to crying anymore.
A smattering of raindrops turned into a heavy rain. Auslin hung his head with a huff of frustration. “Come on! Haven’t enough things gone wrong tonight?” It annoyed him that his plan to stay outside for the night would be soggy. Why had he let his brother take his pack from him?
The dragon shifter stood up, making Auslin’s heart sink. “Thanks for listening. Be safe out there.”
Rather than running off like Auslin expected, the giant dragon stretched before he crouched down again.
“Are you inviting me to get on?”
The dragon nodded and crouched lower with a huff.
Figuring anything was better than waiting all night in the falling rain, Auslin got on and awkwardly tried to figure out how to position himself. When the dragon stood up, Auslin was startled by how high up he suddenly was. He did his best to hold on as the dragon flew through the woods with shifter speed.
After flying in the rain for ten minutes, Auslin and the dragon arrived at a cave near a small lake. As they entered the darkness, silver fire ignited throughout, illuminating the space. There was a pallet large enough to fit a shifter the size of the one he’d ridden on, and a large pit with a roaring fire warming the chilly space.
The dragon crouched down to let the humandismount. Auslin thanked him, then watched as it walked deeper into the cave to shake off the excess water. It drew Auslin’s attention to his clothes, which were completely soaked through. He didn’t see anything that he could change into while they dried. His health was more important than his modesty, so Auslin took off his drenched shirt. He went to the side of the cave opposite the bed to wring out the water.
Before he started, it occurred to him that perhaps it was inappropriate to do that in the dragon’s cave. “Should I do this outside instead of over here?” Auslin called out to the dragon, his voice echoing in the cave. He didn’t want to accidentally break some unwritten shifter decorum rule he was unaware of by being rude.
A blink was the only answer he received.
Auslin shivered when an icy wind blew through the cave. It reiterated his need to get out of his soaked clothes. Hereallydidn’t want to be naked at the cave entrance, so he wrung out the water where he stood.
It startled him when the dragon returned, standing near the fire and watching him with shining silver eyes that matched the large firepit.
Auslin stared at the dragon for a long moment before self-consciously undoing his pants. “I’m sorry. I feel weird doing this in front of you, but I don’t want to catch a cold from these wet clothes.”
Seemingly disinterested, the dragon walked over and flopped onto the bed.
It made it easier for Auslin to finish undressing. Helaid his clothes beside the fire to dry out during the night.
Auslin looked at the dragon for guidance about what to do next. “Where should I go?”
