Page 12 of Castor
“Long ago, when Lucifer and his army spread chaos all through the lands, our father didn’t choose sides.” Tatsuya stared outside with a distant look in his eyes. “When I asked him why we didn’t fight, he said it wasn’t our war. If he didn’t see a need to join the fighting, to risk our people, neither do I.”
“Then you’re a damn fool.”
He bared his teeth, and flames reflected in the blue of his eyes. “I may be your brother, Kyo, but don’t forget that I’m also your king. You’ll speak to me with respect.”
I averted my eyes and squeezed my hands into fists at my sides.
Our father had died shortly after my thirteenth birthday, killed by the ice dragon king. Dragons were divided into five classes: wind, ice, fire, earth, and water. Each class had their own ruler and laws. Disputes sometimes happened in regard to territory, but we otherwise kept the peace. My father, Ryujin, waged a war years ago by claiming himself king of all the dragons. Hubris had taken hold of him. The other classes of dragons banded together and started slaughtering the water dragons in retaliation.
Humans had killed many of people… but the sad truth was that the biggest reason for our near extinction was because of our own kind.
“Was there something else you wanted to talk to me about?” I asked, my impatience growing.
“It wouldn’t kill you to call every once in a while,” Tatsuya said, still with an edge to his voice, but there was a smidge of longing too. “Ryoko misses you. She just gave birth to twin boys.”
Ryoko was my older sister. Father had had close to thirty other children who all died during the conflict with the other dragons. So it was just the three of us now, with me being the youngest. Ryoko had a gentle heart and had always treated me with nothing but kindness despite my tendency to cause trouble everywhere I went.
“How many kids does that make it now? Ten?”
“Twelve,” he said.
I whistled under my breath. Tatsuya had twenty sons and eight daughters last I’d heard. My children count remained at zero. And that’s exactly where it would stay. I had no desire to get married, let alone have kids.
“Kyo…”
“Don’t, Tatsuya.” I took a deep, calming breath as a familiar irritation began to take root inside me. “Let’s not go there today. I might snap.”
“You need to find a mate,” he said, echoing the same argument we’d had the last time we spoke. It was why I hadn’t talked to him in so long. “You can’t run around enjoying the single life forever.”
“Why not? You have twenty sons who are lined up to take the throne after you. Some of them have children of their own. I’m so far down the line of succession that I could live a thousand years and still not be any closer. I don’t need an heir.”
“I’m not referring to an heir. I just…” He swept a hand through his long hair and sharply exhaled. “We’re not meant to be alone. You need a companion. But yes, having children is ideal to rebuild our ranks.”
“Between you and Ryoko, I think our ranks are fine.”
“Why are you so against it?”
“Because that’s not me. I want nothing to do with that kind of life.”
“And if I demand it?” he asked, tipping his chin up, gaze hard.
“You can throw as many females at me as you want, but that doesn’t mean I’m gonna fuck any of them.”
“I know you have a preference for males,” he said with a nod. “While I’d prefer for you to be with a female to further our bloodline, I won’t force you to be with one.”
“Good. Because I won’t. If I everdofind someone I want to marry, I want it to bemydecision. Not yours.” My phone buzzed, and I fished it out of my pocket, seeing a text from a buddy who wanted to go barhopping that night. “Are we done now?”
With a disappointed look I recognized all too well, Tatsuya regarded me a moment before heading toward the door. “Take care, little brother.”
I closed it behind him and leaned against it. Going clubbing sounded great. I needed to get fucked-up.
I needed an escape from the crap in my head.
Chapter Three
Castor
Ambrosia-laced rum flowed through my bloodstream as I danced under the flashing neon lights, the bass of the music reverberating in my chest.
