While the boys collected their things, Vadim abandoned the bench and came to stand by Wally. He offered his hand, which Wally took, and helped pull him to his feet. Once Wally was standing, Vadim leaned in to whisper in his ear. “He is very fond of you. If any of your worries stem from what he feels, let them go. Let him keep you safe.”
Wally blushed ferociously. “Okay.”
Vadim patted his arm, then moved to collect the boys. Ingrid, who was on her feet as well, smiled at Wally and winked.
Their appearance had been bizarre, to say the least, and Wally wasn’t convinced that some kind of magic hadn’t taken place, but he didn’t begrudge them for it. As uncertain as he was about life, after having spoken to them, he knew one thing to be true: Giles would never come for him, but Grimbold would always be there.
Chest tight from the aftermath of crying, but filled with newfound appreciation for the man who’d taken him in, Wally said his final goodbyes to the visiting omegas and went to find his dragon.
10
Grimbold
“Will sir be going upstairs to change for dinner?”
There was something in Carsons’ tone that made Grimbold pause. “I had planned on it.”
There was another flicker. Carsons seemed relieved, although Grimbold was damned if he knew why. “Very good, sir. If I may, Cook has made a few changes to tonight’s menu. Chilled cucumber soup, shrimp and fennel salad, and seared tuna.”
Grimbold gave Carsons a hard look. His butler was behaving very strangely. “Angela knows she has free rein to make whatever menu changes she desires.”
Carsons dipped his head. “Yes, of course, sir.”
He was still puzzling over the butler’s odd behavior when he opened the door to his suite and found a prostrate figure on his polished mahogany floor. The posture was gracefulness personified and erotic as hell. Grimbold’s cock stirred, which was bad, but his dragon also stirred, which was worse.
Want. Take. Mine.
Walter was all slender, creamy limbs barely covered by a scrap of draped orange silk. At first Grimbold thought it was an open shirt, but then he saw the silken belt and realized it must be a robe. A very small robe.
Possess. Now!
Grimbold shook his head both at himself and his dragon. It was probably just as well that Walter, with his nose touching the—thankfully pristine—floor, couldn’t see the gesture. He’d likely take it all wrong.
“Walter?” he asked softly.
The boy looked up then shyly. “Yes, sir?”
Grimbold struggled with his next words, needing them to be perfect. “To what do I owe the great pleasure of your presence in my bedchamber?”
Walter pinked, but didn’t look down. “You said you were my dragon.”
“Yes, I did, Walter. Do you yet believe me?”
“I rejoice,” Walter said in a somber voice, “to be chosen to be your vessel. I pledge my body to your will and your seed. I seek only to bring you pleasure and ask for nothing but your regard.”
Those ancient words burned inside Grimbold. He’d heard them once before, only the voice had been high and feminine and utterly confident. Grimbold shivered at the memory. The mother of his children, and likely a dragon by descent, and he’d taken her children away from her. She’d never held or even touched her eggs, and though she had been well provided for, Grimbold hadn’t ever seen her as his equal—as someone worthy of his notice. He’d shown Beatrice more compassion and care than the one who’d borne his eggs. He couldn’t even remember her name. It had been so very long ago, but the shame he felt was fresh and new and came with very sharp claws.
“Please, sweet. Stand up.” That wasn’t the ritual response, and Walter made no move to stand, but he did settle into a kneeling position.
“Am I not worthy?” he asked, sounding scared and bewildered and perhaps a touch frustrated. “You claimed me, and I have adorned myself with care. I waited here for you all afternoon, and reflected upon the Pedigree oath, and when you came, I said it perfectly.”
Grimbold sat on the side of his bed. “You are worthy, child. If anyone isn’t worthy, it’s me.”
Walter’s slight irritation grew. “But you’re a dragon! I’m your omega. Or at least I’m trying to be. Please? I’d rather you than any other. I like it here. I like you. I want to stay.”
“You may always stay, Walter. This is your home now.”
“And you are my dragon.” Grimbold felt the boy tighten his snare, but he was like a small child who’d caught a bear instead of a rabbit in his trap. He had no idea what he was promising. “I am not a child, sir.”
