He snorted. “Fair enough. But this time, I had to witness you hover on the brink of death.”
“So dramatic,” I teased and nudged his shoulder. “I'm fine.”
“You were not fine when I brought you here.” Cyn's stare lowered to my plate. He watched me select a slice of beef and lift it to my mouth. As I chewed, he said, “You were so pale.”
“I'm not exactly a dark-skinned man.”
“No, but you were nearly the color of the snow you fell upon.” He exhaled a shuddering breath. “I thought you were dead. And your clan . . . they were silent. Absolutely silent. Just staring at me. They . . . oh, fuck! I have to send them word.” He leapt from the bed and went back to the door. After opening it, he spoke to the guards on duty. “Send word to the Forgotten that Ru has recovered.”
“Yes, Sire,” a knight said and hurried off.
“Wait!” he called the knight back. “Take them more wine and food and whatever you think—”
“Supplies,” I called out. “Butter, lard, bacon, flour, things like that. Then they'll get more than a couple of meals out of it.”
“As he said.” The King motioned at me.
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
As Cyn shut the door, I glimpsed the corridor beyond. It extended for several feet. The royal apartments had to be massive.
The King came back to bed, but then just stood beside it, staring at me. “I almost lost you tonight.”
I went still. We barely knew each other, but it didn't feel that way. I had seen his worth and sensed what kind of man he was. But I never expected the Dragon King to sense anything about me. Maybe he hadn't. Maybe he was just infatuated and the seriousness of our situation made him feel things that wouldn't last. But I could work with that. I could turn something temporary into something eternal. I was determined to. Especially now that he had looked at me like that. As if I were the only thing that mattered to him.
I held out my hand. “You will never lose me. Not unless you cast me away.”
Cyn crawled onto the bed, but instead of taking my hand, he cupped my cheek and kissed me. It was a sweet kiss, more lips than tongue, and over in seconds. But it changed our relationship. In it, I felt Cyn's acceptance. His acknowledgment that this was as important to him as it was to me, regardless of how long we had known each other. Time didn't matter; that's what his kiss said. Whatever was between us, it was great enough to tell time to fuck off.
The King's hand fell slowly away from my cheek, and he whispered, “I'm glad you've finally recognized what it means to be claimed by me.”
I blinked. Drew back. Glared at him.
Cyn burst out laughing.
“You asshole!” I shoved him away.
“You tease me, and I'll tease you back.” He dove in to kiss my cheek, then whispered in my ear, “There will be no casting aside by either of us, Ru. I think you know that.”
I blushed, something I haven't done since I was a lad, then slid my gaze to him. “Maybe.”
“I've never felt so connected to someone before.”
“Neither have I,” I admitted.
“Good.” He grinned. “I'm glad we've got that settled. Now, finish your meal. There are things I want to do to you that your plate is in the way of.”
I grinned back at him, then ate. Quickly.
Chapter Twelve
Sex with the Dragon King was spectacular. Even greater than the night before. After my meal, Cyn set my plate and glass aside, then helped me undress. I kicked back the covers as he slipped out of bed to strip, taking his time to tease me. By the time he reached for his pants, my cock was pulsing, almost painfully hard, and I had to ease that torment with my hand.
Cyn grinned wickedly to see me stroke myself, then pushed down his pants to reveal his equally hard cock. Still, he didn't come to bed. Instead, he went to the bedside table, opened a drawer, and pulled out a bottle. After pouring a bit of oil into his palm, he stroked himself, coating that magnificent dick until it gleamed. Then he sat on the edge of the bed, shoved my hand away from my shaft, and stroked me with his slick fist.
“Oh, fuck,” I moaned as my head fell back against the headboard. “That feels so good.”
I felt movement but couldn't open my eyes, not until wet heat enveloped me. I surged upright, my eyes popping open, and stared down at Cyn, his head bobbing over my lap and his blood-red hair spread over my thighs. I sank my hands into that hair and massaged his scalp as he pleasured me. It wasn't long before my thighs tightened and I drew close.
