With the other dragons airborne, the Dragon King kissed my forehead and started to strip. He removed his top hat first, tossing it to a servant. Then went his jacket. My heart sped up as he undressed rapidly, revealing his stunning body to all. I didn't like that, and I looked around to see who was enjoying the view. Most averted their eyes, but Sebastian's stare was glued to the King's chest. Then it lowered.
I cleared my throat pointedly.
The Vegetation Master blushed, glanced at me, then looked away. He may be human, but he was an attractive man, with hair as black as midnight and a pair of brown eyes so pale and golden, they were nearly yellow. It gave him a feline look and his sleek physique emphasized that. I wouldn't be surprised to learn he had some Hulfrin in his ancestry. It was entirely possible. Races could crossbreed, though it was rare and usually resulted in offspring that took after the less magically powerful parent. That alone was enough of a deterrent to keep the immortal races from breeding with humans. But accidents happen.
I didn't waste much time contemplating Sebastian's heritage. Not when a naked Rian was before me. My stare shot back to my lover just in time to see him transform, going from a gorgeous man into a glorious dragon. My jaw fell open as Rian's body grew, peridot scales emerging from his skin. Limbs lengthened and thickened, his neck stretched, and horns sprouted down his back. A feral head lifted, baring teeth that could crush my bones, but then Rian's eyes, so similar to those in his man form, swiveled my way. His stare found me, and the beast let out a breath, as if in relief.
Dear Gods. Was it true? Was I the mate of this dragon? It was said that a Dragon's beast knew before they did, that once the animal had decided, the man or woman had no choice but to follow. And Rian's dragon stared at me as if I were already his.
“Prepare to come forward, my jewel,” Rian's voice came from the beast's mouth.
Ah. He was still in control. So maybe it wasn't his dragon staring at me at all.
I nodded at him, wondering if the beast was ever in control or if they shared both bodies equally. How strange it must be to have two forms and two minds.
Rian gathered his haunches, then shot upward, bone-colored wings coming down to push him even higher. I looked up, watching his long body undulate above me, forelegs coming down as if swimming, and claws curling in the air.
Once he was clear, I stepped into the center of the courtyard, crouched, and tapped my chest. “Up!”
Vashana put her forearms on my shoulders, and I hugged her tightly, curling around her and hooking an arm beneath her hind quarters, my satchel protecting her back. Seconds later, I felt a blast of air as Rian swooped down. Claws scraped the stone, closing around me and Vash.
Vashana yipped.
“It's all right,” I soothed her, then yipped myself as we were yanked off the ground.
Vash whined.
“You're all right,” I said and sat down on the pad of Rian's forepaw, bringing Vashana with me. Or was it a talon? Whatever part of the dragon correlates to the palm of a person's hand, that's where we sat. “I've got you.” I hugged Vashana closer.
The dog tucked her head into my cloak and nestled in against me, sprawling half in my lap.
“Are you both all right?” Rian ducked his head to ask.
“Yes, we're fine.” I peered at him through the cage of his claws and grinned. “You're a very beautiful dragon.”
“Thank you.” He grinned, and although it looked a little menacing, I saw him in it.
The other dragons fell into formation around us, one of them carrying the human vegetation master. Sebastian wasn't cringing, as I expected. Instead, he had his head stuck out through the dragon's claws, his face split in a wide grin, and suddenly, he whooped.
“This is amazing!” Sebastian shouted.
Several dragons laughed, including the one carrying him, and the sound rolled through the sky like thunder.
“This is just the beginning,” Sebastian's dragon said. “Keep your eyes open, human. You won't want to miss a second.”
“I will!” Sebastian called up to him. “Thank you!”
“You're welcome.”
His joy was infectious and even Vashana poked her head out to see what was so wonderful about flying. She looked at me first. I had my back against the wind, blocking the cold bite, but after I nodded at her, Vash lifted her head to look over my shoulder. The wind hit her, blowing back her long fur and flopping her ears. Instead of immediately ducking back down, she rose higher and barked.
“You like that?” I asked. “It's a little cold for me.”
Rian's head ducked down, one massive eye peering at us, and then a flame appeared on his palm, about a foot to my left.
“Thank you!” I called to Rian.
He tucked us closer to his body, taking some of the power out of the wind. “Tell me if you get cold again.”
