“I assure you, we are not dancing. And I certainly don't enjoy it.”
“Oh, no, of course not,” I said sarcastically. “Not you, King Shaleros the Indifferent. You can't enjoy a man flirting with you. How inappropriate! How shocking!” I leaned in to add, “Howsexy. And you can't possibly be sexy. Certainly not! And with another man? No, never! You are indifferent. Removed from things like attraction, pleasure, and fun. No fun for you!”
The Dragon King's eyes widened. His face had been twitching through my speech, and now went through spasms. He looked like he was about to shapeshift, his skin practically vibrating. Then a miracle happened.
The King smiled.
And it didn't stop there. As I gaped at the most beautiful smile I'd ever seen, it spread wider, and laughter burst free as if it had been waiting for the gates to open. It lasted only a few seconds, and then the King jerked back and went silent.
The entire hall went silent with him, every eye fastened on the King, and every mouth agape. Including his.
“Now, that was worth every rejection you've given me,” I whispered.
King Shaleros started to say something, but only sounds came out. Sounds that weren't words, no matter how hard they tried. Finally, he managed to piece them together, “That was the first time I've laughed in over a century.”
I held back my gasp. It lodged in my throat, threatening to choke me. I knew the King had been stuck in this strange limbo for a long time, but I hadn't known it wasthatlong. How awful. How tragic. But I couldn't let him know that I pitied him. That might send him tumbling back into whatever half-life he'd been living.
So, I caught my breath and said, “What a shame. You're sexy when you smile. And that laugh.” I shook my head. “It went straight to my cock.”
“I . . . what did you just say to me?”
“You heard me.” I looked at him. “You're sexy when you smile. Well, sexier. You're damn sexy even with this blank expression on your face.”
“Blank?” He frowned.
“Not so blank now.”
“You know that wasn't the part I was shocked by.”
“Oh? Which of my parts shocks you?”
“Sebastian.” He shook his head.
“Yeah, I know. It's my cock. How dare I have a cock and come on to you?”
“Sebastian,” his tone went more chiding.
I grinned and asked, “You still straight?”
“Straight what?”
“Straight heterosexual. On the V team. Or are you feeling a little thrill? It's all right if you're just curious. I'd be happy to experiment with you. No pressure.”
“Great Karadas, you go too far.”
I shrugged. “I figured you were ready for it.”
“You once told me I didn't need to worry about your flirtation. That you know I'm not gay.”
“But you said it wasn't an issue,” I reminded him. “Is it an issue now?” I grinned. Cocked my head. “Maybe in a good way?”
Shaleros the Indifferent grinned back.
Someone actually cried out.
But neither of us cared.
“I've never been with a man,” he said at last.
