“What the fuck am I doing?” I whispered. “I just sent flowers to the fucking Dragon King.”
But it was done. No taking it back. So, I shrugged, hoped for the best, and got to work. With thick gloves, shears, and a determination to focus on something other than the King, I hacked at those fucking berry bushes.
Two hours in, I gave up on the bushes. It was just too hot to continue working in my heavy tunic, and without that tunic, I couldn't risk getting near enough to chop them down. I yanked off my tunic and got back to work feeling a bit better. The sweat cooled my upper body rapidly, and that helped my lowerhalf deal with the sweltering heat. And yes, the day had become sweltering. I had to stop several times to take breaks in the shade or risk fainting. Luckily, there was a lot of shade to be had and plenty of non-berry plants to remove.
During one of my shaded breaks, I discovered something interesting. I was leaning against the trunk of a pomegranate tree, legs bent before me, and arms resting on my knees. With my head propped by the trunk, it was natural to lift my gaze, and I let it wander across the branches above. Through them, I saw the blue sky, but also the glorious stone architecture of the castle. I looked further up.
And froze.
I'd been there for over a week and hadn't realized that the garden was just below the King's terrace. I could see the elaborate stone railing and the looming royal tower beyond. Somewhere up there was the King's bedroom. I could have pictured him in it, standing in one of those arches again. But I didn't have to. Because the Dragon King was standing at the terrace railing staring down at me.
I flinched. Did he know I had seen him? Of course, he did. Dragon eyesight was far superior to human. He could probably see my individual eyelashes. He certainly could see my flush. What he wouldn't be able to spot, and I was immensely glad for that, was my instant erection. That was hidden by my knees.
It was all I could do to keep my hands where they were. I wanted to slide one into my pants and stroke myself as I watched him watching me. But that would be too much. Too much, too soon. I had him hooked. He was watching me. How long had he been up there watching me work shirtless? Had he done itbefore? Did he have an erection too? What I wouldn't give to have Dragon eyes.
I inclined my head to King Shaleros, all casual like, and acted as if I thought he had happened to see me just then. It's all fine. Totally fine. Normal even. The King was simply checking on my work. I jerked my head toward the garden and then spread my hands as if to ask, “What do you think?”
King Shaleros nodded, then turned and walked away.
I exhaled and hung my head. My cock throbbed. Dare I? No. Not going to have a tug in public like some kind of pervert. It would go away. I just had to think of something other than the King.
“Well, you're not going to stop thinking about him if you just sit here, Sebastian,” I said to myself and got up. “At least he doesn't seem angry anymore. Maybe the flowers worked.”
With a sigh, I got back to work, hacking at the invasive plants that had found their way into the garden. That's the thing. You can put a wall up around a garden, even stick it in the middle of a castle, but if you don't put a glass roof over it, nature will find a way in. To speak plainly—through bird shit. Birds eat berries and other seeds, then shit them out randomly. There's also the wind. It can carry seeds. But mainly, it's bird shit. Seeds and fertilizer together. Birds are nature's gardeners. Not masters of vegetation, mind you, but it wasn't their fault that they couldn't earn a degree.
With thoughts of birds and their shit in my head, my erection quickly vanished, and I was able to move about more comfortably. Well, a little more comfortably. I was still sweating. It poured down my back and gathered in the crack of my ass.Sorry to get gross about it, but that, and the heat on my man bits, was the root of my discomfort. Even without the birds, my erection hadn't stood a chance.
“Sebastian,” a low, masculine voice called to me through the foliage.
“No,” I whispered to my dick. “Keep calm. Think of poop!” Then I stood up and looked across the garden.
Sure enough, there he was, looking amazing. White hair streaming around his shoulders, eyes an even brighter blue in the sunlight, and chin lifted. Someone stood beside him, but I barely noticed them. I walked over to the King holding his gaze.
At the last moment, I remembered to bow. “Your Majesty. Did you get my flowers?”
“I did,” King Shaleros said, then motioned the servant forward. “I brought you some refreshments.”
My jaw went slack as a man held out a tray to me. On it was a glass carafe of water, cold enough to have condensation. There was also a plate of cookies, two glasses, and a jar.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” I hurried over to the servant and took the tray from him. “Thanks, man. I got it.”
“You're dismissed,” the King said.
The servant bowed and hurried away.
I set the tray on the edge of the steps, then waved at it. “Do you mind if I sit down?”
“No, of course not,” the King said.
I sat on the steps, poured a glass of water, and offered it to the King. “Are you joining me? There are two glasses.”
A little frown flashed across the King's face before he took the glass and sat down on the step beside me, the tray between us. And there we were, a couple of men who couldn't be more different. I was covered in sweat and bits of plants while the Dragon King was immaculate. I guzzled my first glass of water, then shoved a cookie in my mouth. He sipped his and took a delicate bite of his treat. I was a mortal human while he was an immortal Dragon. He ruled a kingdom while I barely ruled my own life. And yet, we shared a moment of peace that overcame everything.
“No one has ever sent me flowers,” King Shaleros said. “And such an interesting assortment.”
“I chose them for their meanings, not their looks,” I said. “Do you know the language of flowers?”
He lifted a brow.
