“Shh,” I said when he let out a deep grunt.
“Why?”
“Your knights can hear us,” I whispered.
“As if they don't know what we're doing.”
“Yeah, but knowing and hearing are two different things.”
“Sebastian, they probably hear us every night. They're hearing us whisper right now.”
“What?!” I sat up, taking him deep, and we both groaned again.
“They are my personal guards,” Shale grunted. “They have to be near to guard me. And they have excellent hearing.”
“Oh, fuck,” I panted. “I'm not thrilled to know I've been putting on a show for your guards every night.”
“It's not a show.” He yanked me down and held me against his pelvis as he pushed upward. “They are respectful. They hear but don't listen. Now, let's stop talking about them. You should be focusing on me.”
Water tightened around me, lifting and lowering me, taking my weight and doing all the work. I just had to hold on to Shale's shoulders and enjoy. It took me a few seconds to forget about the men nearby, but with pleasure shooting up my spine, it wasn't so difficult. I was soon moaning as loudly as Shale, my head falling back on waves of pleasure and my body arching to bring my nipples to his lips. He greedily sucked one into his hot mouth.
With the water cooling and caressing my body but not getting in the way of sex, I could fully enjoy myself. I finally saw the appeal of fucking in the bath. No water up the bum, only flesh. Weightlessness while still being grounded by Shale. The warm sun on my skin, tempered by the water. I could get used to this.
“Shale,” I whispered and bent my head to his.
Shale lifted his lips, meeting me halfway, and I welcomed him inside me in another way. His tongue teased mine. Lulled me into greater ecstasy. Shivers ran down my back and tensed my buttocks. My cock slapped his belly, sending zings up my front. So much pleasure. And all the while, the jungle played music for us—the trees creaking, birds singing, and wild things calling to each other. Having Shale inside me while we were out there, in the open, felt magical. It was the perfect way to celebrate becoming the Dragon King's consort.
Right as I realized that this was exactly that—a celebration of my new status, I came. Water churning around me, I locked up and cried out. Rapture rocked through me and into Shale. He tightened his hold on me as he jerked upward, and the warmth of his release sent me into another pleasure spiral. Shuddering uncontrollably, I rode out the ecstasy, then fell into Shale's embrace. He cradled me against his chest and kissed my forehead even as he went through the last shivers of his orgasm.
With his flesh still inside me, Shale whispered in my ear, “I will be your home now, Sebastian. Not Latur or Sken. Me.”
I smiled against his skin, wondering if he could read my mind his declaration was so similar to my thoughts. But that question was answered with the tightening of his body. My anxious lover required reassurance.
“I knew that before you did,” I whispered in his ear.
And the Dragon King sighed.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Shale and I played in the pools for hours, going from one to another and another to try to find the one we liked the best. In other words, the one that we were the most comfortable in while we had sex. Then Shale opened the fancy box he'd brought with us and cool air wafted out. It was a miniature cold cabinet, and inside it were chocolates and fresh strawberries. We ate them with our wine as we sprawled on the blanket together. When the sun had dried us, we got dressed and headed back to the carriage. By then, we were hungry. Chocolates and strawberries can only satisfy you to a point. So, Shale had our driver take us to an Osomah restaurant in the jungle.
The carriage stopped before a wooden structure nestled between two maltove trees, their broad branches dripping with thick roots that trailed to the ground, creating curtains that flowed over the restaurant like water. The place had been there long enough to be coated in roots, some of them wider than me. They undulated over, through, and around the building, making it appear to have grown out of the jungle.
Lively music danced out of the restaurant along with aromas that made my belly rumble. Osomah were everywhere—dining at tables on the porch, striding in and out the many doors,and even hanging out in the trees. But they went still when they spotted the Dragon King.
Shale nodded at his subjects as he led me across the porch and into the restaurant. The music got louder once we passed the threshold, but not to the point of discomfort. It suited the place perfectly, those vivacious sounds, and the customers seemed to agree. They laughed and talked, clinking glasses and twining their tails while the waitstaff deftly delivered their orders. We were the only non-Osomah in the restaurant, but I don't think that was the reason the host froze and gaped at us.
“A table, if you please,” the Dragon King said.
“Oh, dear Gods,” the Osomah man whispered. “It's you. You're him.”
The music abruptly stopped. Every eye turned to us.
Shale frowned. “Are we not welcome here? It's been a long time since I've visited this establishment, but when I was here last, I was assured that all races were served.”
“Of course, you're welcome, Your Majesty! More than welcome. We're honored to have you!” the host exclaimed, then waved frantically at the musicians.
The music began again, a little awkwardly at first, then it found its previous vigor.
