I met the last Dragon woman's gaze. It was turquoise.
“Welcome to the Tabaa Dread, my son.”
I went still. “What did you call me?”
The woman smiled. “Raventar is my son. Now, you are too.” She embraced me. “I am Duchess Nadeer, and it's a great pleasure to meet you, Eliel.”
“Oh, it's so nice to meet you as well.” I kissed her cheek. “Raven didn't tell me you were here.”
“He wanted to surprise you.” She cupped my cheek. “Welcome to our family, Eliel.”
“Thank you so much, Your Grace.”
She motioned across the aisle at a man who greatly resembled Raventar. I turned to face him.
He took my upper arms in hand. “Welcome to the Tabaa Dread, Son. I am Duke Tokala, your new father.” And then he pulled me into an embrace. “I'm so happy to welcome you to our family.”
“Thank you so much,” I said as he released me. “It's an honor to meet you both.”
“It's our honor to meet you, Eliel. The Goddess has made a good choice in you. Now, go to your mate. He's anxious to greet you.” Tokala pulled aside the tent flap for me.
As I went into the tent, the Dragons of the Tabaa Dread cheered. I looked over my shoulder to see the aisle breaking apart and non-Dragons surging into the area. Just like that, I was a Dragon, and the celebration of my new status began.
I grinned as the tent flap fell closed behind me.
It was much cooler inside the tent, and I immediately sighed in relief. Before me was a sitting area of low couches, a small table with a carafe of water and two glasses, and a lantern hanging above it. To the right, a taller table stood bearing many dome-covered dishes. To the left, a massive bed waited, the mattress on the floor and covered in silk. A wealth of pillows propped up the Dragon King as he sprawled there.
With animal grace, he got to his feet. “My foundling, you made it through the Dread. I'm so proud of you.”
I lifted my chin. “I did. And I met your parents. That was a lovely surprise.”
“They're your parents now too.” He came to me, his leather garments as white as mine and trailing fringe, beads, and feathers.
When I saw the gold paint adorning his face, I felt better about mine. At least I wasn't the only one who'd been primped and painted for this.
“Tie the flap closed, Mate,” the Dragon King said.
I turned and tied the tent flap shut as the sound of drumming came. Smiling, I turned back to Raven. “That sounds familiar.”
“It is tradition.” He opened his arms. “You are now Duke of the Tabaa Dread.”
“I thought that was your father?” I teased as I went into his arms.
“Two different types of dukes. You outrank him.” Raven brushed his lips over mine. “Now, let's forget about family and dread. The drums call us, Mate.”
The Dragon King led me to the bed and faced me. With the drums directing his pace, he untied my tunic at the sides. I watched his hands jerk with each boom, lulling me into a trance. Breathing in the fresh scent of eucalyptus and rosemary, I looked up to see fresh cuttings garlanding the tent poles. With a sigh, I stroked Raven's hair.
Raven put aside my tunic and then knelt to untie my pants. I shivered as the cool air hit my damp skin. The King paused to rub my sweat into me, dragging the gold paint with him to blur the intricate paintings on my skin. His hand went around my waist to glide up my back and down again. That big palm slid over my ass and squeezed.
“You smell so good,” Raven growled and bent forward to lick my belly.
My muscles undulated into tension, the roll going up my chest to tighten my nipples and then down to harden my cock. With a groan, I spread my fingers through my mate's hair. Then, with a rush of inspiration, I dragged my finger across his cheek, smearing the gold.
Raven grinned at me. “That's it, Mate. I want to emerge from this tent rubbed clean so everyone will know the extent of your desire for me.”
“Is that what you're going to do to me?” I set his hands back on my waistband. “Are you going to rub your body all over mine until the gold disappears?”
Eyes flashing, the King jerked at the ties of my pants, his hands once more following the lead of the drums. “I'm going to touch every inch of you. Kiss you. Lick you. Fuck you. You won't leave this tent until I've removed every speck of gold.”
