“And it may be. I hope not,” Draco said. “But I won’t pressure you into anything more than you want. I wanted to open your eyes tonight, to let you see yourself the way we see you. So bright and beautiful, full of energy and magic. You’re stunning, Henry.”
Henry grinned and he wrapped his arms around Draco and hugged him tight. “Thank you.” He pushed up and captured Draco’s lips in a tantalizing kiss. “Now let’s do the other ward. I think I’ve got the hang of it now.”
Draco snickered but followed Henry back up to the second ward that surrounded the house. He pulled Henry close again, but this time he kept his hands on the outside of Henry’s clothes. He opened himself up and allowed the dragon magic in him to roam free, giving Henry access to combine their magic again. The ward again burned with a bright blue flame.
“I did it. That’s… really cool. So I can borrow your magic?” Henry asked.
“Not borrow, exactly,” Draco explained. “I can let my magic strengthen yours. Our elements are different, so they can help strengthen each other. You can do the same with Andvari, should you choose to do so. His magic is from the earth so it would add another layer onto the wards.”
“That’s… something for me to think about.”
Draco couldn’t agree more.
Eduard
Eduard waited patiently for Cecil to settle the tray across Sawyer’s lap then bustle back out the bedroom door. Finally, he had a moment alone with Sawyer. He picked the tray up again and sat it on the chair by the bed, then turned so they were face to face.
Sawyer grunted at him. “You were comfortable. Come back.”
Eduard took his hand instead, then made sure he had Sawyer’s attention. “You understand what you’ve started?”
Sawyer nodded. “I won’t lie and say that I understand all the nitty gritty details, but I know I’m okay with something more between us. I talked to Draco about it. I hope you understand that I couldn’t risk losing his friendship, even though I was…am… really attracted to you.”
Eduard couldn’t resist leaning closer, letting his hand cup Sawyer’s cheek. “You’re lighting a fire here, Sawyer. With both the dragon and I. The last thing I want is for you to get burned.”
“I know,” Sawyer said. His voice lowered and he leaned closer still. “But I can’t change what I feel and if I only have a short time with all of you before… then I want to take advantage of every moment. Don’t waste time, Eduard. We may not have much.”
Eduard closed the final distance between them and pulled Sawyer into a kiss. The temptation was too much to resist and Sawyer was right, he didn’t want to waste another moment. If he wasn’t risking the wrath of the dragon and putting a choke hold on the partnerships they were forming as guardians, then he wanted to take this chance.
Sawyer’s lips were soft against his and he parted them with a sigh. Eduard took advantage, stealing his way deeper into the warm depths, tasting his very essence. Sawyer tugged him closer, then slid further down the mattress. Eduard stretched out beside him, his long, lean form covering Sawyer’s body from head to toe. He wanted to shelter Sawyer, but he also wanted to soar with him, to let his eagle wings spring free and have Sawyer climb on his back like Henry had earlier. The sensation of a man resting against his back, so trusting of him to fly through the air and keep him safe… it was more intoxicating that Eduard had thought it would be.
He’d never done that before, flown with a human, but when Draco told him of Sawyer’s trouble, he’d instinctively known that Henry could help Sawyer just as Sawyer had helped Henry after his vision. He’d called for Henry and had been surprised when Henry showed no fear when he shifted. He’d simply climbed astride Eduard’s back and let him carry him through the air to Sawyer’s side.
And now, Sawyer was here and in his arms. Safe if not one hundred percent whole. Eduard could see the twinges of pain as he moved, his muscles not yet recovered from the strain of the seizures.
Eduard pulled away with a quiet sigh. “I knew you’d taste amazing.”
Sawyer closed his eyes and smiled. “I kinda think I’m dreaming. I mean, you’re just… and Draco, too? And both of you are… Man. I really must be dreaming.”
Eduard stroked his thumb over Sawyer’s cheek again before pushing away. “You need to eat something and then I was thinking maybe a nice hot bath.”
Sawyer opened one eye and gave him a suspicious look.
Eduard grinned and offered him a strawberry from the dish of fruit on the tray. “Of course, I’d have to join you. I had a very large tub installed in the master bathroom. I’d hate for you to fall asleep and drown. No, it’s better if I assist.”
And there was the smile again.
“That sounds good,” Sawyer said.
Eduard held up a bite of cheese and Sawyer nipped it from between his fingers.
“I can feed myself, you know.”
“I’m well aware,” Eduard replied. He held up a nice plump blackberry and ran it across Sawyer’s bottom lip. “But would you deny me this simple pleasure?”
Sawyer huffed and closed his lips around the fruit. Eduard leaned in and teased his lips again, tasting the juices before pulling away and providing another bite for Sawyer to nibble.
“You’re going to spoil me,” Sawyer said. He took a bite of Eduard’s next offering, a slice of prosciutto wrapped in melon, without further complaint.
