Jory told them the story. They both laughed over the retelling of the bakery story and the dragon's pre-occupation with sugar.
"How did you get me away from her?"
"Your mother came." Rai's calm tone told Jory the event was anything but ordinary.
Jory paled. "What do you mean my mother came?" Surely, he'd misunderstood. Rai scratched at the bit of stubble growing on his face. "I'd hoped to break the news about my family to you after the mate hunt."
Rai nodded as if understanding Jory's dilemma. "I know you're not supposed to talk about yourself at these hunts, but I'd find it difficult to hide that your mother is a goddess."
"As I haven't seen her since I was fifteen, it's not that hard to ignore," Jory said bitterly. When he'd turned fifteen, his mother declared him grown enough to be left in his father's care. She allowed her body to ascend to goddess mode. After ascension, it had been her role as the new goddess to find a planet that needed a magical figurehead. Until now, Jory had no idea where his mother ended up. Now he knew why his father had been so set on him coming to this planet. It wasn't necessarily his love of dragons. It was his father's awkward attempt at re-connecting Jory with his mother.
Shaking off his doldrums, he looked at the two delicious men so close and yet so clothed. "I'm feeling much better." He gave Rai his best sexy look, hoping to lure the other man closer.
He received a small smile and a stroke down his bare back.
"He does feel all better, Val. Maybe you should come and check for yourself."
Val placed a soft kiss on Jory's shoulder while Rai leaned down and gave him a gentle kiss on the lips. He let out a soft moan, trying to encourage him closer. The man might be on the bed, but he was in no way close enough.
"Now rest. When you get up, it will be time to discuss who might want you dead."
Jory sighed. "I don't have to rest in order to tell you that. It's my brother."
The two men exchanged a look. "Why would your brother want you dead?" Rai asked in a soft voice.
"I'm not supposed to tell you about my background," Jory reminded him.
"We've already marked you. At this point, you're either our mate or not. Nothing we do will change the course of events to follow. I'll start if it'll make you more comfortable."
Jory nodded. "Yes, I think it would."
Besides, he was dying to know more about his lovers. He wondered which one his mother had chosen for him. There was no doubt in his mind that his mother had already handpicked one of these men as his perfect mate.
"I am King Raiston Dragonsbreath, the ruler of the southern portion of the planet, and this is Duke Valer Klarian, third in line for the throne. My own brother is second. You'll meet him once you're feeling better."
"Crap." Jory threw himself back against the pillows. "I was hoping you were merchants, or soldiers, hell, even pirates would be an improvement, but no, you have to be royals. Father is going to love this."
It didn't even matter which one he chose since they were both from the ruling class.
Rai frowned at him. "I thought you'd be happy to have two such highly placed men as potential mates. Both of us have enough funds to keep you in style."
Jory laughed, but even he could hear the hysterical edge. "You don't get it. I don't need money or prestige." He rubbed his face with his palms.
"Of course not, treasure." Val's comforting touch stroked his hair. "We didn't think you were seeking men of means. It's obvious you do fine on your own."
Jory laughed so hard tears dripped from his eyes. "Oh, shit. It's not only that my mother is a goddess and left me a fortune when she evolved; it's my father."
The king gripped Jory's shoulder in a supportive hold. "We'll protect you."
"My father is the High Galactic King Rufeus Eprion," he blurted out.
"What!"
Jory looked at both men, amazed how much they sounded alike when they shouted. Deciding to get it all out, he plunged forward. "It is rumored that my brother, Prince Detrius, wants me dead so that I won't be in line for the throne."
The pair stared at him for a long while.
"You're King Eprion's son?" Val asked.
