Lucien had thought the bond would be an adjustment, like learning to harness his magic. Instead, Tezurit slips effortlessly through the cracks of his mind. Her range is greater now, and Lucien hears her more clearly. Responding is as simple as lighting a candle.
Figures bonding a dragon would be easier than managing the tiny prince fuming at him. “I can’t run and hide when you’re—I mean, when everyone else is risking their lives. Not if I can help.”
“You can, and you should.” Lucien turns away from the map. “Think about a game of aerie. Do you send your monarch out in the first round, or do you keep them safe and protected?”
Kazia crosses his arms. “I play my monarch wherever I can use them best. Just like any piece.”
Lucien winces. “Sorry, wrong metaphor. I forgot you play like a crazy person.”
“No, it’s a wonderful metaphor.” Kazia hugs himself tighter, his viciousness turning inward. “There’s a grail on the board too. How would you play them?”
This game sounds interesting,Tezurit says.Are there dragons? Are they the best pieces?
Lucien can’t keep up with both conversations, not when Kazia is like this.Give us some privacy, and I’ll teach you later.
A note of happiness hums between them, before Tezurit slips away.
Only Lucien’s cold nausea remains. “Don’t ask me to hurt you, Kazia. I won’t do it.”
Kazia’s scowl doesn’t falter. “I’m used to pain.”
“That’s the entire fucking problem.” Lucien reaches out carefully and draws Kazia’s hands into his own. “I know you don’t want to be used. Where’s this coming from?”
Kazia’s hands are cool to the touch. “Stop being so fucking reasonable. Can’t you just argue with me?”
“You don’t want to argue either.”
“I always want to argue.” Kazia looks away, like this is another secret. “I’m just scared that if I leave tomorrow, I’ll never see you again.”
A wondrous agony delves between Lucien’s ribs. He pulls Kazia closer and leans down to kiss the scowl from his lips.
Desperately returning the kiss, Kazia tangles his hands in Lucien’s hair. He has to rise on his toes, and Lucien’s neck strains to reach him. There’s a solution for that. Lucien surrenders to temptation and lifts Kazia up by the ass.
Kazia squeaks and clings tight. His legs hook over Lucien’s hips, and he looks good like this, stunned and breathless. Letting go feels impossible when Kazia feels so right in Lucien’s arms. He’s so small and light, Lucien could carry him for hours.
Lucien thinks he understands what Whisper meant, about being unable to love a country more than Julien.
This brave, broken prince is the reason Lucien hasn’t fled. Revenge alone isn’t enough to keep Lucien here. The old anger is useful fuel, but Ma and Da wouldn’t want him to lose his life for their memory.
They’d understand love, though, and fighting for a better future.
“I don’t intend to die, but it’ll be a hard fight,” Lucien says. “It will be even harder if I’m worrying about you.”
Kazia traces Lucien’s lips. His gaze darts across Lucien’s face, like he’s trying to memorize him. “That isn’t reassuring. If anything happens, and my power could have made a difference, that’s worth a little pain.”
“You’re worth more than a little pain, brat.” Lucien grins. “Trust me. This is what I’m good at. There’s a risk, but that’s why we have a plan. And the plan needs you to be safe. I need you to be safe.”
Kazia clings for a moment. “Fine. I’ll leave tomorrow, but on one condition.”
Relief lightens Lucien’s heart. “What’s that?”
Kazia’s glare is as sharp as ever. “You have to fuck me tonight.”
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CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Kazia
