Page 11 of Mad Dragon of Chaos

Adrian clung to Haru, fighting a swell of panic, while appreciating the calm, even tone and logic in Tyche’s voice. At least one of them was keeping his head, because Adrian was about to demand someone knock the dragon out so he could cut the damn powers from Haru. Shey had described what happened to him after he’d been hit with Yesuntei’s powers and he’d suffered from his own nightmares. He could only imagine that what Haru was suffering was a hundred times worse.

“Yes, but Cirina is still out there. Kaes has even caused problems. We don’t even know the identity of the person behind the Damardor kidnappings and murders.” As Haru listed each threat, he sent an icy spike through Adrian’s heart. Any of them could try to make a grab for Yesuntei’s powers. “Until we have a plan to protect them effectively, they are safer with me.”

What bothered Adrian most was that Haru was correct. Any of them could make a play for the power he now held. They might hold off the Goddess of Dreams, but he didn’t feel as confident with the God of Storms. Even this shadowy person behind the deaths in Damardor felt as frightening as a god. Who else could stand up to them better than a dragon?

And yet…what was this doing to Haru? Would he be able to recover from it if they waited?

“I don’t like it,” Tyche grumbled under his breath. “But I can’t argue with him.”

“Would Caelan be able to shed some light on this?” Prince Shey inquired.

They all looked over at Drayce, who shrugged his narrow shoulders. “You can ask him. There are things about the gods that he keeps secret, even from me, and I’m fine with that. You lot are scary enough.”

“Okay.” Tyche heaved an enormous sigh that seemed to make him sink at least an inch. “I’ll talk to King Caelan tomorrow. But!” He stopped and pointed one finger at Haru, his expression turning as stern as Adrian had ever seen it. “When I say it’s time for you to cough that sarira up, you give it up. You got me? This was always meant to be temporary. The shorter the better, too.”

Haru nodded. “Agreed. I only wish to keep my Adrian safe.” As he spoke, he tightened his arms around Adrian, tucking him against his chest.

“Good.”

Adrian rested his chin on Haru’s shoulder. “You said you’re not a prisoner here.”

“Mn,” he grunted. “I thought it best while I was adjusting to the powers of the goddess that I put some distance between myself and the clan for their protection. I have gotten a handle on the powers much better. Especially now that I have my Adrian in my arms.”

Heat burned Adrian’s cheeks, but he ignored it. Right now, the only thing that mattered to him was Haru’s happiness and health. If he was feeling better holding Adrian, that was what he was going to do.

“Do you think it would be safe for you to move to the clan compound for the night? You could soak in a hot bath, and we can get you something to eat.”

Haru hummed. “And my Adrian will sleep beside me in my bed. Yes, this is an excellent plan.”

Oh yeah, they were blowing Nori’s plans for him to stay away from Haru out of the water. It was going to be okay. He hoped.

FOUR

OMARI HARU

Nori was waiting for them, looking tired and annoyed, when they returned to the clan. Haru moved ahead of their group and kneeled before his clan leader and uncle, bowing his head.

“Please do not be angry, dear Uncle. Adrian and the others disobeyed you out of fear for me. If you must be angry, be angry with me.”

Nori huffed and grabbed Haru’s arms, pulling him until Haru climbed to his feet. He tapped Haru on the chin, his annoyance melting away. “I’m not angry, you frustrating child. I’m worried about you.”

“Don’t worry. Adrian will stay with me through the night to keep me and the clan safe.”

Another disgruntled noise escaped Nori, as if he knew the methods he planned to use to keep Adrian at his side and his mind distracted from the powers that roiled inside him. “Fine. Fine. I’ve had some food sent to your room. Eat, please. You need to keep up your strength.”

“Thank you for your patience, Clan Leader,” Adrian murmured with a bow of his head. “I promise to watch over him.”

“Good. Do not let him cause you to lose sleep, though. He is too much of a troublemaker.”

Haru bussed a quick kiss to Nori’s cheek, making the old dragon bluster as Haru snagged Adrian’s hand and pulled him deep into the clan’s buildings, heading toward his chambers. During Adrian’s first visit to the Isle of Stone, he’d not had the chance to show Adrian his quarters. He would not miss the chance again.

Leaving the others far behind to deal with Nori, Haru pulled Adrian along at a quick pace, weaving down corridors and through courtyards until he reached his rooms, close to his sister’s.

“You will sleep with me in here tonight,” Haru announced as he slid the double doors open. Familiar scents from old incense and the nearby night-blooming jasmine filled his nose. Some of the tension that continued to tighten his shoulders unwound as he stepped into his domain. When he’d first returned to his home, he’d not even attempted to sleep in his rooms. He hadn’t trusted his own mind and had wanted to put as much space as possible between himself and his clan mates.

Adrian’s strong arms wrapped around Haru’s waist from behind while he rested his chin on Haru’s shoulder. “It looks exactly as I expected it to.”

Haru blinked, trying to see the room lit by low-burning candles and lamps through Adrian’s eyes. At the entrance was the main sitting room with an assortment of chairs and a cushioned daybed set by a low table. He entertained little, but on the rare occasions that he read, he preferred to lounge comfortably. There was an assortment of delicately painted scrolls on the walls, featuring flowers or distant mountains. Either his sister or his mother had painted most of them.