Page 51 of Mad Dragon of Chaos

Haru’s head popped up. He planted a hand under the pillow behind Adrian and lifted him into a half sitting position in the bed. “Did they hurt you?”

Adrian shook his head and winced. He lifted his left hand and gestured toward his face. “This was all from the explosion. They just chucked me in a room, unsure of what to do with me.”

“I lost control. After the explosion, I couldn’t find you. I—” His voice broke as he relived that agonizing memory of not being sure whether Adrian was alive or dead. Unsure if he’d failed in managing this new god power he was protecting and hurt his mate.

Yet before he could crumble into sobs, a soft smile on Adrian’s lips stopped him. “I’m a horrible person for saying this, but in a way, I’m glad you did.”

“What?”

Adrian huffed a sardonic laugh that seemed to be directed at himself. He cupped Haru’s cheek with his rough, battle-worn hand, touching him as if Haru were the most precious thing in all his world. “When I looked out the window and saw the nightmare landscape, I knew you were still alive. I didn’t want you to be in pain or suffering because of me, but as long as the city was falling apart in a nightmare, you were alive and I could save you. It was the thought that kept me going.”

One corner of Haru’s mouth hitched higher, and a lump formed in his throat. “You wanted to save me?”

Adrian opened his mouth, lines instantly digging into his brow as if he were going to curse Haru and deny everything, but he closed his mouth and his face smoothed. A softness grew in his gray eyes. “It was the only thing I wanted. After I woke up in that crappy room and realized what happened, saving you became all that mattered to me. To hell with Erya and Caelan. To hell with Shey, Tyche, and the rest of the world. None of it mattered.” A tear slipped down Adrian’s cheek, and he let out a rattling breath. “I just had to get back to you.”

Haru couldn’t take it any longer. He zoomed close, crushing his mouth against Adrian’s in a bruising kiss that took everything he had. The relief of kissing Adrian, tasting him, feeling the shudder that ran through him was more than Haru’s brain could process. So, he shut it off and ran on pure instinct.

He pushed Adrian into the pillows as he stole kiss after hungry kiss until Adrian was moaning softly. Haru climbed over Adrian, positioning a knee on either side of his lover while shoving his hands into Adrian’s hair, holding the man completely captive to his every wish. Adrian was his mate. He always would be. Nothing would separate them ever again. Haru refused to allow it. He would destroy gods if he had to.

A gentle hand pressed on his chest, and another gripped his hip, but Adrian didn’t push him away. His fingers twisted in Haru’s shirt, pulling it tight across his shoulders.

Wait.

Shirt?

Haru broke off the kiss to gaze at himself and Adrian. They were dressed in silky pajamas made of silver and blue. He did not own clothes like these. His head popped up, and he peered at the exquisite room. Everything was decorated in shades of creamy white and the same blue that was in his sleepwear.

“Where are we?” he inquired as his eyes skimmed the distant dresser, cushioned white chair, silver-gilded mirror, and colorful bouquet. This was certainly nicer than any hotel he’d stayed in. Even better than that last one in Bellcairn.

Adrian chuckled. “Your brain finally started working, huh?”

Haru flashed a cheeky grin. “I need to make sure my Adrian is safe before I fill him with my cock.”

Adrian rolled his eyes but didn’t lose his smile. “We’re in the royal palace. You’ve been unconscious for about a day. You seemed physically okay, so Shey and I thought it might just be exhaustion.”

“And you have been taking care of me?”

Adrian nodded. “It wasn’t all that easy getting you washed and dressed, but I wasn’t about to let any of the palace maids help.” He hooked a hand around the nape of Haru’s neck and pulled him close so that their lips brushed as Adrian spoke. “You’re mine, and no one else is allowed to touch you.”

Haru kissed Adrian, wanting to lose himself in the feel of his lips. His mate was in his arms at last, and he would let nothing happen to him again.

He stretched out on top of Adrian, and they rolled together, tangling their legs in the blankets. Haru thrust his tongue into Adrian’s mouth and his hands smoothed along Adrian’s back, kneading muscles until a small, pained grunt escaped his lover. Haru immediately lifted his hand and broke off the kiss, worry filling his eyes.

“Don’t give me that. I was in an explosion. Of course, I’m bruised.”

“I want to see.”

Haru didn’t give him a chance to argue. He started unbuttoning Adrian’s shirt and pulling off his pants. They shoved the blankets off the end of the bed. He stopped moving when Adrian was finally sprawled across the middle of the bed, completely naked and looking like a delicious snack that Haru desperately wanted to devour.

Yes, there were bruises. A couple marred his arms and another larger one spread across the right side of his rib cage. The ones on his back were larger and darker. Yet they went well with his motley collection of scars from a lifetime of danger and heroism.

As much as he worried about keeping Adrian safe, he loved that his mate was a daring man of action who never shrank from his duty. He dove in, always doing what had to be done and protecting the weak. His mate was a brave, honorable man. An excellent addition to the Omari clan.

“Well?”

Adrian’s voice cut through Haru’s wandering thoughts. He blinked and found Adrian staring at him with an expectant expression.

“Huh?”