by Jana Downs
He waved his hand in greeting and crossed the white marble floor to his throne. It was one of the original ones left over from the first fae to live Underhill, and it had a potent, untamed magick to it that was connected to the very soul of the realm. It enabled him to connect to each and every one of his people and they to him. It was enormous. The trunk of a tree, which at one time must’ve dwarfed the palace itself in terms of height, took up the entire wall. The back of it went straight up through the ceiling and out the roof for several hundred feet. Every inch was carved with images of legends, morality tales, even children’s fables. A weeping willow was carved like a halo around where he sat, the names of every King and Queen to grace it magically engraved in each willowy branch. He sat on the surprisingly comfortable seat and relaxed into the magical embrace.
“Welcome, everyone. I trust you’ve had a productive week?” A chorus of greetings met his. Court was not just a time to bring complaints to their King but to introduce new family members, ones who had come of age, and petition their King for favors. All around, though tedious, it was an enjoyable time.
Mar and Quis appeared to his right and left consecutively. His advisors were dressed in the silver and gold of his Court, and they inclined their heads in greeting to him. They both looked well rested and freshly showered. They’d probably been with Salvatore.
His people formed a line at the end of his dais, waiting to be called forward by Destin. He spared another glance toward his advisors. He ached to ask the question that was on the tip of his tongue. Destin gave himself a mental shake. He’d see for himself afterward.
“He’s fine, my lord,” Mar offered, taking out a small scroll and quill from the vest pockets. “He has much more control than you would imagine.”
“He’s also become quite proficient in the art of male loving,” Quis added with a sly look. “Though we’ve saved his back entrance for your eventual use. His mouth and cock are quite superb.”
Destin choked on his own spit and glared at the two mischievous advisors before glancing back at the Court. They all seemed to be sporting the same Cheshire cat grins. He frowned. Was he imagining things?
“I will not make him my Consort. I’ve said this before. Do not speak of it again.” He made his voice as hard as he could manage, but the tone still held no conviction, even in his mind. The two advisors bowed unapologetically.
“Of course, my King. Forgive us,” Mar said, going back to his scroll. He signaled the first set of people to come forward.
Court went by at the steady pace in the usual way. Within the first twenty minutes he’d welcomed the new baby Lord and Lady Trendle had had in his absence, settled a land debate between two trolls who were both as guilty of greed as they could be, and had given his blessing to a union between one of his guardsmen, Daren, and his new Consort, Develle.
He was in a good mood and was just starting to forget about Salvatore completely when a large knock sounded on the top entrance door. That door was reserved for those creatures which had flying capabilities and were more comfortable in the air than on the ground. He’d installed that entrance for those fae, but there weren’t as many with wings big enough to carry them anymore among the nobles. Typically, it was a skill of either the superelite blue bloods, which were all in attendance already, and the lower gentry, ironically enough.
He frowned and glanced at his shadows. “Naut, open the upper door please. It appears we have a latecomer.” The shadow melted and streamed toward the door, hovering beside it as he tugged it open.
The door opened wide, and upon the ledge was perched a magnificent creature which hadn’t been seen in Underhill since before its abandonment eons ago. Wide dragon’s wings the color of crimson flames were spread wide for balance. The reptilian appendages practically glistened in the sun and hints of gold could be picked up on each and every deep-red scale. Destin’s heart tripped over itself at the knowledge of who was knocking on his front door.
“Salvatore,” he whispered, his cock instantly hard and tenting his loose trousers. His advisors grinned, and his Court gaped in awe. The sunlight streaming behind Salvatore did a good job of casting the front of him in shadow, but Destin knew without a doubt who those beautiful wings belonged to.
Salvatore nodded to the shadow before making his descent. It was a lazy glide, displaying for the Court not only his power but his grace. They gave him room as he came to a soft landing, his feet barely making a sound on the marble. He was barefoot with just a pair of low-slung jeans on that hugged his obviously firm cock and ass to perfection. He was shirtless as well, and as Destin’s eyes traveled from his feet, he shuddered at what presented itself to him on Salvatore’s tight, ropey abdomen. His belly button was pierced, top and bottom, with interlocking twists of metal inlaid with flicks of a dark stone.
Lord and Lady, that’s hot. He continued his perusal helplessly. He licked his lips as his eyes came to Salvatore’s powerful chest. His nipples were pierced now with silver hoops with a suspended bead between them that were in the shape of dragons’ heads. His arousal jerked. What a sight. He couldn’t wait to lick those bits to a tight peak. Salvatore had confessed once that he’d never had a piercing, and Destin couldn’t wait to show him how interestingly sensitive his nipples were now that they had those bits in them. He nearly bit his tongue off at the thought. No. Not happening. Not touching. Remember?
Still he couldn’t help but finish his eye fuck. His heart did stop then. Salvatore’s face was always absolute perfection, but he’d cut his hair and now it was unbearably beautiful. The shorter hair was a fauxhawk that was spiked in all the right places with a soft gel by the looks of it. It made his face look fierce and masculine, no longer the civilized noble that had hit on him at the bar but a real animal. Destin’s traitorous cock leaked a drop of pre-cum.
“Sorry I’m late,” Salvatore said in way of greeting. He sounded completely unapologetic. “I wanted to look my best since I wanted an audience with my King.” He gave a mocking bow, and Destin saw the dragon inside each and every action. He wanted to whimper in instinctive display of submissive demand. Fae royalty were the natural mates of dragons, and Salvatore was displaying that natural attraction perfectly.
“Destin, you need to greet your new courtier,” Quis reminded in a gentle whisper. The Court was all looking at Destin for his reaction. It should’ve been obvious by now, but damn if his cheeks didn’t flush with embarrassment. His advisors had known that Salvatore would be ready and was going to make an appearance in Court today, and they’d kept it from him. Damn them both.
“C–come forward,” Destin commanded, his voice shaking. He mentally rolled his eyes. Smooth, he thought to himself. Those wings fluttered with energetic movement before settling against Salvatore’s body. In a flash of light they disappeared, reforming as a tattoo-like pattern on Salvatore’s back.
Destin watched in fascination as Salvatore’s body stepped forward the last few feet to the edge of the dais before kneeling on it. He didn’t lower his gaze respectfully as he lowered his body. He kept their eyes locked the entire time. Destin swallowed hard and tried to adjust without seeming obvious in the rearrangement of his cock.
“Welcome to the Summer Court, Salvatore. I know you’ve met some of our Court already, but we would like to formally welcome you into the fold.” Destin was amazed that his voice came out so steady. He sounded almost as formal and mildly interested as he wanted to!
“Thank you, my King. I appreciate your generosity in having me at your Court. However, I also have a complaint as well as a petition to lodge.” The way Salvatore spoke said that he had done this sort of thing before. Again, Destin wondered what the hell he was.
“This is the appropriate place to do so,” Destin said carefully. “Feel free to make your wishes and intentions known.”
Salvatore’s eyes sparkled with an emotion that Destin couldn’t quite place, and when tasting the air trying to get a feel, he was swamped with a drowning, overwhelming, and overpowering
lust. He did groan aloud then, and some of his Court chuckled, including his advisors. They’d never seen him in such a state. He glared at them until they were once again silent.
“My King, my complaint is that you have taken advantage of me, and I demand that you take responsibility for your actions,” Salvatore said calmly. The Court’s collective eyes bulged. No one spoke to Destin like that.
“How have I done that?” Destin asked crossly. “I’ve done nothing but be generous to you since you arrived here.”
“Hear me out.” Salvatore made it a demand, which oddly shut Destin up. “First, on Earth you made me fall in love with you.” Destin’s breath left him in a whoosh of sound. Holy Mother of the Universe! Did he just say he loved me? “Yet, you shied away from my advances, subtle though they were. I could respect that and chose to give my pursuit of you one last shot. Instead of rejecting me, you came into my arms willingly.” He smirked. “At one point you even begged me to take you home.”
The jackass! Destin thought to himself.
“It was my understanding that, though words were never really exchanged, that we would be pursuing a relationship. Then one of your guards inflicted a mortal wound unto my person.”
“I already have paid that debt!” Destin snapped. “I made you immortal and offered you a place among the nobility of my Court. Hell, I even gave you a room to stay in!”
“Shut. Up.” Salvatore growled. Destin seethed but did as ordered. “That is not the area of complaint, my lord. You were indeed generous in your granting of immortality, your healing, and your space in this fine palace of yours. However, once I transitioned and the hungers began, you abandoned me.”
“I gave you to others who could give you the sort of sex you needed to become strong and stable,” Destin murmured, miserably. Why was Salvatore airing this all out before his Court?
“You gave my virginity away to complete strangers when that gift was intended for you and you alone.”
“You weren’t exactly a virgin.”
“I’d never been with a man,” Salvatore countered. “How could I find meaningful sex among the Court when you know I was in love with you? By your law, a dragon which has bonded with one person in particular can never be denied.”
“You’re not full dragon!” Destin protested. He was getting a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. He glanced at his advisors and saw them both looking studiously anywhere but him. So they’d told him about the Dragonii law. Dammit!
Salvatore’s wings burst from his back and flapped angrily, kicking up a wind. “Is this dragon enough for you?” He growled.
“What do you want? An apology? I said I was sorry!” Destin yelled a little desperately. He wanted to go lock himself in his bedroom.
“I want you to take responsibility and come to my bed.” Salvatore delivered the words like an executioner delivered an axe swing. The whole world went silent, holding its breath. Destin couldn’t even breathe. He just stared at Salvatore like he’d lost his mind. It wasn’t an unheard of request, but demanding it of the King of Underhill was ridiculous. Salvatore continued after a moment. “Furthermore, I petition to be your Consort until such time as we both mutually sever the relationship.”
Destin released his breath in a gust of air. He was so upset, but his body didn’t mind the idea in the slightest. It was happy at being finagled into Salvatore’s bed. “Let me consult with my advisors a moment, and then I’ll give you your verdict.” Did he sound breathless? He absolutely sounded breathless.
He waved a hand, creating a bubble where no sound could either penetrate or escape. He glared at Mar and Quis.
“What have you done?” he demanded. Fury felt etched into every line of his face. “I told you how I felt about the subject.”
“Your fear keeps you from him, but he would be an excellent Consort for the Court. He has a generous heart, understands our ways, is as strong as you, and will be able to shoulder the responsibilities that will be demanded of him as your only lover,” Mar offered logically.
“I don’t give a damn about how good he is for the Court!” Destin seethed. “What about how good he is for my heart? I can’t survive losing another lover like I lost Terren.” He brought his hand up to his temple and pressed his fingers there. The Fae King fought back tears with every cell of his being.
“A dragon’s love is forever, my lord,” Quis reminded gently. “He will make you a fine and happy mate.”
“I don’t know anything about him,” Destin protested. “I mean, I know some stuff, like what his favorite color is, but nothing big. I don’t even know what he was. I don’t know anything about his home life. I know next to nothing important.”
“None of that is important. Just details,” Mar stated. “Besides, you haven’t even given him your name yet. He is taking a leap of faith with you just as much as you are taking one with him.”
“I will not be manipulated into this,” Destin said darkly. He looked at his advisors. “I will not be controlled by two do-good advisors and one horny dragon. I am King here.”
He waved a hand to break his silence spell. He addressed the kneeling Salvatore. “I will grant you your boon of coming to my bed. It will happen tonight after last meal, and you will stay until the following evening in my bedchambers. I stole something precious from you, and I will accept the need to repay that misstep. However, a crush and a mistake do not equal an eternity of being bonded with someone. I deny you as my Consort. We will come together for one night and one night only. Afterward, you may court and be courted by anyone who would choose to pursue you.”
“But the law—” Quis began.
“I am the law!” Destin thundered. His power struck out at the man beside him, throwing him from the dais and onto the floor below. If he’d been mortal, it might have seriously hurt him, but as a fae he merely got up and limped away from the throne. The Court let out a frightened murmur, and the throne groaned. Their King was normally not so hot tempered, nor was he so cruel.
Destin stood, feeling instant regret. “I…” he began. He shook his head and turned away from the crowd. “Court is adjourned for now. I will continue on the morrow, but for now I have to go prepare.”
He disappeared from the throne back to his bedchamber. Only then did he start to weep, but in joy or in sadness he didn’t know. Anticipation licked his insides. He wanted this. Yet, he felt like he’d lose himself completely if he lost another love like his first one. He knew loving Salvatore would consume him, but he was helpless to stop what was going to take place. Where the body went, the heart would follow. He just hoped that Salvatore wouldn’t lead him down a path that would lead to more pain.
Chapter Nine
Salvatore was tired from his little display. Quis and Mar helped him to his feet and they exited the Courtroom through a passage behind the throne. He needed to drink down some emotions before he went to Destin. He needed his strength to deal with his soon-to-be lover. But…he didn’t want to sleep with anyone. Even his other self didn’t want to do anything but go find Destin and mark him with all the vigor he could muster.
“You need to rest,” Mar said as Salvatore folded his wings back against his body and leaned against a nearby column for support. “I can’t believe you flew in. I told you it would take months to build up enough strength for that much flight.”
“I managed,” Salvatore said, just concentrating on breathing. It hadn’t been as easy as he’d thought. The visceral memory of how the wing thing worked was infinitely different from the actuality. His back was killing him. The muscles there were not used to the vigorous workout needed to keep his wings hefting his body into the air.
“You climbed the last few feet by sheer will and determination. You were late because you were catching your breath,” Quis grumbled. “That was incredibly stupid.”
“But the display worked. Did you see his face?” Destin had been enchanted with him, aroused by his strength and his determination. His logical mind may have been protesting, but tha
t body of his had been sending out come-get-me vibes like there was no tomorrow. His agony over his bluff had done its job and been totally worth it.
The two nodded. “Yes. We saw. However, you haven’t yet begun the real battle, and you’re practically falling over.”
Salvatore nodded. They were right. The easy part had been cornering Destin in a place where he couldn’t escape without causing a huge scandal. “He rejected me as his Consort.” He hadn’t realized how much that had hurt until this instant.
“We didn’t expect him to give you the whole deal. Thus why it had two parts. Your retribution is the only thing he can logic out that makes sense. He probably thinks you’ll turn on him after a while the same way Terren did. Convincing him to make you his Consort will take time. First, we need him to need you so that his heart will be more open to the idea of keeping you.” Quis’s logic was sound.
“I still don’t understand why you are helping me,” Salvatore said a tad suspiciously. They both shrugged delicately.
“We’ve been with your Destiny since he became King of this world. Taming it was not easy, and he had to make a tremendous amount of sacrifices to make it into the stable place you see now. You are the key to his happiness. Therefore we will help you in any way we can. Our King is getting in his own way, and we will not abide it.” Mar said it like it was religious doctrine instead of an explanation, but Salvatore got it.