Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 129584 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 648(@200wpm)___ 518(@250wpm)___ 432(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129584 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 648(@200wpm)___ 518(@250wpm)___ 432(@300wpm)
“That’s why I came, to see and judge with my own eyes. I never expected to find such danger here. My family was leery of me coming, and using a false name was a way to pacify them. They weren’t willing to commit to anything until I had checked out the situation here.”
Ravi felt like this was an apology and held up a hand to stop him. “I totally understand your reasoning; you don’t need to feel guilty about it. We were in hiding for five hundred years, remember? We have no room to throw stones at that glass house.”
The line of tension riding high in Sora eased.
“Thank you. I do feel better hearing that. It grated on me, not being able to tell you the full truth. You seemed to trust me completely, and yet I was hiding things.”
“But you obviously got permission from your clan? To tell us? Or did you decide to be a rebel and tell us anyway?”
“Oh, I got permission. After twisting my mother’s arm a bit. I told her of the attacks you’ve suffered, of how alone you are in this battle, and that I wasn’t having it. It’s wrong to expect you to battle the Jaeggi alone. The Council—the leaders of the Sodalicium—agreed, and finally gave me permission to be honest with you.”
“I’m really glad,” Ravi admitted. Even those words were a vast understatement. If voted for the understatement of the year, those three words would have won. “And if you’re looking for a challenge, you have definitely come to the right place.”
Sora threw his head back with a laugh that turned into a groan.
“Too much of a challenge for me to tackle by myself, I think. I might have wished a little too hard for one. It’s why I want the strength of my clan to back yours. All of the Sodalicium. We certainly have enough manpower—and firepower—to do some good here. But on a personal note, I came here for something else, too.”
“I love personal notes.” Ravi waggled his eyebrows in a mischievous manner. “Do tell.”
“Despite the size of my clan—which, as you know, is sizeable—I never found a personal connection there. I hoped that in another clan my odds might improve and I’d find someone I would like.”
Here Sora turned, orienting to face Ravi more directly. His expression was sweet, but a touch of nerves flickered across his face. “I found that far more quickly than I’d dreamed I would.”
Ravi found himself holding his breath. He thought he understood why Sora had pulled away earlier. Why he hadn’t kissed him. Because he wanted to be honest first, which was cool, Ravi now forgave him for the disappointment. They had that moment back, the tension and promise in full force, and Ravi found himself once more hanging on this man’s every action and word. Was Sora going to say what he really, dearly hoped he’d say? Because Ravi would be very much on board with it. Truly. Pleeeease say the right magic words. Like, do not pass go, do not collect two hundred dollars, just ask right now because he couldn’t take the suspense for another second.
“I couldn’t ask this under a false name. I can now, since you know precisely who I am. Ravi, would you agree to—”
“Yes,” Ravi blurted out, no longer able to keep his mouth in check.
“—court?” Sora finished, nearly doubling over with laugh.
“Yes, yes, yes, come here,” Ravi demanded, grabbing his hands and tugging him in closer. “Why the hell are you a full foot away from me, what’s wrong with you?”
“Apologies, my cute dragon.” Sora stepped all the way in, framing Ravi’s face with both hands before leaning in and kissing him with sweet, smoldering heat.
Ravi might have melted. Fuck yes, that’s what he wanted. He kissed back, sinking into the moment. Ravi’s dragon reared its head and got all jittery and excited.
Oh. Say what now?
Ravi stilled for a heartbeat, startled. His dragon never voiced excitement over anything like this. Normally it stayed curled up, content to watch through human eyes as Ravi had his fun or did whatever he needed to in order to take the edge off.
Well, hot damn. Dragon also saying me likey. Ravi could work with that. He dove back into the kiss with enthusiasm, finally getting his hands into that awesome hair, which was as silky as it looked. Would Sora be into hair pulling? Ravi really wanted an answer to this question, and he’d like to ask it soon.
His seduction skills were maybe a tad rusty, but surely, he could get this man into bed with lube soon. Surely.
Ravi absolutely loved the confident way Sora kissed him, the needy little groans the man made as Ravi tangled their tongues together in a hot, slick glide. It proved to be too much for his fragile willpower.