Page 22 of The Wrath of Ashes
“That’s a first. You and Slath both have a penchant for mucking about in ratty attire. Lapryda would be dying if he were here.” Envi stood and passed Rath a damp rag.
“What about me?” Slath entered the room, his eyes every bit as blue and dark as Rath’s, but his scales had a tint of green to them, a dragon of earth, belied by his vertical tine-like horns. Unlike Rath’s gently curving specimens, Slath’s were unimpressive.
“Speaking of underdressed and slovenly!” Ghreid sighed heavily. “Go get some decent clothes on. You’re going to meet Rath’s mate tonight.”
Slath blinked up innocently and shrugged as his large sketchbook settled on his hip. “Already met him, sort of.” His fingertips bore the telltale black of charcoal, and he thrust his sketchbook into Rath’s hands, and he blanched, avoiding Slath’s stained hands.
“Careful! And what do you mean you met him already?” Rath puffed up anxiously and Slath rolled his eyes, fidgeting with the book to open it to the latest page, the rippled paper adorned with an image that stole Rath’s breath away.
Gentle curls of Asha’s soft waves spilled over his head, his nearly bare body stretched out amid the plentiful cushions and pillows, the only thing covering his skin, a sliver of quilt over one leg and a crisp pair of fitted braies, short and comely. Were Rath alone, he’d be having a private moment with the sketch.
“You’ve outdone yourself.” Rath breathed as his fingers brushed the page’s edge, drawing a curious Ghreid and Envi to peer.
“Egads, Brother. Your dragon is pacing in your eyes. He is a beautiful specimen.” Envi hummed with appreciation and paused, brow furrowed as he asked Slath the question Rath should have been. “What were you doing loitering about while he slept?”
“Well… At first, I thought I would see about painting that mural in your hall I’ve been threatening to do for gods know how long, and then I caught the scent of your bedservant’s bath oils and thought I might borrow some to cut my pigments, but he chased me off and I saw your Ashen one, and Jeron agreed to let me sketch if I wouldn’t wake him.” Slath shrugged haplessly and grinned at his word. “He’s gorgeous.”
“I know that! Stay away from my nest, please. I’m not going to rush things like Father and end up making him fragile, if his banty cockerel of a master hasn’t made him so already.” Rath went back to daubing the ink from his hands and tried with hispants, but it was of no use. If he left to go change again, he might miss Asha returning.
“Sleeps awful sound for someone that could be fragile. But hey, we match!” Slath beamed and snatched his sketchbook, holding it out of Rath’s grasp to keep him from going after the sketch. “Hey! It’s not done. Also, I don’t want you doing anything weird with it. I can scent your dragon’s frustrations, you know.”
Rath sighed raggedly and slumped into his chair. “I’m a nervous wreck!” Rath took a lingering glance at the book Envi had open before him.Agriculture.Nothing interesting.
“So, what’s this Ashen one of yours like, Rath?” Envi closed his tome and settled himself. Getting him out of a book sometimes was an act of parliament.
“His mark is his wings, and he’s a kind soul, and clever. His heart is boundless, and he cares so very much. His empathy and care for others makes me confident he will be a proper complement to me. I wish to see how he flourishes with a little kindness.”
“Hmm. I wonder if he enjoys reading.” Envi’s eyes slowly migrated back toward his tome, but he held back, a sign of his restraint and interest.
“I do, very much,” Asha said from the doorway, his voice quiet and uncertain. “The estate’s tutor taught me to read and my figures of an evening when he was done with the earl’s sons.”
“Lovely!” Envi beamed as he stood, taken aback when Asha bowed politely to them. Jeron, at his side, patted him and tugged him to stand with an encouraging whisper.
“Sorry. I am not accustomed to having station.” Asha forced a soft smile.
“Excellent! He’s not been taught proper disrespect yet!” Ghreid stood and stretched, narrowing his eyes at Asha.
“I’ve been told I’m a quick learner.” Asha’s soft smile tugged upward at the corner of his mouth.
Cheeky…
“Oh, I will like you.” Ghreid swept in, ever the striking image of their father, all dark scales at his temples and an unfortunately dour expression permanently affixed to his face since birth. He hugged Asha swiftly and patted his back, and Rath winced on his behalf but sighed when Asha didn’t so much as flinch. Jeron had seen to him well.
“See, every bit as pretty as I drew him.” Slath grinned, his sharp teeth a mirror of Rath’s.
Asha blushed. “Thank you. And I’ll be sure to come by your studio when I’m more settled in. I’m not certain about sitting for you, but I appreciate the offer.”
“It is up to you and Rath if you choose to do so. Well, up to you. Rath can’t stop you from doing anything, Asha. Tell us if he gets too bossy.” Slath winked.
Jeron gestured Asha to take a seat beside Rath, stumbling past Envi, who gave him a welcoming pat to his arm. “You’ll meet the rest of us brothers over time.”
“How many brothers does Rath have?” Asha blinked up in surprise. “And no sisters?”
“Our mother couldn’t throw a girl for all the gold in the mountain. That’s why there’s seven of us. They kept trying! Father’s father was the same way, no girls.” Slath took his seat and tucked his sketchbook away in time for wine to be brought out, an elderflower brew full of the perfume and honeyed notes that Rath loved. Asha plucked the glass by the stem, sitting up and caressing the flute of it with slender fingers. Mezerath glanced away from the display, wanting Asha’s fingers on him in much the same way, caressing, exploring.
Asha withdrew his hand from the flute as his eyes glanced about, withdrawn and nervous. Slath, ever the socialite, even ifuncouth, reached across Rath’s setting and clinked his glass. “To our new brother! May you always feel welcome here.”
Asha reached for his glass again, drawn back into the moment and cheered politely. “S-so… You’re Slath, and you’re Rath…” Asha glanced about.
