Page 69 of Alastair
“Yep.”
“Lovely.”I only hoped my brothers waited until tomorrow to ambush me for details. If they tried tonight, they might not live to see morning.
“Enjoy the rest of your evening,” Penemuel said before leaving the courtyard.
Voices filtered from the path moments later. King Tatsuya, by the sound of it. He and the fallen angel got along well. The water dragon king had shared tales of their clan’s history, including the war between them and the ice dragons that had—thankfully—ended. Fascinated by it all, Penemuel had jotted down notes for a new fantasy series. Fictional, but inspired by the history of the five dragon clans.
Lazarus turned back to me. The sexual tension that had been building between us had vaporized. That hungry gleam was no longer in his eyes. “I should be going.”
“To see Uriel?”
“No. To my hut. I need sleep.” He grabbed my hand, his gaze on our fingers as he linked them. “Much has happened today. You should turn in as well. Michael wants to see you and your brothers train at first light.”
His hands were bigger than mine, but his touch was gentle. A contrast. Much like him. “We both need rest,” I said. “Why not do so together? Your bungalow is quieter than Baxter’s villa anyway.”
I wasn’t ready to say good night. Not when we’d only just begun to scratch the surface of our newly freed connection.
“If you slip into my bed—” Lazarus brought me flush against his body, “—sleeping will be the last thing on our minds.”
“You’re bold for a virgin.”
A hint of a smile touched his lips. “I’m a virgin, Alastair, but I’m not dead. And you?” He smoothed a hand along my jaw before gripping it tight. “You’ve tempted me for many, many years.”
“Bellamy never noticed. Why?” Because of Lust, my brother could sense the desires of anyone close to him.
“The warding helped block him from sensing it,” Lazarus explained. “I had to be careful in his presence, though, for one improper thought about you would’ve reached him.”
“Improper thought?” I smiled.
“Yes.” He dipped his face to my neck. “Like bending you over that desk in your study and sinking into you.”
I shuddered. His warm breath on my skin, as well as the image his words brought to mind, made me ache. “Is that one reason you were so cold when you came to visit us?”
“Partly.” Lazarus kissed the area below my ear. “Being indifferent, sometimes angry, helped divert those desires and shove them deeper where not even Lust could detect them.”
“Are you sure I can’t come over tonight?” I asked, a little breathless. Arousal heated my entire body, and my cock strained against my zipper. I had always prided myself on my restraint in terms of sex. I never allowed those urges to take over. I was always in control.
Not anymore.
The power of a fated mate was mind-bending. I craved his proximity. Craved his mouth and hands exploring every inch of me. I just cravedhim.
Lazarus released a raspy chuckle. The sound was about as foreign to my ears as the gnawing emotions clawing inside my chest—and the pool of aching heat in my groin. He never laughed. Never showed anything other than cold disdain and grouchiness. “Are you so desperate for my touch that you’d be willing to warm my bed on the first night? That’s not very proper of you, Pride.”
I noticed a hard swallow in his throat and, when I pressed closer, a heartbeat that thumped heavy inside his chest.
He was nervous.
Something about that warmed my heart. It caused a slight pang in it too.
“Perhaps you’re right.” I gently unwound from his arms. He watched me with a curious tilt of his head. “Today’s been a long day. We should call it a night.”
The tightness around his eyes softened a bit, and he breathed out. In a matter of seconds, emotion fled his expression. He had hidden his feelings for thousands of years. It would take more than one night to break that impulsive habit. “Until tomorrow, then.”
White wings unfurled from his back.
I gave a curt nod. “Sleep well.”
Lazarus looked as if he was about to take flight, but then he strode toward me, cupping my cheek. He glided his nose along mine and whispered, “Good night, Alastair. I pray this isn’t a dream.”
