Page 45 of The Loneliest Dragon at Christmas
“Here,” Avery finally said, returning with a book. “This is calledThe Ancient Dragon and the Brave Knight.It’s interesting. Or I think it is.” He touched the cover. “It’s about a dragon who lives in a cave. He has lived there for many years all alone. Then a knight comes to slay him and make a name for himself, but instead—” He stopped himself. He didn’t want to give away the ending. “I like it. It’s a romance. Do you like romances?”
“I do. Ordelia used to read them to us on cold winter nights.” Jack took the book and sat down in the armchair by the fire, Avery’s favourite armchair.
Happiness boiled up inside Avery at the sight of Jack, in his chair, by his fire, in his den, holding one of his books!
Mine.
Dropping down onto the floor, Avery sat staring up at Jack, his body humming with pleasure, struggling to sit still and not bounce with glee.
Jack glanced at him. He hesitated. “Do you want me to read to you?”
Avery paused. He hadn’t thought of that. He’d just wanted to watch Jack read. That had been all Avery wanted. But for Jack to read to him…
Every stitch and fibre of his being yearned.
“Yes,” Avery hissed. He’d never had this, never had someone to read to him. He couldn’t put into words how much he wanted it now.
“All right.” Jack opened the book. “There was once a dragon…”
Avery leaned forward, watching Jack’s beautiful lips move. The words that Avery had read many times before caressed him. Jack’s deep, warm voice wrapped around him. Avery took a deep breath, hanging on to each and every word.
After several minutes, Jack paused. “Sorry if I’m not the best reader. My mother and father taught me to read. I didn’t have fancy tutors or go to a proper?—”
“You’re amazing,” Avery cut him off. “Amazing!”
Jack froze. Then he smiled. Avery’s heart seemed to grow until it filled his chest and he thought he’d explode with joy.
Then Jack continued to read.
CHAPTER 23
“Dinner is served.”
In a daze, Jack looked up from the book. How long had he been reading? He’d lost track of time. Blinking, Avery seemed to be coming out of a daze too. He’d been watching Jack, sitting cross-legged on the floor, completely content to listen to Jack read.
With a start, Jack realised he didn’t want this moment to end. He wanted to sit here in the cosy heat of the room, he and Avery both dressed in fluffy robes, and just read to Avery.
He’d forgotten he was in an expensive apartment. He’d forgotten his unease regarding their differences in wealth and class. He’d forgotten everything except the enjoyment of being with Avery.
Taking a deep breath, Jack looked around the room. The library hadn’t been what he expected. At least not completely. Whilst he noticed the expensive furnishings, bookshelves, and large room, he’d expected the room to feel more pristine and extravagant like the drawing room.
But instead it felt lived in and used. It felt alive with Avery’s presence. And sure, there were expensive-looking leather-bound books. But they sat comfortably beside or piled on top of wornsecond-hand books, all exceedingly loved by the dragon who owned them.
Jack felt comfortable in Avery’s space. Which shocked him after the catastrophe of the first visit.
Jack regretted not giving Avery the book he’d bought him. It lay tucked away beneath his bed in his room, still wrapped in paper. Jack wanted to give it to Avery now. Then it could have a special place in the dragon’s collection. He’d thought it not good enough. He now knew that Avery would have appreciated it and would have seen the book’s worth.
Jack cleared his throat, closing the book. “It’s a lovely book.”
Avery beamed up at him. “Really?”
Jack nodded. Reluctantly, he rose. Avery and Jack followed Daniel out of the room. Avery stroked the books as he passed them, like a lover’s touch. He hummed softly in his throat.
Jack smiled. The dragon and his hoard of books.
They followed Daniel to the dining room. Once again, the room was not what Jack had expected. He’d thought it would be similar to the opulent drawing room, all elegance and over-the-top luxury.
It was not.
