Page 40 of Henry & the Dragon
“This is Johann Sebastian Bach, a composer from hundreds of years ago. His music is so popular, people play it to this day. This is Concerto Number One in F Major.”
“It makes my soul soar,” Henry murmured as he swayed to the rhythm. “Never have I heard anything similar.”
“There are many different types of music. This is called classical, but there is also rock, pop, jazz, rap. Whatever people can think of, they create.”
“I must hear more!” Henry cried.
“Could we do that later?” Kai asked gently. “I would take time to know my future husband.”
“Oh? Oh! Yes, please, let us do that.”
Kai flicked the switch and the room fell silent, but Henry wasn’t worried. What he was looking forward to was far more exciting to him. Kai helped Henry strip out of his garments, tossing them onto the floor.
“Come tomorrow we’ll get you new clothes,” Kai murmured as he leaned in and kissed Henry’s shoulder. “Your skin is so beautiful. Sadly, as you worked in the apothecary and rarely saw the outdoors, I doubt it’s ever really been touched by the sun, so we’ll have to make that part of our daily routine.”
He licked Henry’s neck, which made him gasp at how decadent it felt.
“And you’re certain there is no Hell?” he asked, his stomach fluttering.
“No, there is no Hell. Nor Heaven. There is here and there is now. There is you and there is me. Two men who have professed their love, and tonight will consummate it.
Yes. Henry wanted that desperately.
Kai couldn’t believe how nervous he was. As a traveler, he’d never felt the need to mingle with other people. Yes, he’d seen some truly beautiful men and women, but Henry? He was in a class of his own. Kai stripped off his own clothes, his cock jutting out in front of him. He’d never thought he could be with anyone, but especially Henry. Nothing could make him happier.
“Come with me,” he whispered, taking Henry by the hand and leading him through the house to the bathroom.
“What is this?” Henry asked, staring at the shower.
“It’s called a shower. It’s what we use to get clean.”
Henry scowled. “Where do you heat the water?”
Kai bit back the chuckle. It wouldn’t do to have Henry think he was being laughed at.
“This has water delivered to it by pipes beneath the house. We can make it hot by turning this knob.” He gave it a slight twist and pulled it out to start the water. “See? Just like this.”
“By the gods,” Henry gasped.
“Nope, by the science.” Kai held his hand out. It wasn’t as hot as he liked—after all, he could stand in Mother’s fire and enjoy it—but he thought it would be warm enough for Henry. He brought his hand closer to the water. “Feel the warmth. Tell me if it’s too hot or too cold.”
Henry wiggled his fingers. “This is delightful!” he cried out. “Can we stand inside, or do we bathe out here?”
“We get inside and close the door behind us. For future reference, there is a bathtub. A big, wide glorious thing that you can soak in for hours, if you choose.”
“And how much do you charge for the use?”
“Well, if you live with me, you can use it whenever you’d like.”
Henry’s eyes opened wide and his mouth formed an O. “You would have me live with you?”
Kai leaned in and kissed him. “Of course. Where else would my husband and our daughter live?”
Henry sniffled as he embraced Kai. “I love you.”
A gentle kiss to Henry’s head. “And I you, dearest one.” He maneuvered them into the shower. “Now, let us get clean.”
As soon as Kai angled the nozzle, Henry sighed and tilted his head up toward the spray. “You were wrong,” he whimpered. “There is a heaven, and this is it. Never have I felt such a thing.”
