STORY EXCERPT

Dragon fire singed Asher’s backside as the healing flames sealed his wounds shut. Asher clenched his teeth and clung to the side of the metal table he was laying on to keep from crying out.

“I’m almost done,” James said. It was meant to give him encouragement to endure it just a bit longer, but all Asher could think about was the agony that racked his body.

He pushed James away.

“Enough,” Asher growled as he sat up. James was an excellent doctor, but Asher just couldn’t endure any more. The doctor pursed his lips as he cast a look of disapproval in Asher’s direction.

“You really should let me finish. You could get an infection.” James’s warning didn’t faze Asher.

“I’ve lived through worse.” He flashed him a reassuring smile but it did little to change James’s disposition.

“James is right, you know.”

Asher turned at the intrusion and was met with Ezekiel’s soft amber gaze as he leaned against the doorframe.

“Hey, Zeke,” Asher greeted. He stood and instantly regretted it. Pain radiated throughout his torn muscles and Asher had to grab ahold of the table to keep from falling to his knees.

“I told you I wasn’t finished,” James said with a raised eyebrow.

Asher’s eyes watered as he looked to James. “I don’t think I can endure much more of that dragon fire. That shit burns like a son of a bitch.”

James shrugged. “Suit yourself.” He packed up his belongings. “I’ll go ahead with your sister’s checkup if you don’t need anything else.”

“That sounds good.” Asher grimaced as he sat back down onto the table. “I’ll meet you in the throne room when you finish.”

James nodded and exited the room, leaving Asher alone with Ezekiel. Ezekiel’s brows drew together as he approached. “Is something wrong with Kara?”

Asher shook his head. “No. It’s just her weekly physical. The boys have all resumed their normal growth rate, but Kara still hasn’t aged past six. It’s been nearly thirteen years since our parents’ death and she hasn’t grown at all.”

Ezekiel took note of Asher’s concern. “I wouldn’t worry too much. It’s not like she can stay little forever. Her growth was probably slowed because of all the stressful changes that happened to her at such a young age. Just give her some more time.”

Asher raised an eyebrow at Ezekiel. “If I give her anymore time, I’ll be an old man before she reaches adulthood.”

“She’ll catch up eventually. Just be glad she didn’t accelerate her growth like I did. Talk about some painful growing pains. It was awful.” He shuddered at the thought.

“Besides, at least you don’t have to worry about dealing with suitors on top of everything else you’ve had to deal with over the years.” A small smile spread across Ezekiel’s face as he leaned against the table.

Asher cringed. “Don’t say that. I can’t even handle that right now.” He sighed as he looked to Ezekiel. The years after the Fae Wars had been rough on both of them. He could already see the lines of worry crinkle around the edges of Ezekiel’s face. They’d both had to grow up too soon. “Sometimes I wish things were different. Life would be easier.”

Asher pressed his fingertips to his temples. He loved his siblings, he really did, but sometimes the stress of raising ten children and protecting his clan was too much. It wouldn’t have been so bad if they hadn’t all slowed their growth, but Asher had been the only one to resume a normal growth rate and the duties of clan leader had fallen to him after his parents’ death. He had no choice. His people needed him and so did his family. He just had to make it work even if that meant no rest for himself.

A smile tugged at the corners of Ezekiel’s lips. “You’re doing a wonderful job.”

“At least one of us thinks so.” Asher grimaced as he felt a twinge of pain.

“Here, let me take a look.”

Asher pursed his lips but didn’t protest as he lay back down onto the table.

“Damn, what tore into you?” Ezekiel moved his hands across his back and Asher couldn’t help but flinch.

“It was another rogue dragon. I don’t know what’s been going on, but it’s like these shifters are going crazy and I have no idea why. I managed to wrestle this latest one into submission. My guards have him locked in the prison.”

“You know if it’s a virus or something, maybe I can help,” Ezekiel offered. Asher grimaced as he touched on a particularly deep wound. The pain was temporary, though, nothing like the agony he’d felt from James. He relaxed into Ezekiel, letting him work his magic. As a golden dragon, healing was his specialty. Ezekiel didn’t need medicinal concoctions or potions like the doctors in his clan did. He had a gift and right now Asher was grateful.

“Would you like me to take a look at the rogue dragon?” Ezekiel asked as he finished with the last of his wounds.

Asher turned to look at him. His pale blond hair fell in front of his amber-colored eyes. Asher couldn’t help but notice how much he looked like Demetri. He shook his head to free himself from the thought as he sat up.

“Sure,” he agreed as he reached for his shirt. “Let me go check in with James before he leaves.”

“You want me to go with you?”

Asher nodded. “Yeah, that would be great.”

Ezekiel headed for the door and Asher stopped him. “I appreciate you always coming to take care of me.” A half grin spread across his face as he met Ezekiel’s gaze.

“You know I’m always here for you.”

Asher knew there was truth to those words. Ezekiel had always been there for him. Hell, he wouldn’t have even made it this long if he didn’t have Ezekiel watching his back. Sometimes Asher felt like Ezekiel was the only thing keeping him sane.

ADULT EXCERPT

Asher pulled off his shirt and Ezekiel’s gaze trailed down the hard planes of his abdomen. His piercings glistened in the light of the fire that illuminated the room and created a romantic ambiance to the place. Ezekiel reached for him, yearning to feel his bare skin under his touch. Asher cupped his face with both hands, pulling him close for another kiss. Their lips met and Ezekiel’s world faded away until all that was left was Asher. Their tongues entwined as Asher reached for his belt buckle. Ezekiel was already hard and ready for him. He gasped when he felt Asher grip his hard cock.

Asher dropped to his knees, pulling Ezekiel’s pants down and freeing him from the last remnants of his clothing. He pressed his lips to Ezekiel’s cock and a shiver of desire ran down Ezekiel’s spine. Asher’s hand gripped the base of his cock as he lapped at the mushroom-shaped head. His teasing was tormenting Ezekiel. He groaned in agony as he ran his hands through Asher’s hair, urging him on.

Asher took his cock into his mouth, inch by inch. His actions were slow and torturous as he ran his tongue along all the tender spots. It was as though he knew exactly where to touch him. He tossed his head back as he relished in the pleasure Asher was inflicting upon him. More. His inner dragon growled. He could feel his eyes burning with their own internal light as he dug his hands into Asher’s bare shoulders.

“Fuck,” he breathed. His whole body ached with the need to feel Asher buried deep inside him. He wouldn’t be able to resist much more.

As though Asher could sense his urgency, he pulled his cock from his mouth and looked up at Ezekiel. A Cheshire cat grin spread across his lips. “Get on the bed.”

It was an order Ezekiel was happy to obey as he moved to the king-sized bed and laid on the black silk sheets. He watched as Asher reached for the bottle of oil on the nightstand. His heart skipped a beat when Asher looked down at him. “Spread your legs and let me have you.”

* * * *

Asher stared down at Ezekiel. His slender physique sculpted to perfection as he stared up at him with wide amber eyes. He’d wanted this for a while now. He’d thought about it every night, but he’d always held back, too afraid that Ezekiel wouldn’t share his desire. He now knew different. His dragon howled with delight as he yearned to bury his hard cock deep inside Ezekiel’s tight hole. He wanted nothing more than to surround himself with Ezekiel, to breathe him, and never let him go. It was a bizarre lust—a desire so strong that Asher didn’t know if he could stop himself even if he wanted to.

He poured a small bit of the oil onto his hand and smeared it across Ezekiel’s tight hole. Ezekiel shuddered under his touch as Asher slipped a finger inside. He massaged the oil into him, stretching him out and preparing him for what was to come. He pushed another finger into Ezekiel and he felt his muscles tighten around him. Again, he worked his fingers, stretching him out. Ezekiel moaned as Asher slipped yet another finger inside him. This time his body was ready for the intrusion as Ezekiel’s muscles relaxed and embraced the pleasure Asher was giving him.

Their eyes met and Asher knew Ezekiel was ready for him. Asher pulled his fingers from Ezekiel and took more oil into his hand. Asher smeared an ample amount over his hard cock and positioned himself in between Ezekiel’s legs. Ezekiel reached for him with shaky hands. Asher could see the nervousness he felt behind his lust.

He pushed his cock into Ezekiel’s tight hole, slipping inside him inch by inch. “Relax,” Asher soothed. “I’ve got you.”

Ezekiel arched his back, meeting Asher halfway until he was buried deep inside him. Ezekiel’s muscles contracted around him and Asher nearly came undone. He felt like nothing Asher had ever experienced before and he didn’t know why it had taken him this long to give into his desires. Their eyes locked as Asher moved his hips, slipping in and out of Ezekiel’s tight body.

Asher gripped Ezekiel’s hips as their bodies moved as one. It was as though they were made for each other. Asher pressed a hand to Ezekiel’s chest and he could feel his erratic heart beating beneath the surface. He quickened their pace, yearning for the release that only Ezekiel could give to him. Ezekiel’s nails dug into Asher’s backside as his body thrashed against him. His moans of ecstasy filled the silence of the room. Their bodies were dripping with sweat as they ground against one another, building their pleasure with every move of their hips.

“Fuck, you feel good.”