Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 112416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 562(@200wpm)___ 450(@250wpm)___ 375(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 562(@200wpm)___ 450(@250wpm)___ 375(@300wpm)
“Shey won’t be killed,” Haru stated, his words overflowing with confidence.
“Agreed, but revealing that he has magic from Kaes is dangerous. Far worse than death can happen to him if they discover the truth prior to his escape.”
“That is why we must find him before that happens.” Haru smirked and placed a hand under Adrian’s chin, tipping his head up so that he was forced to meet Haru’s eyes. Normally midnight-blue eyes seemed to grow lighter in the setting sunlight coming through the window, almost as if they glowed as he watched Adrian. “After we retrieve Shey and send him home, you will request a lengthy vacation from your duties.”
“I will, huh?” Adrian rolled his eyes, and Haru pinched his chin, pulling his gaze back.
“Yes, you will. For your break, I will bring you to my clan where I will teach you to be a dragon.”
A rough laugh broke from Adrian’s throat, but he couldn’t deny that his heart also sped up at the promise. A trip to the Isle of Stone. Staying with the Omari clan. It sounded like heaven to him. But he couldn’t let Haru know that. He was afraid Haru would scoop him up and fly him to his home right this second, Shey be damned.
“And what lessons do you have in mind? Lazing about in the sun and preening?”
“There is that. I will also teach you the Omari clan’s ancient fighting techniques.”
Okay, that sounded promising.
“I will also teach you how to make love like a dragon.” Haru’s voice dipped low, feeling as if it were slipping inside his ear and caressing all the dark, secret parts of his body.
Adrian laughed, but the sound came out choked. “Yeah, whatever. We’ll see. Let’s focus on saving Shey first.”
He turned and walked into the large hotel room in search of something to drink to wet his suddenly dry mouth.
“You are my mate, Adrian. You will be mine.”
Haru spoke so quietly Adrian wasn’t sure he was supposed to hear those words, but they left a burning mark on his soul all the same. It felt as if he couldn’t escape the dragon’s claim. And maybe he didn’t want to.
CHAPTER 16
Omari Haru
Haru watched Adrian shuffle off to the bedroom, his shoulders slumped and head down. He’d mumbled something about catching a nap for an hour. Then they could talk about figuring out something for dinner. They weren’t expecting Vitor back until tomorrow at the earliest. He would be away dealing with his intricate web of spies and informants through the dark hours of the night.
That gave them plenty of time alone in this lavish hotel room to enjoy themselves. There was no point in wandering the streets in search of Shey when their best avenue for information was Ruben Deinum. Strolling around in public put them in danger of catching someone’s attention and possibly even destroying their new fake identities. For now, they had to wait.
But Adrian couldn’t be left alone with his wandering thoughts. Haru could feel that his words and reassurances hadn’t been enough to remove the weight of worry from Adrian’s shoulders. He needed action. He needed a distraction.
It just so happened that Haru was very good at distractions.
A playful smile drifted across his lips as he crossed the hotel room and pushed open the double doors leading into the bedroom of the penthouse suite. Adrian’s head snapped up and his brow furrowed. He was sitting on the end of the bed, one shoe in his hands.
“What’s up?”
“Nothing.” Haru turned and closed both doors behind him with a soft click. “I thought I’d join you.” As he faced Adrian, he watched the man’s expression go from surprise to annoyance.
“I’m not in the mood, Haru. All I need is a short nap to clear my head.”
“I promise sex will very much clear your head.” Haru approached as Adrian dropped the shoe he was holding and pulled off the other. The second one hit the floor with a thud, and Adrian glared.
“Not now.”
Haru stood in front of Adrian, so close their legs almost brushed. He was undeterred by Adrian’s grumpiness. It was to be expected.
“Have I ever told you that dragons have exceptional hearing?”
Adrian stared up at him from where he sat on the bed. “Tell me if you can hear this.” Adrian’s lips moved, but only a puff of air came out. Haru didn’t need to hear him. He could read his lips as he said, “Fuck off.”
“In the car, the moment I demanded that Vitor turn around so I could kill all those people, I heard your heart speed up. Your breath caught in your throat.”
“Yeah, because I was scared of a dragon going on a rampage, ruining—”
“No!” Haru grasped Adrian’s chin as he looked away and turned his face to gaze at him. “You were excited. The idea of someone killing for you. Killing for your honor. For your protection. That thrilled you.”