About Corin and the Courtier…
Most people run from beasts,not to them…
Aster didn’tputmuchthoughtintohisescape.All heknew whenheranupthatmountain straight intothelair ofagrumpydragonknightwithahugegrudgeagainsthisfamily wasthathecouldn’t submittoanarrangedmarriage.Itnever occurredtohimthatasnowstormwouldstrandhimthere.Or thathe’dgiveintoyearsoflongingandbegfor themonster’sforbiddentouch.Butithappened.All of it…
Corinwasn’ttryingtobeahero especiallynotAster’shero.Hecouldn’tverywell lethimdie, though.Soheprotectedhim.Which might havebeenconsiderednoble…ifhehadn’talsofalleninto bedwithhim.Over andover again.ButthecostofkeepingAster isfar morethanCorin’swillingto pay.Corinwill beforcedtolethimgo evenifitdestroyshim.
WhenAster’sproblemsfollow himupthemountain literally herealizesrunningisnolonger an option.Theonlyquestionnow iswhether Corinwill fightfor him,or burntheir potential happilyever after totheground…
This spicy, steamy, M/M paranormal fantasy romance features a pair of star-crossed opposites, a little forced proximity (with only one bed), some silliness involving a lack of pants at unexpected moments, and plenty of dirty talk. Download today and get ready to fall for Aster and Corin!
CorinandtheCourtier is book two in the Beautiful Beasts series, but it stands alone. There’s a brief occurrence of self-destructive ideation, but no action is taken. There are dragon shifters but no mpreg in this series
My dear cousin,
I can’t tell you how shocked I was to hear what that blasted fiancée of yours had done, and I wish to anything that I could help. Cursed as I am, and with my mother and father breathing fire down my neck as a result, I’m not in a position to come to visit you. Soon I hope to find a home of my own a little farther from their hovering, but at present well, I really don’t think your aunt and uncle would give you any peace, so I wouldn’t recommend visiting us.
You know she wasn’t good enough for you to begin with, don’t you? Yes, she’s beautiful, and yes, you loved her, but is it really worth running away simply because she I mean, Belinda didn’t really let the fellow have his way with her in full view of the garden party, did she? I simply can’t believe it. Not even she would be so brazen. I heard the king was there. I simply can’t believe it! You’re a wonderful dragon and an honorable knight. It passes understanding that anyone could treat you that way.
Anyway, she’s not worth it, Cor. No one ’ s going to laugh at you. They’ll understand the fault lies with her! And as for that trifling matter of the fellow’s scar, what’s the bastard going to do, complain to the king? Don’t give up everything you ’ ve worked and sacrificed for!
Much love, Fiora
TWO YEARS AGO…
THE SUN HAD FINALLY slippedlow enoughbehindthewesternpeaksthatCorinhadtoeither leaveoffhiscorrespondenceuntil thefollowingdayor giveinandlightalamp.
Hechosetoflinghishalf-completedletter acrossthedeskandslumpbackinhischair. Nolamps.
Lampswerefor peoplewhogaveafuck.
Anyway,hiscousinFiorawouldn’tcareaboutreceivingatimelyletter fromhim,notwhenhe hadnothingwhatsoever tosay,either abouthisownsituation dull andlonely,asalways or Fiora’s continuingstruggleswithhiscurse.
Still.He’dfinishtheletter eventually,ifonlytokeepFiorawritingtohiminreturn.Hislittle cousinwastheonlypersononearthwhocouldstill makeCorinsmileonoccasion,withhis melodramaticsandhisinnocenceandhisvivid,amusingdescriptionsofthemerchanttownhe’d chosenashisnew homeafter finallyescapingtheclutchesofhisoverprotectiveparents.
Evenifhe’dbeenasannoyingaseveryoneelseCorinknew,hewasalsotheonlypersonwho botheredtokeepintouchatall.Therestofthefamilyhadbeendistantatbestever sinceCorinfirst tookupasword.
Abitterlychillybreezewhisperedthroughtheopencasementover thedesk,rustlingthe papersandrufflingthroughCorin’soverlongdarkhair whichhenever botheredtocutthesedays, lettingitgountil ithungdownintohiseyes.Eveninathinlinenshirtwiththesleevesrolledup,the colddidn’tbother him.Dragonsranashotintheir almost-humanshapesasintheir draconicones. Corinranhotter thanmost.
Butoncomingsnow scentedtheair,crispanddamp.Damnitall,springhadalreadycomeand goneagainadozentimes,anditcouldn’tseemtomakeupitsmind.Corinwouldhavetogoaround thetower andcloseall thebloodywindowsagaintokeepthefloorsfromgettingwet,ifnothingelse, damnittohell.He’djustopenedthemafew daysbeforetoair theplaceout.
Itfeltlikeanoverwhelminglyimpossibletask.
Maybehedidn’tgiveafuckifthefloorswerewet.Didhe?Hecouldalwaysshifttohisother bodyandstayscalyandentirelywaterproof,ashehadfor muchofthelastsevenmonthswhilewinter wailedaroundhiminanendlessblizzard.Thegreathall downstairsheldhimperfectlywell,andhe wouldn’tneedtobeinhisupstairsbedtobewarm.Besides,itwasn’tasifanyonewouldbethereto talktowithahumanmouth.
Or sharethebed.
CHAPTER ONE
Asifinanswer tothethought,thewindpickedupalittleandshiftedslightly,bringingwithit abreathofwarmthandsweetness,likearosebloominginthesunthatwouldbeshiningfar downthe mountain,acrossthehighvalleys,bythecoastandinthecapital.ThescentmadeCorinlongfor something…butbeforehecouldlosehimselfinimaginationandmemory,thebreezealsobroughthim amoreprosaichintofsweatyhorse.
Hisnosewrinkled.Whatacombination.Andifhe’dstartedimaginingthings,perhapsFiora wasrightwhenhesaidCorinhadbeeninthisremotemountainhideawayfor toolong,andthatonly cussednesshadkepthimhere.
Asheshookhishead,attemptingtoclear thehallucination,heheardthedistantclopofhooves andajingleofharness.
Well,fuck.Notahallucinationafter all.Hisheartgavealeapandatwist,likeadancer atone ofthecourtballshehadn’tbeentointwoyearsor more.Another person.Perhapssomeonehadcome lookingfor himagain,ofall thethings;he’dthoughthe’ddiscouragedanysuchattemptsfor good, giventhatnoonehadtriedinthreehundredandseventy-threedays.
Notthathe’dbeencountingor anything.
Inanycase,Corin’ssword,letalonethepossibilityofablastoffire(notthatCorinwoulduse it),tendedtodiscourageeventhemostdeterminedofguests.
Ontheother hand,thiscouldbealosttraveler,ledtoCorin’stower viatakingtheleft-hand branchinsteadoftherightamiledownthemountain.
Hejumpedupandstrodeacrossthemessybedroom,steppingover apileofclothesand kickingapair ofbootsoutoftheway.Thewindow atthefootofhisbedoverlookedthesteep, windingpaththatleduptothebridgeinfrontofthetower’smaingate.ThoughCorindoubteda human’seyescoulddetecthimthatfar up,particularlyinthetwilight andwhilehecouldn’tbe certaintheapproachingpersonwasn’tsomeother varietyofmagical being,heknew for certainno dragonother thanhimselfwouldarrivesomewhereonhorseback hestill pressedhimselfagainstthe wall,peeringoutfromconcealment.Why?Hedidn’tquiteknow.Onlyithadbeensobloodylong sincehesaw anyonefacetoface,or moreprecisely,sinceanyonehadseenhishumanface.He collectedsuppliesatthevillageatthefootofthemountaininhisother body,scoopingupthecrates he’dpreorderedinhisgiantclawsandflyingbacktothetower.
Onlyoncehadoneofthestupidyoungmen,inflamedwithadesiretomakeanamefor himself,leaptoutoftheshadowsandtakenagoodhardwhackatCorin’sshoulder withanaxethat hadclearlyspentmostofitslifechoppingfirewood.
Corinhadblinkedattheslightannoyanceoftheblow,whichhadglancedoffcompletely,and turnedhismassiveheadtostareintothelad’seyes.Another blink,andthefellow hadsquealed,
turnednearlyasgreenasCorinhimself,andfledfor thesafetyofhismother,whostoodacrossthe villagesquareshoutingathimintonesthatpromisedpunishmentgreater thanCorinwould’ve troubledtodishout.
Otherwise,thevillagershadtakenhismoneyandgivenhimfood,candles,paper andink, wine agreatdeal ofwine andall theother necessitieswithoutanyfussor hassle.Itprobably helpedthatthey’dfiguredoutexactlywhohewas.Toomanyking’sknightshadcomestruttingand janglingthroughthevillageseekingSir Corin,thefameddragonknight,for thevillagerstohaveany doubtsabouthisidentity.AndSir Corinhadareputationfor beinggallantandchivalrousalmostto thepointofidiocy: hewasn’tsomeonewho’dlaywastetoahelplessvillage.Notthatanymodern dragonswould.They’dbemuchmorelikelytocomplainaboutthelackofamenitiesatthelocal inn.
Soeveniftherider comingupthepathhadtakenawrongturningtoreachthetower,he’d know whoCorinwas.He’dhavepassedthroughthevillageonhiswayupthemountain,andthe localshadnothingbloodyelsetodobutissuedire,completelyfabricatedwarningsaboutthedragon upthemountain,laughingintheir sleevesthewholetime.
God.He’dknow whoCorinwas.Or moreaccurately,whoheusedtobe.Andevenifhe’d never methimpreviously,ifhe’dever spentmorethantenminutesinthecapital he’dknow why Corinhadfledtothemountain.
Ifhe’dever spentmorethan fifteen minutesinthecapital,he’dprobablyseenBelindanaked, too,sincesherarelywentlonger thanthatwithoutliftingher skirts.Andhalfanhour would’vegotten himthetaleofSir Corin’sfinal duel andthewayhe’dlaughedlikeamadmanwhilehescarredhis opponent’sface.
Ugh.Perhapshe’dbelucky,andtherider wouldbesomepeddler or merchantwho’dneither know nor careaboutcourtscandal,or wouldatleastbetoointimidatedtomentionit.
Whentherider camearoundthelargeboulder ataturninginthepathfiftyyardsbelow the bridge,Corinimmediatelyknew hewasnot,infact,lucky notthatthatwasanythingnew,ofcourse, damnittohell.Themanseatedonareallyfineandwell-groomedgeldingworearichwoolentunic andamail shirtalongwithequallyexpensivepantsandboots,all toppedoffwithavelvetcloak.The jeweledhiltofthelongswordbyhissidecaughtthelastrayofthesettingsun,arubygleaminglike fire.
Aknightor alord,certainly,whichmeantsomeonewho’d know.Keenasitwas,hiseyesight couldn’tpenetratetheshadow oftheman’sfur-linedhood.That someone couldbebloodyanyone.
Turn around,Corinsilentlybegged. The gate’s closed. This tower couldn’t possibly be less welcoming. And neither could I. Get lost, you courtly, popinjay prick.
Thehorsepickedhiswayalongtherockypathandthencloppedover thebridge,stopping
directlyinfrontofthegateandoutofCorin’slineofsightfromthebedroomwindow.Hecouldstill hear,though,andthemurmur ofthemanspeakingsoftlytohishorseandthesqueakofleather ashe dismountedcarriedclearly.
Andthencamethesoundhe’dbeendreading: theclangofthelargebell attachedtothechain danglingbesidethegate.
Bother,asFiorawouldsay.
Thebell clangedagain,moreinsistentlythistime.“Hellothere!”calledapleasanttenor voice,assweetasthescentofroses.Corinfroze,hisspinefusingintoasteel rod,itfeltlike.He fuckingknew thatvoice.“Hello,upinthetower!Sir Corin,IassureyouIcomeinpeace.AndI requestanight’shospitality,ifyouplease!I’vegonetoofar toretracemystepstonightbeforeit’s dark.”
Bytheendofthat,thevoiceremainedpleasant…butstrained.Perhapsevenashade desperate?
ButCorindidn’tgiveadamnfor histroubles,becauseGod.Itcouldn’tbe.Hewouldn’t fuckingdare.Hearinghisnamespokenaloudfor thefirsttimeinover ayear would’vebeenodd enough,butinthatfamiliar voice…
Ashortsilencefell,Corinholdinghisbreathasifhisunwantedvisitor wouldbeabletohear itandknow hestoodtherelistening.Hewouldn’t,ofcourse.Hewasashumanascouldbe.Corin eventuallyhadtobreathein,andtherosysweetnesshadonlygrownstronger.How hadhenever registeredthatscentasbeingapartofthemannow athisgate?Perhapsbecauseitwassuchanodd aromaticovertonefor amanhe’dmainlyseeninthepalacetrainingyard.
“Iknow you’rethere,”thevoicewentonafter afew moments.Fuck,hedid?How thehell had he “Thisisn’tthekindofgateyoucanlockupfromtheoutside!Soopenup!”Averyslightpause. “Please?”
Damnit.Hadthefucker nosenseofself-preservationatall?Corinhadchallengedeveryone elsewho’dcomeknocking,thoughpreciselynoneofthemhadtakenhimuponit.Surelythey’d reportedtheir welcomebackatcourt.Nottomention,hislastactbeforeleavingthecapital hadn’t beenonetoenticepeopletoapproachhim.
Thebell rangagain,thistimeaccompaniedbyacrackofthemetal bell hittingthestoneofthe wall.
Damnitall twice.He’daskedfor shelter,whichmeantCorincouldn’tchallengehim.Andhe wasn’tfuckingtakingthehint.Perhapshecouldstill beshamedor intimidatedintoslinkingaway
backtothevillage,andthenCorinwouldn’thavetolethimin.
Ofcourse,Corinwouldstill havetoseehisface.
Fuck.
Withasighthatrattledhisverybones,heturnedandstompedawayfromthewindow,through thebedroom,anddownthestairs,forcinghisfeettomove.
Thelowesttwolevelsofthetower weredugintothemountainbedrock,soCorinsteppedoff thestairsatthethirdlevel,crossedanantechamber,wentupanddownanother littlesetofstairs,and finallypassedthroughthemainhall anddownthedefensiblecorridor thatledtothegate.
Oncethere,hepausedwithhishandontheheavybar keepingitclosed,gatheringall hisilltemper andallowinghisbodytobeginitsshifttothedraconic.Hisvertical pupilsandthefaintgreen tinttohisskinalwaysshowedtheworldwhoandwhathewas,butifheconcentrated,or ifhegrew tooangrytoconcentrate,arippleofscaleswouldspreadacrosshisface,onhisarmsandchest;his fingernailswouldlengthenslightlyintogleamingclaws.Inshort,hecouldmakehimselfevenmore intimidatingthansixandahalffeetofwell-trainedknightwouldbeatthebestoftimes.
Hehadtobeabletomakehimleave.He had to,or hecouldn’tbeanswerablefor hisactions. Pickingafightwiththisparticular courtier wouldbepettyanddishonorableandunfair.Buthecould answer achallenge,andhecouldmakehimselfasunpleasantandunwelcomingaspossible.
Thebar would’vetakenthefull effortofanormal mantolift.Corintosseditasidewithone handandpulledononesideofthegatewiththeother.Itcreakedopen,andCorinsteppedforward.
Brightblueeyesgleamedfromunder thehoodofthemanwhostoodexpectantlyonlythree feetfromthegate.Corin’sbreathcaught,histhroatclosingup.Themostbeautiful eyeshe’dever seen,andthelasttimehe’dlookedintothemthey’dbeenshimmeringwithtearsandmalice,they’d been…
Andthenthemanthrew backhishood.Thelasttimehe’dlookedintothoseeyes,they’d belongedtosomeoneelse,andCorinsuckedinair,hisheartrestartingandhislungsunfreezing.This pair ofbrilliantlyblueeyes,fringedwiththickgoldlashes,ornamentedaman’sfreckledface, bizarrelyunsuitablefor their plainsetting.OnBelindatheywereperfect.Justliketherestofher, damnher.
Themansmiledtentatively,thoseeyesbigandroundandhopeful.
Hisfacelookedpaleanddrawneveninthedimlight,andpainfullyyoung.Upclosehisfine clothesborethestainsoftravel andhungonhimtooloosely,asifhe’dlostweightveryrecently. Whatever hadbroughthimhere,hewasn’tonaholiday.
SomethingCorinfearedmightbehisconsciencetwistedinhischest. Fuck.
“LordAster,”Corinsaidwithheavyresignation.“Iguessyoumayaswell comein.”
ALTHOUGHASTER HAD HARDLY expectedenthusiasm,Corin’sgreetingachievedsomekindof nadir ofwelcomeAster hadnever evenimagined.Ifhe’ddugawell andburiedall theworld’s excitementinit,andthendrowneditfor afew years,itmighthaveresembledCorin’sdownturned mouthanddull darkeyes,andtheheavysighheletoutashestoodasidetoallow Aster throughthe gate.
CorinhadalwaysbeenthemostmagnificentmanAster hadever seen,withhisstrongnose andjaw andhis(usually) flashingeyes,thefaintscalesthatfeatheredover hispalebronzy-greenskin andgleamedinthesun,hisfirmmouthandhisheightandbroadshouldersandskill withasword,and well…Aster would’vebeenthereall dayifhe’dtriedtolistall thewaysCorinoutshoneother men.
Nottomention,he’dbeenscrupulouslyfaithful tohisownfiancée,unlikethemanAster had beenmeanttomarry…several daysago,now.
AndyetAster’sappearanceathisgatehadmanagedtomakeCorinappear older,tired,and almost notexcruciatinglyhandsome.
Perhapsmakinghimunhappywasafamilytrait.Noonehadever accusedBelindaofhaving anythingincommonwithher plain,freckled,awkwardyounger brother.Buttherehadtobeafirst timefor everything.
Or perhapsAster simplycouldn’tsatisfyanyone,includinghisownfiancé.Hewouldn’tbe hereifhecould.
Themiserablethoughtcongealedandformedacold,sadlittlelumpinAster’sgut,joiningthe muchlarger cold,sadlumpthathadbeenthereever sincehefledhishomenearlythreeweeksbefore. He’dslippedawayinthemiddleofthenightwithouteventakinghisvaletintohisconfidence,leaving behindavaguenote,all hispossessionsother thanwhathecouldcarryinhissaddlebags,and everyonehe’dever known exceptfor Corin.Hemightnever seehisfamilyagainifhisfather disownedhimfor runningawayandsnubbingtheproudDukeMarellussothoroughly.He’dnever againfeel hismother’sembrace,or hear her laughter.
Silencehadfallenfor far toolong,leavinganawkwardweighttotheair.Aster shiveredina breathofthefrigidwindthathadbeenathisbackthewholewayupthemountainandblinked, recallinghimselftothepresent.Everythingwentabitblurredfor amomentashedid.Fuck,buthe’d traveledsofar,sleptsolittle,eatenevenless.Hetightenedhishandonthereinshehelduntil the leather bitintohispalm,prayingthatit’dkeephimfocusedandpreventhimfrompassingoutwhere hestood.
CHAPTER TWO
“DoIbringmyhorseinside?”heasked,hiswordsseemingtoshatter thequietandthenblow awayinfragmentsonthewind,whichwhistledover thebridgeandthroughthecanyonbelow ina mournful wail.Hedidn’tseeanywhereelsetostableahorse,butreally?Corincamefromalong, noblelineofwealthydragons.HispedigreeoutclassedAster’sbyquitealot,asamatter offact,even thoughhe’dgivenitall uptobecomeacomparativelyhumbleknightinKingTheobert’sservice.
Asanot-unimportantsidenote,Aster hadnowishtodineor sleepinthesameroomashis horse,either,muchashelovedthebeast.AlthoughhesupposedhemightbeluckyifCorindidn’t simplyputhimwherever hestabledthehorse.
“Leadhimthroughandouttheother side,”Corinsaid,alreadyleadingthewayhimselfinto thegloomybowelsofthefort.“There’salean-tooutthereyoucanputhimin.”
Well,thatwasasmall relief,anyway.Aster followed,Etalloncomingalongmeeklyinhis wakedespiteCorin’sdisturbingdraconicpresence.For thefirsttime,itoccurredtoAster towonder how Corinmanagedtobeanywherenear ahorse,muchlessrideone,whichhe’ddoneconstantly whileservingtheking.Generallyspeakingandquiteunderstandably,horses andmostother animals gotvery,verynervousinthepresenceofadragon.
Perhapstheair ofcompetence,strength,andgentlemanlycourtesythathumansnoticed immediatelyuponenteringhispresencetranslatedtosomethinghorsescoulddetectwiththeir sensitiveearsor noses.
Or,morelikely,he’dsimplylearnedhow tobehavearoundanimals,askill thatmanyhumans alsolacked.
Aster mightdobetter asCorin’sunwelcomevisitor ifhecouldatleastpretendtoseeCorin objectively,rather thanthroughthelensofhisowndesperatelysuppressedlongings.
Feelinghischeeksflushhot,heduckedhishead,hopingCorinwouldn’tseehisexpressionin thedimnessofthedusty,mustycorridor throughwhichtheypassed.Afew stepson,itopenedintoa hall ofsorts,abigrectangular roomwithhighslittedwindows,acoupleofdarkarcheddoorwaysin shadowycorners,andacold,dirtycentral hearthwithafew rough-hewnbenchesandchairsaroundit atoddangles.
Thefortlookedlikeit’dbeenabandonedfor decades.Notevenmicewouldfindanycomfort here.
“GoodGod,”hesaid,startledoutofhisintentiontomakehimselfasunobtrusiveaspossible. “How bloodylonghaveyoulivedhere,again?”
“Youknow exactlyhow long,”Corinrepliedacidly,hisalreadydeepvoicedippingdownto anevenlower register thathadAster shiveringfromthenapeofhisnecktothebacksofhisknees.He didn’tevenfavor Aster withaglance,stridingwithoutpausetowardtheother sideofthehall,where
alargedoor hungajar,askew likeeverythingelseinthisplace.“Areyougoingtoaskme why I’m herenext?Stableyour fuckinghorseandstoptalking.”
Oh,God.Hewishedhecouldsinkstraightthroughthefloor.Somuchfor Corin’sgentlemanly courtesy,butAster hadmorethanearnedsomesnappishnesswithhistactlessstupidity.
All atoncehisfeetfeltliketheywerecastfromlead.Hisneckcouldbarelyholduphishead. It’dsimplybeenalongjourney.Heneededsupper.Thathadtobeit.Hecouldn’tbesoweakasto havehottearspricklingattheinsidesofhiseyelidssimplybecausehe’dlefthomepossiblyforever, andhewasalone,andhisfiancéutterlydespisedhim,andtheonepersonwhosekindnesswouldhave madeitbetter…well,seemedtoalsoutterlydespisehim.Aster hadtrainedasaknightandeven foughtsomeduels,notthathe’dwonmany.All right,any.Butstill.Hewasbetter andbraver thanthis. Hequicklyturnedhisheadandwipedastraydropclingingtohiseyelashesontotheedgeofhishood.
“Ibegyour pardon.”Hebarelymanagedmorethanawhisper,hardlyaudibleover theclopof Etallon’shooves.Andthehitchinhisvoicedisappearedinthesighingofthewindthroughall the blasteddraftycrevicesinthismiserableplace.
Butofcourse,Corin’shearingwasbetter thanahuman’s.
HespunaroundsoabruptlythatAster stumbledashecametoasuddenhalt,Etallonhelping notatall bytuggingonthereinswithasulkytossofhishead.For amomentheoverbalanced,onearm flailingandtheother caughtinthereins andtheninthenextmomentbighandscaughthimbythe upper armsandtuggedhimuprightagain.
Everythingseemedtowhirl asdizzinessassaultedhim,andthenheblinkedat…the surprisinglyvulnerable-lookinghollow ofCorin’smuscular throat,hisAdam’sapplejustaboveit, andthedarkstubbleall over hischinandjaw.
Andthenall hecouldthinkaboutwastheshockingheatsurroundinghim.God,Corin’sdragon bodythrew offmorewarmththananythreehumans.After thefreezingrideupthemountain,andthe lonelyweeksoftravel beforethat,sleepingroughsoastoavoidbeingseenandtracked andnotto mentionhow coldhefeltfromtheinsideout adragon’sbankedflamefeltlikeheaven.Corin’stouch feltlikeheaven.
Hewantedtosinkintoit.SinkintoCorin.Leanhiswearyheadagainstthatbroadchestandgo tosleepfor acoupleofdays.
Aster wasa knight.Andalord,anhonorablegentleman,notsomelostlittleboywhoneeded comforting,leastofall fromhisformer almost-brother-in-law.Aster would’vegivensomuchtohave thisfor somanyyears,andnow thathedid,itwasnothingbutpity…
Anymomentnow,he’dforcehimselftopull away.Aaanymoment.
Corin’shandssliddownandwrappedthemselvesabovehiselbows.Theywentall theway
around,althoughAster’sbicepswerefar fromdainty.
“What’sthematter,LordAster?”Corin’svoicerumbledoutofhischestandseemedtolodge firmlyinAster’s,avibrationthathadhisjointsmeltingandhisheaddroopingforward.For thelast twohundredyearsor more,dragonshadessentiallybeenacceptedaspartofthehumannobility,all theancientfeudsandfearsresolved.Aster thoughtofthemmoreaswealthymenandwomenwiththe abilitytoflyandwithoddmetallictintstotheir skinthanasmonsters,or anything.Butthelegendsof how theycouldmesmerizehumansintoobeyingtheir powerful willsdidn’tseemsofar-fetchedright now.“Youseem…notyourself.”
“How wouldyouknow?Youhardlypaidanyattentionwhenyouwere youhardlyknow me atthebestoftimes.”
Aster wincedasthewordslefthislips.God,hedidn’t want toberude.Or reveal how deeply ithadalwayshurtthatCorinhadbarelytakenthetroubletospeaktohimevenwhenengagedto Aster’ssister.Buttheenergyrequiredfor tactandcareeludedhiminhisstateofutter exhaustion.
Corinseemedtohaveheardhismiserymorethantheprecisesubstanceofhismumbled words,becausehesaid,“Iknow Idon’t.Butanyonecouldtell you’re LordAster.There’smoreto thisthantravel-weariness.What’sbroughtyoutomydoor likethis?Whatareyourunningfrom?”
Corinhadrunfromhisfiancée’sverypublicpreferencefor another man.Aster hadrunfrom hisfiancé’sveryprivatepreferencefor another man…onlynotprivateenough,becausehe’dcertainly feltfreetoexpressitwhereAster’svaletcouldhear everyword.
Awildburstoflaughter bubbledupinhisthroatandcameoutsomethingmorelikeasob. Hisheadwhirledandhehadtoswallow hardagainstawaveofnauseaasthefloor spunout fromunder him.Oh,for fuck’ssake.Lookedlikehe’dbemakingacloser acquaintancewithCorin’s chestafter all.
Atleasthe’dbewarmwhileheswoonedlikeafuckingidiot.
ASTER’S FULL WEIGHT SLUMPED intoCorin’schestall atonce,andonlyhisirongriponAster’s armskepttheladfromslidingtothefloor.
For ashamefullylongmoment,Corintiltedhisheaddownandbreatheddeeply,greedily inhalingthescentofanother person,thewarmthofanother life.He’dbeensoveryfucking alone for soverylongnow.
Andupclose,Aster smelledshockinglydeliciousfor someonewho’dbeeninthesaddlefor Corinhadtoassumeacoupleofweeksor more,guessingthathe’dcomefromeither hisfamily’s seator thecapital.Either onewouldmeanajourneyofatleastthatlongbyland,andAster didn’t smell atall ofthesea.He’dbeenclingingtoafutilehopethatthescentofsummer-warmedroses
hadn’tbeencomingfromAster,buthadinsteadbeenatrickofhisimaginationor somethingcarried fromfar beyondthemountains,awaftofadistantsouthernclimewheretheflowersbloomedyearround.
Insteaditseemedthathissenseshadchosentorespondtoagangly,overgrown,second-rate courtier withfrecklesscatteredover hischeekboneslikespilledpaint,andwhoseonlyattractive featuresweresharedwiththeslutwho’dbrokenCorin’sheart.
Withajerk,CorinliftedhisheadandshovedAster awayfromhim,holdinghimbyhisarms andlettinghimdanglelikearagdoll,hisfeetcrumpledonthefloor andhisheadlollingdown.A straylockofsilkyblondhair,slightlyredder thanBelinda’sbutjustassoft,brushedCorin’scheek. Fuck.
Hiscockhadnotstiffenedslightly.Absolutelyfuckingnot.WhenCorinfuckedmen,theywere not court-breddilettantesandtheywere not painsinhisneckwho’dturneduponhisdoorstep uninvitedandtheywere not thebrother ofthewomanwho’dallowedherselftobethoroughlyrogered inagazeboduringagardenpartycelebratingtheking’sfourthnephew’sengagement.
Nottomention,theyweren’tunconsciousandentirelyatCorin’smercy.
Hewouldnever.Nomatter how muchit’dbeasortofrevenge,andnomatter how oftenCorin haddaydreamedaboutgettinghisownback.
Hiscock…stiffenedalittlemore,fuck,andhishandstightenedconvulsivelyaroundAster’s arms,probablyenoughtoleaveringsofbruisesbymorning.
God.Corinclosedhiseyesandsuckedinadeepbreath,tryingtocalmhispoundingheartand all theother partsofhimthatneededtoquietthehell down.Hecouldn’tstandhereall night,andhe couldn’tdropAster tothedustystonefloor andleavehimthere,either.
Thatleft carryinghimsomewhere.
Whichhecouldn’tdowiththemanheldoutatarm’slengthlikethis.Obviously.
Aster’shorsesnortedandtossedhishead,andCorinstartedandturned,meetingabaleful equineeye.How hadhecometofocussocompletelyonAster thathe’dforgottenaboutafull-sized horsestandingthereinhishall?
All right.Onethingatatime.“Staythere,”Corinsaidtothehorse,usinganancientdraconic dialectthatcontainedanearlyirresistiblecommand.Well-breddragonsconsidereditill formtouse itonhumansthesedays,butsurelynoonecouldfaulthimfor usingitonahorse.
Theanimal frozeasifitshooveshadbeenrivetedtothefloor.
Whichleftonlyoneother issuetodeal with.Corinmentallybracedhimselfandhoisted Aster’sunconsciousbodyupintohisarms,onebehindhiskneesandtheother aroundhisback. Aster’sheadrolledagainstCorin’sshoulder,andheletoutasoftsighthattickledhisneck.
Thescentofroseswaftedup,minglednow atsuchcloserangewiththesoft,humanwarmthof Aster’sskin.
“Idon’tlikehim,”Corinmuttereddesperately,stridingfor thestairs.“Infact,Idespisehim.”
Unfortunately,Corincouldn’tmuster alotofevidencetosupporthatredandcontempt.Aster hadn’tpubliclycondemnedhissister,butthenagain,whocouldexpecthimto?Andbeforethat debacle,he’dseemedpleasantenough,ifshy,onthosefew occasionswhenCorinhadspenttimewith Belinda’sfamily.Aster mightbeapoor excusefor aknightwho’djoinedintrainingatthepalacewith far moreenthusiasmthanskill,buthe’dbeen…enthusiastic.Cheerful abouthisinjuries,agoodsport whenothersbeathim,gallantonthoseveryrareoccasionswhenhisabilitiesoutmatchedanother man’s.Corinhadn’thadmuchtodowithhim,buthe’dnoticed.Ithadbeenhisjobtonoticeeveryone andeverythinginthetrainingyard.
Corin’sarmstightenedagainoftheir ownaccord.Hetookthestairstwoatatime,needingto putAster downbeforehedidsomethingtrulystupid,likeconsider notputtinghimdownatall.Bad enoughthatthebloodyfortboastedonlyonethingthatcouldbevaguelyconsideredabed,andeven thatwasrudimentaryenough.Halfthetime,Corinsleptasadragonuponthehill abovethetower,or inthehall ifhewantedtostaydry.
Well,hecoulddothatagain.AndAster couldhavethebed.Simple.
Butwhenhereachedthetopandpickedhiswaythroughtheobstaclecourseofhisscattered belongingstogettothebed,hepaused.
Hecouldcloseall thewindows,ofcourse,andwould…butthetopofthetower heldthe frigidchill oftheoncomingstorm,andthefireplacewasunlikelytobefunctional,giventhatitwas filledwiththecaked-onsootandrubbishofdecadesofdisuseandthefluehadprobablygotten cloggedwithdebris.Soundscomingfromitsometimesofaneveningsuggestedithadafamilyof rodentslivinginit,too.Hesuspectedchipmunks.
Corincouldn’tpossiblydisturbthelittlecreatures.Thatwouldn’tbefair soclosetoa snowstorm.Nofireplace,then.
Carefully,Corinwenttoonekneeontheedgeofthewoodframeofthebed.Ropesstrung acrossitheldupamattressstuffedwithstraw for bulkandpineneedlesfor freshness;notthemost luxuriousbed,butcleanandcomfortableenough.Aster hadtraveledherealoneacrossroughterrain, andhe’dcertainlysleptinmuchrougher placesonthejourney.Butonlyonethinblanketlayacross themattress,andCorinknew thetower didn’thaveanother.EvenwithAster’scloakwrappedaround himtoohe’dbefrozenbymorning.
Corinhimself,withhisdragonmetabolism,wastheonlyother possiblesourceofwarmthfor thebedroom.
He’dbeenavoidinglookingdownashebroughtAster upstairs,butasheloweredhimtothe bed,slidinganarmoutfromunder hiskneesbutstill holdinghimaroundtheshoulders,hecouldn’t helphimself.
No,Aster didn’tatall looklikesomeonewho’dtemptCorin,notevenfor amoment,damnit. Thosecopperylashesfannedoutover hispalecheeks,thespill offrecklesbeneath,thepinklips partedalittle,toodryandstill sosoft-looking.Plush,even.Far toovulnerableanddelicatetobethe typeofmanCorinpreferred,someonewhocouldtakehisfull strengthwithoutbreaking.Andfar too masculine,withthegoldenstubblegleamingonhisjaw andthemuscular weightofhim,tobealady Corinwouldwanttotreatwithatrueknight’sgentlechivalry.
Ofcourse,hecouldalwaysfindamiddleground.Halfhisstrength,enoughtopoundAster throughthemattress,andkissesandcaressestokeephimsweetwhilehetookwhatCoringavehim.
Hegrittedhisteethtogether ashiscockundeniablywenttofull mast,pressingpainfully againsttheroughwool ofhistrousers hehadn’tbotheredwithanythingunder themtoday,asall of hisdrawersneededmendingandhecouldn’tbefuckedaboutit.
Damnandtripledamn.Aster feltgluedtohischest,tohisarms,becausehesimplycouldn’t releasehimandlethimdownontothebed.
Whatwouldhelooklikebeneathhisfinegarments?Smoothandsleeklymuscled,perhaps. Strongenough,after all,towithstandthewayhe’dspreadAster’slegsand…
Withaburstofwillpower bornfromhistotal,overwhelmingself-disgust,hedroppedAster likehistouchwaspoison,threw theinadequateblanketontopofhimasquicklyaspossible,andfled thebedroom,all butflyingdownthestairs.
Hestoppedinthedoorwaytothehall,leaninghisforeheadagainstthewall andclosinghis eyes.Hisbreathraspedinhisears.Onehandtwitchedtowardhiscock,still straining,andhe clencheditintoafist.Behindhisclosedeyelidshesaw thesprawl ofAster’slonglimbsinCorin’s ownbed,andthenBelinda’slipsandbreasts,andthenapair ofblueeyes,itdidn’tmatter whose, either oftheirs.
Fuck,fuck,somethinghadgoneterriblywronginhisbrain.
No, not fuck.Definitelynotfuckinganyone,becauseAster hadtobeentirelyoff-limits.
Evenifhehadn’tbeenBelinda’sbrother.Evenifhehadn’tbeentooyoung,andifatleasthalf ofCorin’sdesiredidn’tseemtobestemmingfromsometwistedmixoffrustratedlustandvengeful fury,andevenifhehadn’tbeen Belinda’s brother,for fuck’ssake!
Evenwithoutall ofthat,Aster washelplessfor themomentandinCorin’scarefor aslongas theweather lasted becauseitwouldbesnowingbymorning,hewasquitesure,andthey’dbecutoff fromtheworldexceptfor Corin’sabilitytochangeform.
AnyhumanwouldbehelplessinCorin’shands,vulnerableandafraid.Belindahadtoldhim asmuch,screamingitinhisfacewhenshetoldhimhow she’dnever wantedhim,onlyhislineageand hisfamily’swealth,theenvyofher friendsfor havingattractedtheattentionofamannoonehadbeen abletocatch.
Corinswalloweddownbile,pushedhimselfoffthewall,andstrodeintothehall.
Enough.Hehadn’tevenreallythoughtaboutBelindainmonths.He’dbeensurehislingering loveandbitter hatredhadsubsidedatlast.Andnow Aster’sarrival hadstirreditall upagain,andhis brainbuzzedlikeabeehive.He’dbeenalonetoolong.Celibatefor far toolong.
Hehadtotakeabreath.PutupAster’shorse,brushandfeedthebeast,closeall thewindows. Preparefor thestorm.
Preparetocarefor hisguest,becausehehadnothingtooffer butahunkoflightlyflameroastedwildboar,whichhumanscouldn’teat,acrustofbread,andpossiblyanappleor two.
He’dflydowntothevillagefirstfor suppliesandhopetheexhaustingjourneyinthefreezing galelefthimtoospenttoeventhinkabout…anything.
Becausewhenhereturned,he’dneedtosharethatnarrow bedwithAster ifhedidn’twant himtofreezetodeathovernight.
BEFORE PASSING OUT LIKE anidiot,Aster’slastthoughthadbeenhow incrediblyembarrassed he’dbewhenhecameto.
Ofcourse,hehadn’tcountedonwakinguptoocomfortableandcozytogiveagoodgoddamn aboutanythingatall.
Heblinkedhisheavyeyelidsopenandcurledalittletighter intotheperfectwarmththat surroundedhimuptohischin.Inthegrim,waterylightfilteringinthroughthewindow near theendof thebed,hecouldfaintlyseeaplumeofhisbreathsteaminginthechill.Thefrigidair slappedthe exposedskinofhisfacelikeaduelist’sgauntlet,andthatpatteringsoundmustbecoldrainor snow or someother sky-bornmisery.Ugh.Theweather hadclearlytakentheturnhe’danticipatedashe rodeupthemountain.
Butitdidn’tmatter.Hehadacoverletover him,andamattressbeneath,andhe’dmeltedinto gooinbetweenthetwo.Itdidn’tmatter atall thathedetestedsnow andice,andhemissedhishome, whereitnever gotcoldenoughtofreeze andwherehemightnever bewelcomeagain.
Achill wentdownhisspinedespitetheheatradiatingall alonghisback.
Aster letoutalittlewhimper,andhetuckedhischinandtriedtotugtheblanketall theway over hisheadwithoutputtingahandoutfromunder.
“Areyouall right?”
Aster yelpedashisheartflippedsidewaysandtriedtoclaw itswayoutofhischest.The galvanicshockthatshotall thewaydowntohistoeshadhimflippingtohisbackandthensittingbolt upright,theblanketsslidingoffasheflailed.
“Godfuckingdammit,”hepanted,staringwild-eyedat Corin,wholayathissideinthebed. Touching hisside,becausethebedwasn’treallylargeenoughtofitbothofthem.
Corin.Hissister’sex-fiancé.Thefameddragonknight.Themanhe damnit,Corin.Inthe bed.Withhim.Touchinghim.
Heranthroughthatseveral moretimesbeforehisbrainreallymanagedtoregister it.He’d barelyever allowedhimselftodreamoftouching.
Theywerebothfullydressed,albeitdisheveled,buttheburningheatofCorin’sbodyseared hisskinasifhe’dbeennaked.Andwhilehisbedmate,oh,fuck,hecouldn’tusethatwordor he’d losehisgriponreality,might’veappearedtobesprawledathiseasetoacasual observer,Aster couldfeel thetensioninhim.Andseeit,too,whenhelookedintothoseglitteringobsidianeyes.
Corinwas,infact,preciselyasmuchathiseaseasanylounginglargepredator wouldbe,particularly
CHAPTER THREE
whensaidpredator foundhimselfinbedwithsomeonehe’dprobablyliketoeviscerate.
“AmIall right?”hegasped,hismindwhirling,helplesslytryingtolandonanacceptable answer.Aster couldn’tevenreallyformulatewhatwaswrong,exceptthathecouldn’tgetafull breath andhisskintingled.“What’s yes,ofcourse,perfectly.Sir Corin,youmustknow thatIfrequently thatis I’mfine!”
God,hemustsoundlikehe’dlosthismind.SharingabedwouldbenothingtoCorin,who’d spentmostofhislifeinclosequartersduringtraining,or onmilitarycampaigns.Evenifhemight’ve sleptwithanother manfor…other reasons…inother circumstances,Aster wouldn’tbetheoneto arousethoseparticular desires.
Hopefullyhewouldn’tintuitthatAster hadnever spentthewholenightinbedwithaman,and he’dnever evencomenear onewhocouldmeasureuptoCorin.
Corinliftedahandupandrubbeditover hisjaw,alazymorningmotion.Aster couldimagine how itwouldfeel ifhereachedover anddidthesame,thebristleagainsthispalm.Heshivered.The thickdarkstubbleAster hadnoticedyesterdayhadgrownovernightintosomethingmorelikeascruffy beard.
Notthatitmadehimanylessperfect,ofcourse.Aster couldn’thavegrownadevil-may-care beardlikethatifhewantedto.
“Good,”Corinrumbled,hisvoicesleep-roughenedandpainfullyintimateinthesmall space betweenthem,inthesoftsilencethatunderlaidtherushandhowl ofthestorm.“Becausethefactthat youwokeupscreamingduetomypresenceheremight’vesuggestedotherwise.Andcall meCorin, for fuck’ssake.EvenifIwerestill Sir Anything,whichI’mnot,weusedtobe ”
Corin’sjaw snappedshutandhiseyeswentwide,asifhecouldn’tbelievewhathe’dalmost saidaloud.
Related.Brothers.Almostthose,anyway.Family,or somethinglike.
ThethoughtofbeingCorin’sbrother hadalwaysgivenAster alancingpainsomewherebelow hissternum.
Corin.He’dusedthenamewithoutthehonorificinhismindforever,gettingaguiltythrill everytime,butitwouldsoundsoverydifferentcomingoutofhismouth.
Andfeel soverydifferentonhistongue,betweenhislips.
“Corin,”hewhispered.Andthenhesnappedoutofit,hischeeksgoingashotasdragonfire. “Ididnotscream!For fuck’ssake.Ididn’t Iwasn’t knightsdon’tscream,”hefinishedlamely.
AlookofreliefflashedacrossCorin’sface,asifheweregrateful toAster for ignoringhis slip.“Hah,”hescoffed,shovinghimselfuponhiselbowsandmanagingtoloom,somehow,despite lookingupatAster fromoutofanestofpillowswithhishair all mussedandhisshirtgapingopen.
Aster forcedhiseyestosnapuptoCorin’sface,hisbellyclenching.“Lookwhereweare,because knightsalsosupposedlydon’t ”Hestoppedhimselfagain,thistimesoabruptlythatAster heardhis teethclicktogether asheclenchedhisjaw.
Knightsalsodidn’t andthenAster’sfingersclawedintotheblanket,goingsotightthey ached.
Corinhadbeengentlemanenoughtocuthimselfoff,buthemightaswell havesaidit,because all thehumiliationofthepreviouseveningcamerushingbackatlast.
Ashotasdragonfire?Aster’sfacecould’vebeenthesun.
“Youdon’tevenhavetosayit,Iknow whatyouwerethinking.”Hisvoiceraspedwithstrain. “Knightsdon’tfaintdeadawayandneedtobe ”OhGod,ohGod,hecouldn’tsayit,hecould barelythinkit.Buthe had tosayit,sinceagentlemannever shiedawayfromthetruth,althoughuntil thishorrifyingmomenthe’dmanagedtoignorehow hemust’vegottenwherehewas.“ carriedto bedlikeaswooningmaiden!AndImaynotbeveryimpressivecomparedtoyou,Corin,butnoone is!”
Oh,fuck,hehadtostophisstupidtongue,butnow thatit’dgottenstartedithadamindofits own.Heheardmorethanfeltthewordscontinuetotumbleoutofhim,awaterfall ofembarrassment. “Sothat’shardlymyfault.AndIhadahardjourney,verylong,andifyou’dhadtofleeyour home becauseyour familywould’veforcedyoutomarryDukeMarellus,whomeanttomockanddegrade youandmakeyouwatchhimfuckanother maninyour marriagebedontheweddingnight,then perhapsyouwouldn’tbequiteyour usual selfeither!”
Hecametoahaltatlast,panting,chestheaving,eyesstingingagainwithfrustrated,miserable tearsinexactlythewayknights’eyesweren’tsupposedto.
Afraughtsilencesettledover thebedroom.Thewindwhistledinthechimneymournfullyasif incounterpoint.
Corinstared,openedhismouth,closeditagain,andthenclenchedhisfists,all themusclesin hisarmsbulgingoneither sideofhisequallymassivechest.Goddamn,how didanyonehavemuscles likethat?Itwassobloodyunfair.Aster might’vebeenabletoswallow hishumiliationifCorinhadat leastpossessedafew weaknessesofhisown.
Andifthosehadn’tbeenthearmsthathadcarriedhimupthestairs.
Atlast,soquietlythatAster almostcouldn’tmakeoutthewords,hesaid,“Whatnow?Ibeg your what?”
God,he’dreducedthemightydragonknighttomonosyllableswithhismoronicbabbling.For amomentAster waspowerfullyremindedofhisvalet’swayofleavinghimspeechless.Pierre couldn’tsticktothepointifhehaditgluedtohisnose.
Afreshwaveofgriefwould’vetakenhimoutatthekneesifhe’dbeenstanding.Pierre.He’d never againhavetheopportunitytobefuriouswiththeladfor hisnonsense or toapologizefor his harshwordsinreplytoit.
“For onething,that’snotactuallyatall whatIwasgoingtosay,”Corincontinuedafter another excruciatingmoment,pinninghimwithagazesodarkanddeepthatAster’sbreathcaughtand held.WerethosescalesformingaroundCorin’stemples,creepinguphisneckfromthatdistractingly exposedtriangleoffaintlygreenish-bronzeskin?ToAster’sknowledge,thatonlyhappenedwhen dragonseither meanttochangetotheir other formsor lostcontrol ofthemselves.Andhiseyes…Aster could’veswornhesaw afaintflicker oforangebehindCorin’sslittedpupils.He’dnever evenheard ofthat.
AndyetCorin’stonewassolow,so…unnaturallycalm,infact.Noonespokethatevenly withouttrying.Oh,God.Aster wasinsomuchtrouble.
“Iwasgoingtosaythatknights don’thousetheir guestsinanunheatedroomwithnotenough blankets.Or receivethemasrudelyasIdid,withoutofferingrefreshmentor anywelcomeatall.Ihad nointentionofcommentingonthewayyoufainted,infact.”Heleanedforward,andthenalittlemore, until Aster couldfeel theheatofhimanew.
Aster’shardswallow clickedloudlyenoughtomakehimjump.Hepracticallyvibratedwith theneedtohide,toskitter awayandscurryunder thebed,toscreamandrun.Becausenow Corin knew Aster hadcomeherenotbychance,or for someprank,or onBelinda’sbehalf.
He’drunawayfromamarriageanddefiedhisparentsandMarellus andbyextension,the king,whohadtogivehisseal ofapproval literallyandfigurativelytoanymarriagewithinthehigh nobility.He’dmadehimselfonestepaboveanoutlaw.
Whichmeanthecouldonlyhaveonereasonfor beinghere.
Aster hadmeanttoreveal thetruthlater.Muchlater,or perhapsevennotatall.Andnow,ina fitofstupid,loose-tonguedweakness,he’dgivenhimselfaway.
Corinseemedtogrow larger,tofill all Aster’ssenses,tochargetheair thewaya thunderstormwould.Thestormbrewingwithinthebedroomterrifiedhimfar morethanthestorm ragingoutsidethetower.
“AndI’dthoughtthatyou’dcomehereeither bychance,or toescapesomesocial fauxpas,” Corinsaidasifreadinghismind,thistimewithsuchadeadlylackofinflectionthatAster’sspine quivered,andhecouldn’tdoanythingbutgazeupintoCorin’sface,eyeswide,frozen.“Butunlessmy earsarebroken,Ithinkyou’vejusttoldmethatyou’reheretoescapefrom your ownintended husband?DukeMarellus.Becausehedoesn’tlikeyou.”
Corin’sneutral
tonegavenothingaway.Didhesympathize?Pityhimfor beingso
undesirable?Wishhimathousandmilesaway?
Thatlastone,almostcertainly.
Aster couldonlynod,hisneckstiffandthemovementjerky.Hisvoicehadrunaway,evenif therestofhimhadn’tbeenabletomuster thestrength.
Corin’slipspressedtogether tightly,hisjaw set.
“Thenyou’renotherefor myhospitality,LordAster.You’reherelookingfor myprotection. Mine.After everythingthat’s youhavethefuckingnerve!”Aster cringedback,lungsachingwiththe effortofholdinghisbreath,asCoringlaredathimwithafuriousflushalonghischeekbonesandhis pupilsseemingtoglow morebrightly.
Thatclenchinginhisbellyintensifieduntil hethoughthemightthrow up.Or throw himselfat Corin’sfeetandbeg.Or hislimbstrembledwithurgeshecouldn’tbegintointerpret.
AtlastCorinsaid,low andrough,“Youcanstayaslongasthebadweather holds.I’mnota monster,”andhespatthewordasifittastedfoul.Aster flinched.Belindahadcalledhimthat. Screamedit,infact,infrontofanaudienceofdozens,asCorinstoodover her bleedinglover withhis swordinhand.“Iwon’tthrow yououttodieofexposure.Butthat’sall.Assoonasit’ssafe,you’ll go.”
Withthat,CorinreleasedAster fromhisgaze,rolledoffthebed,andstrodefor thedoor. Aster all butcollapsed,suckinginair andshaking.
Corinturnedhisheadjustbeforehedisappearedintothestairwell toadd,“Anddon’tthink you’regoingtoavoidtellingmeexactlywhathappenedandhow youdecidedtocomehere,because thatbegsfor afuckingexplanation.”Aster winced.“Meetmeinthehall,tenminutes.Water inthe basinthere,garderobeatthefootofthestairs.”
Hevanished,thesoundofhisheavyfootstepsechoingandthenfadingaway.
Aster droppedhisfaceintohistremblinghands. Well.Thatcould’vegonebetter.
ASTER WOULDN’T BE EXPECTING MUCH,butthemeal Corinhastilylaidoutonaroughboardatthe endofthehearthstill lookedunfitfor amanaccustomedtodiningonlyafew seatsdownfromthe king’shightableatcourt.AndofcourseCorincouldn’tpossiblyexplainthattheefforthe’dexpended toacquirethedarkbread,hardcheese,jar ofpickledbeets,andwoodenbowl ofwitheredend-ofwinter applesfar outweighedanytroublegonetobyanyonewho’dhostedAster inthepast.
Mentioninghislate-nightflightdownthemountaintothevillageinwhite-outconditions,buffetedby highwinds,wouldbefishingfor complimentsandgratitude.
Or worse,he’dlooklikehegaveafuck,whichofcoursehedidn’t.Far fromit.
Hewishednow thathe’dsimplygivenAster thechunkofhalf-raw porkandtoldhimto fuckingeatitor not,dependingonwhether hepreferredparasitesor starvation.
How thehell hadAster daredtocomelookingfor hisprotectionfromDukeMarellus,from Aster’snobleparents,fromtheno-doubtangryking?Thesamekingwho’dbeenforcedtorelease
Corinfromhisoathofserviceafter pressurefromthefather ofthatworthlesssatin-claddandyhe’d leftcryinginthedirtwithascar downthesideofhispretty-boyface.
Corin could protectAster,ofcourse.Anydragoncould,boththroughsheer unassailableforce andthroughthetreatiesdragon-kindhadmadewithhumanmonarchs,includingKingTheobert.
Butitmadehisalreadyawkwardpositioninfinitelymoreso.
Andbesides,hedidn’tfuckingwanttoprotectBelinda’sthrice-damnedlittlebrother.
Evenifhisreasonfor runningawayechoedCorin’stoocloselyfor comfort.Damnit,Aster wasclearlydistressed.Distraught,even.Andvery,veryyoung.
Intheabstract,perhaps,hedeservedbetter thanCorin’ssnarlinghostilityor aninterrogation abouthisreasonsfor leavinghishome.Hecouldforgivehimselffor that,though.
Hewasn’tsosurehecouldforgivehimselffor whathadgonethroughhismindthenight before.
He’dbeenastiredandchilledasadragoncouldget,hisfingersachingfromthewayhe’d wrappedhisclawsaroundthecrateofsupplies,andoncehe’dputhisclotheson(atleasthe’ddone that),he’dgoneupstairs,drawnasifbyalodestonetotheprospectofabed.
Or perhapsbytheprospectofwhatwas in hisbed,all palesmoothskinandsoftpinklipsthat lookedjustlike andhesuppressedthethoughtasvigorouslyashe’ddonethenightbefore.
Thebed.He’dwantedhisownbed,damnit,andtokeepAster fromfreezingtodeath.His intentions,atleast,hadbeenpure,andhe’dstandbythatuntil hisdyingbreath.
Theair inthebedroomhadbeenasicyashe’dexpected,withfrostformingonthe windowpanesandtheflagstonesnearlynumbingevenhisalways-warmbarefeet.Aster hadcurled himselfintoashiveringball under theblankets,withonlythetumbleofhisred-goldhair peekingout thetoplikeaspill oftreasurefromachest.
Withnoother option,he’dclimbedintobedbehindAster andtuggedtheblanketaroundboth ofthem,knowinghisfurnaceofametabolismwouldthrow offenoughheattokeepthemcozyfor what wasleftofthenight.
Anditturnedoutthattherewasfar toomuchleftofthenightfor Corin’speaceofmind.
Despitehisexhaustionhelayawakefor hours,forcinghimselftoneither tossnor turnsoasnotto
wakeAster.Thatscentofrosesintensifiedfromtheheatandproximity.Ifhemovedhisheadonlya little,hair brushedhisface,softandsilky.Ifhe’dshiftedhisownhipsonlyaninch,he’dhavebeen
pressinghisbodyagainstAster’s.
Well,onepartofhisbody,anyway.Apartthatalsorefusedtosettledownandfuckinggoto sleep.
Atlast,though,Corinandhismoststubbornpartsall yieldedtoweariness,andhesleptuntil Aster stirringaroundwokehimup.
Ofcourse,onlyCorinknew thathe’dspentmostofthenightrigidandwanting.Aster had wokenupshockedtofindCorinbesidehim.How muchmoreshockedwouldhehavebeenifheknew hishosthadn’tonlylainbesidehim he’dthought,ingreatdetail andfor twohoursor more,about how itwouldfeel toshovehimontohisbelly,riphistrouserstoshredswithrazor-sharpclaws,and buryhimselfinthatsweet,roundpeachofanass?ThesweetnessmightbeonlyCorin’simagination, butheknew how rounditwasbythewayhehadtoanglehishipstokeepfrombrushingupagainstit.
Fuckit,it’ddefinitelybesweet.SoftandhotandslickandopenonceCorinhadfinishedwith it.
God,hehadtogethimselfunder control.Evenrevisitinghisscatteredthoughtsfromthenight beforehadhimbreathingharder,withclawsprickingathisfingertipsandthefaintitchofscales gatheringunder hishumanskin.
Buthow couldhestopthinkingaboutitwhenhedidn’tonlyfeel guiltyfor whathewanted,but for why hewantedit?
Hedidn’tdesireAster becauseofhimself.ItwashisresemblancetoBelinda,themost beautiful womanCorinhadever met;itwasCorin’sanger,anger hecouldn’ttakeoutonher butthat still soughtanoutletafter all thistime;anditwassheer deprivationandfrustration.He’dstayedaway fromthevillagefor thelasttwoyears,notwantingtotakeadvantageofanyoftheyoungfolkwho would’vebeenonlytoowillingtospreadtheir legsfor afamousknight.It’dbeenlonger thanthat sincehe’dhadanythingbuthisownhand.
Inshort,Aster himself,asaperson,wasalmostentirelyirrelevant.
Andthatmadehimfeel likethelowest,mostdespicablebastardtowalktheearth.Corinknew how itfelttobewantedfor attributesyoupossessedandnotfor your owntrueself.Belindahad treatedCorinlikeatall,muscular,greenandscaledtrophy.Itstill smartedtwoyearslater.
Aster wouldbehorrifiedtofindoutthatthegallantSir Corinwantedtopinhimdownanduse hisbodyinanycase.ButifhediscoveredthatCorinonlywantedtofuckhimoutoflingering, festeringdesirefor hissister,andoutofboredom…Corinmightbeangryandhurt,butnotwantonly cruel.
Thesharpcrackleofadamplogcatchingfirestartledhimoutofhisreverie,andhecame backtohimselftofindhisfistsclenchedandhischestheavingashestaredsightlesslydown.He
blinkedthehearthbackintofocus.
Thefirehadgottengoingwell,sendingoutenoughheatthatthemiddleofthehall wouldbe bearable.
Food.He’dputoutthefoodalready.
Now tospendafew minutesstandingoutsideinthesnow tocool hisbloodandreducethe chancesthathe’dhaveavisibleerectionwhenheservedit.
Buttoolate.He’dlostthechancetotrytoschool hismindintosomethingalittlelessbrutal andbestial.Asoftshuffleoffootstepsfromaboveannouncedthathisguesthadchosentoaccepthis not-so-invitinginvitation,andafew momentslater,justlongenoughfor Corintobelatedlyremember somethinglikemannersandattempttostraightenthedroopingcollar ofhisshirtandrubahandover theunknightlyandunsightlybristleonhisjaw,Aster appearedinthedoorway.
“FORGIVE ME,SIR CORIN,”Aster said,hisvoicenearlyasstiffashisshoulders.He’dclearly gonetosomeefforttomakehimselfpresentable,turninghisbluetunicinsideouttohidethestainsof travel,andfinger-combinghishair intoorder withalittlewater,itlookedlike.Inthefirelight,the wavesaroundhisfacegleamedruddygold.“Ihopeyoudidn’tgotoanytroubleonmyaccount.”
Coringlanceddownatthefire,warmenoughbuthissingandshootingsparkseverywhere,at themeager spreadthatresembledapeasant’sdailymeal,andathisownshirt,openattheneckand hanginglooseanduntuckedover histrousers.Oh,andwithapinkstainwherehe’dspilledthebeet juice.Heprobablysmelledlikeapickle.
Fuckhislife.
HelookedbackuptofindAster leaningahandonthedoorjambasifhecouldn’tquite maintainthatrigid,formal posturewithoutsupport.
ThesupportofCorin’sarms,perhaps,or lyingdownhewouldn’tneedit…andno,justno.
Apoisonousmixtureofpityandguiltandrageandfrustrationmadehisvoicefar raspier and histonefar sharper thanheintendedashereplied,“IthinkItoldyouit’sCorin,plainandsimple.And no.Ididn’t.”
Buthehad,ofcoursehehad,andalthoughhe’dalreadyresolvednottomentionithecouldn’t helpwishinghecouldflaunthisefforts.
Appearingtobeatotal thoughtlessassholewouldhavetobehispenancefor beingfar,far worsethanthat.
Aster’sface,alreadytoopaleexceptfor theblackshadowsbeneathhiseyes fuck,Corin wasamonster after all wentashadewhiter,andhebithislip,browsdrawingtogether inafrown.
“I’msorry,Corin,”hesaid,sosoftlythatitfeltlikeapunchtothegut.Belindahadbeenright, andithadnothingtodowithhisscalesor wingsor clawsor her disfiguredlover.“I’msorryfor that andfor for everything.For cominghere.Iknow younever wantedtoseeanyofusagain,andIknow youdidn’twantanythingtodowiththecourt,andmytroublesarebringingthattoyour doorstep,ina certainsense,anyway.Andpleasecall meAster,too,”headdedinarush,hischeeksflushingapretty rose-pink.Perhapsthatwouldbethecolor oftherosesthathadlenthimhisscent.God,whata nonsensical idea.“ImaynotbeLordAnythinganymore,either,now thatI’verunaway.I’mprobably disowned.”
Hisvoicetrailedoffintosomethingbarelyaboveawhisper,andhecasthiseyesdown, blinkingasiftopreventtearsfromfalling.
CHAPTER FOUR
Thatwasmorethanapunchtothegut.Thatwasafull-forcekickfromadragon’shindleg. Someoneneededtotakecareofthislad,badly.Anditcouldn’tbeCorin.Itcouldn’tpossibly.He couldbarelytakecareofhimself,andbesides,hebloodywell didn’twantto.He’dalreadypromised oncetospendtherestofhislifecaringfor oneofthatfuckingfamily,andlookhow thathadturned out.Aster mightlookinnocent,butheprobablyhadthesamerotathiscoreashissister.
AndthenAster clearedhisthroatandliftedhischin.Hiseyesglistened,brightbluemade evenbrighter,butheheldCorin’sgazesteadilyandeventriedtosmile,asadlittlequirkofthelips. “Again,forgiveme.I’mstill notmyself.Ignoremyfoolishness.”
Thoseeyes.Thatvoice.Thatsweetscent.Corincoulddrowninthem.
Hisheartgaveanother agonizinglyguiltytwist.Courageinanyformshowedaman’s character,anddespitewhatsomanybelieved,couragecouldbefar moredifficultoffthebattlefield thanonit.Aster mightlooklikeBelindaandhemighthavecomeherefor reasonsthatmadeCorin wanttothrow himoutthewindow.
Buthewassoyoung,soalone,andtryingsohardtobebrave.
“There’snothingtoforgive,Aster,”Corinsaid,surprisinghimselfbyhow closehecameto reallymeaningit.Andifhisvoicedippedalittlelower onAster’sname,well.Nohumanwouldbe abletohear thatover theaggressivecrackleofthefire.“Sit.Eat.Getwarm.I’vebeenwithout companyfor solongthatI’veturnedintoabeast.”Hetriedasmileonfor size,hopingitdidn’tlook tooferal,andfeltastrangelighteninginhischestwhenAster’slipscurledupalittlemorein response.“ButI’mexpectingthatexplanation.Yousaidyoumight’vebroughtthecourttomy doorstep,inasense.That’ll beliterallytruewhentheycomelookingfor you.”
Aster sighed,nodded,andpushedoffthedoorjamb,comingall thewayintotheroomatlast, asifCorinhadfinallymadehimfeel welcomeenoughtostepover thethreshold.“OfcourseI’ll explain,”hesaid.“ButIdon’tthinkthey’ll lookfor mehere.Thisisthelastplaceanyonewouldlook for me.”
Corindisagreedcompletelythatnoonewouldlookfor himhere;eveniftheydidn’tcomethis wayexpectingtofindAster withCorin,they’daskinthevillageandendupherebyprocessof elimination.
Butarguingaboutitwouldn’tserveanypurpose,andhewouldn’tgetanythingsensibleoutof Aster until he’deatenandwokenupabit.Corinwavedahandatthefoodandtookaseatononeof thechairshe’dpulledup.Thatprovedtobeasufficientinvitation.Aster droppeddownontooneof hisown,piledhalfaloafofbreadwithcheeseandbeets,andtoreintoitlikeastarvingwolf.While hungryhimself,Corinatemoreslowly,makingsureAster hadhisfill.After all,hecouldalways changeformsanddevour therestofthathaunchofpighehadoutintheshed.
Besides,theflicker ofthefirelightonAster’sgleaminghair andonhisface,whichwas slowlyregainingcolor asheate,proveddistractingenoughtokeepCorinfromfeelingtheforceofhis hunger.Thehall didhaveopen,unglazedwindowshighupinthewalls,buthe’dclosedtheshuttersto keepoutthesnow.Evenifthey’dbeenopentherewouldn’thavebeenmuchlightonsuchastormy day.ItleftAster lookinglikesomethingoutofafairytale.
HeresembledBelindabothmoreandlessthanCorinhadoriginallythought.More,inthat he’dalwaysthoughtAster rather plainandwasnow forcedtorevisethatopinion,andlessinthat he’dnever spentenoughtimewithhimtoseehisindividuality.
Theshuttersdidn’tkeepoutthedraft,ofcourse,andeverynow andthenaparticularlyviolent gustrattledthemandwhistledthroughtheir cracks,sweepingdownintotheroomtomakethefire danceandflutter theancient,moth-eatentapestryontheoppositewall.Thesmall forthadoriginally beenbuiltasawatchtower,andthenusedasabasefor banditswhopreyedonsmall caravansgoing over thenearbypass.IthadeventuallyfallenintothepossessionofCorin’sgreat-uncle,who’dusedit asasortofhuntinglodge.He’dbeentheonetoputuptheuglyhangingofagreatgolddragoncarrying offastag.
Buthe’dgrownoldenoughthathestayedmostlyathome,andCorinhadappropriatedthe place,withGreat-UncleIvar’sblessing,ashisrefugefromthehumiliationandviolencethathad markedtheendofhislifeatcourt.Infact,Corin’sfamilyhadrejoicedwhenheaskedpermissionto comehere.They’dmadeitclear thattheyhopedhe’dfinallygivenuphisfoolishobsessionwith humanswordsandspearsandarmor andchosentotakeamoredraconicpathinlife.
Ironic,givenhow embarrassedhisfamilyhadbeenashegrew andshowedfar more physicallydraconictraitsthanhispeers.Hiscousins,exceptfor Fiora,hadwhisperedandlaughed andcalledhimaprimitivebeast.
Perhapshe’dchosentoliveamonghumansinparttoprovehecould.
Butwhatever hisreasons,he’dgrowntolovehislifeasaknight,andhecouldn’tchoosewhat heloved,whathehoarded.Onecouldn’tchangeone’snature,after all,andhe’dhavethoughtother dragonswouldunderstandifanyonewould buthe’dkepthismouthshut.Whyargueaboutitall over again?Hisfamilyhadn’tquitedisownedhimthefirsttime.Maybehecouldkeepitthatway.
Andnow Aster hadcomeheretoescapeahumiliatingsituationinvolvingafaithlessbetrothed justasCorinhad,withanequallydisapprovingfamilylurkinginthebackground.
Hesettherindofhispieceofcheesedownontotheplankhe’dusedasamakeshiftserving platter,nolonger hungryafter all.Aster hadsloweddownatlast,havingpolishedoffmostofthe breadandcheeseand,toCorin’ssurprise,almostall ofthebeets.Atleastnow they’dbothsmell like pickles.
Andsuddenlyhismental perspectiveshifted,asifhe’dtakenahugestepofftothesideand viewedthetwoofthemsittingbythefireasanoutsideobserver might.Sittingthereinhisinside-out bread-crumb-strewntunicwithhispinklipsdyedevenpinker fromthebeets,Aster hadbecome another refugeefromthecivilizedworld another man,plainandsimple,withnowhereelsetogo.
Andtheybothsmelledlikepickles.
Corinrealized,whenAster lookedupsharplywithstartledeyes,thathe’dstartedtolaugh. “I’msorry,”hesaid,still grinning.“Butitstruckmeall ofasuddenwhatapair weare.All coveredincrumbsandbeetjuiceandnotacleanshirttobehadinthewholeramshackleplace.” HismerrimentfadedasAster didn’tlaughwithhim,simplysittingfrozenandstaringathim, eyeswider andwider.
“What?”hedemanded,self-consciousandfightingtheurgetotwitch.Didhelookevenmore unkemptthanhe’dthought?Or maybehe’dcompletelymisjudgedAster’ssenseofhumor.Itwouldn’t bethefirsttime.Belindahadnever evencrackedasmilewhenhetriedtojoke.Perhapssheandher brother hadthatincommon.
“Oh,”Aster saidafter alongmoment.“Ihadn’theardyoulaughinsolong.”Hisnatural color hadcomebackwiththewarmthofthefireandthemeal,butnow hischeeksfloodedwithpink,the samecolor Belindahad…well,honestly,she’dprobablyusedrouge.“Um.I’msorry,I’mstill worn outfromthejourney.”
They’dbarelyspokenaboveadozenwordstooneanother beforelastnight,meetingafew timesattheCezannefamilytownhouseinthecapital andafew moreatcourtor atvariouspartiesand balls.There’dalwaysbeensomanyother thingstoclaimCorin’sattention.MostlyBelinda,since she’dnever appreciateditwhenhisfocuswavered.Andthenonce,perhaps,Corinhadattemptedto correcthisformwhenhe’dbeensparringwithanother gentlemanatthepalacetrainingyard.When hadAster heardhimlaughinthefirstplace?
Fuckit.ItmightputAster onthespot,buthewantedtoknow,andsoheasked.
Aster’sblushwentfrombrightpinktodeepscarlet,andCorinwatchedinfascinationasit spreadfromhischeeksuphistemplesandtohishairline,likespilledink.Or beetjuice.
“Idon’t Imean,thatis youusedtolaughwhenyouweretraining.Iwasalwaysrather afraidyouwerelaughingatme,”headdedwithdisarminghonesty.“Althoughyouprobablydidn’t noticemeenoughfor thattobethecase.NotthatIwould’veblamedyou.Younever seemedtolaugh whenyouwerewith oh,shit,Imeanatcourt.”
Damnitall tohell.No,Belindahadn’tever madehimlaugh,either.Inhindsight,maybetheir lackofanythingresemblingasharedsenseofhumor oughttohavebeenahint.
Hewouldn’tbetouchingthatwithaten-footpole.ButtherestofwhatAster hadsaid,all
flusteredandobviouslyill atease…
Corinhadalwaysbeenkindifpossiblebutasbluntasnecessaryduringtraining,because better adiscouraged,offendedyoungswordsmansafelyathomethananoverconfidentcorpseleftto rotonabattlefield.
ButinthefaceofAster’sworriesaboutbeingthebuttofthejoke or soinsignificantthatno onewouldeventroubletolaughathim hecouldn’tbringhimselftotell thetruthnow.“Youaren’t thatbad,”hesaid.
Aster snortedalaughandhiseyesgleamedbrilliantblue.Corinfoundhimselfsmiling helplesslyinresponse.“Andyou’reaterribleliar,”hereplied.“I’mskilledenoughtoearnmyspurs, andIcandefendmyselffromtheaveragebrigand,butI’mnever goingtobeamightywarrior.Like you.”
Corinopenedhismouth,fullyintendingtoprotest,butAster heldupahandandactually shushedhim?Yes,thathadbeena tchah kindofsound.Aimedat him.Sir Corin,thedragonknight. Unbelievable.He’dnever beenputsomuchinhisplaceinhislife,atleastnotbyanyonewholived totell thetale.Or byhisGreat-AuntHilda,whoalsomadethatsound,cometothinkofit.
Althoughitdidn’tmakehimwanttoputhisGreat-AuntHildainher placeinturn,asitdid withAster.
Whatthatplacemightbe…better nottothinkaboutitindetail.
“Don’tbother,”Aster continued.“I’velongsincecometotermswithit.Andtryingtoreassure medoesn’tsuityou,Corin.Iusedtolistenasyoudresseddownthoseofthesquiresandbachelors youthoughthadn’ttriedtheir best.Younever gaveawordofpraisethatwasn’tearned.Althoughyou didlaugh,sometimes.”
Hiswistful tonestruckachordsomewheredeepinsidewhereCorinhadthoughthe’dgone numblongago.Thedustandheat,theclangandclashofmetal onmetal,theshoutsandlaughter and occasional cryofpain,theshuffleofbootedfeet.Plunginghisoverheatedheadintoatroughofwater after andshakingthedropsoutofhishair,sharpeninghisswordbythefireinthebarracks.
Andlaughing.Becausehehad,oftenenough.
Thelifehe’dgivenupwhenitturnedouttobehollow.
“Iwasnever laughingatyou,”hemanagedatlast,histhroattight. You never gave a word of praise that wasn’t earned.Thatsuggested,eventoCorin’snot-so-sensitiveunderstandingofother people’sfeelings,along-helddesiretohaveearnedsomeofthosewords.Hedugdeepintohis memories,ignoringthestingofloss.“Youwerealwaysquickonyour feet.Notenoughpower inyour stroke,andyousimplydidn’thavethestrengthtoliftyour armfastenoughtoparrysomeonewhodid haveenoughpower,withyour swordor withyour shield.Butyoucouldoutmaneuver nearlyanyone,
giventhechance.”
Aster’seyessparkledagain.Thefirelight,or somemagicfromwithin?Belinda’seyeshad never heldthatmuchmischief.Heleanedforward,asaucylittlesmileteasingthecornersofhis mouth.TeasingCorin,andheatshotstraightdownbetweenhislegsatthesight.
“Sowhatyou’resaying,Sir Corin,isthatIoughttostaythehell outofafight,butthatI’m well-equippedtorunaway?”
Thelaughthatstartledoutofhimdistractedhimsomewhatfromtheveryvividimagethat’d poppedintohismindofputtingAster onhiskneesandshovingthatprettysmileopenwithhiscock. Fuck,hehadtogetittogether.He’dbeenfinefor nearlytwoyears. Fine.Andnow…
“Ah,no,”hestammered,andthenadded,belatedlyattemptingtomatchAster’slighttone, “Don’tputwordsinmymouth,ifyouplease!” I’d like to put something in your mouth.Fuck.“You simplydon’thavethebuildfor combatwithabroadswordandshield.Yououghttosticktothe rapier.”
Aster’ssmiledimmed,andhelookeddownathislap,brushingoffafew crumbs.Fidgeting, rather thancleaningup.Histunicwasprobablypasthelpatthispointandhehadtoknow it.
“Ileftmyrapier athome,thoughIdoprefer it.Ithoughtaheavier swordwouldbemore practical incaseIneededtouseittoreallydefendmyself.IsupposeI’ll havetobuyanother someday.IfIcanaffordto.”
Corinsatback,suckinginadeepbreathtotrytohidehisrevulsion.Everythinginhim protestedtheideaofAster having had to leave his favorite sword behind.His sword.Hisrighthand itchedwiththedesiretowraparoundthehiltofhisownfavoritebroadsword,themassivebladethat nohumanmancouldwieldwithoutpullingamuscleatbest,andheclencheditintoafistaround nothing.
And“ifIcanaffordto.”Ifhecouldaffordit!Thespoiledthirdchildofoneofthewealthiest noblesinthekingdom,worryingaboutafutureinwhichhemightnotbeabletobuythenecessitiesof life.
Corinknew,inthebackgroundsortofwayoneknew theskywasblueor thatforestshadtrees, thatmostpeoplewouldn’tconsider arapier anecessityoflife.Mostpeopleneededeverylastcopper farthingtheycouldscrapetogether andeveryworkinghour ofthedaytoprovidethemselveswith pickledbeetsandbrownbread.
Butthosewerehumans,notdragons.
Whatdragonsvaluedmosthighly,theyneeded.
Corinvaluedswordsveryhighlyindeed.
Hetriednottoacknowledgethenaggingthoughtinthebackofhismindthathisattachmentto
well-wroughtbladesofall kindswasn’tthewholeissue,here,andthatgenerallyspeakinghe’dhave shruggedattheideaofsomepamperedcourtier losinghisfortune.After all,Corindidjustfinehere inhistumble-downtower withhalf-raw wildboar andamalfunctioningfireplacefull ofchipmunks, thankyouveryfuckingmuch.Ifhecouldmanage,socouldanyoneelse.Andiftheycouldn’t,toodamn bad.
ButAster wasnow Corin’sconcern.
No,dammit,his problem,nothisconcern,andheneededtokeepthatintheforefrontofhis mind.
Either way.IfhemeanttogetAster backhome,intothelapofluxury,andthehell outof Corin’shair asquicklyaspossible,thenheneededinformation.
“Ithinkit’stimeyoutoldmepreciselywhatyou’rerunningfrom,”hesaid.“Andwe’ll deal withthequestionoffindingyouarapier next.”
