"I'm going to get us something to eat, okay?" Aurus said.
"How are you going to do that?" Chrys asked, sulking. "We're nowhere near a village."
Aurus let out a low laugh. "I'll do it the old fashioned way. Hunting."
Chrys blinked at him in obvious surprise. "And then what? We'll eat it raw?"
Aurus grimaced at the thought. "Of course not. See if you can't find any plants around here to spice it up. I can cook it with my magic."
Now that he'd been given a task, Chrys seemed to liven up. He left his spot next to the rock and began to scan the area for edible plants.
The bottom of the Windswept Sea abounded in fauna and flora that could be used to create nutriments for the mer. The beautiful corals and anemones aside, there were all sorts of sea flowers and phytoplankton, as well as
janian
fruit. Although rarer, the sweet berries
added
an extraordinary taste to the main diet of the mer.
Hunting
turned out to
be
a bit of a challenge because
Aurus
needed to keep an eye out for any predators that could harm Chrys
while he
worked
. Thankfully, Aurus had chosen their so-called camp well. In no time, he managed to catch a couple of fish, enough to last them for a few days
'
journey if cooked
properly
. He returned to the tiny cave and saw Chrys sorting through a bunch of sea plants. He
'
d even found
janian
fruit.
"Excellent," Aurus said. "You're really good at this."
Chrys offered him a small smile. "Jaden and I used to pick things like this to avoid running out of supplies."
Just like that, they fell into strained silence, reminded of why they were there in the first place. But Aurus refused to let pessimism rule him. "Come on," he urged Chrys, "let's cook this."
His slight enthusiasm drew Chrys's interest. Pleased, Aurus summoned his magic and created a golden bowl for the fish. He placed his catch into the bowl along with a few vines of red lotus. The plant would serve to both spice and preserve the fish, so it'd keep for several days.
Once the ingredients were added, Aurus focused and turned the golden bowl into a tight circle, encasing them inside. Finally, he applied pressure, squeezing and releasing in several steps. The process would make the lotus disintegrate and the fish steam up, cooking the dish.
Chrys watched him in fascination, and Aurus felt a bit proud at his lover's expression. Truly, his skills at cooking weren't all that good, but they were necessary for every soldier who might one day have to live off the sea.
Finally, their meal was complete, nothing fancy, just run-of-the-mill fish sticks. Still, they were warm and the lotus gave them a pleasant, spicy flavor.
In silence, they began to eat. Aurus found himself hungrier than he'd thought at first and he devoured several of the sticks before he finally felt full. When they finished, they tore a bit of material from Aurus's cloak and wrapped up the remaining food.
"Let's get some sleep," Aurus told Chrys. "We'll leave again in a few hours."
Chrys nodded and cuddled by Aurus
'
s side.
As t
hey lay together in their little sheltered cave
,
Aurus kept watch, questions swirling through his mind.
Where are you, Jaden?
* * * *
Jaden awoke to the feel of cold water lapping against his skin. He sighed in contentment, loving the way it swept over his scales. The slow whisper of the soft wave acted like a balm for his soul and mind.
Allowing himself to float in the comfort of the welcoming water, Jaden realized he hadn't taken a few moments to simply relax in a long, long time. He couldn't wait to tell his brother and Aurus about this place.
Awareness sparked in his consciousness. Something wasn't right. The water felt too cool and he couldn't tell Chrys and Aurus anything. The two mer had been left behind when the dragon kidnapped Jaden from the sea.
Jaden's eyes shot open and the memories of the past day flooded his mind; the party, the brothel, running away, and meeting the dragon. He'd seen the sun for the first time from above the waters. He recalled the beast flying over the Windswept Sea, talking to Jaden in that peculiar language of the dragons. At some point, Jaden must have fallen asleep or unconscious. Where was he?
He looked around, trying to figure it out. His eyes widened at the sight of his current location, some sort of endless underground cave. A clear river provided the water to the pool Jaden swam in. The walls of the cavern looked to be sculpted out of priceless gems, mirroring Jaden's with an enchanting shine. Through an opening beyond the end of the pool, Jaden caught sight of a different room, light falling on what looked like a peculiar bed. It was all so foreign, and yet, so beautiful.
"I'm glad you like it," a husky voice said.
Jaden yelped and turned to face the source. A dark-haired man emerged from the shadows, smiling. "I thought you would be uncomfortable waking up someplace else—at least until you shift and I can teach you the benefits of a real bed."
Jaden gasped with dismay and outrage. He flushed at the daring words. "What…? Who in the world are you?"
The man chuckled. "You may call me Vaar. And you know very well who I am."
Jaden had the distinct feeling he did, indeed, know the dark man. Even if he could only see the stranger's face and not the rest of him, it didn't take much to figure out his identity. "The dragon."
"Right on the first attempt, sweet Jaden." The so-called Vaar smirked.
Jaden hated the shudder that swept through him at the sight of that wicked grin. "Where have you taken me?" he asked, proud his voice didn't tremble.
Vaar's smile widened. "Can't you guess?"
"Don't answer a question with a question!" Jaden shot back. By rights, he should be cowering in fright, but for some reason, he didn't fear this man… dragon… whatever he was.
Vaar's expression softened. "My apologies, my treasure. I couldn't help teasing you." He took a few steps forward, revealing the entirety of his body.
Jaden gulped and hastily looked away, not that it helped any. The man's nudity had forever branded itself into his mind. His torso looked like sculpted marble, each muscle perfectly defined with almost painful precision. The coppery disks of Vaar's nipples perked up in the cool, damp atmosphere of the cave, begging for attention. And between the powerful, muscular thighs, a mouthwatering, hard cock pointed accusingly straight at Jaden.
Jaden closed his eyes, willing the image away. If only forgetting could be that easy. He had no luck, not when he could feel the heat of those burning, coal-black eyes searing into his skin.
Jaden submersed, hiding in the sanctuary of the liquid. Even if it didn't feel like the sea, the temperature too low, it still provided him with a measure of safety. He wasn't unfamiliar with the cold. In Atlantis, it had always been much warmer, but not so in deeper waters and next to the Forbidden Zone.
Furthermore, in the pool, he understood himself, what he wanted and needed. He already had enough difficulty accepting his attraction to Chrys and Aurus without adding the dragon to the mix. Not to mention that he needed to find a way out of here. By now, Chrys would be worried crazy. Jaden only hoped Aurus would stop Chrys from doing anything foolish.
All of a sudden, warm arms pulled him against a strong chest. Taken by surprise, Jaden gasped and tried to pull away. The dragon, however, held him tightly.
"Don't be scared, treasure," Vaar rumbled. "I won't hurt you."
Vaar's rough hands caressed the top scales of Jaden's tail. Arousal shot through him, for once guilt-free. He melted against Vaar, his entire body aching for something he couldn't really understand.
"It's okay," Vaar said. "Hold on to me."
Jaden obeyed. He didn't know why, but he did. He wrapped his arms around the man's neck, feeling more confused than ever. Vaar didn't speak. Instead, he walked toward the edge of the pool, slowly exiting the water.
Jaden panicked when the air hit his tail. He struggled again, yearning for the soothing familiarity of the water.
"Shhh," Vaar whispered in his ear. "Didn't you want to know where you are? I'm merely showing you."
Curiosity replaced panic. "A-All right. But you'll take me back afterwards?"
"Of course," Vaar replied. "The water is there for you, after all."
Vaar carried Jaden out of the pool room and into a hallway. Beyond, Jaden caught a glimpse of another luxurious chamber, but Vaar didn't linger there. He slowly progressed down the hall, holding Jaden tightly to his chest. All the while, Jaden did his best to distract himself from the feel of Vaar's arms around him by admiring the dragon's lair. It was miraculous that such a beautiful place had been created by nature. The walls of the passage occasionally changed from stone to reflective gems, recreating the mirror effect from the pool room. Alas, even the cave seemed to conspire against Jaden as, through that peculiar looking glass, he saw himself, held in the arms of a naked Vaar.
Jaden snapped his eyes shut, not understanding his own behavior. He shouldn't be acting like this, damn it! He should have fought Vaar, cursed him, and tried to break free. Instead, he allowed the dragon to charm him with beautiful, shiny stones.
"You're thinking too hard," Vaar said. "I assure you I mean you no harm."
"Then why did you bring me here? What do you want with me?"
He half-expected Vaar to remain silent. Instead, the dragon replied, "To be my companion, my mate, my treasure."
Jaden gaped. Surely Vaar couldn't mean what Jaden thought he meant. They'd only met today, at least, face to face. Such a commitment required not only passion, but understanding, acceptance, love.
Vaar knew all the truths in Jaden's heart, all the shameful secrets, all the hidden lusts. Jaden had spent a long time with the dragon, back when Vaar laid hiding in the depths of the ocean, still in beast form. How could Vaar want him when he knew all that? Was Vaar really the dragon or was he someone else entirely? The latter idea terrified Jaden.
Vaar must have felt him tense up. "I know it's a lot to process right now," he said. "We'll talk about it later."
Jaden wanted to protest but Vaar didn't give him the chance. A few seconds later, the dragon stepped out of the cavern and onto a cliff edge. "Look," Vaar said. "This is our home."
It disturbed Jaden to hear Vaar say "our home" so casually, as if Jaden had already accepted it. It also frightened him, more so because he no longer had the certainty that this was truly his dragon. Jaden couldn't deny a sense of familiarity, but things simply didn't add up.
Vaar cuddled him closer, rubbing his hands up and down Jaden's arms. "Sorry about the chill. It can't be helped when we're so high up."
The phrase and the touch effectively drew Jaden out of his musings. He forgot all about his doubts as he obeyed Vaar and looked. A gasp escaped him when he took in the incredible, daunting beauty of the view. The dragon's lair seemed to rest at the very top of the highest mountain in the world. Cloud formations floated around the cliffs, creating silvery, hypnotizing shapes. Beneath them, Jaden spotted a green, lush land, and beyond, the blue sparkling of the ocean.
"Is that the Windswept Sea?" he asked breathlessly.
He felt Vaar nod. "It is. These lands have belonged to my kind for many centuries."
"You mean there are other dragons around here?" Jaden scanned the neighboring cliffs curiously, but couldn't see any sign of inhabitants.
"No. There aren't," Vaar replied with a sigh. "Let's go back in. It's too cold."
Vaar remained silent as they passed through the hallway and Jaden had the disquieting feeling he'd asked something he shouldn't have. When they finally reached the pool, Vaar deposited Jaden in the water and turned to leave.
"Wait," Jaden said, reaching out to the dragon. "I'm sorry if I offended you. This is truly a beautiful place."
Vaar gave him an inscrutable look, and then, to Jaden's relief, smiled. "You didn't offend me, my treasure. Just reminded me of something unpleasant."
"Something unpleasant?" Jaden repeated, confused.
"Don't worry about it," Vaar said. "I'll bring you something to eat. You must be starving."
Jaden wanted to pry further but he realized he was, indeed, very hungry. He nodded at the dragon and, with another small smile, Vaar disappeared into the hallway.
* * * *
Vaar cursed to himself as he left Jaden's pool room. He hated showing weakness and vulnerability, least of all to his treasure. He'd vowed to protect Jaden and the young mer didn't need to be burdened with Vaar's stupidity.
And yet, he couldn't help his melancholy. Jaden's words had stirred an old wound inside him, a hurt that had never really healed. As much as he hated to admit it, he'd never gotten over his exile or the reason for it.
How could he? He was still the same black dragon, the same creature that killed any living thing with a touch. Even the day before, when he'd flown over the forests of Dragon's Ridge, he'd seen trees die as he passed by.
He'd spent the past day focusing on getting his powers under control, and he felt satisfied he'd managed to achieve his goal. But no matter what happened, no matter how many barriers he put up, the darkness would slip out eventually.
He couldn't understand why the three mer had been immune. Everything else died at one touch of a black dragon's magic. His hibernation had effectively polluted that section of the Windswept Sea with the deadliest of poisons. When he'd gone into slumber and lost his grip on his magic, wildlife had died, plants withered, even the very ground had shriveled in the aftermath.
Eventually, he'd have to explain it to Jaden. The young mer wasn't afraid of him at the moment, but what would he think once he found out?