He felt the shift as he grew larger and larger, the dark magic of his beast side exploding as it took over. For once, Vaar let it go. He needed to calm down to make things right with Jaden. He wanted to think that he still had a chance, that it was just too soon for Jaden to accept him. To succeed, he had to take it slow and get rid of all his anger.
Vaar allowed himself to become one with the dragon. When he opened his eyes once again, he emerged different; crueler, rougher, much like the beast Jaden thought he was, but still Vaar.
The dragon spread his wings and launched himself into the sky. He soared high up, making sure he stayed away from the vegetation. In his current mood he'd make the entire forest shrivel and die. Vaar soared for the longest time, the freedom of flight soothing the wound in his heart. There was no shame in being like this, he told himself. Other people simply did not understand. His powers had helped him many times and would continue to do so.
He'd get Jaden to see, eventually. He couldn't expect the young mer to accept him from the very beginning.
A sudden feeling of wrongness intruded upon Vaar's mind. Vaar immediately stopped mid-flight, tilting his head as he tried to detect what could have happened. Anger and fear swelled inside him when he realized he'd left Jaden all alone in the cave. The barrier would keep anyone out, but what if there had been an earthquake or something like that? What if the water became too hot for Jaden? Jaden couldn't shift and he wouldn't be able to escape.
Vaar turned back, sweeping through the clouds with the speed of lightning. As he flew, different scenarios of dread passed through his mind. How could he have left Jaden alone for so long? Even when he'd gone hunting, he'd only left the cave for maybe fifteen minutes, acknowledging the risk. But now, he'd allowed his frustration and fury to get the better of him.
It seemed to take forever to get back. When he finally landed in front of the cavern, his concerned eyes scanned the mountain. Nothing seemed out of place. Every rock was exactly as he'd left it, and the magical barrier still protected the opening.
Vaar entered the cavern, rushing to find his treasure. He didn't know what could have happened, but the disquiet refused to vanish.
In a few seconds, he reached the pool room. He heard the gasps and cries even before entering. His blood ran cold and his vision dimmed but he kept going.
Jaden lay on the floor, wriggling impotently, desperately reaching out toward the entrance. His emerald hair looked sweaty, his alabaster skin bruised. His tail had bloody spots, several scales having suffered from the rubbing against the rough floor. Vaar's heart just about broke at the sight.
When Vaar entered the room, Jaden gasped. "Vaar. You came back."
"Of course I did, Jaden," Vaar managed to reply as he rushed inside. "What happened?"
"I wanted… I wanted to come after you. I felt bad for what I said. But I couldn't shift. No matter what I did, I couldn't shift."
"Oh, my treasure. You shouldn't have pushed yourself. Don't ever do something like this again."
"But you were so angry…" Jaden let his tears flow. "And you left me."
"I will always come back for you, Jaden. Always."
Vaar picked Jaden up, wincing as his mate let out a little gasp of pain. Jaden clung to his neck and Vaar stepped back into the pool, knowing the water would soothe the young mer. The warm liquid embraced them and Vaar felt Jaden relax. As tenderly as possible, Vaar cleansed the hurt scales, paying close attention to any sound that came from Jaden.
The wound didn't appear to be as bad as he'd thought. In a few minutes, Vaar deemed Jaden as healed as he could be. He made a mental note to acquire some medical supplies as soon as possible. In time, the injury would close by itself, courtesy of Jaden's merman nature.
Satisfied, Vaar held his mate to his chest and leaned against the pool end. "Sleep, treasure," he murmured into Jaden's hair.
Jaden didn't protest and Vaar surmised that the young mer still hadn't gotten over the emotional exhaustion of the past few days. As Jaden cuddled against Vaar and surrendered to sleep, Vaar vowed to never disappoint his mate again.
* * * *
When Jaden opened his eyes once again, he thanked the Sea Mother he wasn't in the disturbing, rough bed. The familiar feel of water surrounded and soothed him. It felt good, especially combined with the warmth of the strong, solid chest behind him.
Jaden wiggled and let out a startled gasp when powerful arms tightened around him. "You're awake," a husky voice rumbled in his ear.
A brief flashback of his argument with Vaar swept through Jaden's mind. "I'm sorry," he whispered against Vaar's chest.
Vaar shifted them in the water, making Jaden's tail touch Vaar's lower body pleasantly. He gazed up at the dragon and it startled him to see a smile on the other man's face.
"In your own way, you were right," Vaar said.
Jaden opened his mouth to protest. Vaar had been nothing but kind to him. Even in dragon form, he'd comforted Jaden. It had been unfair of Jaden to brand Vaar as an animal, and even more unmerited for Vaar to admit it.
When Vaar left, Jaden had felt as if the one thing true and stable remaining in his life had vanished. His love for Chrys would never diminish, of course, but it would also remain as impossible as always. And Jaden now acknowledged the bond between him and the dragon, the connection that had formed the very first moment he'd heard Vaar's call.
How could he have ever doubted it? No one in the world knew Jaden so well, anticipated his every need, and could be so gentle and powerful at the same time. Jaden had felt it, many times. He'd known that by going to the Zone, by showing the beast in the shadows everything he was, he'd surrendered a part of his own soul. Right now, he couldn't bring himself to regret it.
Vaar shushed Jaden, placing a finger on his lips. "I know I hurt you," the dragon said. "I took you away from Chrys, the one being you love most in the world."
Jaden tensed at the mention of his twin. He tried to pull away, but Vaar wouldn
'
t let him. Vaar
did
remember Jaden
'
s shameful secret.
"I have a little confession to make," Vaar murmured. "I sensed you and your brother when I was deep in sleep. I knew you two were special and that I had to have you from the very moment you approached my lair."
Jaden couldn't believe his ears. Did that mean Vaar wanted Chrys as well? Doubts reemerged, painful and wicked.
"
But, Jaden, it was
your
loneliness that made me awaken,
"
Vaar continued.
"
I believe that. Your soul called out to mine.
"
It was odd to hear the dragon, the dark beast from the abyss, speak such heartfelt words. It didn't fit at all with Jaden's previous view on things. Then again, what did he know? His life seemed to be made up of a string of inexorable errors.
"I just can't… I'm not sure I can be what you want me to be," he replied hesitantly.
Vaar released him from the embrace and forced their eyes to meet. Those dark orbs burned into Jaden and he found himself falling into the fathomless depths. "You and I, we fit together," the dragon said. "Chrys has Aurus now, and as much as it may pain you to admit it, you can't ever be a part of what they have."
It should have hurt. Indeed, Jaden felt the familiar pang of sorrow at those words. Strangely enough, though, it seemed dulled, as if through a fog or a thick veil. "Will you stay with me?" he asked, clinging to Vaar tightly, knowing this moment was important, that it would change his very existence.
"Of course, treasure," Vaar replied with a smile. "You belong to me now." This sounded annoyingly like the high-and-mighty dragon who'd stolen Jaden from the sea. Somehow, though, it comforted Jaden. In the end, Vaar was right. Chrys had Aurus, and Jaden needed to get used to that thought.
Jaden admitted he agreed with Vaar. Two lonely souls could comfort each other, perhaps even find love. Why should Jaden deny himself this chance?
"I think maybe… I do," he answered.
Nervous seahorses fluttered in Jaden's belly when he witnessed the play of emotions on Vaar's face. The dragon's eyes burned into Jaden's very soul. "Tell me again," Vaar growled, his voice nearly animalistic.
Jaden realized with a start that Vaar had given him the chance to back down. But he didn't want to. He ached to have the dragon touch him, to feel loved and desired.
"I do belong to you," he whispered softly. "Show me what it's like."
A second later, Vaar's lips crushed Jaden's. Surprised, at first Jaden couldn't quite bring himself to fully enjoy the kiss. Maybe he shouldn't let the dragon sway him so easily. Was he using Vaar by accepting this? Did he just want love, any love, not Vaar's specifically? He didn't know, but the only way to find out would be to surrender.
Vaar's tongue prodded Jaden's lips open and he eagerly complied, accepting the silent order. He moaned at the feel of the dragon's mouth, gentle, yet commanding, and so very perfect. Just like that, Jaden forgot all about his doubts and let himself feel. He buried his hands in Vaar's dark hair and discarded all restraint. He truly didn't know if he loved Vaar, but he could no longer deny the powerful, unbearable attraction between them. It had been strong enough to awaken Vaar from his slumber. How could Jaden possibly resist it?
The kiss seemed to go on and on as Jaden learned his dragon's flavor. Vaar tasted like fire, ash, with a dark, mysterious streak. Jaden could easily lose himself in Vaar and disregard everything else.
With every second that passed, Jaden's previous reluctance vanished. His hands dared to leave Vaar's hair and slowly made their way across the dragon's shoulders. The feel of the flexing muscles under his touch emboldened him and he explored further, mapping Vaar's back with his fingers.
When the kiss finally broke, Jaden was breathing hard, his entire being hot with desire. Vaar briefly met his gaze and gave him a tender, if slightly strained, smile. "Will you let me teach you, treasure?"
Jaden understood what Vaar meant. Nothing sounded better than to have Vaar touch him, guide him through his change.
He felt a measure of apprehension at the knowledge their coupling could hurt Vaar. If the curse on Chrys and Jaden did exist, as the king thought, such consummation might bring about disaster upon Vaar.
"Are you sure?" he asked the dragon.
To Jaden's surprise, Vaar actually chuckled. "Are you serious? There's nothing I want more in this world."
Jaden heard no amusement in that laugh, only pure arousal and a touch of disbelief. Still, he wanted to make sure Vaar understood the possible consequences of this decision. "But remember what I told you. I could be cursed."
Vaar cupped Jaden's cheek and pressed a light peck on his lips. "You're not cursed. Never believe that."
"That's what my father and everyone else believes," Jaden replied. He didn't know why he insisted. By rights, he should be glad Vaar didn't shy away from him like everyone else. But, truth be told, he didn't think he could bear it if he accidentally injured the dragon.
Vaar's expression turned angry and Jaden winced at the intensity of his fury. "They are fools," Vaar snarled. "No one in his right mind would think such a thing of you."
Vaar took a deep breath, obviously sensing Jaden's distress. "If it makes you feel better, there are very few things in this world that can hurt me. And don't you think it's foolish to fear their prejudice? If you don't trust yourself, could you ever believe such a thing of your brother?"
Vaar
'
s words made so much sense and hurt at the same time. It
was
stupid prejudice, yes. But why had everyone rejected them, then? Why had they become outcasts? Only Aurus and Vaar seemed to believe
he and Chrys
weren
'
t abominations or failures.
Jaden forced the memories back. It didn't matter anymore. He had the chance for a new life now and he'd take it. "You're right. I'd never believe that of Chrys. I'm just being silly."
Vaar brushed his lips over Jaden's cheek again, pressing light kisses over his face, gently making his way to his ear. "So? Will you allow me the honor to become your tutor?"
Vaar nibbled on Jaden's earlobe and all rational thought flew out of Jaden's mind. His arousal—which had faded during the serious conversation—returned with a vengeance. "Yes," he gasped. "Yes, please."
Those words seemed to flip a switch inside Vaar. He let out a growl and pushed Jaden back against the wall of stone. His hands urgently mapped Jaden's scales until he reached the lower end of Jaden's tail.
Jaden tensed at the first touch of the intimate spot. Dialy's assault on him ran through his mind, the way the bandit had held him down and fondled him. But Vaar's touch proved to be so very different that the memory soon faded.
Vaar placed soft kisses on Jaden's collarbone while his finger penetrated Jaden's opening. He went slowly, each motion arousing untouched nerve endings inside Jaden. Jaden cried out and clung to Vaar, his mind short-circuiting at the excruciatingly pleasurable onslaught.
Over and over, Vaar continued to tease him. The dragon repeatedly bit down on Jaden's neck, and Jaden felt flashes of heat with each touch of his lover's mouth. Vaar's tongue descended, engulfing Jaden's nipple in hot, dark flame. Jaden gasped, rubbing against Vaar shamelessly, wanting more.
Vaar growled in obvious approval. His mouth abandoned Jaden's nipple, making him cry out in protest.
"Please…"
Vaar grinned at him. Seconds later, he dived in the water, completely submerging. It surprised Jaden, even if he'd known Vaar had basically lived underwater for hundreds of years, or more, if one judged by the age-old stories of the Forbidden Zone.
All rational thought flew out of his mind when Vaar's tongue prodded his opening. If the dragon's fingers felt amazing, Jaden considered this to be even better. His lover licked him, slowly pushing into him, and something grew and spread inside Jaden. Every inch of his body gradually ignited, awakening to a new life. It frightened Jaden, but he accepted it all the same, trusting Vaar to guide him, to keep him safe.