FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter 4

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“So, we need new weapons?”

“Yep,” Aries said as he looked over the weapon rack once again. “There’s no way that these can be sharpened. I think time has finally got to them.”

Cadmus growled. “Damn. I really thought they could be useful.”

“Do not worry too much, Cadmus. I’m sure we can find a smithy somewhere in the capital...if we depart for it.”

Two days had passed without Giscela running into any patrols or anyone sent to attack the cave. The Spymaster even went as far as a quarter of the way to Rendelen to check and she only ran into merchants and peddlers. Aries still felt comfortable going over what kind of weaponry they had, just in case Edward had another fire lit under him. But he figured that the nobleman needed to spend time mending his broken heart first.

Cadmus would still leave occasionally to take care of errands which left Aries in charge of the cave and menial tasks. The knight was happy to do so, cleaning and keeping things tidy in the rooms and otherwise. The wisps that followed him around were now less of a nuisance and more like interdimensional pets.

They particularly liked to float around his chest where he had developed a scar. His body had healed okay, but Aries found that there were occasional bouts of pain like he could still feel the arrow lodged in his chest. Cadmus told him not to worry and that it was normal, but Aries did not know what to think about it. He never had a wound healed by magic before, so there were no symptoms or signs that pointed towards an error. Aries figured everything was fine, but the idea of the wound reopening was not absent from his mind. During baths, he made sure not to vigorously scrub the scar.

“Aries…”

“Oh, don’t use that worrying tone with me, Cadmus. I know what I signed up for...”

Cadmus frowned. “I do not know if we should even go to Rendelen. You nearly died from an arrow that was shot by one of the King’s guards. If we go to Rendelen, I could be putting you at risk again.”

Aries sighed and rolled his eyes. “Cadmus, I can handle myself. Stop thinking you abandoned me. We talked about this…”

Cadmus was not having it. The dragon rumbled. He always did such a sound when he was upset and Aries was starting to pick up on those little signs. His tail would flick when he was happy, his shoulders would visibly slump when he was sad and his eyes would have this shine about him when he was feeling mischievous. Aries noticed that the last one popped up a lot more in the baths than anywhere else.

“If we go, you must promise me that you won’t leave my side.”

Aries snorted. It was like he had a keeper now. “Fine, I promise.”

Cadmus had a look of satisfaction. “Very good.”

Aries pursed his lips, a quiet pausing coming between him. The knight pretended to inspect the blades in front of him again but his mind was still occupied with the conversation.

“Cadmus, I’m not a child. You cannot treat me like I’m this glass vase just waiting to be cracked into pieces,” Aries spoke up.

“I’m not. I am finding it hard to understand as to why you want to dive head first into a hornets nest. Aries, I had to pull an arrow out of you! I don’t wish to do that ever again.”

Aries stood up and turned around to come face to face with a very upset Cadmus.

“Cadmus, sit down at the table...”

The dragon blinked before making his way over to the table. He pulled a seat out for Aries and then sat himself down. Cadmus followed Aries close, his eyes searched Aries for something but could only find general nervousness.

“You know you can tell me anything,” Cadmus said with a pleasant trill to his voice. His tail flicked back and forth. The only thing that Cadmus needed was an explanation.

“I know, so... get comfortable. This story is going to start from my beginning.”

Aries starts where he promised, with his birth in the stables. In which his mom, Mary, cared after horses belonging to some of the greatest warriors, knights, and philosophers to have ever graced Randelen’s halls. Mary was paid handsomely for it, but her job required her to always be available even when heavily pregnant. Aries mentioned that his mom had often joked that he was always meant to be born in the stables because he belonged among the asses.

He spoke of his growing up as an only child. How he was coddled by his mother because it was so hard to have him. How he was given a strict and honorable upbringing by his father. He mentioned his dream, the one he’d had the first night he was in the cave. Playing with a wooden sword and pretending he was a knight with his friends; of riding on horses with his father. It was a good life, but certainly not easy.

Cadmus smiled, Aries’ energy rubbing off on him. Cadmus had the thought of an ideal life. One that was full of an energetic young Aries under the wing of a firm but loving family. But, the dragon knew what was coming next.

“Leo was deployed in the war against Lanish and he never came home… You know the rest. You know how much I need to find the truth. ”

“I...need to remember that part about you. I need to remember that your story is tied with mine.”

Cadmus clutched Aries’ hand tighter. “You have done so much for me. You have nearly sacrificed your life, so if this is what you want, I promise we will find answers in Rendelen. If we can get the King on our side, we can gather documents. Someone has answers.”

Aries looked up at Cadmus’ eyes to see they were filled with determination, a newfound glow that seemed to burn bright as lightning. He was telling the truth. Cadmus had the look that he would be willing to fight the Gods for him or go down trying. There was no doubt that their relationship had changed since they first met.

“Thank you, Cadmus,” Aries said and grabbed the claw that spanned from Cadmus’ index finger to give it a little rub. “I really can tell you anything…”

Cadmus nodded. “Of course. Now… There is something that I wish to discuss with you.”

Aries noted that Cadmus’ eyes shifted back and forth from their hands to his face. The human bit his cheek. He had a feeling he knew what was coming. “Is everything okay?”

“Yes, Aries… Everything is okay. It’s really hard to explain. Although this has been the most chaotic month of my life, I feel like I have never belonged anywhere but here. I thought that maybe I would be alone forever and that I would never find a dragon.”

“Well, you haven’t found a dragon yet.”

“No,” Cadmus trilled, his voice high and light. “I think I have found one. Someone who is very strong, brave, kind, and was willing to take an arrow…”

Aries blushed, his cheeks turning red. He remembered the night when he first took a bath, his hand resting on Cadmus’ thigh. It was not a mistake. It never really was a mistake and it was not stress that brought it on. It was something more. Aries looked over Cadmus, his scales where skin should be and wide wings. Would he ever be able to make such a relationship work?

“Cadmus…” Aries said quietly. “I...don’t know…”

Cadmus shook his head. “Aries, it has been 350 years searching for a purpose and I find it among you. I want you to be with me, and next to me as my lover.”

Cadmus’ electric eyes locked onto his brown ones and held there. There was no lie to his words and it was clear Cadmus had thought about when he would mention such a comment. The last month has been wild and unpredictable. Aries was supposed to kill Cadmus, but instead now he was nursing a wound from an arrow and being asked to take it further with him.

“I cannot live 1000 years. I would only give you one tenth at most….” Aries replied, his heart beating fast in his chest. Why was his mind rushing as if he was about to fight?

“I do not care because it will be the time I treasure the most. I will cross that bridge when the time comes,” Cadmus said with a slow rumble to his voice.

Aries was about to give another reason why it would not work, but could only grin. “How many peeks did you take in the baths?”

Cadmus snorted.

“I’m serious, Aries.”

Aries laughed, the sound like the sweetest honey that Cadmus had ever tasted. The sour expression that Cadmus had to put on was difficult and forced.

“I know...I’m sorry. But, yes. Yes, I would love to spend my days with you. I would love to be with you for the rest of my life!” Aries exclaimed and got up off his chair. Cadmus did the same, his eyes full of joy.

The two wrapped their arms around each other and Aries put his head in the nook of Cadmus’ shoulder. The hug was tight and Aries found himself melting into the embrace. Cadmus placed his head on the top of Aries’ head and held it there, a deep rumble in his chest vibrating through the smaller human’s being. Aries never wanted to leave. He wished he could be here forever and feel the euphoria of jumping into something new again and again.

Cadmus pulled Aries away for just a moment before his muzzle came forward. Time slowed for Aries, the move expected but still coming as a surprise. His eyes dilated and Aries felt a rush. Cadmus noticed Aries hesitation, keeping his muzzle close but not pushing anything. Bringing the bridge of the muzzle close, Cadmus pushed his forehead up against Aries’ and his warm breath washed over Aries face.

They were quiet for an uncountable amount of time. It was not important. The only thing that was important to the two was they were together. Cadmus’ belly rubbed against Aries’ chest and the dragon’s arms wrapped around possessively. Aries adjusted his head, moving it until it rested on Cadmus’ broad chest. It was easy since he was so much taller than him. Aries closed his eyes and concentrated. The first thing he heard was a hard thumping followed by a long breath in. Aries’ head rose along with the dragon’s chest and the knight partially wished he could pull his lover close in bed.

Looking up at Cadmus, Aries’ chin was placed comfortably between Cadmus’ pecs. His brown eyes sparkled and Cadmus’ own never left his knight. Aries wished that he could swim within those sapphire eyes. Aries tentatively leaned forward, his neck craning ever so slightly and their lips caressed. Like silk on skin, it was a mere suggestion of a touch. Yet, the chemistry between them cut the air like lightning slicing through the sky.

It was soft and slow, their bodies pushed together. Aries’ tunic and pants provided little maneuver room but he did not care. His concentration was not on his clothes but on the way his lips felt against Cadmus’ own.

As quick as their passions overtook them, they pulled away. Cadmus was rumbling and this time it was not because he was upset. Their heartbeats were in sync and beat against their chests like a hammer coming down on a nail. Hands explored unabashedly and Aries’ breath hitched when a particularly well placed grab squeezed his right hip.

“I am still surprised how strong and resilient you are but you have such soft lips,” Cadmus chuckled and brought his thumb up to Aries’ bottom lip. His lover smiled, his cheeks still rosy.

“How about we go take a bath? It has been a long day,” Aries said with a mischievous glint to his eye. His hands moved along Cadmus’ side and he mimicked the same motion. He squeezed the muscle along the dragon’s hip. The unfamiliar sensation made Cadmus cock his hip slightly to the side.

“Oh really? I see what game you are playing,” Cadmus replied. He brought his tail around, hooking it into the waistband of Aries’ trousers.

“Maybe if you are good,” Aries teased and leaned forward to give Cadmus a kiss on the cheek. His lips met scales, an interesting and foreign texture on Aries’ sensitive lips.

Cadmus held a hand up to his cheek while Aries grabbed his other and led the dragon towards the baths. Both of them stripped out of their shirts in earnest and now stood in just their pants and boots. They wrapped their arms back around one other and felt across their bodies. The stark difference between them could be physically felt. Finger tips ran across muscle and claws lightly trailed down skin. The pointed tips of Cadmus’ claws made their way down Aries’ neck and tickled oh so well as it went. Aries shivered and Cadmus gained a pleased look.

“So where shall I begin first, little sparrow?”

The claw stopped right at Aries sternum, just to the left of the scar from Aries’ injury and he held the tip there. Aries kept a humorous composure, but the low growl to Cadmus’ voice vibrated up through him and his entire being. The taboo of the affair was becoming more alluring to Aries and the handsome stud in front of him was not making his choices easy. The fact that they still had their pants on was alluring. Although Aries had seen Cadmus naked plenty of times, this one was different. There was no function for cleanliness or any other way to read into it as playful curiosity. It was an intense need that was completely acknowledged by touch and sound.

“Let’s take it slow, Cadmus.”

The dragon gave a pleased rumble. “With pleasure.”

Cadmus kneeled which made Aries’ breath hike. Seven feet of dragon now staring up at him with his gorgeous eyes and never leaving his sight. It was a rush, one that Aries was embarrassed to say was going straight down between his legs. His trousers stuck out ridiculously, the top of them laced with white strings tied in a little bow. Cadmus was tickled that he could elicit such a reaction out of his lover and brought his cheek tantalizingly close to the bulge.

Bringing his paw up to Aries’ chest, Cadmus rubbed across the knight’s pecs and felt the blond sprinkle of hair across them. The claw came back, trailing down the bit of hair that made its way into Aries pants.

“So interesting that you have this...fuzz in the first place. This little treasure trail that you have for me,” Cadmus said with a thoughtful chortle and stopped the tip of the sharp extension right before the lace. Aries blushed even deeper. Never in his life had Aries’ body ever been compared to a smattering of jewels.

“I sometimes wonder myself,” Aries breathed out, distracted from the fact that Cadmus’ teeth were right above the lace and shown. There was a pause where Aries thought about how much power that laid inside of Cadmus’ body and it was all his. The dragon could have snapped him in two with his teeth alone but it was clear there would never be such animosity between them ever again. He was his small bird, wings outstretched and ready for the next step.

“I think I like to imagine that it is here for me,” Cadmus said. “That you are mine and belong in my hoard among my crystals and books. Every part of you is more fascinating than anything that I have ever read.”

The thought was comforting to Aries. For so long, he felt like he always had to be in control. That if something was a problem, he would have to be the one to fix it or protect someone. Now there was a shift in his role. Cadmus was...worshipping him in a way. Taking his time like he was a fine vintage that needed to be savored. Aries was unused to such a role so he shifted around uncertain and trying to give Cadmus a better vantage point for whatever nefarious deeds were going through his lover’s mind.

Aries' breath hitched when the dragon’s sharp teeth latched around one of the strings holding the human’s pants up and he gave it a tug. Aries shook, not out of fear but out of need as Cadmus bit into the waistband and started to lower it down. Down his pants went, further and further until his peach colored skin showed at his hips and then his crotch. The dark blonde hair that was above dipped lower which only made Cadmus hum approvingly. He gave another hard pull and Cadmus had a toothy smile when Aries’ member flopped out. Letting go of the waistband, a new interest was brought straight into Cadmus’ vision.

“Hmmm, almost as big as me…” Cadmus teased, examining Aries over like he was a physician and conducting an operation. The human blushed at the veiled compliment; they were practically the same size.

“You are much more of a pervert than what I expected,” Aries replied with a playful eyeroll. The human brought his hand out and placed it on Cadmus’ cheek, rubbing it with an affectionate stroke of his thumb.

“No, a pervert would do something much more forward. Like so,” Cadmus said with an amused smile. He leaned forward, burying his snout into Aries’ dark blond curls along the underside of his balls. The breath of air that Cadmus took in went straight to his mind and he memorized the scent. It was earthy but not unpleasant. He was happy that Aries had not ended up taking a bath in the morning. He was just clean enough that there was nothing hindering Cadmus’ exploration of his lover.

A warm puff of air brushed against parts of Aries that only further reminded him of the position that he was in. A long, wet lick started from the back of the human’s heavy orbs and made its way up the bottom of the shaft. Aries sucked in a breath as the nimble tongue made its way upward and towards the more sensitive tip. When he made it to the top, his tongue wrapped around and enveloped the thick head.

Just as Aries was starting to shiver and the hand on Cadmus’ cheek moved up towards the top of the dragon’s head, Cadmus’ tongue unraveled around Aries’ shaft and he moved away. The human’s maleness throbbed, a small bead of pre rolling off the tip and dripping down to the rocky floor.

“To see you without any strife on that face of yours has me so enamored,” Cadmus chuckled. “Now, off with these…”

Aries knew better than to think that there was no authority or conviction behind the seemingly innocent sound of Cadmus’ voice. He was giving him a command with no room for argument and he knew that was how Aries wanted it to be.

Smiling, Aries shook his head. “If you want them to be off, then you have to remove them.”

Cadmus may not have an eyebrow, but there were similar muscles at work and he perked one up.

“As you wish,” Cadmus said with a throaty growl. Aries could feel the vibration of it work its way between his spine and raced through his veins like an uncontrolled fire.

The primal look that Cadmus gave Aries told him that the leash that he had Cadmus on was one that could be snapped as easily as a thin twine. The teeth that snagged his pants were no longer pulling at a slow pace but one that reflected the beast that was showing itself. Cadmus was in an almost bowed position with the pants completely down around Aries’ ankles and the dragon looked pleased. He noted the hair along Aries legs and reached for it to rub across it.

“I forgot that you have hair here too,” Cadmus said, the growl to his voice still hanging around. “I wonder if this has a different taste than the previous sample…”

Cadmus brought out his tongue again, licking up Aries leg. Laughing, Aries shifted his calf and thigh so it flexed for the dragon and Cadmus smiled like a dope as his tongue trailed back up to Aries inner thigh. His eyes locked again with Aries’ own as his cheek rested on his lover’s left thigh.

“So, what is the verdict?”

“Distinctly different,” Cadmus said and then smacked his lips as if he had a good meal. “Not unwelcome.”

Aries brought his hand out. “Get up and take off those pants of yours.”

“Of course, my brave knight,” Cadmus chuckled, the playful version of Cadmus back once again, and untied the lace of his pants. Aries’ heart started to beat in his chest again like just before a battle. He watched Cadmus’ clawed fingers rolled out the bow that his pants were tied in and he dropped them down to his ankles. There was no shyness for Cadmus and he pushed the trousers off to the side as if they were a hindrance than anything else.

Aries' previous details that he made in his mind about Cadmus did not do him justice. The manual labor that Cadmus had been doing was beginning to define him. Aries also found Cadmus doing some of the exercises that he would do each morning and mimicked them. His arms and legs were large and defined, the veins and arteries that pump blood to and from the heart visible near the shoulder blades before disappearing into the peaks and valleys of Cadmus’ arms. His wings extended outwards since he was excited, truly showing the broad stance that he had and his proud stature.

His tail whipped around, wrapping around Aries’ ankle and he walked forward to push his small belly up against Aries’ own. Curiosity overtook Aries’ mind when he felt something poking into his pelvis and overshadowing his cock. The human was rendered mute and Cadmus looked concerned with the awestruck expression on his sparrow’s face.

“What’s wrong?” Cadmus asked as Aries kept his hands on the safety of Cadmus’ hips and away from the eight inches of dragon that rubbed deliciously against his own length.

“Cadmus, I must tell you something...,” Aries admitted. His whole focus was still pulled towards the generous endowment that was displayed before him. The two balls that were pushed up against his own also gave him pause. The human had a humorous thought of how long it had been since Cadmus had ever been relieved. He had never caught him in an act of self-pleasure.

Cadmus’ concern was not resolved and in fact, it appeared to get him even more worked up. “Well, what is it, my love?”

“This is my first time, Cadmus,” Aries revealed. “I have never done anything with a man before.”

‘Perhaps it would be like draining a pipe,’ Aries thought jokingly to himself. ‘Just have to be ready for the mess.’

The dragon’s expression of arousal melted away to one of relief. “Oh, is that all? I thought it was going to be something more damning.”

“Cadmus!” Aries tisked. “This is serious…”

Cadmus jumped and quickly moved in for an apology. “I did not mean it that way. I understand your fear.”

Aries’ mood lightened. “I know I have said it before, but just make sure to go slow. I don’t know how much I can take…” Aries’ eyes looked towards the massive spire of masculinity that was still eagerly throbbing and now dripping onto his own and Cadmus followed the glance.

There was a moment where Cadmus was deep in thought. Aries found it adorable that he had to think so hard on the obvious part of their love making. Then there was a moment of recollection and Cadmus finally understood.

“O-OH!” he yelled. “I see…”

An awkward shuffle and then to Aries’ confusion, a devilish smirk. Then a side eye said it all. Aries knew exactly what was coming before Cadmus said anything and was already getting giddy from excitement.

“Who said you would be taking anything, little sparrow?”

Aries’ member pulsed hard between his legs and he found that words were escaping him. Cadmus could hardly take another step forward since his body was still firmly pushed against his lover but he shifted his hips to push his cock up against Aries and onto the human’s abs.

“Lay down on your back,” Cadmus ordered. Cadmus’ muzzle was neutral, only his eyes showing the desire burning in them.

“And what about our bath?” Aries joked as he sat his naked rump down onto the rock and looked up at the dragon. From his level, Cadmus looked filled with rigor. All eight inches of Cadmus was plain to see and the massive balls between his legs wobbled as Cadmus adjusted his posture.

“I believe our bath can be pushed back until after this. After all, you did not say when we would bathe,” Cadmus retorted with a grin.

“Fine, you win,” Aries snorted and laid down onto the cool rock. It was not an uncomfortable sensation, but the temperate rocks on Aries' back certainly gave a pleasing contrast to the warmth that flowed through him. Cadmus wobbled his orbs and cock above Aries, shaking his hips and cheekily grinning. He placed his paws on his hips, starting to turn the shaking into more of a rocking motion. Aries received a full view, his eyes trained on the way Cadmus’ belly moved with each motion and how his pecs flexed just enough to show only a tenth of their held strength.

“You look so dazzling up there, handsome. It would be a shame to just see this one side of you, though,” Aries piped up from below. His hands were behind his head and the human’s generous length stuck straight up into the air. Small beads of pre rolled down the head and onto the rocks below.

“I do love how captivated you are...and how much you enjoy my body,” Cadmus professed. He turned on his heel to show off his massive wings and thick tail. He did not flex his body but simply allowed Aries to admire the curves and peaks. Aries’ eyes traced over Cadmus much like someone would follow a map. Aries wanted to reach out and feel across his lover’s back and down across the thick globes of muscle and cushion on his backside. He wanted to bury himself in Cadmus, rub himself in his scent and become claimed by a monster.

A deviant thought went through Aries' mind. The idea that the same words he flung at Cadmus as an insult when they first had an encounter could be used in such a dirty manner was an appealing thought. The image of a drooling, unkempt man that was only fueled by his instincts was as electrifying as it was intimidating. The human pocketed the thought for later.

“I am starting to really enjoy the fact that your scales bring out your body. There’s parts of you I wish I had been brave enough to ask to see sooner,” Aries gushed.

“It is wonderful that you are seeing them now.”

Cadmus brought his body down to a kneeling position, now straddling Aries body so his back and rump were facing the knight. He moved his tail off to the side so that it would not be in the human’s way and looked over his shoulder.

“Are you enjoying yourself?” Cadmus asked with that familiar roll to his voice.

“You know the answer to that, you goof.”

In one swift motion, a paw wrapped around Aries’ cock. Making sure not to clip Aries with his claws, Cadmus’ neutral expression turned into a sinister smirk as Aries gave a cute, shuttering gasp.

“Let me know if anything I do hurts or is uncomfortable. If you can’t vocalize that you wish for me to stop, pat my thigh…”

“Pat your thigh?” Aries chorted. “Why in all of the hells would I need to pat your-”

Cadmus’ ass loomed over Aries head and the human got his answer. The dragon wagged his rump in an invitation and he hiked up his tail. Aries’ brought his hands from behind his hand around to grab onto Cadmus’ thick thighs. He squeezed as a test and found only hard resistance. When he brought them to his dragon’s backside and gave the globes each a similar treatment, Aries was enamored with how they folded under his touch.

“I can prepare you with my saliva. It is much more slick than humans, but if you are feeling adventurous and want to help me prepare…”

Cadmus wagged his rump, hiking his tail up and Aries was struck mute when he saw the tight hole right in the middle. “...that is what your tongue can be used for. Explore to your heart's content, my love. I bathed this morning so I am completely clean.”

The knight’s eyes looked over the bounty that was in front of him. There was something so alluring to it all. The fact that a beast like Cadmus would allow him access to a sensitive and personal area was thrilling. If word got out that he was having sex with a dragon and had his face in his ass, there would be no end to the ridicule. There was a moment of hesitation but Cadmus was not going to wait for Aries’ mind to catch up. Cadmus leaned forward, his rump spreading more as his belly flopped onto Aries’ own. There was an “ooof” from the human as he took on most of the dragon’s weight for just a moment and Cadmus chuckled. The bastard wanted him to feel how heavy he was. Cadmus wanted to feel as if he was loaning out the feeling of control. In truth, the dragon could maneuver Aries into whatever position he desired.

Distributing his weight more appropriately, Cadmus lined Aries cock up with his muzzle. He nuzzled against it and grabbed the shaft right at the root. To be handled in such a way was new to Aries and the human was about to remind Cadmus to go slow until that warm and wet tongue went back to wrapping around his member.

Aries’ words stuttered out and his fingers gripped Cadmus’ thighs. The dragon’s tail danced happily above Aries at the reaction he was getting and soon the human’s shaft was engulfed in living velvet. Cadmus’ tongue licked across the head of Aries’ member and his muzzle surrounded the rest of the length with one overeager gulp.

The gagging that followed gave Aries a boost in his ego but he placed a hand on Cadmus’ thigh. The dragon came back up in one quick release. Aries’ member slapped against his belly and throbbed with renewed vigor.

“Gods, I am so out of practice…”

Aries’ eyebrow quirked. “As in you did this before with regularity?”

“W-well not THAT much but I did have a partner at one point…” Cadmus stammered out. As if sensing the tension, Aries stroked across Cadmus’ right asscheek.

“No reason to feel uncomfortable,” Aries soothed, bringing his hand up to rub along Cadmus’ spine. Cadmus shivered and Aries watched the tip of Cadmus’ tail flicked around. “I like the fact that you have experience.”

Cadmus smiled sheepishly before an intense look of determination came over him. He took Aries in one fell swoop, the tip of his muzzle coming straight into contact with Aries crotch and the human’s balls right against his nose.

Once again, Aries’ breath caught. The muzzle was slick and Cadmus’ tongue provided a nice bed for his thick shaft. The dragon’s throat wrapped around Aries’ cock this time as if it belonged there and the human was back to holding onto Cadmus’ unwavered body for strength.

The squelch of Cadmus’ mouth around his cock was enough to send Aries’ mind reeling. It was a whole new experience and the part that was the most precious for Aries was the fact that he was experiencing his first time with the one he loved. Although Aries had never done anything so lewd, he was with someone he trusted and who would guide him through the motions or at least demand his attention.

The lewd sucking sound that came from Cadmus’ lips was an indication of Aries’ role. Although he would be the one on top, Cadmus held him in his paw. It was an enthralling dynamic that made Aries’ toes curl. Cadmus bobbed his muzzle along the head of Aries’ member and the saliva began to do its function.

Meanwhile, Aries was just trying to hold on. It was like he was learning to ride a horse again; Cadmus’ body was unpredictable and he had to hold on lest he be bucked off. There was no training or advice that could help Aries now. He was at Cadmus’ pace and mercy. The musk radiating from the dragon’s body was intoxicating. It reminded Aries of something innate and male like his nose already had such scents logged and recorded. He was experiencing what he had already smelled before but in a different way. They were familiar but alien, hints that pointed to something exotic. What Aries did not know was there were powerful pheromones at work that unlocked something in his mind almost like a key fitting into the appropriate socket.

Aries leaned forward and sniffed. His dragon’s musk grew stronger and more pronounced the closer he got to Cadmus’ rump. He figured that if Cadmus was going to pleasure him, there could be something he was missing out on in the preparation process. After all, he was already being commanded by a mythical creature. Why not dive in?

Tentatively, Aries moved his head closer and breathed. It was long and slow. Cadmus paused only for a brief moment to spread his legs further. The warm breath along his taint and up his balls told him how close his human was to him and how brave he was being. He rewarded him accordingly by taking Aries straight to the hilt and holding it. Moving forward on instinct, Aries’ body lunged suddenly to go right in between Cadmus’ cheeks.

Aries was surrounded by Cadmus. It was like he jumped head first into a pool of sensations but Cadmus was right there. He knew that all he had to do if he felt uncomfortable was tap on Cadmus’ thigh and he would be okay. With each breath he took, he smelled his dragon. He knew that the musk would claim him and Aries would probably be marked by his lover for the evening. His heart pounded in his ears and he moved closer still. Sticking his tongue out, he gave a hesitating lick and was rewarded with a curt gasp.

Aries grinned and repeated the motion only so he could hear Cadmus repeat the same sound again. He did it again and Cadmus shook, the stimulation shooting through him. Getting braver, Aries started his tongue at Cadmus’ balls and licked all the way up to the dragon’s hole in one swift motion. Cadmus had to consciously make an effort to concentrate on continuing to pleasure Aries; since the distraction caused a low, long moan to leave his body and vibrate along Aries’ shaft. Licking turned into a ravenous hunger and the tact that Aries possessed was thrown to the wayside.

Cadmus kept his composure but his oral skills started to get shaky and he kept having to adjust himself. Although Aries was inexperienced, he made up for it in zeal and soon the sound of his rimming was echoing through the caves as if Aries had the confidence the whole time. The two of them continued their sloppy foreplay together and melted into one another. Aries could only breathe in Cadmus and his beast was his everything at this moment. There was nothing Aries would want more than to bottle up his lover’s scent.

Cadmus popped up off of Aries’ member with a loud slurp and Cadmus groaned as Aries continued to rim him. Sweat started to roll down Cadmus’ body and make the various scales shimmer like tiny gems. Cadmus wrapped a mitt around Aries’ shaft and stroked it with long and appraising movements.

Pulling his ass away, Cadmus’ ears flicked when he heard a sigh from Aries, the sound of relief laced throughout his breath. Aries took his first long, fresh gasp of air and Cadmus stood up to look down at Aries with an inquisitive smirk.

Oh my, it seems you did not like that,” Cadmus snickered and licked his fangs.

“No,” Aries panted. “Of course I didn’t…” Feeling something warm that pooled on his stomach, Aries looks down to see there was a fluid that has built up on it. It was nearly transparent and Aries brought the fluid in between his fingers with an excited look.

“Oooooh….you came!”

Cadmus smiled. “No, that would only be precum…”

“Oh…oh wow…”

Cadmus chuckled. “You performed fantastically, but are you ready to mount your stallion, sir knight?”

Aries laughed and gestured between his legs, “I think I can hike up into those stirrups…”

Cadmus smiled, proud of his cheesy line. “Give me your hand then…”

Aries brought his hand forward and Cadmus brought it into his paw with a tender grasp. Since laying on his back was a little awkward, Aries sat up onto his haunches. Cadmus bowed down towards Aries and kissed his hand on his lips. He took Aries pinky in between his index finger and thumb and rolled it towards Aries’ palm. He did the same with the fourth finger and then the third. When he made it to the index finger, Cadmus stared at Aries for only a moment and guided it behind him.

“First, you have to make sure the one who is receiving is always ready,” Cadmus said studiously and moved his paw down to Aries’ wrist to clutch it and move it upward. The finger met some resistance at the dragon’s entrance at first but with one firm push, Aries felt it enveloped. It was like Cadmus’ mouth but tighter and it squeezed as if trying to push the invading digit out.

“Good,” Cadmus complimented with a pleasured hum to his voice. “Very good. Now, work the finger in and out of me.”

Aries did as he was told. He pistoned the digit in as far as it would go and the saliva he added provided decent enough lubrication. Cadmus growled and Aries stopped for a moment.

“No, you are doing wonderful. Keep going and add another finger when you are ready…”

Aries nodded and continued. He pulled his finger out slowly and watched Cadmus’ face for any signs of pain. Cadmus had closed his eyes, waiting for Aries’ next move. Aries decided to practice with one finger for a little more and pivot it in and out of Cadmus’ hole. The hole was pulling him in now and when Aries felt resistance in his movement, he bent his finger towards himself and pushed up out of reflex.

Cadmus’ eyes shot open and his cock throbbed. Precum dribbled onto the floor and the dragon looked over at his lover with wild eyes. “You found my prostate! Gods, that was incredible. Add another finger and do that again!”

Aries snickered but when Cadmus looked at him like a drunk withheld from liquor, the human took that as his cue to speed up. Aries used his third finger with his second finger on the next pullout. When he pushed back in and bent his fingers inward like he did before, Cadmus once again saw stars. The dragon’s body shook as if possessed and Cadmus gave a growl that increased in pitch when Aries added his fourth finger and repeated the motion.

Right when Aries’ fingers were almost out, Cadmus grabbed the wrist and pulled down and Aries’ fingers slid out of Cadmus. Aries hand was held up above his head and his heart jumped into his throat when he heard Cadmus breathing hard. The fire was back again and Aries knew that he was about to get another command.

“Down on your back.”

Aries decided to not make a quip that he was on his back moments ago and allowed Cadmus’ hand to touch his chest and lead him down until his naked back was against the rocks once again. Cadmus was drooling and several droplets fell onto Aries’ chest and rolled down the sides. Two paws reached forward to grab Aries' shoulders and there was no longer any ambiguity as to what Cadmus desired.

“Now, relax,” Cadmus rumbled and lined up Aries’ member with his entrance.

Aries rolled his shoulders back and let a long breath leave his mouth. His eyes never left Cadmus’ body and watched the dragon’s large arms work and his front roll and flex as Cadmus shifted himself. Cadmus sat straight up and squared his shoulders. His legs were on either side of Aries’ belly and Cadmus’ endowment pointed straight out and leaked right onto the bridge between the knight’s pecs.

Cadmus pushed back against the head of Aries’ cock and in one swift motion, the head popped in easily. There was a long hiss from the couple; Aries because of the way Cadmus squeezed around him and from Cadmus due to the stretching sensation he was experiencing. Aries rubbed up along Cadmus’ thighs and brought both of his hands up along Cadmus’ belly. Aries’ hands moved up along the scales until he reached his lover’s pecs. He gripped them for a moment and felt the muscle twitch underneath his palms before moving his hands back down to Cadmus’ hips.

Stopping at the midway point, Cadmus stopped his descent and was a hot and panting mess. Aries cock was not fully in and the dragon was already feeling some strain. It was not painful since Aries’ fingers helped prepare him but below the primal urge to slam his hips down and ride Aries like a savage beast, he knew that he could hurt himself. As a bonus for his patience, Cadmus got to watch Aries wiggle below him as his virginity was taken from him.

“Oh Cadmus….” Aries sighed in lust and his words dripped with desire. “You feel so wonderful.”

The dragon grinned. “It is so fun to watch your face as I take you…”

Aries’ cock pulsed inside of Cadmus’ hole and beads of precum shot inside of the dragon. Cadmus could feel his partner’s heartbeat and the dragon noted that it was running faster than before. Aries did not say anything to Cadmus’ comment, unable to form words. He never thought that Cadmus would become his friend, much less his lover, but he was now here and showing off an intimate side of himself. It felt bizarre and unreal like if Aries blinked then it would all be gone and he would wake up. Yet the urges that he had were far from fake. Cadmus continued to lower himself down onto Aries’ member until his rump was right up against Aries’ hips.

Aries was fully hilted inside his lover and Aries was going to make a joke about ‘fully hilting his sword’ but the expression of pure bliss that Cadmus had across his face stayed his tongue. There was nothing he wanted to say to disturb the way Cadmus’ eyes practically rolled back into his skull.

Hips were pushed flush against thighs and Cadmus exhaled hot air that washed over Aries. Their bodies were locked together, entwined so closely that it was hard to tell when one person ended and another began. Cadmus leaned in close, his wings extending over Aries to block out light and the small amount of wisps still floating around the cave. Cadmus kissed Aries with such passion that the human could only grip on Cadmus’ thighs for stability.

Cadmus started moving his hips without warning and Aries did not have any choice. Cadmus pulled himself up and Aries felt Cadmus’ muscles work his length. When Cadmus made it to the top of Aries’ member and the human’s head was the only thing left inside, the dragon rolled his hips down again and there was a loud plap as Cadmus’ cock slapped just between Aries’ pecs and his balls landed right on Aries’ pelvis. There was a roar of satisfaction from Cadmus and a groan of delight from Aries and neither could be truly heard since Cadmus’ tongue was now exploring Aries’ mouth with abandon. The head of Aries’ member smashed against Cadmus’ prostate and Cadmus’ muscles squeezed reflexively around Aries’ shaft.

There were no longer any words exchanged between them. Only their actions could explain their want. Cadmus started to speed up his hips and Aries knew he was in the clutches of something instinctual. There was no longer an articulate and formal dragon but instead a carnal animal that needed to be sated. Something clicked in Aries mind, the same kind of feeling he had for Cadmus when he went on his long tangents about magic or wrapped a blanket around his shoulders when he was cold. It was still a form of love but this one was ensnared in lust. A need for drool and sweat and for his lover to give him everything.

Cadmus sped up, their bodies moving like well-oiled machines. Aries could not help himself and thrust his hips upwards which broke their kiss and made Cadmus truly give a dragon’s roar.

“Ah! You bastard…”

The growl was fierce and uncouth and Aries demanded more. When Cadmus pushed downward, Aries pushed up to meet him. The vicious slap that rang out was music to their ears like a cadence of sounds that only served to add to their shared experience. Pre and dragon spit only made things slippery and slick; squelches of fluid being displaced as Aries continued to thrust up into Cadmus again and again.

More growls echoed throughout the cave. This time, Aries joined in. The human prayed that Giscela would stay long enough scouting and out of the cave because there would be no doubt what the two were up to. The hot fire shooting up through Aries’ spine started to near a high point and his nerves were singing along with their sounds.

The flow coming from Cadmus’ cock was starting to become thicker and more pronounced. It pooled just below Aries’ pecs and rolled off onto the rocks and Aries was awestruck each time he thrusted in to see Cadmus’ member throb and dance in front of him. If he was flexible, he would see if he could get his mouth around the tip and sample a taste for himself. There would certainly be a time later for such lewd ideas.

“A-Aries...I cannot hold much longer…” Cadmus spoke up as Aries pummeled his prostate again and again. The moment of collection was quickly lost, swamped once again by the instinctual need for carnality. Cadmus’ muzzle turned into a vicious snarl, one that showed his teeth; each tip and point made for ripping and tearing. The gasp was one tinged with thrill. Cadmus was completely his but the opposite was also true. Cadmus chose to do this for him, consciously wanting to make Aries’ first time be within his control. There was no other way Aries wanted it.

There was little warning for Aries and he had to brace himself. Cadmus’ body started to seize up, his muscles contracting all at once. In a moment, Cadmus’ cock throbbed once, a second time, and finally a hard and a climatic third. The stream that hit Aries’ pecs was thick and white, a complete difference from the nearly transparent precum before. It splashed against his skin and spread across the blonde hair of his chest. There were several more throbs and each one had shots carried with them. Cadmus’ face was in a grimace and if Aries did not know the context, he would have thought that his lover was in the worst pain, but from the sounds his lover was making that was far from the truth.

The overflow of cum was like a cork being popped off a champagne bottle and Aries had a front row seat. When some of Cadmus’ climax started to creep up towards his neck, Aries closed his eyes. There were four full shots of pent up dragon all over Aries chest but three more shots were added to the human’s face. It was warm, thick, and smelled strongly of Cadmus, to the point that Aries was certain if the rimming earlier did not mark him belonging to the dragon then the shots to his face did the trick.

Aries kept his eyes closed as the globs of cum rolled down his eyes and cheek and the human felt Cadmus squeeze harder around him as Cadmus’ balls pushed out the remaining bit of his load. It dribbled onto Aries’ chest and spread across the skin when Cadmus adjusted his posture on Aries. The dragon grinned down at his lover, long and heavy pants coming out of him.

“That’s it...keep going,” Cadmus cooed and he continued to ride Aries, his ass slapping against Aries hips. Cadmus reached a finger towards Aries eyes and wiped across them before bringing the cum closer to him. Aries opened his eyes, the substance still coating the outside but not getting into the sensitive tissue.

Cadmus continued to gyrate his hips, playing with the sample of his load between his fingers and rubbing it. Aries, although distracted by Cadmus pounding down onto his hips, followed the fingers with growing interest.

“Would you like a taste?” Cadmus said mischievously and wiggled his finger.

There was not a voice of disapproval from Aries. He already ate the dragon out so what could another experimental taste hurt? Nodding, the human opened his mouth and Cadmus had a devilish smirk. Bringing his index and third finger forward, Cadmus slid them into Aries’ soft mouth. Aries licked around the fingers, tasting the cum and sweat that laid on his fingers. Cadmus smiled and brought his paw forward before rubbing it against Aries’ cheek gently.

“Such a good boy,” Cadmus growled out and Aries’ heart skipped a beat. There was nothing else he wanted to be.

His cock pulsed inside of Cadmus and Aries had to remind himself that his dragon’s fingers were in his mouth otherwise he would have thoughtlessly bit down. Aries’ balls started to tingle and his fingers gripped Cadmus and searched for purchase. He grit his teeth, his member feeling so hard that it was almost too much to bear. Cadmus watched with growing interest, his eyes not leaving Aries’ face.

“Give me your offering, knight,” Cadmus groaned as he hilted himself as far as he could go and started to grind down into Aries’ pelvis. That was enough for Aries and the human moaned around Cadmus’ fingers. Aries huffed, snorting through his nose as his climax took him. When Cadmus moved his hips, the sound of cum being moved around in his hole was wonderful.

Cadmus hissed out in pleasure as his knight pumped up into him. Aries continued to thrust his hips, this time more uncontrolled, as he came which only added to the mess that frothed up around Cadmus’ hole and rolled down onto Aries’ own member. It was a wonderful mess, a reminder of how much Cadmus would be willing to do to please him. At the same time, Aries loved how his sweet dragon took the reins for something more experimental as the fingers in his mouth could attest to.

Aries still had Cadmus’ fingers lodged in his mouth and sighed, happy and spent. His body was covered in sweat, cum, and his dragon’s scent. There was nothing that was saved from Cadmus’ onslaught. Each part of Aries was touched and licked and Aries could feel the reminisce of where his dragon had left saliva or cum. It was as if they were having their own golden hour, their bodies light and relaxed. Cadmus collapsed on top of Aries, his full weight flopping onto the knight. Cadmus gave a happy trill. Aries yelped, his body smooshed underneath the much larger dragon. It was like someone had suddenly dropped four bags of flour onto him. It wasn’t uncomfortable, just sudden like wrapped in a heavy, warm blanket.

“How….was that?” Cadmus panted out and adjusted himself. There was an abrupt pop as Aries cock was released from his lover’s hole followed by a light stream of cum.

Aries laughed, the sound like the shiniest of gems to Cadmus’ ears.

“It was wonderful, you big lug. You are like a carpet with legs.”

Cadmus grinned at the joke. “I get to lay on you because I took you. That’s how we do it in our culture.”

Aries looked Cadmus in the eyes to see him do what the knight’s hounds used to behave if they were caught doing something bad; look away sheepishly with their eyes peering up at their owner.

“You are a terrible liar,” Aries contested with a smile.

“Lay there and take it, my brave, strong, and dashing knight.”

Aries beamed at his lover, lifting his upper body up off for a moment before rolling the dragon onto his back and straddling his hips. Cadmus had a dumbfounded look, his eyes wide as dinner plates and Aries placed his hands on the dragon’s shoulders. Aries felt something wet and messy throb right in between his rump.

“Seems that turned you on…”

Cadmus ignored Aries, his focus still on the fact he was lifted up and his weight used against him. “Was wrestling a form of sport among your brothers? I am impressed you can throw me around a bit.” Cadmus chortled, allowing Aries his small victory and aroused at the idea that Aries had hidden strength.

“No, but my training and conditioning allows me to maneuver studs like you around…”

Cadmus blushed, his ears flicking in excited motions and his tail reaching up to wrap around his knight’s ankle. “You have such a fire in you, Aries. It brings me such joy to see it burn.”

“You as well, my love. Of course, you are a dragon,” Aries said with a soft smile and got up off of Cadmus. He offered his hand to the dragon and Cadmus took it with his grace and posture returning.

“Your legends are a little crude, thinking we can summon huge flames, but I cannot say I don’t fancy such an idea,” Cadmus replied as Aries led him towards the baths. Cadmus could not help but watch his lover’s hips sway as he walked to the deeper areas of the bath as if beckoning him in. Water separated, a ring moving to the edge of the rocks. Cadmus stepped into the bath, following Aries into the center of the pool. Their steps were less focused now. The two were relaxed as the afterglow powered through them. Cadmus imagined them like the nymphs he saw on his father’s paintings. They were so carefree as they galloped around the canvis like they had nothing else to do but enjoy themselves and nature. For once, he felt as if he could relate to such a painting.

Cadmus followed and hooked his arms underneath the knight's own to hold him against his chest. There was a brief silence between them, the water washing away their lovemaking and the two standing with one another. Aries leaned back to rest his head on Cadmus’ right shoulder and closed his eyes. Cadmus’ hands cupped water, bringing them up to his lover and pouring it onto Aries’ head. He started to wash him, his hands moving across Aries’ front and over his pecs and nipples before moving down towards Aries’ pelvis. He started to grope his lover, making sure to clean him properly.

“I have done some research by the way...”

“Oh really?” Aries said with raised interest in his voice.

“Your name.”

“Mmmmm...” Aries purred as he leaned back and put his weight against Cadmus. He wanted to make sure he could hear everything that Cadmus was about to say but his ears were still ringing from their uncapped passions.

.

“In ancient folklore, if a sailor had ever lost their way, there was always a star that guided them home. Your name was taken from said star...Polaris. Your namesake, Aries, shares a constellation from our language. Leo follows another. They are constellations that appear during the early spring and summer and tell farmers when to plant based on the trajectory in the sky.”

“I...always wondered where my name came from. It was so different from the others,” Aries replied. Cadmus moved his hands up to his shoulders and rubbed the tense muscles. He leaned in to kiss Aries on the neck.

“You are tied to me more than I thought,” Cadmus hummed thoughtfully.

“And my father, too,” Aries frowned. “His death was so sudden and strange. If he is connected to you, then I think he might have connections to Cinere as well.” Aries imagined, for the briefest of moments, his father running amongst dragons. There was an odd tingle that ran up Aries’ spine and it wasn’t from Cadmus moving towards his backside. What could his dad have to do with dragons?

“I will be by your side when we find the answers you seek,” Cadmus reassured and rested his chin on Aries’ neck.

“I know, Cadmus.”

Aries turned on his heel, looking at Cadmus’ sapphire eyes. There was no give in them. The intense blue that looked like a thousand oceans rolled into one.

“And I will be by your side when we take Cinere back.”

Like a bolt of lightning, Cadmus had a burst of resolution. It felt like no one could shake them. They were holding one another up like scaffolding to a building; supporting one another like a keystone supports an archway. The bond between them was strong as silver and as durable as marble.

Cadmus wrapped his arms around Aries in a tight hug. If they truly were going to take Cinere, his poor human did not know that much more than arrows would be aimed at his knight and this time their aim would be honed for thousands of years. Thousands of dragons who have known nothing but war and conquest would see Aries as nothing more than a consequence of hubris. Aries would need the strongest armor and the sharpest sword and Cadmus would need the most clever of advisors and cunning magicians. He did not know where they would find such capable men but he knew he had a knight. His knight.

Cadmus was quiet, holding Aries in his arms as if he would disappear. They had little chips to bargain and even more to lose. The dice that they were playing against the Fates were weighted against them. Cadmus was still silent, thinking of their next move.

They had to get crystals in order to congregate magic once again. If they had any chance to get to Cinere, it would be by going there directly through the foggy grimoire. Looking around his cave, Cadmus saw the graveyard of gems. Each crystal was empty and tapped out of usable energy. There was nothing left; all of it was used to save Aries. Cadmus rubbed his fingers across the scar on Aries’ chest and felt his human jump slightly.

“O-oh, I’m sorry. I guess I was just lost in thought.”

“It’s fine. I think it is healed anyway,” Aries replied.

His brave knight stood ever tall. How much would it take for him to fall? Cadmus hoped he would never answer such a question again. An arrow to the lung was much too close.

The two washed together for an hour, never leaving one another’s side. The two flowed together like the water they were in, leaning into one another’s touches and kissing when their muzzles were close. Cadmus was still hard, his body begging Aries to play with it but the human knew Giscela would be back any minute. If they were to tear into one another again, Aries would never forgive himself if the Princess caught them in the act.

Before Aries could continue in his thoughts, there was the sound of running. It was leather boots and loud panting. Giscela shot into the cave, her leather boots sliding across the rock as she came to a stop in front of the pool. She hunched over, sweat dripping off of her forehead and onto the ground. Her hair was in tatters and her face was as white as snow. She leaned against one of the rocks. In her hands was a letter, opened with the seal broken and hanging off the top and bottom of the ledger paper.

“Giscela, what is wrong?” Cadmus asked and shot towards her. Aries stood where he was, his heart jumping into his throat. Nothing in the way she was acting could be good.

The Princess looked as if she was about to faint. Her mouth was twisted in some form of nausea and disgust. She sat down near the edge of the pool, her body unable to hold up due to how tired she was.

“ My father is dead by way of assassin! What is more, the letter speaks of the dagger that was left in my father’s back. It was a dagger encrusted with fog filled gems!”

Aries knew that they were mistaken. It was not fog they were filled with...it was energy. He looked at Cadmus, the dragon tensing up and his eyes not leaving Giscela’s tired form.

“Giscela, please take a breath. Maybe some tea…”

Her eyes shot to Cadmus like a feral wolf about to pounce on prey. “The jewels are not known to any. Not Lanish or Sarwin or Rendelen...” Cadmus recoiled for only a second but pushed on to slide as close as he could to Giscela. There was no fear in his eyes.

There was a quiet, uncomfortable silence between them. Giscela took off her boots, bringing her feet to the water. The blisters that she had were red and irritated. Some were even bleeding. There was no doubt in Aries’ mind that she ran the whole way back. Cadmus was visibly shaken, knowing full well what Giscela was going to say next yet he still moved forward to comfort Giscela.

“Princess, I am terribly sorry for your loss. I cannot share your pain but I am here to listen…”

Giscela bristled for a moment, but when she felt Cadmus’ paw on her knee, she relaxed. “I hated my father,” Giscela started and looked between the duo. “No, I despised him. Ever since I became a Spymaster, what he wanted and what the Senate wanted, there was an ironic twist for him; I gained independence and he grew more desperate to keep me in his clutches, but no one deserves a knife in their back.”

Adjusting the letter in her hands so the writing faced Cadmus, she slid the paper over. “Notice who the seal is marked by. It’s the Senate.”

Aries shifted forward and moved to look at the letter. He made sure to avoid touching it since his hands were still wet from the water. It was the Senate, the emblem of the gryphon pressed into the wax for the stamp. The red wax was broken in two; one side hanging off the top and another off the bottom. The writing was officious, penned by the highest in the council and signed officially at the bottom by several Senators. Aries did not bother reading through all of it but there was something that stood out among the rest of the words. A mention of crowning someone as the ruling monarchy. It was an idle sentence but the implications would send ripples throughout all of Rendelen. Aries’ eyes scanned over the bottom of the letter and noticed one particular string of sentences…

“Princess Giscela, it is in times of need like these that the nation of Rendelen requires a firm adjustment by a hand that knows how to move its pieces. We invite you, and your disgraced party, to the grand castle for a crowning ceremony to instill you as Queen.”

Immediately, it was clear why Rendelen had not sent an army. They were in a mad scramble to fill the vacuum of power. So many questions were going through Aries' mind that he felt nauseous.

“Giscela, you are going to be the next Queen…” Aries whispered and looked up at the Princess Regent.

Giscela chuckled darkly. “It is only so the Senate can look after me and watch both of you. They most likely think we are murderers in a grand scheme for power. Edward went back and filled in the gaps for them.”

With their bath coming to a halt, Aries was tempted to pull himself out of the water and dry off but standing in front of a future Queen naked and unashamed seemed wrong. Giscela could see Aries squirming about, his hands coming up to the edge and she huffed.

“It’s nothing I haven’t seen before, Aries. Especially since I can guess what you two were up to,” she said with a knowing smile. “You two seemed to have cemented your own royal line, ehh?”

She snickered and Cadmus immediately put his hands to his cheeks and his wings gave an adorable flap. “Well, not exactly...it’s hard to do that since we are both male b-”

Aries shot Cadmus a look and the dragon looked like he would be blushing as red as a bundle of cherries. The small breath of air he made gave a puff of smoke. He blinked, his expression deadpan before there was a moment of realization.

He snorted but not before Giscela burst out in joyous laughter. Aries’s chuckled, his lover finally in on the joke.

“How can you tell we did anything?” Cadmus sheepishly said, his body shifting to the side and his voice having a sing-songy tone to it.

“Well, first you admitted it,” Giscela chortled. “Second, I can smell it.”

Aries’ gasped and Cadmus made a sound that was comparable to a quiet raspberry. Giscela was ecstatic, her laugh echoing throughout the cave.

“Oh, relax you prudes. You act so innocent but I know that I am in the company of two beasts now,” Giscela teased and looked from Cadmus to Aries.

Eventually, the three’s laughter began to die down and they were left with a pause.

“Gods, what company I have come across,” Giscela said and she happily waded her feet in the water. Although Giscela seemed in better spirits, Giscela’s eyes told a different story and the fact that her smile was only half its usual brightness.

Aries reached forward and placed his arm on her leg. “Listen, you do not always have to be strong or hide how you feel.”

Giscela’s voice was unsteady, the words she was going to say stopping mid breath. She still had a smile, her eyes crinkling at the sides. Rolling back her shoulders and sitting straight and proud, Giscela steadied her resolve.

“I am not okay, Aries. You can sense that here, but there must be someone who can stand tall even when facing the fiercest of storms. If I cannot take the weight that the crown puts on me, then the people will not stand beside me when I call for their aid.”

Cadmus moved forward, his large body pushing water around his body and off to the sides. “You at least have two that stand beside you now. I am willing to carry some of your burden.”

Placing his arm across his chest, Cadmus curtsied and Giscela beamed. “You will be a fine advisor to my flock, Cadmus. With your age, you have honed your wisdom to a sharp tip like a knight who maintains their blade. I value your input.”

Cadmus gave a pleased trill, his mind already imagining himself among rows of books in Rendelen’s libraries and combing through their most ancient tomes. If anything, humans did love the history of themselves and Cadmus was more than eager to have a peek. Although it was just a title for now, Cadmus already had a grandiose dream.

Giscela’s gaze moved to Aries. “And you, my dashing knight, are one of the bravest men that I have ever had the pleasure of coming across. You will be at my side as my champion.”

Aries bowed low, one arm behind his back while his other crossed his chest. “I’ll spill my blood and take a thousand arrows to honor such a prestigious title, my Queen.”

“Errr, let’s hold back on the arrows, my love,” Cadmus whispered.

Aries smiled. Cadmus always had a way with words and this time was no different.

Giscela’s smile widened. “It is a new beginning. I have already mourned for my father long ago before he was killed. We shall go to the capital at dawn tomorrow. It is not ideal for any of us but it is a journey that gives us three days to prepare a plan. Does anyone have something different in mind?”

Although Cadmus and Aries shared a hesitative glance, they both knew that the day they would step forth into the capital would come upon them at some point. Giscela’s stern but sure voice was what both of them needed to come to move forward. Aries knew that the only place he would find answers about his father was in the Capital and Cadmus knew that the only way to grow his influence and his army was to influence the powers that ruled the land.

“No, my Queen,” both answered together.

“Then it is settled. Tomorrow, we leave the cave we have called home and go forth to Rendelen.”

With that, it was final. There were no loud trumpets or rousing applause. The cave itself was once again quiet but the trio knew that everything was about to change. Each step out of the safety of their home was going to have uncertainty but it was not like their lives were stable to begin with. They were a knight, a dragon, and a Queen like some strange, obtuse chess game.

The three had much to think about on their last night in the place they called home. For two months, they all grew together as people inside the rocks. Now, it was time to truly make a difference. For some reason, each of them knew that gears were turning and drums of war were only moments away. They needed to convince the Senate that the murder was not done by someone operating on their behalfs. At the moment, the only thing that was certain was they would need plenty of rest for the coming journey.