Sam measured detergent, started the cycle, and immediately forgot what he was doing because his brain decided now was the right time toreplay Rux’s dragon form - the size of him and the way his scales caught the moonlight.
Sam grabbed the broom and swept the kitchen floor. Except then he kept thinking about Mabon’s darker scales, the way they’d rippled when he moved, and how his dragon eyes had stayed focused on Sam the entire time. So patient and kind.
The dustpan clattered to the floor.
“Get it together,” Sam told himself as he picked it up.
The dishes weren’t going to wash themselves either, and as it was a perfectly simple, mundane chore, Sam felt he could handle it. Except Sam’s hands kept pausing mid-scrub because he kept remembering Urien’s silver-blue dragon purring under his touch, the sound vibrating through Sam’s entire body like thunder, only so much gentler. Sighing, drying the last plate, Sam put it away.
He made his bed, which took three attempts because Sam kept wondering what their estate lookedlike during the day. If Urien’s garden was as extensive as his skill suggested, if Mabon’s library was actually full of first editions, and if Rux’s kitchen had one of those fancy ranges that Sam had drooled over in magazine spreads.
He vacuumed the sitting room while Basil supervised from the sofa, judging Sam’s technique as he always did. Basil wasn’t a fan of the vacuum cleaner.
“Did I mention they’re dragons?” Sam made sure the vacuum didn’t get too close to Basil’s tail. “Ancient, powerful, magical dragons who can shift forms and have lived longer than you or I could imagine, and can you believe it? They want me.”
Basil yawned.
“You’re being super helpful as always, thanks.”
Sam emptied the vacuum, folded the throw blanket, and straightened the cushions. Normal everyday human chores. Except nothing felt normal anymore because yesterdaymorning, he’d been ordinary Sam Brown, and now he was apparently a Treasure with a capital T.
His phone buzzed, and Sam fumbled as he grabbed it, almost dropping it.
Rux: Coffee tomorrow after you finish your shift? An actual date this time. We promise not to order seventeen drinks. Or maybe we will. We’re still figuring this out. All three of us want to be there. If that’s okay?
Sam’s heart did a double flip, and his thumbs moved before he could overthink it.
Sam: It’s a date. All three of you. But maybe just order one coffee each this time
Three thumbs-up emojis appeared immediately.
Then a second text from Rux.We’ll try, but no promises. Mabon’s already planning to order two to make the date last longer
Sam grinned at his phone like an idiot.
Basil jumped down from the sofa and wound around Sam’s ankles again, purring louder as if to attract his attention.
“Yeah,” Sam said softly. “I know, it’s insane, but I have a date after work tomorrow.”
The cat’s purr grew louder. Sam was going to take that as a ringing endorsement of the idea.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Mabon
“We told him the truth,” Mabon said. “He said yes. Everything else should be simple.”
“Nothing about this has been simple so far.” Urien twisted another button off his shirt.
Rux emerged from the kitchen with flour in his hair. “What if he changes his mind? What if he woke up this morning and realized we’re completely insane?”
“We’re not insane. We’re dragons.” Mabon stopped pacing. “We can do this. This is a casual coffee in a public place, meaning it’s a very low-pressure date.”
“Are you sure?” Urien sounded doubtful. “You tried to buy his workplace.”
“That was different.”
“And you called his drink basic,” Rux added from the kitchen door.
