"Yes. That is it, little mate. Fuck. Look at you,"he panted.
He lasted a few more minutes. Archer was boneless in his hold, the little human exhausted. Romilly was battling his own issues. His dragon wanted to bite Archer, wanted to seal the mate bond completely so that nothing and no one could ever step between them.
In his mind, he warned the dragon that that would be too far. They'd already skipped ahead, but he could make up for that. A forced bond, he couldn't.
Lost in his thoughts, he didn't realize he was so close to breaking apart until his body lit with the familiar sparks. He pulled his hands away from Archer as flame erupted across his skin and his scales appeared. He tilted his head back, smoke pouring from his nose and mouth.
The fire inside of him, the dragon, bellowed, happy that they had filled their mate. While Archer might not have a womb, he was still theirs. For Romilly and his inner animal, it was enough.
Romilly let them rest for a few minutes before cleaning them up and tucking Archer into bed while he made plans for the next day. He explained to Shea that he wouldn't be in unless it was very late because he had a mate to take care of.
"You've explained it to him?" she asked.
"More or less, he knows enough and I am confident this is what we need."
She grumbled, but there wasn't much she could do to argue with him. He was king and her boss. Plus, if anyone asked, all she had to say was the mate bond called him to spend time with his person.
Romilly fell asleep with his little human in his arms, Archer's soft breath fanning across the trail of hair on his chest.
When he awoke several hours later, they were in the same position. Archer was a little more wrapped around him, leg lifted and arm across Romilly's chest. He chuckled softly, careful not to wake the little human.
As he laid there, he gazed upon his mate, sending thanks up to Fate for such a blessing. How did he ever live without Archer? Life seemed so much brighter. Nothing could dull how happy he was.
Romilly gently lifted the hand that was behind Archer and trailed it down his mate's back. His skin was smooth and slightly dampened with sweat. Probably because Romilly was naturally warm. His dragon kept a fire within him and that meant his skin was several degrees more than what a human would be used to. Archer didn't pull back from it though. If anything, he had cuddled closer, which amused Romilly to no end.
Seeing his mate in their closeness, a sense of guilt ran through him. Last night hadn’t gone anywhere near like what he had planned. The talk that he intended to have with Archer turned into so much more. He was thankful, sure, who wouldn't be when you got to be with your mate and hold them close all night.
At the same time, he was mad at himself. Where had his control gone? How had he let that dragon inside of him,the spoiled brat, loose enough to take over?
Romilly could feel himself getting worked up. He had to force his emotions down, pushing them away. It wasn't the time. He would have to apologize later. Sure, that was a given. Thinking about it while he still had his mate comfortably in his arms did no good.
He laid there a while longer cataloguing every single inch of Archer's face and body that he could. The lack of laugh lines on his face showed just how lonely his boy was. The bags under his eyes showed he was struggling with getting proper rest, thoughhe seemed to be in a very deep sleep at the moment. He hoped when Archer woke he could convince him to move into Romilly's room. Then his mate wouldn't be so worn down.
He noted every freckle and curve of Archer's body, every piece and part of him that fit so well next to Romilly. By the time Archer started to stir, Romilly was enamored, even more so than he had been.
Archer blinked several times before his eyes fully opened. When they did, Romilly was relieved to see there was no fear. There was a touch of confusion. And then a beaming smile was sent his way.
"Morning," Archer purred, snuggling deeper into Romilly's chest. "You're so warm," he said.
Romilly chuckled. "Yes, little one, it is the dragon inside of me. He keeps my body warm at all times, and I am grateful to him for it, especially if you enjoy it."
"I do," Archer hummed. "So perfect." He buried his face more so into Romilly's chest, rooting around as if he were looking for something to suck on. The notion had Romilly instantly hard, his body lighting up.
"Mate," he cooed, tugging at Archer so he could see his boy's face. "Do you feel rested?"
Archer blushed. "Yes, I do. And a bit sore."
The second part had Romilly fighting off a grin. "Is that so?"
He trailed his hand down Archer's spine, moving over the curve above his ass and down to his cheeks. He squeezed the round globes gently, then spread them. Archer's body, attuned to its mate's touch already, began to leak slick.
Archer moaned, stretching his body and lifting his leg further, giving Romilly permission.
He trailed a finger gently over his mate's puckered hole. "It seems to me like you are not in as much pain as you thought, little one."
Archer nodded, eyes closed tight and bit his lip. Romilly eased a single finger inside his little human. Archer didn't freeze or act as if he was hurt. But the small dip in his brow told Romilly maybe his mate was indeed sore. While his body was adapting to be that of a dragon king's mate, there were still human elements to him.
Lots of human elements.
