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That worked. Vasily, helpless to do otherwise, smiled back. Amaru’s happiness was damn infectious, and he was not immune. “I do.”
Amaru stopped trying to squirm away and threw both arms around Vasily’s neck, snuggling in. “Why didn’t you just say so? I can snuggle for a little while.”
Vasily’s dragon was so puffed up with achievement that the silly creature was damn close to roaring. He bit back that impulse, somehow.
Amaru stayed happy in Vasily’s arms the whole walk back to Amaru’s tent. Vasily ducked a little to get inside, laying Amaru down on his bed first before toeing off his boots and climbing in with him. Amaru immediately turned, welcoming him in, one arm around Vasily’s waist, his leg thrown over Vasily’s hips—like it was Amaru who was intent on keeping him here now.
He carded his fingers through Amaru’s thick dark hair, smiling down at this man who did funny things to his heart. Mental note: offer snuggles and not naps. Honestly, no hardship on his part.
For a second, he thought Amaru asleep, then the mage’s head tilted back. He could barely keep his eyes open, fighting off sleep with sheer stubbornness.
“Vas? Where’s Luka?”
With those three words, Vasily’s heart sank. Luka had promised him he would try, and he should be here for moments like this. The fact that Amaru was asking for Luka was proof enough that both dragons belonged to Amaru. He felt a sense of despair wash through him. He didn’t know what else to do to convince Luka. Words, arguments, persuasion—none of that had worked. It felt like something sharp and merciless had been driven into his heart. Before twisting.
Fighting to keep his face neutral, and feeling like he failed, he got an elbow under him. He just couldn’t keep lying here pretending it was all fine. And maybe dragging Luka here would be the right tactic.
“I’ll get him for you.”
Amaru growled in frustration, hand and leg latching on, hauling Vasily back in. Or trying to; he wasn’t as strong as Vasily.
“Noooooo. No leaving. Snuggles!”
Uhhh. While cute, this was not helpful. “I thought you wanted Luka?”
Amaru got this look, the one that said he had just listened to something very stupid and now Had Opinions About It. He snagged Vasily by the nape of his neck and leaned up.
The first brush of lips sent a tingle through Vasily’s system. Then those lips pressed in, demanding a response. Vasily couldn’t even think of resisting. He sank into it with a sigh, kissing back, loving that sweet taste. He’d wanted to kiss Amaru for days. So, so badly.
Drawing back, Amaru breathed against his mouth, “Yes. Obviously. I want you too. No leaving. Use your cell phone and your words.”
Well, yes, he knew that. He wasn’t sure why Amaru was saying the obvious. For some reason it seemed Amaru felt like this was in question.
“I know that you want me.”
Amaru beamed, his smile somewhat loopy if satisfied. “Good! Now, get Luka over here.”
Vasily obediently pulled his phone out of his back pocket and texted Luka.
Come cuddle? Amaru refuses to sleep without you.
“I must figure out how cell phones work,” Amaru grumbled, his eyes envious, bottom lip pushed out in a pout. “They’re so convenient.”
He regarded Amaru, trying to see how the logic connected, but it didn’t quite work. “Uh, Amaru? You can use a phone without knowing how it functions.”
“Blasphemy!”
A response came back, the phone chiming with an incoming text.
Coming. Which tent? Luka asked.
Amaru’s
Kk
Amaru lifted up, squinting at the phone like it was blurry. Or trying to be cryptic on purpose to thwart him. “He said he’s coming. Right?”
“Right.”
“Damn translation spell needs to be refocused or something, all the words are running together.”
Vasily was 99.9 percent sure the spell was functioning fine. Would he say that? No, he chose life. “After our cuddle, you can look at it.”
“Mmm’kay.” Amaru’s eyes blinked closed, then shot open again. “Can’t sleep. Too much to do.”
“Just a cuddle,” Vasily soothed, stroking a hand gently up and down his back.
“Mm, right, cuddle. Must make time for cuddles. Where’s Luka? Why isn’t he here?”
“He’s coming.”
“Mm’kay. You not leaving.”
“No, I won’t leave.” Even he could hear how his voice cracked on that one. It was so hard to keep his emotions in check.
Footsteps he knew well approached. Luka ducked into the tent a second later. He took them in, brows climbing into his hairline. Amaru and Vasily probably did look very comfortable and established.
Amaru pointed an authoritative finger at Luka, then pointed to his other side where there was room on the cot. “You. Here.”
That warm, sweet smile on Luka’s face put a pang in Vasily’s heart. Look at him, he really couldn’t resist Amaru. Now if Luka’s dragon would just say something…
“Yes, sir. Can I take my boots off first?”
“I’ll allow it.”
“You’re so generous.”
Amaru snickered, and he kept an eye on Luka as he waited.
