Page 13 of Connor and the Dragons

“Leo, the bouncer at the club, came into the bathroom right as you stepped through the mirror. He followed you through and he’s being questioned now,” Pip said. “I did point out that neither Leo nor you are twinks. They’re not convinced.”

I blew out a breath. “So our only chance to get back home is to suddenly learn spycraft?”

“I can be sneaky,” Oallian said, with more confidence than he had any right to given the fact that everyone had seen him steal a fourth scone.

“Do you… know what sneaky means?” I asked. Pip snickered.

“He does not,” Lord Frost said. “Or we’d be wondering where all the food went, not looking at the remnants sprinkled all over his robe.”

“But it’s a good plan otherwise? I can learn to sneak. I’m a very good boy, and a quick study.”

Aeldryc rolled his eyes.

“Do good boys eat all the scones?” I raised my eyebrows at Oallian. Fuck. Good boy? I definitely did not want to think about how easily that had come out of my mouth.

Lord Frost gave me a long, unblinking look, and frost swirled at his feet as he paced across the room, then back the other way.

“I will speak with the Queen. She will authorize it,” he said. “But this must all be completed with the utmost secrecy.”

Pip’s mouth spread into a wide smile. Aeldryc’s frown deepened by one professional degree.

“The arrangements will take a few days,” Lord Frost went on, crisp and fast, burying the yes under conditions before anyone could stare at it. “We would leave early in the morning and land at night, on the northern headland, out of sight of any locals. We’d have to approach Limin City in human form. Mr. Liang remains in my sight, as does Oallian Vyranthos. And Oallian, you must not, in any situation, let the dragon free.”

“It’s not always my choice—”

“You must not,” Lord Frost said firmly. He picked up his wine and drank some, closing the matter. “It is not a vacation, this is the crown’s official business.”

“If we decide to go through with it,” I said.

Lord Frost pulled a watch out of his pocket and frowned down at it. “We’ll meet with Queen Delsynarea and get some clarity on this plan, and come back tomorrow morning.”

With that, they all bustled out of the room, closing and locking both doors behind them as if we were some great security risk. I looked at Oallian, who’d skittered across the room to seat himself in front of Pip’s basket. “They left the scones!” he cheered.

I sat down across from him and took one, using the little spoon to add some jam to it, then taking a big bite. It was fucking delicious, buttery and flaky and perfectly warm.

Oallian was frowning at me.

“You’re okay with this plan?” I asked. “There’s nothing really in it for you.”

“There is, too. I get to stay me. Plus, perhaps you’ll decide you want to…” He looked pointedly at my crotch.

“Be a good fucking boy or you won’t get any treats,” I growled, realizing a little too late how that had sounded. I cleared my throat. “Sorry. I meant scones.”

But Oallian’s eyes were dilated and his mouth was soft. “Could you talk to me like that again?”

“What?”

“The harder my cock gets—”

I interrupted him. “Fuck, Oallian, I do not need to know the state of your cock.” And there was no reason for my eyes to drop down between his legs and check it. Probably some kind of instinctive response, like looking at a crash on the highway or whatever. “Try to explain without sex.”

“Um. Well, certain things…” He glanced down at his dick and waggled his eyebrows. “Certain things quiet Vyranthos. And I feel more in control.”

“What does Vyranthos sound like? When he’s loud.”

“It’s more an emotional push. Need and hunger and rage, and a very strong urge to go find… raw snacks. Sometimes, I think he’s stronger than me. That’s why he always dominates.”

“And when I call you a good boy?”